Are you contemplating plucking your facial hair and questioning if it’s a poor choice? Welcome! Your face is invaluable, and it's certainly not a suitable testing ground for every hair removal technique available. If you truly care about your appearance, this article deserves your attention and multiple readings.
While I will assume you have a basic understanding of what plucking entails, revisiting this topic is essential for newcomers. So, what exactly is hair plucking, and how is it performed? This upcoming section will address that.
Table of Contents:
What is Hair Plucking?
Hair plucking refers to a method of hair removal that utilizes tools such as tweezers to grasp and extract hair strands from their follicles. A localized form of this technique involves using your fingers to pluck hairs directly from your body. Common areas on the face where many women apply this method include the eyebrows, chin, and upper lip.
Unless you opt for topical anesthesia, you should anticipate experiencing a certain level of discomfort with this hair removal method. One of its advantages is its affordability, as it can keep you hairless for a minimum of four weeks. However, weighing the pain it inflicts and other possible drawbacks, is it truly a suitable method for facial hair removal? Let’s explore this further in the next section.
5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Pluck Your Facial Hair
From the title alone, it’s evident we hold a negative view of plucking: it is generally not advisable for the face. If you're curious about the reasons behind this stance, here are five compelling points, many of which are backed by research and can be independently verified.
Let’s not sugarcoat it; plucking or tweezing is far from painless. The discomfort escalates when plucking hairs from sensitive areas like your face. Each tug can send unpleasant sensations throughout your body, and you might struggle to finish the process without the aid of topical anesthesia. Why endure such discomfort when there are far less painful alternatives that prove equally effective?
If you’re averse to skin issues such as redness, inflammation, and irritation, it’s wise to avoid plucking. Studies indicate that approximately two out of three individuals who employ this technique experience one or more of these skin complications. The odds are even greater for those susceptible to allergies or possessing sensitive skin. Moreover, the face is the least forgiving area for such irritations, as they can significantly affect your self-esteem.
Pulling hairs from their follicles can stimulate melanin production, the pigment responsible for coloring skin and hair. Increased plucking can lead to the formation of dark spots or patches on the skin, particularly for individuals with darker complexions. Once again, the face is not the ideal area to risk such potential side effects.
There’s also the possibility that plucking your facial hair could alter the direction of subsequent regrowth, causing hairs to grow back into the skin. This misdirection can result in unsightly, painful cysts or bumps on your face. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? Probably not. Therefore, refraining from plucking your facial hair is advisable.
The aftermath of plucking can be unpredictable. Some people report that their hair grows back faster and finer, while others claim it takes longer to see new hair. Plucking can inflict lasting damage to your hair follicles, potentially resulting in irreversible hair loss. If you wish to retain the option of regrowth or simply avoid uncertainty, it is best to steer clear of plucking altogether.
Helpful Tips If You Must Pluck Your Facial Hair
While plucking may not be the most effective method for eliminating facial hair, you might find yourself needing to do so. If that’s the case, consider these helpful tips to mitigate potential side effects.
Before you begin plucking, gently cleanse your face with warm water and a mild cleanser to remove oil, dirt, and makeup residues. To eliminate dead skin cells, a gentle exfoliant can work wonders. By taking these steps, you will significantly reduce the likelihood of developing ingrown hairs.
The most common tool for plucking is a pair of tweezers, but you might have other locally made tools you prefer. Regardless of your choice, ensure that you disinfect these items—either by boiling them or wiping them down with 70% ethanol. Additionally, applying a topical antiseptic or antibiotic to your skin before plucking will help reduce the risk of infection or inflammation.
To minimize injury and the risk of ingrown hairs, pluck one hair at a time and do so gently. Start by pulling the skin taut, then pluck in the direction of hair growth. If your facial hair is too short, wait until it grows a bit longer before attempting to pluck. Generally, avoid plucking hairs in sensitive areas close to your nose, eyes, or mouth due to the heightened risk of infection and safety concerns.
Many individuals turn to Aloe Vera as a soothing moisturizer after waxing or plucking, and it can be quite effective in calming the skin post-treatment. Alternatively, applying a cold compress can help alleviate pain and swelling. During the initial days following plucking, it’s advisable to limit sun exposure and avoid applying makeup, as these actions can exacerbate skin irritation and prolong recovery.
Excellent Alternatives to Plucking
In this modern era, there is no reason to endure pain while removing unwanted body hair. Numerous alternatives are available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at some of these methods and how they may benefit you.
Shaving
Shaving is perhaps the simplest method for removing facial hair, even though it offers only temporary results. You may find it tedious to shave every few days, but it has minimal downsides and can easily be performed at home without requiring any special skills. Whether using electric shavers or clean razors, this method may seem like extra work, but it remains one of the safest options.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams are formulated to dissolve unwanted hair within minutes, leaving you with smooth skin. These creams are relatively affordable, harmless, and easy to apply. However, many users find them to have unpleasant odors that linger. Moreover, due to the ingredients used, caution is advised when applying these creams near sensitive areas like the eyes or nose.
Sugaring
Sugaring is an ancient Egyptian method resembling waxing, where body hairs are pulled from their roots using a mixture of sugar, lime, and water. This technique is often considered gentler on the skin than traditional waxing, primarily because it utilizes natural ingredients. Nonetheless, it isn’t entirely painless and may lead to various skin issues.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
A more recent and advanced hair removal method that is particularly safe for facial use is IPL.
