Having facial hair is nothing to be ashamed of — every woman deals with it.
For those who are itching to get rid of their pesky peach fuzz, there is a myriad of options to consider. There are short-term solutions, such as threading or waxing. More permanent solutions also exist, like laser hair removal or electrolysis. Each one comes with its unique benefits and drawbacks.
Below, you can learn about the most popular short-term and long-term hair removal methods, their pros and cons, and make the best decision for your facial skincare needs.
Short-Term Solutions
Let’s start with the short-term ways to easily get rid of facial hair.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning — also called microplaning or blading — is a treatment that involves removing dead skin cells with an exfoliating blade to get rid of fine wrinkles, deep acne scars, and last but not least, facial hair. The effect is a smooth, youthful, and fuzz-free face.
Pros:
- Achieves multiple desired effects
- Results last about two weeks
Cons:
- Doesn’t fully remove the hair from the follicle
- Not covered by insurance
- Not recommended for people dealing with cystic acne or related dermatological conditions
Depilatories
Depilatories are alkaline-based agents for hair removal that are found in creams, gels, and lotions. They temporarily remove hair from the face or body by penetrating hair follicles to break down the bonds.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Quick and convenient
- Pain-free
Cons:
- Can cause chemical burns
- Makes skin more sunburn-prone
- Results only last a couple of days
- Shouldn’t be used near genitals, eyes, or nose
- Some products contain harsh chemicals
- Unpleasant scent
Threading
Threading — also known as epilation — is an ancient technique that involves using a string to shape and remove hair. It is typically used for the eyebrow region but works on other facial hair, too.
Pros:
- Chemical-free
- Inexpensive
- Lasts up to six weeks
- Low maintenance
- Quick process
- Very precise
Cons:
- Pinching can occur
Waxing
Waxing involves applying warm wax to areas with unwanted hair, placing a cloth strip on top, and then quickly pulling the cloth in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
Pros:
- Dead skin cells are taken off in the process
- Lasts around a month
Cons:
- Can be painful
- Can cause residual redness and irritation
- Hair needs to be 1/4-inch or longer
Sugaring
Sugaring is an ancient hair removal technique that involves using a paste made of sugar, lemon, and water to remove hair from its root. It’s particularly effective for curly or ingrown hair.
Pros:
- Doesn’t pull live skin cells
- Easy cleanup
- Gets rid of hair for up to six weeks
- Hair only needs to be 1/16-inch
- Less painful than waxing
- More gentle on the skin than waxing
Cons:
- Can cause interactions with certain medications
Coil Hair Removers
Coil hair removers are devices that bend into a U-shape to catch and remove facial hair. They work especially well for removing hair on the upper lip.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Quick process
Cons:
- Can cause pain
- Difficult to clean
- Only catches thicker hairs
Prescription Creams
Topical prescription medications prevent hair growth by interacting with and inhibiting an enzyme in the hair follicle that is needed for hair growth.
Pros:
- Hairs become less coarse and dark
- Slows hair growth
Cons:
- Can cause temporary burning, redness, or rash
- Expensive
- Needs to be applied twice daily
- Requires a prescription
- Stops working when you stop using it
Long-Term Solutions
The problem with short-term solutions is just that: they are meant to be done quickly and last a short time, leaving you a facial hair removal routine that can be as frequent as daily.
Now for the long-term facial hair removal solutions.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved process in which a beam of light targets hair follicles and destroys them so they’re unable to grow hair in the future. For the best results, face laser hair removal requires four to six treatments.
Pros:
- Effective for any part of the body — including upper lip laser hair removal and laser hair removal on the chin
- Gets less painful with each treatment
- Large areas are treated all at once
- No maximum hair growth required
- Reduces hair counts by 40% to 80%
Cons:
- Initially expensive
- Multiple treatments needed for optimal results
- Without properly trained licensed esthetician to provide the treatment, you risk low quality results, and possibly scarring
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a method of removing hair in which a fine needle is inserted into the growth center of each hair and destroys it with heat or chemical energy. The hairs are subsequently removed with a tweezer.
Pros:
- Permanent
- Prevents ingrown hairs
- Works on everyone
Cons:
- Can cause skin discoloration
- Can cause pain
- Time-consuming
The Takeaway
For those hoping to get rid of unwanted facial hair, there are many options to choose from. However, no single method is right for everyone. Talk with your doctor to come up with a hair removal strategy that works for you.
