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Were mammals and all mammals have hair.
Experts in This Article
European Wax Center education manager.
board-certified dermatologist with Riverchase Dermatology
brand expert and ambassador atNads
Esthetician and skin-care pro with Flaunt Body.
Keep scrolling for your ultimate guide.
How to remove facial hair
1.
European Wax Center education manager.
As is the case with shaving any other part of your body, prepping your skin beforehand is key.
You could also prep with a non-comedogenic oil to soften the hair shaft.
Her faves to use?
Almond and grapeseed oils.
And, of course, confirm that your tools are clean.
Best for:Normal to oily types, says Traimaine.
Pain level:According to Tramaine, there should be minimal to no pain if done correctly.
After care:Moisturize, but stay away from anything with alcohol (which can irritate just-shaved skin).
Tweezing
Tweezing is another common DIY facial hair removing option, but its best for eyebrow hair.
European Wax Center education manager.
Not all tweezers are made the same, says Tramaine.
Also, tweezing works best if you have enough hair to work with.
To prep the area for a good tweeze, Petak recommends washing and exfoliating the skin beforehand.
This ensures that all dead skin is removed and will allow for the closest tweeze, she says.
Best for: All hair types, according to Tramaine.
Try something likeNads Facial Wax Strips($5) or theFlamingo Face Wax Kit($10).
Best for:Everyone except for those with sensitive skin types.
They should avoid waxing all together and check the ingredients of the wax for allergens, says Tramaine.
Pain level:This can be zero to five, depending on if you have previous waxing experience.
But its not as universally safe for all hair types.
I dont recommend these for coarse hair or for men, says Tramaine.
This jot down of machine is best for peach fuzz-jot down hairs.
Any other hair jot down can launch the risk of irritation, ingrown hair, pimples, and scarring.
The epilator doesnt offer much precision at all.
It is a machine that pulls many hairs out at once, she says.
Best for:Really fine peach-fuzz hair.
Pain level:Tramaine puts epilation at a 10.
Depilatory cream
A depilatory cream can help to remove unwanted hair with a simple slather.
These are formulated to dissolve unwanted facial hair in as little as four minutes, says Ismiel.
Dr. Chen recommends testing on a small patch of skin first since they can cause irritation.
For best results, she suggests applying your cream after the shower when the skin is more hydrated.
Best for:Fine hair types.
Note: these often have a strong smell.
After care:If irritation occurs, Dr. Chen recommends applying cortisone cream to combat inflammation.
Threading
Threading actually involves a cotton or polyester-based thread that rolls over unwanted hair to pluck it out.
Tramaine points out that its a traditional hair removal method in many Middle Eastern countries.
Typically, shed recommend leaving this method to the professionals.
It can cause a lot of frustration trying to get that perfect angle, she says.
Pain level:Tramaine ranks threading at a one to six depending on your pain tolerance.
Stick with gentle skin-care cleansers and moisturizers afterwards.
Topical prescription
There is one prescription-based option for removing facial hair: eflorinithine hydrochloride.
Its the only prescription hair removal product that slows down and eliminates hair growth, says Dr. Chen.
The medication works by affecting the stem cells in the hair bulb and stopping the hair growth.
Best for:Those who are not pregnant.
After care:A gentle skin-care routine.
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