How to Get Rid of Stubborn Facial Hair

It is an unfortunate reality of patriarchal society that women feel compelled to remove their facial and bodily hair. If you feel comfortable with all of the hair on your body, great! And if you don’t feel comfortable and are looking for hair removal solutions, that is okay too! You should be proud of your body and your choices, regardless of which path you take. Here is a complete list of your options for removing stubborn facial hair.

Shaving

Contrary to popular belief, shaving your facial or body hair does not result in the hair growing back thicker or darker. I repeat: this is a MYTH, but there is some truth to it. When you shave hair for the first time, you are slicing off the fine, tapered edge that gives the hair a thinner appearance. Once that tapered edge is lobbed off, the hair edge that we see is blunt and appears darker. So shaving your facial hair might not be a great option for those who already have dark hair between their eyebrows or above their upper lips. 

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is essentially shaving with a twist, but those who dermaplane are also looking to shave off peach fuzz and to exfoliate their faces. Dermaplaning comes with the added benefit of pampering one’s skin, which is always a plus in my book! Professionals who offer dermaplaning to their clients will use scalpels, but those of us DIY-ers looking to do it at home can buy tiny razors in specialty stores specifically for dermaplaning or even regular razors for the purpose. 

If you go the route of using a regular razor, you will want a new, sharp blade every time. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance here, people! Drag the razor or dermaplaning tool across the area you’re looking to shave, as well as any other areas on your face with peach fuzz. Dermaplaning will aid in the smoother application of makeup by essentially carving off all dead skin cells and icky bits sitting on your face. 

This treatment is not for everyone, however: if you have severe rosacea or sensitive areas on your face, you will want to steer clear of dermaplaning.

Waxing

Waxing can be a challenge for beginners looking to remove stubborn facial hair at home. It can be difficult to apply evenly and keep the wax at the right temperature. I recommend buying an all-in-one waxing kit with a full set of directions. Follow those directions closely, and be gentle on your skin after the treatment. One of the cons of waxing is that it essentially rips the top layer of your skin off if not done properly, and beginners will often not know they’re doing damage until it is too late. Never go over the same area you’ve already waxed more than two times, as you could be doing irreparable damage to your skin. This is especially important for first-timers who see that they’ve missed a spot and are itching to go back. 

Bleaching

Bleaching facial hair is a quick fix for those tired of the pain associated with waxing and plucking or those that don’t have the time or patience to see a professional. There are many home bleaching kits you can buy specifically tailored to the bleaching of facial hair. Usually, bleaching kits will come with three components: the bleach itself and the activator, as well a mixing tool. While these kits are convenient and easier to navigate than waxing, you won’t want to get too casual in your application or you can suffer some serious chemical burns. As long as you are following package directions and are using a reputable brand with no mercury in it, bleaching is completely safe.

Hair Removal Cream

There are a wide variety of cream hair removal products on the market. Popular with those looking to remove body hair, some brands like Hair Free Hair Remover also offer facial hair removing creams. Most of these treatments are to be completed on a weekly basis over a period of 3-6 weeks for complete hair removal. You will want to patch test on your forearm before applying to a wide swath of skin to be sure that you are not allergic to the product. 

Laser Treatments

Laser hair removal is often touted as the permanent solution and the holy grail of hair removal, but there are some significant drawbacks that ought to give you pause. Laser treatments are usually hundreds of dollars a session, with full removal requiring multiple sessions. Plus, only those candidates with dark, coarse hair are likely to see benefits from permanent laser hair removal treatments. Redheads, blondes, and light brunettes need not apply. Finally, laser hair removal is not always permanent or complete in its removal of hair. There will always be some stubborn hair.