Thick, luxuriant upper lip hair is proof of youth and virility in men. In women, it is proof that gender-based beauty standards are seriously unfair. If you need to remove lip hair, don't fret. There are many inexpensive and simple ways to do so. Facial hair removal methods range from the painless to the somewhat uncomfortable, and the results last from days to years. You may have to try a few different methods until you find the one that works the best for you.
At-Home Methods
Step 1
Tweeze out upper lip hair, if you are only bothered by a few strays. This part of your body is among the most sensitive, so this is going to hurt. Applying ice or a numbing gel like the ones used for teething babies a minute or so before tweezing can help ease the pain.
Step 2
Use a home depilatory kit that is designed for facial hair. The specifics of how to use each brand varies, but usually you wash and dry your face and then apply the depilatory cream or lotion. Let it sit for the manufacturer's recommended time, and then rinse it off. Do not leave the depilatory on for longer than recommended, or you can burn your skin.
Step 3
Wax your upper lip with a home kit. Most facial waxing kits offer pre-treated cloth strips. You may warm them in the microwave or simply apply them to your upper lip and then yank them off, pulling the hairs out by the roots. This will sting, but a little witch hazel on a cotton ball will ease the pain and help reduce any swelling.
Salon and Dermatologist Methods
Step 1
Locate a salon in your area that offers threading. This is an ancient art that originated in the Middle East, centuries ago. It involves winding and knotting thread strands, trapping hairs and pulling them out by the root. It is more expensive than salon waxing and not available everywhere, but it is no more painful or invasive than plucking.
Step 2
Have electrolysis. This method involves killing the hair follicle with tiny electrical pulses. It lasts several months, and is relatively painless. According to Medicinenet.com, electrolysis was developed to treat ingrown eyelashes and has been in use for over one hundred years. The drawbacks are that it is expensive, and you generally need to have several treatments.
Step 3
Invest in laser hair removal. The experts at the Mayo Clinic explain that a laser beam is passed through the skin, where the intense heat damages the follicle, inhibiting it from any further growth. This is also expensive, and while many people stay hair-free for a year or more, it is not permanent.
Tips and Warnings
- Bleach your upper lip hair to disguise it while you decide which hair removal method is best for you.
- Never shave your upper lip. The only thing less attractive on a woman than a mustache is stubble.
Things You'll Need
- Tweezers
- Ice
- Numbing gel (optional)
- Depilatory kit
- Facial waxing kit
- Cotton balls
- Witch hazel
Member Comments