Hair removal is a common practice for both men and women. Facial hair, when not maintained or removed, can be unsightly and uncomfortable for the individual who has it. There are a variety of hair removal methods, but each method may not be suitable for you. Choosing a hair removal method that is appropriate for your hair and skin type are important to prevent skin irritation and long-term damage.
Step 1
Evaluate your skin and the frequency by which hair grows on your face. For men, removal is much more of a regular process. If you have special concerns about your skin, it's not a bad idea to visit a dermatologist for a consultation.
Step 2
Determine whether shaving is a reasonable method for you. Because facial hair grows frequently for men, many men choose shaving as their primary method. If you're typically low on time, you should consider an electric razor. If not, try the traditional method. Start by washing your face with a facial cleanser and rinsing with warm water. You can soften course facial hair by applying a warm, wet towel to your face for 2 to 3 minutes. Apply a moisturizing shaving cream to the areas you which to shave. Use a new, disposable razor to make long, smooth strokes to remove unwanted hair. Using a new razor ensures that blades are sharp and eliminates the need to use multiple strokes in one area as this can cause bumps and irritation. Rinse your face with warm water and use a clean dry, towel to pat your face dry. Apply a moisturizer to your face in soft, slow circles.
For women, shaving to removing facial hair is a less frequent process to remove smaller, less defined hairs. However, women who choose to shave to remove facial hair should follow the same process as outlined above.
Step 3
Use a depilatory cream, such as Nair or Neet, to remove facial hair. This method is generally preferred by women to remove facial hair. Because depilatories do contain active chemical ingredients, it's not intended to be used on a daily basis such as shaving is for men. Depilatories can be purchased at your local pharmacy or retailer.
Read the instructions to be sure it is safe to use on your face. Perform a skin test on a small patch of skin, other than your face, to ensure you will not have a reaction. Apply a dime-size drop of the depilatory cream to the selected test area and let it sit for the instructed time. Once time is up, use a towel to remove the depilatory and the unwanted hair. Rinse with warm water. Wait for 5 minutes and assess your skin afterward. If there is no negative effect, perform the process on the area of your face where you wish to remove the hair. Once you have removed the depilatory from your face, rinse well with warm water, pat your face dry and apply a moisturizer.
Step 4
Visit a dermatology clinic for a consultation laser hair removal. A pricier method compared to the previous steps, laser hair removal is an ideal method for women because facial hair removal is a less frequent process. Laser hair removal involves passing a light beam through the skin. When the light beam comes into contact with the hair, the light kills the hair follicle on contact.
Typically, you will need multiple treatments before the hair ceases to grow. This process is typically not ideal for men given the frequency with which hair grows, and the number of treatments required to stop the growing process.
Step 5
Visit an aesthetician to have unwanted facial hair removed with wax. Another viable option for women, most aestheticians have developed price points for various parts of the face, such as the chin, upper lip or eyebrows. This way you only pay for the area you need.
To remove the hair with wax, the aesthetician will apply warm wax to the area. Cotton strips are pressed against the wax and pulled off quickly in one swift motion to remove the unwanted hair. Although you can purchase waxing kits at a pharmacy or grocery store, unless you are experienced, waxing your face should be done by a professional. Using wax as a primary method to remove facial hair does have an associated cost so it may not be ideal for men.
Tips and Warnings
- Episodic hair growth, such as infrequent hairs under the chin, can be removed easily with tweezers and a magnified mirror.
Things You'll Need
- Cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Disposable razor
- Moisturizing shaving cream
- Depilatory cream
- Clean, dry towels
