3 Top Tips to beat Facial Hair
Around 40% of women naturally have some form of hair on their face. So why are so few of us openly talking about it?
In our teenage years we come to terms with the progressive growth of female body hair as a sign of stepping into womanhood; the constant leg shaving, the permanent underarm shadow and the dread of bikini season.
Over time as we grow into young women we learn how to best tackle our body hair woes and keep that clean smooth skin that we crave.Now in my mid-thirties, my attention has suddenly turned to a new and slightly more embarrassing problem and that is Facial Hair!
This taboo topic in hair removal that women do not openly want to talk about. The reality is that this is a serious problem affecting millions of women worldwide.
Have you ever woken up in the morning with long thick coarse hair sprouting from your chin?
Yes ladies we’re talking chin hair, the type of coarse 1cm long black facial hair that you can’t miss. This is unlike any other hair, you know the type, it doesnt exist when you go to bed at night but miraculously appears in a morning like its been rooted there for weeks, standing on end loud and proud. Add to that upper lip hair and sideburns and you get the picture.
If body hair was a transition into womanhood, could this be the first sign of menopause?
Women can have facial hair for a variety of reasons, it could be caused by hormone inbalance, high levels of testosterone, it could be a symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or it could simply be due to genetics.
I’ve tried many different products and hair removal techniques over the years to combat this facial fuzz, here’s some of the options and tips I picked up along the way:
Tip 1: Waxing
Waxing is a quick, cheap method of removing unwanted facial hair.
Warm wax is applied to the area usually with a spatula.
Fabric Strips are then applied and pulled off taking the hair with it.
How long does it last?
Usually 2 – 6 weeks before any re-growth
Advantages
Quick, Cheap, Treatment is easily accessible in Salons or can be done at home, lasts longer than Depilatory Creams.
Disadvantages
It can be painful and may cause a temporary rash, particularly on the face where the skin is more sensitive. It is not always effective on thicker, coarser hair such as chin hair. Hair does needs to be at least ½cm long before you can re-wax which can be a pain.
Cost
Reasonably Cheap – Salon prices range from £10-£20 for facial area
Facial Hair Home Waxing kits
Surgi Wax
Surgi Facial Wax provides salon style results in the privacy of your own home. Surgi Wax removes hair from the root, leaving your skin free of regrowth for weeks. It is so easy to use, all you need is a microwave. Simply heat the wax to a creamy consistency, apply to skin, and within seconds, the wax will become pliable. Then just pull off to remove hair! Everything you need is in this one kit for fast, effective hair removal. Leaves skin sleek, smooth, and beautiful. All without muslin strips or special heaters. Note, this wax can only be heated in the microwave and is only suitable for ladies facial waxing.
Parissa Wax Strips Face and Bikini
Parissa Wax Strips provide fast, effective, mess-free hair removal. You do not have to be an experienced waxer. Parissa Wax Strips come pre-coated with wax. The clear backing makes it easy for you to see exactly where it is going. You can use them anywhere, anytime, which makes them ideal for travel and touch-ups. Included in the kit is an 8ml vial of Azulene aftercare oil. Use this after oil to remove any wax residue and as a moisture to soften and soothe the skin.
Veet Face Wax Kit
Specially developed for facial hair removal, the easy-to-use tube lets you apply a precise amount of wax exactly where you need it – eyebrows, upper lip, and chin.
Pamper your skin afterwards with Veet Aftercare Cream enriched with Aloe Vera. The result – your skin will be left feeling not just smooth but moisturised too.
Verdict
I’ve tried both Salon and home waxing on my upper lip and chin. The salon treatment was great, they worked quickly and removed all my upper lip hair, the best part was it was just under 3 weeks before I had any regrowth. The Chin hair was not so successful as this hair is much thicker and coarser which isn’t as easily removed by waxing so I was still left with quite a few noticeable hairs.
My skin was quite red and sore after waxing, I am used to this as my skin can be quite sensitive so I generally avoid making any plans for after a waxing appointment.
If you prefer at home waxing then give one of the above facial waxing kits a try.
Tip 2: Depilatory Cream
Hair Removal Creams can be easily applied to the face, they are usually left for a few minutes before removing, at which point the hair comes away with the cream.
How long does it last?
Anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks depending on your own hair growth.
Advantages
Cheap, Easy to use and effective, gentler options for Sensitive Skin
Disadvantages:
Rapid Regrowth as the hair is not removed at the root but just under the skin and so regrowth can also appear as stubble. The chemicals in the cream that dissolve the keratin in the hair structure can irritate the skin causing redness.
Cost:
Very Cheap, available from most supermarkets and pharmacies for under £5.
Facial Hair Removal Cream at Home
GiGi Hair Removal Cream for face with Calming Balm
GiGi Hair Removal Cream for the Face is a cooling Cucumber and Aloe Vera cream formula specifically designed to gently remove unsightly facial hair. Post-treatment GiGi Calming Balm is also formulated with Cucumber and Aloe Vera to moisturise and help skin restore its normal chemical balance.
Olay Facial Hair Removal Cream
Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo is a specially formulated two-step system designed to gently yet effectively remove fine to medium unwanted facial hair on the upper lip and jaw line, while minimizing irritation. Contains both Skin Guarding Balm and Hair Removal cream.
Nads Facial Hair Removal Cream
The pain free facial creme has been specifically developed for sensitive skin, using almond and soothing calendula oil to form a protective skin barrier.
The angle tip applicator ensures the right amount of coverage for effective hair removal every time and all in just 4 minutes.
Also with bonus Soothing Face Balm.
Louis Marcel Facial Hair Removal Cream
Louis Marcel Gentle Hair Removal Cream removes unwanted facial hair effectively, leaving the skin soft and moisturised. Formulated with soothing Calendula and Witch Hazel, it helps to maintain the natural balance of your skin. It contains the natural ingredient Camomile, known for its anti-irritation properties and a delicate scent of apricot oil.
Verdict:
I love Depilatory cream for removing facial hair, it’s a staple in my hair removal regime. I always use the extra gentle option for sensitive skin and find this just as effective as the normal cream but just experience less redness afterwards.
My hair grows back quickly so I can use the cream every 2-5 days. Nair Precision Face and Upper Lip Kit is a great buy or you can spend a little more and try the Gigi Hair Removal Cream for face with calming balm which is popular with the professionals.
Tip 3: Threading
Threading has become increasingly popular in the UK in the last few years, particularly in the battle against facial hair. It is an ancient natural method of hair removal that involves cotton thread being manipulated by a practitioner to make a series of knots which, when they run over the skin, pull the hair out from the root.
How long does it last?
2-6 weeks before any regrowth.
Advantages
Quick effective and widely available method of hair removal that is chemical-free and completely safe. Can be used on short hair, limits regrowth over time as the process damages the hair follicle.
Disadvantages
It may be uncomfortable if your practitioner is not experienced. It can also be difficult to have the treatment in private as most threading is offered in open plan salons or is often seen in the middle of a large department store floor. So if you’re shy and don’t like the idea of such a public treatment then this might not be for you.
Cost
Prices start from as little as £5
Threading at home
Zevron Hair Removal Threading tool
This innovative natural facial hair removal tool by Zevron removes facial hair from the root and all for up to 4 weeks. It is suitable for all skin types and is specifically designed for use on the chin, cheek and upper lip area. Also contains an eyebrow razor tool.
Slique Threading Tool
This slique threading tool holds the thread exactly like the professional aesthetician, enabling you to perform threading hair removal from the comfort of your own home. As you press Slique’s handles, you can see the looped thread move as the Slique applicator handle opens. Unlike tweezing one hair at a time, Slique efficiently removes an entire straight line of hairs, all at the same time…leaving the skin hair free and smooth.
Verdict:
Threading hair removal is quick easy and natural. Your first threading appointment might be scary , the fear of the unknown, I had no idea how threading worked so did not know what to expect. I decided to tackle the fine white (and the odd dark) hairs on the sides of my face. Surely this was not going to be so bad, I mean how much pain can one piece of thread cause, really?
Luckily I was right, the hair removal was very quick and almost completely painless. Ok, so I felt slightly uncomfortable at first but soon settled down. The sides of my face felt incredibly smooth afterwards and only a slight redness. I didnt notice any regrowth until about 3-4 weeks afterwards. Overall a great result.
Facial Hair Removal – other solutions
Above are just 3 ways you can tackle unwanted facial hair but there are many more. If you’re willing to spend big and have other areas of unwanted hair to treat the Philips Lumea IPL hair removal system is a great investment and gives fantastic results.
The latest Philips Lumea models have a special facial attachment for ease of use on the face. It also contains a larger attachment for larger areas such as legs and a separate bikini attachment. For more information check out our complete Philips Lumea Review to compare models and price.
Vena Beauty Facial Hair Remover
This new compact device removes facial hair and peach fuzz instantly and painlessly from the chin, cheeks and upper lip and is dermatologist approved.
For more information on hair removal see our related articles on Waxing, Threading, Laser Hair Removal, Bikini Waxing.
