Hair Removal 101: All You Need To Know About Facial Hair Removal

• Hair removal 101: the basics
• Facial hair removal 101
• Hair removal creams
• Threading
• Tweezing
• Epilation
• Waxing
• Sugaring
• Laser therapy
• FAQs about facial hair removal

Hair removal 101: the basics

Every woman clearly remembers the first time she ever went to a parlour with her mother to get waxed – small rooms full of women staring at you making the whole experience even more nerve-racking! While the first experience at hair removal is never pleasant for most of us, the feeling of smooth and silky skin is something we all unanimously love. Waxing however is not the only form of hair removal. There are some other (simpler) ways to get rid of unwanted hair.  

Let’s take you through some of the popular methods of facial hair removal along with their pros and cons! 

Facial hair removal 101

Shaving 

Take some shower gel or shaving foam and apply it all over your damp skin, use a razor and shave away. It’s as easy as 1,2,3 and all you need to do is just use a fresh and clean razor, that’s all. 

Pros - This one is a total saviour among the many methods of facial hair removal! Easy, quick and most importantly painless, shaving is the most convenient.  

Cons - Everything comes with a few drawbacks and so does shaving. While shaving is quick and painless, it does not pull the hair from the root. Instead, it just cuts off the top of the hair strand that erupts from the skin, leaving the skin rough. It also leads to quick hair growth within a few days. Stay away from shaving if you worry about burns, cuts and rashes. 

But if it is your only option, soothe your skin by applying a gel or cream like the Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel after shaving. Unlike those aloe gels that don’t actually have any aloe in them, this gel is loaded with 100% natural aloe vera that calms burns and cuts and soothes your skin. It is also non-sticky and lightweight so you don’t have to worry about your face looking greasy. 

Hair removal creams

Like shaving, hair removal creams also break hair from the point where it meets the skin. Chemicals present in these creams change the keratin structure that weakens the base of the hair strand causing it to break. 

Pros - Quick and painless with no chances of any burns or cuts! 

Cons - It’s more effective than shaving but your hair will still grow back quickly. It’s also advised to do a patch test before applying it all over your skin just to check for any allergic reactions. But most experts advise not to use these hair-removing creams on your face, but stick to using them for your legs, arms and bikini line. 

Threading

Popularly used for removing fine hair from your eyebrows and upper lip. 

Pros - Works brilliantly to get rid of any small stubborn hair that can’t be removed by waxing. 

Cons - This method of hair removal is considered quite painful and can only be used on areas with fine hair. This technique needs expert help and we recommend not trying it at home unless you’re a pro! 

PRO TIP: If you’re running late or are in need of a quick fix, use a tweezer! They are small metal tools that help pluck hair near the eyebrows. 

Tweezing

And that is our segue to tweezing. It is a go-to technique for taming the eyebrows. You can define them in whatever way you like by plucking out little hairs with a tweezer.  

Pros - It stings a little, but it removes the hair from the root. And it lasts for about three to four weeks. Remember to pluck in the direction of the growth, and ensure you’re holding your skin taut while pulling out one hair at a time. You can go over your chin with a tweezer as well - in case there are stray hairs you’d like to remove. 

Cons - If you are not good at it, you may end up pinching your skin while trying to pull the hair. And you have to keep the skin taut at all times to avoid this. 

Epilation

An epilator is an electric device that is used to remove hair by gripping on it and simultaneously pulling it from the root. Use it over dry or wet skin depending on the type of your device and run it over your skin slowly to remove hair.  

Pros - It is a pain-free process and a one-time investment. All you need to do is clean the tool after every use. 

Cons - Can cause redness and ingrown hair. If you have dry skin, it can also cause more flaking, especially in winter. You may need to use the aloe gel to soothe any irritation as well. 

Waxing

Waxing has proven to be one of the most effective ways of facial hair removal. Waxing, unlike any other hair removal treatment, effectively removes all the hair from the area.  

But remember, when choosing a wax for your face, always pick soft wax as it is preferable for the thin and delicate skin of your face. Although waxing is a very commonly practised hair removal method, it isn’t meant for everyone.  

Pros - It pulls out hair from the hair follicles which keeps hair from growing back quickly. The results last for about three to four weeks. 

Cons - It can irritate and inflame the skin, especially if your skin is sensitive and lead to ingrowth. It can also be uncomfortable, and mildly painful. Remember to always moisturise your face with the aloe gel after waxing. 

Sugaring

Sugaring is far better than regular waxing. It’s gentle on the skin, not as painful, and delivers promising results to you. All you need is a paste made from sugar, lemon juice, and water. In this method, unlike waxing, you apply the wax in the opposite direction of the growth and flick it off in the natural direction of the growth. 

Pros - It lasts six to eight weeks. Unlike waxing, it doesn’t stick to the skin, or remove the topmost layer of the skin either - the sugar binds to the hair instead of the skin. This technique also doesn’t disturb the follicle on the inside of the skin.  

Cons - But if you have bumps, sores, or swelling on the face, skip sugaring. And make sure you’ve exfoliated two days before sugaring.  

Laser therapy

Laser hair removal has become quite a trend in the recent past as it is considered a one-time solution to a recurring problem. Excessive heat damages the hair follicle and bulb which results in no further hair growth.  

Pros - It’s a long term and hassle-free solution. 

Cons - To start with, this method is quite expensive and needs some serious savings. You also need to do multiple sessions over a few weeks to get desired results. Post-treatment care includes not going to spas, sauna and sometimes even no makeup. And as disappointing as it may sound, your hair can always grow back and there is no 100% surety of it being permanent. 

FAQs about facial hair removal

Q. Is it good removing facial hair? 

There are no side effects to removing facial hair if you do it properly. In fact, it also helps get rid of tan, grime and dead skin cells that in turn, evens your skin tone. 

Q. What is the safest and most effective way to remove facial hair? 

Threading may be the safest and most effective way. You don’t use any chemicals or substances that can cause an allergic reaction or pull your skin like in waxing or sugaring. It also lasts long as the hair comes out from the roots. 

Q. Is it better to shave or wax facial hair? 

If you have high pain tolerance, it is better to wax as it takes longer for the hair to grow back. There are also fewer chances of ingrown hair. Waxing also doubles up as an exfoliator as it rips off the dead skin cells and grime from your face. 

Facial hair removal can be quite a task if you have a very low pain threshold, sensitive skin or if your hair grows back at an alarming speed. But with multiple solutions, we do hope you find one that works for you.