Facial hair removal is a routine part of skin care for many women, but different methods affect the skin in different ways.
Shaving, waxing, threading, dermaplaning, and laser hair removal can all be appropriate options depending on your hair characteristics, skin type, treatment area, and goals.
Rather than worrying that removing facial hair will make your skin “loose,” it's more useful to focus on temporary irritation, sensitivity, ingrown hairs, and protecting the skin barrier.
Shaving cuts hair at or near the surface of the skin.
It does not change the hair follicle or make hair grow back thicker. Freshly cut hair can sometimes feel coarser because shaving leaves a blunt edge.
Some people may experience temporary irritation, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, particularly when shaving frequently or using an irritating technique.
Using a clean razor, avoiding excessive pressure, and following an appropriate skin-care routine can help minimize irritation.
Waxing removes hair from the root and can leave the skin smooth for longer than shaving.
Because wax also interacts with the skin's surface, temporary redness, sensitivity, or irritation can occur.
Certain topical skin-care products and procedures may also affect whether waxing is appropriate. Tell your aesthetic provider about products you're using and recent facial treatments before waxing.
Threading removes individual hairs using twisted thread and is commonly used for areas such as the eyebrows, upper lip, and other relatively small facial areas.
It avoids applying wax or chemical depilatories to the skin, but temporary redness or irritation can still occur.
Dermaplaning removes superficial dead skin cells along with fine vellus hair, often called “peach fuzz.”
Because dermaplaning is also an exfoliating procedure, skin-care products and sun protection following treatment are important.
Dermaplaning does not make facial hair grow back thicker or darker.
Laser hair removal works differently from temporary methods.
Laser energy targets pigment associated with the hair and converts that energy into heat, damaging the follicle and helping reduce future hair growth.
Laser treatment is generally most useful when unwanted facial hair contains sufficient pigment for the laser to target. Very light blonde, gray, white, or red hair may respond less effectively.
Because facial hair growth can also be influenced by hormonal factors, results and maintenance needs vary from person to person.
Depending on individual suitability, laser hair removal may be considered for areas such as the:
Treatment around the eyes requires particular caution, and not every facial area is appropriate for laser treatment.
An individualized consultation is important before treating facial hair.
Routine hair removal should not be described as a direct cause of facial sagging.
Temporary irritation after waxing, shaving, threading, or other methods is different from the structural changes associated with skin aging.
Skin firmness is influenced by many factors, including age, genetics, collagen and elastin changes, sun exposure, smoking, and changes in facial volume.
This is why the goal after hair removal should primarily be to protect and calm the skin, rather than attempting to prevent supposed “loss of rigidity.”
Aftercare depends on the method used and your individual skin response.
In general, gentle skin care is preferable when the skin feels sensitive. This may include using a mild cleanser, avoiding unnecessary friction or aggressive exfoliation, moisturizing appropriately, and protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure.
Follow the specific instructions provided by your aesthetic or laser professional, particularly after professional treatments.
Products containing retinoids, exfoliating acids, benzoyl peroxide, or other potentially irritating ingredients can affect skin sensitivity.
Whether and when these products should be paused depends on the hair-removal method, product, concentration, and your skin.
Tell your provider what topical products you're using before waxing, dermaplaning, laser treatment, chemical peels, or other professional procedures.
The answer depends on the method.
Shaving, waxing, and tweezing can contribute to ingrown hairs in some people.
By reducing unwanted pigmented hair growth, laser hair removal may help decrease recurring ingrown hairs for some appropriate candidates.
Individual results vary, and persistent bumps or inflammation should be evaluated rather than automatically assumed to be caused by ingrown hairs.
Sometimes.
Facial hair patterns can be influenced by genetics, age, and hormonal changes. New or increasing coarse facial hair may sometimes have an underlying hormonal component.
Laser hair removal can reduce appropriate unwanted hair, but it does not treat an underlying hormonal cause.
If facial hair changes suddenly or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, discussing the change with an appropriate healthcare professional may be worthwhile.
For a broader comparison, see our guide to shaving, waxing, and laser hair removal.
There isn't one method that's best for every woman.
Fine vellus hair, a few isolated hairs, and larger areas of coarse pigmented hair may each be better suited to different approaches.
Consider your:
A professional consultation can help you choose an approach appropriate for your skin and hair characteristics.
If you're considering facial laser hair removal in Brooklyn, Park Slope Laser Aesthetic Center can evaluate your skin type, facial hair characteristics, treatment areas, and goals.
For appropriate candidates, an individualized laser hair removal plan can help reduce unwanted facial hair while taking your skin characteristics into consideration.
