How to Get All the Facial Hair Off Your Face

Excess facial hair can be unattractive.

People have been removing facial hair for centuries, and the practice continues to this day. Men and women alike get rid of unwanted facial hair through many different means, both temporary and permanent. There are a number of inexpensive, at-home options available if you're looking to get rid of all your facial hair, though permanent removal will require a series of visits to a professional.

Things You'll Need

• Razor
• Tweezers
• Epilator
• Hair removal cream

Instructions

1. Wet the area, and shave off the hair with a razor -- running the razor in the same direction as the hair's growth. This is better for larger areas of hair such as sideburns, beards or mustaches on men, and unwanted hair in similar areas on women.

2. Use tweezers to pluck out other unwanted hairs. This is better for precision areas such as the eyebrows, to provide shape and definition, though it works just as well anywhere. The results of tweezing last slightly longer than shaving, since the hair is pulled out by the root instead of simply trimmed off.

3. Visit a salon or waxing parlor, and have a professional apply hot wax to remove the hair. There are home wax treatments available, but these can be dangerous if improperly used. Professional waxing will ensure a safer, more thorough experience.

4. Use an epilator, which is similar to a mechanical set of tweezers -- plucking more than one hair simultaneously. Epilators can be somewhat harsh for the sensitive skin of the face, but do well in areas with a large amount of hair.

5. Use a hair removal cream specially formulated for the face. These are somewhat milder and gentler than creams intended for the legs. Follow the directions on the packaging carefully, to avoid any problems.

6. Visit a dermatologist or other professional for a round of laser hair removal or electrolysis. With multiple treatments, such hair removal can be permanent, though it is much more expensive than other options.

Tips & Warnings

• Excess facial hair in women may be indicative of a medical problem or hormonal imbalance. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

References

• American Academy of Family Physicians: American Family Physician: What Should I Know About Removing Unwanted Facial Hair?
• Hair Removal Forum: Hair Removal History - From B.C. to IPL