How to Remove Unsightly Facial Hair

Not only men have more facial hair than they want, some women do too. There are a few methods of getting rid of unwanted hair, the razor is not your only choice. If you aspire to have a silky-smooth, hairless face, try some of the methods below.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Oil-free Moisturizers
• Electric Razors
• Eyebrow Tweezers
• Towels
• Epilatory Facial Wax
• Women's Razors

1. Shave it, but remember that this is a temporary method of facial hair removal that is not recommended for women. Regrowth tends to occur rapidly.

2. Tweeze it. Tweezing is a good, although somewhat painful way to remove small areas of unwanted facial hair. Because the hair is plucked out at the root, it takes longer for regrowth to appear.

3. Use depilatory creams, gels and lotions, which contain a chemical that alters the structure of the hair for easy removal. This chemical can be irritating to skin, so use only a product especially formulated for the face. Always do a skin test on a small area of the face before using the product, and follow directions exactly to avoid irritation or chemical burns.

4. Consider waxing every 4 to 6 weeks, in which you apply hot or cold wax to the area of unwanted hair. The hair becomes affixed to the wax and the wax is then pulled off the skin, taking the hair with it. Test a small area of your skin for an allergic reaction before using, and do not use wax on sunburned or irritated skin.

5. Think about electrolysis, a permanent hair removal method in which an electrical current is used to destroy the hair root. Several treatments may be required over a period of time, as each hair follicle must be destroyed individually.

6. Laser it. Hair removal by laser must be done by a licensed professional. It can be expensive and time-consuming, and it may not be permanent. It is best to discuss your situation with a professional. You can find one by looking in the yellow pages under "Hair Removing."

Tips & Warnings

• You may wish to discuss hair removal options with your physician before proceeding.

• Consider using a lotion containing alpha-hydroxy acid after any of the above treatments. It exfoliates the skin, which helps to prevent ingrown hairs.

• If all else fails, bleaching the hair is a safe and easy option.

• Nearly all methods of hair removal cause some kind of discomfort or skin irritation. Be sure to consider these before choosing one method over another.