Shaving vs. Waxing the Upper Lip

Waxing is one way to remove unwanted hair on the upper lip and between the eyebrows.

Noticeable dark hair on a woman's upper lip may make her feel self-conscious and embarrassed. Most women would rather have smooth, hairless upper lips and therefore seek out beauty treatments to take care of the problem. Shaving and waxing are two ways to remove hair from the upper lip, and each process has pros and cons. Shaving slices hair off at the surface of the skin with a razor, while waxing uses cooled wax to pull hair from the roots. Discover which method works best for you to take care of unwanted body hair.

Shaving Pros

The supplies needed for shaving, a razor and shaving gel, are quite inexpensive and last for a long time. Shaving hair from the upper lip is also one of the fastest methods to eliminate hair. When done correctly, using hot water and a sharp razor, shaving is pain-free and results in little to no redness or irritation. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not affect a hair shaft's size, color or speed of regrowth.

Shaving Cons

The effects of shaving the upper lip don't last very long. The hair starts to grow back within a day or two of shaving, so the routine must be done several times per week. Friction from a dry razor can also cause razor burn, a bumpy rash. Shaved hair feels prickly when it starts to grow back because of its blunt ends, and ingrown hairs may result if you shave too frequently. Razors can also cause nicks or cuts that look unsightly, and they may even become infected.

Waxing Pros

While waxing takes longer than shaving, it is still a simple process. Home waxing kits include a microwavable mixture of beeswax and paraffin and come with easy-to-follow instructions. Waxing results in smooth, hairless skin, and the effects last a long time -- two to six weeks. When upper lip hair does grow back, it comes in thinner than before because the process weakens the hair follicles.

Waxing Cons

Home waxing kits are more expensive than a razor. Waxing only works on hairs that are at least 1/4-inch long, so after the hair starts to grow back, you'll have to let it get long enough to wax again. Waxing is also painful to many women, especially on the sensitive lip area. The procedure can cause redness and swelling at the hair-removal site.

References

• Skincare-News.com: Let's Face It: Facial Hair Removal
• Kids Health: Hair Removal
• Mayo Clinic: Shaving Hair: Does Shaved Hair Grow Back Thicker?