One of the best self-grooming tips to instantly make yourself look prettier and boost your confidence is having clear, hair-free skin. This is especially important for the skin on the face, which is visible 24/7. So, the question is, what can you do to effortlessly get hair-free skin?
You want to remove facial hair, right? There are several methods of doing so. Shaving is one of the top choices, as it helps with gentle exfoliation of the skin. However, the catch about shaving is that it does not suit all skin types.
Are you one of those people with sensitive skin looking for a safe and efficient method for removing facial hair? Well, we have an article on 12 effective methods other than shaving.
For those with sensitive skin, exploring alternative methods can help avoid irritation and discomfort often associated with shaving.
So, how about we learn about and try them?
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: Why Look for Hair Removal Methods Other Than Shaving?
- Part 2: 10 Hair Removal Methods Other Than Shaving That Works for Facial Hair Removal
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Part 3: Conclusion
Why Look for Hair Removal Methods Other Than Shaving?
There are several factors related to shaving that make one look for a different hair removal method. Some of such factors are given as,
Shaving can lead to various issues, such as skin irritation, ingrown hairs, and the need for frequent maintenance, prompting the search for gentler alternatives.
1. Appearance of Hair Regrowth
In shaving, the sharp razor blades only cut the hair at the level of the skin. This leaves a straight end of the hair behind. Immediately after shaving, skin appears clear and hairless.
However, the straight and blunt end of the hair grows in a few days and makes the hair appear darker and thicker than they actually are. Also, hair might twist under the surface of the skin causing ingrown hair.
Regrowth characteristics can make hair appear more noticeable, potentially leading to the discomfort of ingrown hairs.
2. Transient Results
Facial hairlessness after shaving the skin correctly stays for 3 to 5 days with 7 days at maximum. Even during these days, a few strands become apparent on the skin inciting you to do another session of shaving.
The duration of hairlessness can be frustrating, as visible regrowth may tempt you to shave more frequently.
So, shaving is not the right method of hair removal when you want long-lasting results.
For those seeking long-term solutions to facial hair removal, alternative methods may be more effective.
3. Not Suitable for Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin
The use of razors on the skin is not one of the most gentle methods of hair removal as it can cause micro-tears in the skin. Additionally, there is a risk of bacterial invasion into the skin. As a result, shaving has the potential to cause acne and skin irritation.
So, people with acne-prone and sensitive skin must avoid it.
Individuals with sensitive skin should consider gentler hair removal options to avoid potential complications.
4. Shaving Burns and Skin Irritation
Shaving your facial hair once in a while is safe. However, shaving too often can damage the skin. Here are the side effects of shaving,
While occasional shaving is generally safe, overdoing it can lead to significant skin damage and discomfort.
- Immediate redness of the skin
- Shaving burns if you use a blunt blade
- Skin itching followed by skin irritation
- Risk of micro tears and razor cuts
- Ingrown hair
- Acne
- Bumps on the skin
Immediate redness can be a common reaction to shaving, indicating irritation that may require soothing care.
Using a blunt blade increases the risk of shaving burns, which can make the shaving experience quite painful.
Following shaving, the sensation of itching and irritation can disrupt comfort and may necessitate moisturization.
Micro tears and razor cuts can lead to discomfort and even infections if not treated properly.
Ingrown hairs can cause painful bumps and may require additional treatments to resolve.
Acne can be exacerbated by shaving, especially if proper skincare routines are not followed.
Bumps on the skin can be a sign of irritation from shaving, indicating the need for gentler hair removal methods.
5. Risk of Uneven Skin Tone
Shaving leads to the development of hyperpigmentation in some areas while hypopigmentation in others. This is due to inflammation, skin irritation, and razor burns.
Thus, the ultimate effect of the side effects of shaving mentioned above is an uneven skin tone.
10 Hair Removal Methods Other Than Shaving That Works for Facial Hair Removal
Do not worry if you cannot shave the facial hair as hair removal options for the face are endless currently. So, here are the options you can consider
Endless options for facial hair removal include waxing, threading, and more, catering to different preferences.
1. Natural Hair Removal Remedies
For women wanting a natural yet efficient hair removal method, DIY home remedies are worth a try. Here are some options you can try,
DIY home remedies often use natural ingredients that can be gentle on the skin while effectively removing hair.
- Gelatin and milk peel-off mask
- Gram flour, curd, and turmeric facial scrub
- Rose water and alum powder face mask
- Egg white and cornstarch peel-off mask
Gelatin and milk peel-off masks can effectively remove facial hair while also nourishing the skin.
Gram flour, curd, and turmeric are known for their exfoliating properties, helping to remove hair and brighten the skin.
Rose water and alum powder form a soothing face mask that may help tighten pores while aiding in hair removal.
Egg white and cornstarch masks not only assist in hair removal but also provide a firming effect on the skin.
The good thing about DIY remedies is that,
DIY remedies can be both cost-effective and fun, allowing for personalized skincare routines.
- All ingredients are easily available allowing you to do hair removal at any time
- They all glow on the skin
- You can use these at home
Access to ingredients means you can easily create these remedies without extensive preparation or shopping.
Natural ingredients often provide additional benefits, such as hydration and nourishment, making them great for skin health.
At-home treatments offer convenience and privacy, allowing you to manage your beauty routine on your own schedule.
However, you have to be,
Natural remedies often require patience, as results may not be immediate.
- Patients as these remedies take time to show results
- Consistent in prolonging the results
Consistency is key for maintaining the effectiveness of these natural remedies over time.
Prolonging results may involve regular usage and following specific guidelines.
2. Waxing or Sugaring
To wax facial hair 3 types of waxes can be used,
Waxing methods can vary, offering different benefits based on the type of wax used.
- Hard wax
- Soft wax
- Sugaring
Hard wax is ideal for sensitive skin, as it adheres only to the hair and not the skin.
Soft wax can cover larger areas and is often used in professional settings.
Sugaring is a natural alternative that may be gentler on the skin than traditional waxing.
Let us discuss the details of all three types,
Understanding each type of wax can help you choose the best method for your skin type and needs.
- Hard wax is easier to handle, less painful, and requires no strips
- Soft wax is the traditional type of wax in which waxing strips are used. It might be a little messy. But pre-made waxing strips are available to make it mess-free
- Sugaring is a natural substitute for commercial wax and is suitable for sensitive skin of the face
Hard wax is often preferred for its ease of use and lower pain levels, making it an excellent choice for those new to waxing.
Soft wax can lead to a messier experience, but the availability of pre-made strips offers a convenient solution for maintaining cleanliness.
Sugaring is not only a natural alternative but also minimizes irritation, making it ideal for individuals with sensitive skin.
3. Plucking with Tweezers
Facial hair grows according to the hair growth cycle. 80% of the hair that is removed in the active phase takes 2 to 4 weeks to regrow. However, the rest 20% becomes visible on the skin within 1 week.
Understanding the hair growth cycle is essential, as it helps in planning your hair removal schedule for optimal results.
You cannot wax the whole face to get rid of that 10 to 20%, right? Therefore, plucking the hair with a pair of tweezers works well for stray facial hair.
Plucking with tweezers is an effective method for managing small areas of unwanted hair that other techniques might miss.
Different types of tweezers are in the market and are given as,
Choosing the right tweezers can enhance your plucking experience, ensuring precision and comfort while removing hair.
- Slanted tweezers for any hair
- Straight tweezers to remove a few stray hairs
- Pointed tweezers for broken hair strands and fine hair
- Splinter tweezers for ingrown hair
Slanted tweezers provide a versatile option, making them suitable for various hair types and facial areas.
Straight tweezers are particularly useful for targeting specific, stray hairs that can be challenging to grasp with other types.
4. Threading
Any hair removal method has an impact on the skin and might not be compatible with sensitive skin. Thus, threading is the way to go as it pulls the hair by twisting it between two pieces of the cotton thread without touching the skin.
Additionally, here are some points to note for threading,
- You need to practice a little before threading directly on the face
- It is useful for shaping the eyebrows
- In case of any carelessness, it can damage the skin as well
5. Hair Removal Creams
The strength of chemicals used in body hair removal creams is reduced to make depilatory creams safe for the delicate skin of the face. Moreover, hair removal creams formulated for the face have ingredients like,
- Shea butter
- Aloe vera
- Essential oils
These ingredients moisturize the skin. Therefore, facial depilatory creams are a pain-free and effortless method for facial hair removal. However, they can cause,
- Thick hair regrowth
- Chemical burns
- Hyperpigmentation
6. Electric Depilatory Devices
Are you saying goodbye to shaving because of the risk of cuts and razor burns? Well, you can shave the face while avoiding such side effects by using an electric depilatory device.
For example, flawless facial hair removal cuts the hair from the surface of the skin without any,
- Cuts
- Burns
- Irritation
- Redness
It does so by pulling the hair upwards and then removing it.
7. Epilation
For women finding waxing messy and plucking/threading time-consuming, epilation provides a way to remove hair from the roots. Electric epilators come with rollers and blades.
They grab the hair and then push it out of the follicles leaving smooth skin behind. However, remember that,
- Buy an epilating device specified for small and delicate areas like the face
- Be careful as epilation can cause bumps on the skin
- Epilate in a well-lit room to ensure that you remove all hair
8. Prescription Creams
Temporary results are the major drawback of most hair removal methods mentioned above. To prolong the results of temporary hair removal methods, you can use prescription creams.
These creams have eflornithine that inhibits enzymes involved in hair growth. Also,
- You must use the prescription creams regularly to get the expected results
- The results of the prescription creams last as long as you keep using them
9. IPL Hair Removal
Using a prescription cream on every alternate day is a hassle and this can interfere with your skincare routine as well. To avoid this, you can use an IPL hair removal device like the Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal handset. It is useful because,
- It ensures that you can semi-permanent results within a few weeks without needing a session every other day
- Its results last for up to 6 months
- Follow-ups with Ulike are convenient
- It is nearly painless and completely safe for at-home use
- It allows you to continue your regular skincare within 12 hours of your hair removal session
10. Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a light-based technology to annihilate the hair follicles. Its differences with IPL hair removal include,
- Laser is more precise because of its mono-spectrum beam of light
- Its results last for a few years while that of IPL lasts for half a year
- Laser hair removal experience can be uncomfortable and painful
- It is much more expensive
11. Electrolysis
One hair removal method that you can trust for permanent results is electrolysis. It does not only put the hair in a dormant phase but also enables it to activate ever after. However, even the results of electrolysis can be compromised in the case of,
- Hormonal imbalances
- Incomplete destruction of the hair follicles
12. Bleaching
Bleaching is a way to deal with facial hair without removing it. It works by decolorizing the hair strands to a color that matches the tone of the skin. Thus, hair becomes invisible.
But, the problem with bleaching is that it makes hair golden and they shine in sunlight. This shine looks awkward and pleasant.
Conclusion
You do not have to worry about what to do to remove your facial hair if you cannot shave it. Rather, choosing the right method to get rid of undesired hair is more challenging.
Out of the uncountable hair removal methods for facial hair, we have discussed the 12 most effective ones in this article.
