I’ve been blessed with hair that grows everywhere, all the time, so figuring out the best way to remove facial hair quickly and effectively has become my life’s work. I’ve braced myself for wax strips, tried laser hair removal, and even held my breath to avoid the fumes of strong hair removal creams—there aren’t many methods I haven’t tested.
If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that the best method for you depends on a few factors: your pain tolerance, whether you prefer DIY or a professional, how fast your hair grows back, and how sensitive your skin is. Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to remove unwanted hair, straight from the experts.
One thing to note before we start: whether you keep or remove facial hair is totally up to you. This guide is for those who want advice on doing it safely for their skin.
What’s the best method to remove facial hair?
Waxing
Waxing is one of the quickest ways to remove facial hair, leaving skin noticeably smoother and hair-free for two to four weeks. At home, wax strips are common, while salons often use hot wax.
“Waxing also gently exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells,” says Monica Ella Botros, managing director at Strip Hair Removal Experts. “But facial skin is much more delicate than the rest of your body, so it needs extra care.”
Some people get bumps or small breakouts after facial waxing, but Botros says this can be avoided with proper aftercare. “Breakouts happen when bacteria get into freshly ‘opened’ pores,” she explains. “For the first 12 to 24 hours, avoid perfumed products, hot baths, showers, sunbathing, tanning beds, swimming, and intense exercise.” Steam, sweat, and SPF can also cause irritation after waxing, as can strong treatments like retinol, harsh exfoliators, and peels.
If you often get ingrown hairs, Botros suggests gently exfoliating the skin three days after waxing to help prevent them. Removing the thicker layer of dead skin makes it easier for new, finer hairs to grow through, stopping them from curling back and becoming ingrown. She also recommends exfoliating the area 24 hours before your appointment and trimming the hair to a length that can be waxed effectively. Whatever you do, avoid waxing sunburned or irritated skin—the risk of more inflammation and infection isn’t worth the pain.
Benefits of waxing:
- Quick
- Cost-effective
- Easy to do at home
- Long-lasting hair-free results
Drawbacks of waxing:
- Can hurt, depending on your pain tolerance
- May cause post-wax breakouts
- Can increase ingrown hairs
- Might irritate sensitive skin
Threading
Threading uses a twisted piece of cotton thread to grip and pull out unwanted hairs.
“Threading is an ancient hair removal method with roots in India,” says Jaimineey Patel, head of treatments and VIP at Blink Brow Bar. “A cotton thread glides across the skin, removing excess hair. It grabs each hair by the root, leaving a clean finish and long-lasting results.”
For best results, Patel recommends some pre- and post-care steps.First, it's important to thoroughly cleanse your skin before threading. While a threading therapist can remove makeup during your appointment, going in with no makeup on your brows or forehead can help reduce the risk of irritation.
After your appointment, keep the area clean, avoid touching it, and use aloe vera or a cold compress if irritation occurs. "It's very important to avoid fragranced products and makeup after threading, as they can clog the pores," says Patel. This also means skipping harsh scrubs and strong acids, which can irritate freshly threaded skin. "Stick to light, water-based gels and protect your skin with SPF to prevent sensitivity," she adds. "If you can avoid sun exposure altogether, that's even better."
Before your appointment, Patel recommends gently exfoliating the area to be threaded about two to three days beforehand. This can help prevent ingrown hairs.
Benefits of threading:
- Precise hair removal
- Traditional method of hair removal
- No "nicks" like other methods
- No harsh chemicals used
Drawbacks of threading:
- Requires expert skill and is usually done by a professional
- Can cause breakouts and bumps in sensitive skin types
Dermaplaning
Technically a type of physical exfoliation, dermaplaning uses a very sharp blade to remove dead skin cells and fine hairs, often called peach fuzz. "In the clinic, dermaplaning is done by an expert using a sterile, surgical-grade scalpel," says dermatologist Ellie Rashid, MD. "The blade is held at a precise angle and glides lightly over the skin for controlled exfoliation."
Think of it as gently removing the very top layer of skin, which contains dead skin cells, excess oil, sweat, and fine hairs on the surface. "This clears away dull skin and improves product absorption," Rashid explains. Without that tough barrier, products can sink into smooth, hair-free skin, and makeup goes on much more smoothly.
However, when done incorrectly, dermaplaning can cause a range of issues, from inflammation and breakouts to worsened eczema, fungal infections, acne flare-ups, and more. "With poor technique, dermaplaning can irritate the skin due to small nicks from the blade," Rashid warns. If you use active ingredients like retinol, retinal, or tretinoin (all vitamin A derivatives), your skin may be especially sensitive to it.
On social media, you'll see many positive reviews of at-home dermaplaning. But the risk-to-reward ratio is too high for us to recommend trying it. For those who still want to proceed, remember that sterilization is crucial. A dirty blade can cause both immediate and long-term problems.
After dermaplaning, keeping your skin clean, calm, and hydrated is the top priority—this means avoiding all active ingredients for at least 48 hours.
Benefits of dermaplaning:
- Painless hair removal
- Ultra-smooth skin afterward
- Better absorption of skincare products
- Smoother base for makeup
- Reveals brighter skin underneath
Drawbacks of dermaplaning:
- Poor technique can lead to irritation
- Requires thorough sterilization
- Can damage the skin barrier
- Can lead to bacterial infections
- Can trigger breakouts and flare-ups of chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea
Depilatory Cream
Hair removal creams are a painless, easy way to remove facial hair at home. "These creams use ingredients that break down keratin, the protein that makes up hair," Rashid explains. "This softens the hair so it can be wiped away."However, the hair grows back quickly because the root stays intact.
Typically, a hair removal cream is designed to be left on for three to ten minutes. Leaving it on longer than recommended can cause an allergic reaction or a burning sensation, as the skin becomes more sensitive. "The downside of hair removal creams is that they can cause irritation if overused or left on too long," Rashid warns. "Some people experience redness, stinging, or itchiness, and many of these creams have a strong chemical smell. Also, the results don't last long, so you need to repeat the process regularly."
She says a patch test is essential for people with sensitive skin. "Some formulas are made for sensitive skin and include soothing ingredients. But even with these, reactions can still happen. Make sure to do a patch test 24 hours beforehand."
Benefits of using a hair removal cream
- Painless facial hair removal
- Quick
- Easy to do at home
- Suitable for sensitive skin with the right formula
- Doesn't damage the skin barrier
- No risk of cuts, nicks, or grazes
Drawbacks of using a hair removal cream
- Can cause irritation if used incorrectly
- Not suitable for people with eczema, rosacea, or very dry or compromised skin
- Not suitable for people using retinoids or strong exfoliating acids like AHAs
- Hair grows back quickly, often within a week or two
Save to wishlist
Save to wishlist
Nair Prep & Smooth Face Hair Removal Sensitive Formula
$10 AMAZON
Save to wishlist
Save to wishlist
Flamingo Facial Hair Removal Cream
$17 $16 (6% off) AMAZON
Save to wishlist
Save to wishlist
Veet Gel Cream Hair Removal Sensitive
$9 AMAZON
Save to wishlist
Save to wishlist
SoftSheen-Carson Magic Razorless Shaving Cream
$11 AMAZON
Laser
Laser hair removal is one of the most misunderstood beauty treatments. Instead of thinking of it as a permanent, total removal method, know that it's more about significantly reducing overall hair growth. Laser hair removal works when "light energy from a laser is directed at the growing cells in the follicle to disable them," says Debbie Thomas, a London-based skin expert often called the "queen of lasers." "This dramatically reduces overall hair growth in the area over the long term."
One important thing to note is that lasers identify hair versus skin by looking for clear differences in pigment. That's why, historically, lasers worked best for people with fair skin and dark hair—the pigment difference made it easier for the laser to "find" the hair against the skin. However, times and technology have changed, and now there are lasers suitable for all skin types and tones.
"The gold standard for hair removal, no matter where you're removing hair, is an Alexandrite laser," Thomas says. "But until very recently, this laser wasn't safe for brown and Black skin because there was too high a risk of burning the skin." A much safer option for medium and dark skin tones was a diode or Nd:YAG laser.
"Now, though, more advanced machines allow us to adjust Alexandrite energy, making it safe for all skin tones for the first time," says Thomas. A device like the Deka Again laser delivers this new, safe, effective Alexandrite laser along with Nd:YAG laser, so it's possible to switch between the two technologies during a treatment.
An important factor is how much facial hair growth is influenced by hormones. This means laser hair removal on the face usually requires more sessions than on other body areas. "Expect eight to 12 initial sessions a few weeks apart, then plan for a single touch-up session every three to six months," Thomas suggests. This approach will significantly reduce hair growth, with maintenance sessions to keep it under control.
Using sun protection is mandatory during your treatment course, and practitioners will likely turn you away if your skin is noticeably tanned or you mention sun exposure. For three days after laser treatment, avoid sun exposure.When you go for an appointment, keep your skin cool and calm. Avoid anything that might irritate it, like saunas, tight clothing, exfoliating the area, or heavy exercise. “Use a soothing, hydrating lotion, such as aloe vera, and keep your skin out of the sun during the treatment course,” Thomas says.
Benefits of laser facial hair removal
- Smooths skin
- Reduces ingrown hairs
- Significantly reduces hair growth over the long term
- Helps with acne caused by irritation from hair growth after shaving or waxing
- Avoids nicks and cuts from razors
- Can help even out skin tone
Drawbacks of laser facial hair removal
- Can be more expensive than other hair removal methods
- Not a permanent solution, but it does greatly reduce hair growth
- Requires multiple sessions
- Can be reversed by hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause
Have a beauty or wellness trend you're curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue's senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Facial Hair Removal at Home written in a natural conversational tone with clear concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Whats the difference between shaving waxing and threading
Shaving cuts hair at the skins surface Its quick and painless but grows back faster and can feel stubbly
Waxing pulls hair out from the root It lasts longer but can hurt a little
Threading uses twisted cotton thread to pluck rows of hair Its very precise and good for shaping eyebrows
2 Is it safe to shave my face
Yes its safe Use a clean sharp razor and a gentle shaving cream or gel Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs
3 Will shaving make my facial hair grow back thicker or darker
No thats a myth Shaving only cuts the hair at the surface It may feel blunt or stubbly as it grows back but it doesnt change the hairs thickness or color
4 How often do I need to remove facial hair at home
It depends on the method
Shaving every 23 days
Waxing or sugaring every 36 weeks
Threading or tweezing every 13 weeks
5 Whats the best method for sensitive skin
Try sugaring or dermaplaning Both are less irritating than waxing or chemical creams
Intermediate Advanced Questions
6 What is dermaplaning and is it the same as shaving
Dermaplaning uses a sterile surgicalgrade scalpel to gently scrape off dead skin cells and fine peach fuzz Its different from regular shaving because it exfoliates too It leaves skin super smooth and helps makeup glide on
7 Can I use hair removal creams on my face
Yes but only ones labeled for facial use Apply a small patch test first These creams