What do Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra, and Elizabeth Taylor all have in common? Besides being intergenerational beauty icons, they were big on facial hair removal. According to The Skinny Confidential founder Lauryn Bosstick, all three women were fans of picking up a facial razor and going to town on their peach fuzz.
Depending on your comfort level and interests—and whether you're looking to make a long-term investment in hair removal or hope for a quick at-home fix—there are a multitude of facial hair removal options: facial razors, tweezers, wax strips, creams, and handheld devices.
"Many people experience unwanted hair on the face and it’s natural to want to remove it for cosmetic or personal reasons," shares Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist. In fact, the market for facial hair removal is so vast that you don't even have to leave your house to tackle it.
Ahead, an skincare experts break down all the information on facial hair removal—plus the best products on the market.
What to Look For With Facial Hair Removal
- Type
"You can remove facial hair by tweezing, waxing, threading, shaving, lasering, and using creams," shares Dr. Jody Levine, M.D., FAAD, FAAP, Director of Dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of New York. These options all fall into three main categories: physical hair removal such as waxing, shaving, or tweezing, chemical removal like a hair removal cream, or electric removal devices.
- Permanence
Not all facial hair removal options are created equally; some can help the hair go away for good, while others offer only a temporary fix. "Hair may grow back quicker with some methods (such as shaving) because the hair is removed superficially, while laser targets the root of the hair follicle, leading to longer-lasting results," shares Dr. Levine.
"At-home options typically offer temporary solutions versus long-term results. Devices that are designed for at-home use are usually under-powered and require hours of use to get minimal results," shares Loretta Nguyen Zanetti.
The Best Facial Hair Removal Options
- The Best Facial Tweezer Overall: Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers
- The Best Facial Wax Strip Set Overall: Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face
- The Best Small Facial Hair Removal Device or Trimmer Overall: Dermaflash Luxe+
- The Best Facial Hair Removal Cream Overall: Wakse Meltoway Hair Dissolving Cream
Facial Razors and Tweezers
Although shaving or plucking via razor or tweezer is usually the entry point for facial hair removal, it's not without risks—Dr. Engelman says that a bad tweeze job, like a bad wax job, can compromise the epidermis and weaken the skin barrier.
Still, there's nothing wrong with picking up a tweezer to snag a few quick eyebrow hairs or a random chin hair once in a while. Face razors, meanwhile, are a great at-home choice for removing vellus hair, aka peach fuzz, around your face.
"Women should know that if you shave your face, your hair will not grow back thicker and darker. This is such a myth," says Bosstick, adding that a nice face shave helps you gently exfoliate, get rid of peach fuzz, and leave your skin smooth and ready for makeup. "Also, it’ll help all your skincare absorb into your skin better. Most people shave every one to two weeks and it just takes a few minutes."
Sure, it's easy to run to the drugstore and grab any old tweezer—you probably have a couple in your house right now! But in my opinion, there's nothing like a Tweezerman. Designed with a 25-degree slanted tip (a magical angle for working against the brow bone), this baby is available in any color you could imagine and grasps firmly on even the finest of hairs. Grip, pull, goodbye.
Pros: Great grip; Precise
Cons: More expensive than generic options
Yeah, Tweezerman is on this list twice—they're good at what they do! If you've seen this little device while out shopping and wondered what it's for, allow me to explain: You simply place the area of hair you want to get rid of between the two coils and pull gently to remove it. However, it's definitely best for clusters of hair—you'll have a bad time going one by one with this.
Pros: Reusable
Cons: Not great for single hairs; Learning curve
Wax Strips
Unlike a shave, waxing removes hair from the root, resulting in a non-permanent, but at-least-a-little-longer-lasting period of hairlessness. While you can absolutely go to your local salon to get your face waxed (professionals are usually the ideal option!), small at-home facial wax strips are also here for you to remove facial hair with one (semi-painful, but you're strong) tug.
Just remember Dr. Engelman's warning: waxing can hurt your skin barrier. Make sure you're following directions and buying quality products.
These convenient and mess-free wax strips don't require heat. They also come with post-wax wipes and a calming serum, so you have the whole routine at your fingertips. There's no heat required for these convenient and mess-free wax strips, which also come with post-wax wipes and a calming serum, so you have the whole routine at your fingertips. Designed with a plant-based glyceryl rosinate wax to grab even the shortest hairs, the brand promises to remove hair from the root for up to 28 days of smooth skin.
Pros: Sensitive skin-friendly; Package contains everything you need; Long-lasting results
Cons: Some reviewers have noticed redness after use
Nad's is a classic choice in the world of facial hair removal that boasts a simple set of instructions: "just rub, peel, and go!" Created for waxing your upper lip, chin, and peach fuzz, these small and flexible strips are made with shea butter to help moisturize skin. Pro tip: Warm them between your hands for the best results.
Pros: Hypoallergenic; Affordable; Includes post-wax calming oil wipes
Cons: Some customers report irritation (be careful and read directions thoroughly)
Hair Removal Creams
I remember the first time I heard about Nair when I was little; I thought it was magic. While I now understand the science behind hair removal creams (also known as depilatory creams, their chemicals break down disulfide bonds in the hair's keratin proteins) it's still a little wild to me—all you have to do is apply smoothly, leave on for a few minutes, and wipe away with warm water.
Specially created for the face, the following creams are meant to cause less irritation and feature a fainter scent than their leggy predecessors.
Brand new to the hair removal cream scene, Wakse's "sensorial" Meltoway Hair Dissolving Cream is already selling out at Ulta. Gentle yet effective, you can use it on the face and body. Plus, enjoy fun scents like fairy floss (that's essentially cotton candy), guava, and mango. "If this scent was in a body cream, I'd be wearing it all day," wrote one reviewer—did you ever think you'd hear that about a hair removal cream?
Pros: Fun scents; Skin is left soft
Cons: More expensive than other options
A bit thinner than its name might lead you to believe, Sally Hansen's beloved facial hair remover is formulated with vitamin E and collagen for all-over-the-face use with zero irritation. For the best results, leave it on for all eight minutes asked of you in the directions.
Pros: Smells less strong than similar products; Dermatologist tested; Alcohol free
Cons: Some reviewers say it doesn't work on thick hair
Handheld Devices and Trimmers
Handheld facial hair removal devices were ultimately made for ease of use, taking tips from the salon (see the dermaplaning appointment-replacing Dermaflash) or ready for on-the-go removal (you never know when that rogue hair will pop up again). While the general concept is the same as some of the options above, the techy twist often can't be ignored.
I'm scared to admit this, but after years of telling my esthetician I'd never let anyone else touch my face, I tried Dermaflash...and I loved it. This compact device uses 14,000(!) sonic vibrations every minute to exfoliate dead skin cells while removing peach fuzz, leaving you with smooth, absolutely bare skin. It's fine for all ages, skin tones, and skin types—even the most sensitive.
Pros: Doesn't hurt; Cordless; Easy to use
Cons: Expensive; Blades must be replaced
Cheaper than a high-end lipstick yet shaped exactly the same, Finishing Touch's battery operated electric shaver can be thrown in your purse for hair removal on the go—it even has a built-in light to assist with accuracy. Designed especially for the face, it's also gentle enough for everyday use.
Pros: Affordable; Cordless; Compact
Cons: Some reviewers say it doesn't work on thick hair
IPL Devices
IPL devices, known as intense pulsed light, use flashes of light (you can count on using more than 300 flashes for facial hair removal) to detect and remove pigment from the skin. The big issue with these tools? They have difficulty detecting light hair—red, blonde, and gray included. They also aren't always suitable for dark or deep skin tones.
Dr. Engelman is a fan of the brand Silk'n for at-home facial hair removal because their devices are "safe, effective, and pain-free." Featuring a rotatable head so you can get every angle and boasting 92 percent hair reduction, the brand new Silk'n 7 is suitable for the face and body. Bye, fuzz.
Pros: Fast-working; Dermatologist-recommended
Cons: Expensive
Braun's Silk Expert Pro 5 can adapt to your skin tone to minimize risk of burning. "It has three sensitivity levels and the built-in sensor automatically adapts to your specific skin tone to give you the best results with the least amount of pain, and uses 125 flashes per minute," shares fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla. "You get five caps in the set: a standard cap, a wide cap for larger coverage areas, and two precision caps, plus it’s great to use all over your body."
Pros: Multiple sensitivity levels; Works all over the body
Cons: Expensive; Not suitable for light hair; Not suitable for deep or dark skin tones
Laser Hair Removal
A Sciton Bareit laser hair removal session in the works.
Laser hair removal has long been regarded as the best form of facial hair removal if you're looking for long-lasting results. And no, it's not the same technology as IPL, which many at-home laser hair removal options utilize. Professional laser systems are used under the direction of a healthcare provider and are engineered to deliver more powerful results.
"Hair grows in cycles and therefore, each session of laser hair removal will target only hairs in the anagen phase of hair growth. This is why it is necessary to do multiple treatments over time" explains Zanetti. In her practice, Zanetti uses a machine called Sciton's Bareit, which uses light energy to target the root of hair deep in the follicle while maintaining an ultra-fast and comfortable treatment. "The melanin from the hair at the root absorbs the heat and it essentially renders the follicle unable to produce more hair," adds the nurse.
Does Facial Hair Removal Hurt?
The short answer is yes, but it depends on the tool you use (tweezing a single hair is a lot easier than ripping off a wax strip) and your pain tolerance.
"Each pulse of the laser feels like a tiny pinch with a bit of heat," notes Zanetti. "Most find it very tolerable and in cases of very sensitive areas like the bikini area, a topical anesthetic can be used."
A woman applies shaving cream in a photo from Housewife Magazine, 1956.
Facial Hair Removal Aftercare
Life isn't always peachy after peach fuzz removal. Your skin can become dry or irritated, even if you did a lovely job. To protect that fresh layer, apply a calming moisturizer or barrier-supporting ointment.
Whenever Bosstick is done shaving, she's a big fan of a de-puffing oil and her ice roller. "This way, if you experience any mild redness post shave, it will instantly calm it," she says. "Plus, it’s just something that feels so good when your skin is peach-fuzz free and exfoliated."
It's also important to prep for removal the right way. Make sure your skin is cleansed before pulling out your razor and put the chore off if you're sunburnt or irritated in any way.
As for laser session aftercare, Zanetti recommends avoiding any excess heat, such as hot tubs or saunas, for the first 24 hours after your treatment. "Good sun protection is paramount so wearing a hat, sunscreen, or clothing in areas that were treated will help prevent unwanted side effects such as hypopigmentation," she adds. (Good advice for everyone, always.)
When to See a Doctor
Facial hair is usually completely normal. But at the same time, it's important to pay attention to any abnormal occurrences.
"Facial hair growth in women is usually caused by excess androgens, aka male sex hormone. "It’s natural for women to produce a small amount of androgens, but higher amounts of androgens can cause increased facial hair," shares Dr. Levine. "Some facial hair growth is normal but if it increases drastically within a few months, you may have an underlying medical condition that requires medical treatment beyond hair removal."
If you have any concerns, it's never, ever a bad idea to call your doctor.
Meet The Experts
Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. Dr. Engelman attended Wofford College in South Carolina and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude. Following medical school, Dr. Engelman completed her internship in Internal Medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan. In addition to a dermatology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Engelman completed a one-year fellowship in Mohs and dermatologic surgery, lasers, liposuction and vein treatments.
Most recently, Dr. Engelman was appointed Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College where she oversees the training of future Mohs surgeons and dermatologists. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and American College of Mohs Surgery.
One of America’s top dermatologists, Dr. Jody Alpert Levine is the Director of Dermatology at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC, a leading medical and aesthetic practice in New York City.
Dr. Levine is an expert in dermatology and dermatologic surgery, specializing in medical and surgical pediatric dermatology, as well as adult cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. With an intuitive eye and deft touch, Dr. Levine helps patients achieve the most beautiful and natural-looking results. Her exceptional talent with lasers, BOTOX®, cosmetic injectables, surgery, liposuction, hair transplant, and cosmeceuticals has created a wait-list of patients from around the world who trust only her handiwork.
Lauryn Evarts Bosstick had jaw pain since she was a little girl. She would grind her teeth and Always be attempting to pop her jaw back into place. Finally she made the difficult decision to undergo double jaw surgery.
In 2015 she searched ‘jaw surgery ice’ on Amazon. Voila! She quickly ordered the ice roller. After using it every single day she found it helped with lymphatic drainage, circulation and curing puffiness. As a result, she set out to create a new one, and launched, The Skinny Confidential.
Now, Lauryn is set out to redefine the preventative beauty industry with on-the-pulse tools, no fluff effective consumables, and a spitfire incredible community.
Loretta Nguyen Zanetti was born the youngest of ten children shortly after her parents immigrated to the United States following the Vietnam War.
She joined the US Army as a surgical technician. She graduated from Columbus State University in Georgia with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, followed by Western University of Health Sciences in California with a Master’s of Science in Nursing.
Loretta has served in the Army for over 15 years as a military officer and currently holds Lieutenant Colonel’s rank.
Building on her experience and leveraging her skills as an advanced registered nurse practitioner and certified laser specialist, Loretta is proud to help her clients achieve their aesthetic goals.
To date, she has performed thousands of laser tattoo removals and aesthetic procedures.
She travels across the country as a trainer and speaker on various aesthetic topics.
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