Shaving Facial Hair
Many women are skeptical about facial shaving, especially when it comes to light ‘peach fuzz’. But every woman has facial hair, and it is important to discuss these practices and the true feasibility of them.
When it comes to facial hair, it’s important to understand that there are two types, vellus hair and terminal hair.
Vellus hair is the near-invisible peach fuzz that covers much of your face & body and is meant to regulate temperature and evaporate sweat. Vellus hair is very fine & often translucent. In bright light or sunlight, vellus hair can be seen on the cheeks, forehead, upper and lower lips, neck, chin, and side burn area.
Opposingly, terminal hair is darker & thicker and is found along their upper and lower lips, sideburns, neck, and chin.
Facial shaving can be used to remove both vellus hair and terminal hair, and can lead to brighter appearance of the skin.
What are the pros and cons of shaving your face if you’re a woman?
Facial shaving can affect skin differently based on someone’s skin type.
If you have conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or acne, shaving may exacerbate irritation and discomfort and possibly lead to infection.
Sensitive skin, or skin that has red, irritated patches for any reason, may also not respond well to shaving.
For people who have clear skin, or skin that responds well to exfoliation, facial shaving can also be used as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells.
Even if your skin is clear and can handle exfoliation, there are other potential cons to consider when shaving:
Pros of face shaving for women
Clean canvas. Shaving your face removes hair, debris, excess oil, and dead skin cells, which can brighten the look of skin. This helps makeup go on smoothly and last longer.
Self-confidence. Some people are self-conscious about facial hair. If you’ll feel more confident and better about your appearance by shaving, it makes sense for you to do so.
Cons of face shaving for women
Five o’clock shadow. If you’re shaving to remove terminal hair, you may need to shave more often in order to keep it in check. If you have a lot of dark hair, you may see a shadow under the skin after shaving.
Ingrown hairs. Shaving off vellus hairs will not cause ingrown hairs, but shaving terminal hair can cause these painful bumps to erupt.
Damage to skin. Shaving carries the risk of nicks and cuts that may bleed and sting. Shaving can also cause razor burn.
Dryness and itching. If you have dry skin, shaving may dry it out further and feel uncomfortable. It may also cause flaking and itching. Moisturizing immediately afterward can help you to avoid this.
Will shaving my facial hair cause it to grow back thicker?
Shaving blunts the edges of hair, making it feel stubbly and coarse. This can create the illusion that hair has become darker or thicker; however, it doesn’t actually thicken it or change its color.
What’s the best way to shave your face?
Facial shaving for women should be done differently than facial shaving for men. This differs from the way you shave your legs or underarms.
To effectively shave your face:
Clean your skin first and dry it completely. Facial shaving is typically done on naked skin, without shaving cream or product of any kind. Some women may find dry shaving irritating to their skin. If you do, you can use shaving gel, moisturizing lotion, or cream on your face before shaving.
Use a straight edge, single-blade razor designed specifically for women’s facial shaving. These products are sometimes referred to as eyebrow shaving razors or dermaplaning tools.
To avoid nicking or irritating your skin, never use a dull razor.
When shaving, hold the skin taut with one hand. Hold the razor at a 45-degree angle and gently graze the skin with short, light strokes, while applying as little pressure as possible. Always shave in the direction of the hair’s growth rather than against it.
Rinse the razor after each stroke.
After shaving, rinse your face and moisturize immediately.
What are the alternatives to facial shaving?
Other ways of removing facial hair include:
Waxing
Unlike shaving which removes hair at the skin’s surface, waxing removes hair from underneath the skin, at the root.
It lasts longer than shaving, but carries some of the same risks — such as causing ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
Waxing can be done at home, or in a salon by a professional. It can be uncomfortable or even painful for some people.
As a general rule, hair has to be at least 1/4-inch long for waxing to work. If you have obvious terminal hair that you’re self-conscious about, this may make waxing unfit for use on the face.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is a long-lasting, semi-permanent solution for facial hair removal and should be done by a professional, such as a dermatologist or licensed esthetician.
Laser hair removal can be expensive, but may provide many hair-free years for women with terminal facial hair, making it worth the expense for many.
Laser hair removal is most effective in people with hair that’s darker than their skin. Since vellus hair is lightly pigmented and translucent, it can be hard to remove by laser.
