Posted on June 12, 2023 by Claudio Sorrentino Hair Removal on the Face Guide
Whether you’re a man who prefers the clean-cut or military look or a woman who wants the flawless look of hairless facial skin, you want to achieve your look with a minimum of effort and maximum results. But what are the best ways to remove facial hair and do they work for everyone? After all, men and women typically have very different facial hair and don’t require the same measures. Body Details has prepared a guide for facial hair removal that can help you make choices about your skin. Read on to learn everything you need to know about facial hair removal.
Pros and Cons of Popular Facial Hair Removal Methods
As you’re probably aware, there are several tried and tested methods for removing body hair and some of those techniques can be applied to the face. Here are some of the most popular facial hair removal methods, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Temporary Techniques
These hair removal methods will yield temporary results.
Shaving
This is by far the most common facial hair removal technique currently in western society. As you know, it works by cutting the shaft at skin level. Most men have to shave every day or every other day to achieve smooth skin. Women can usually get away with bi-weekly shaving.
Pros – Inexpensive, fast, and can be performed at home without assistance.
Cons – Only lasts for a day or two, damages the skin, people with sensitive skin develop rashes and bumps.
Waxing
At-home or in-spa waxing has become a popular way to temporarily remove facial hair. The effects can last two or three weeks.
Pros – Lasts longer than shaving and can be as cheap if performed at home.
Cons – Most people find it painful, must allow stubble to grow before reapplication, can be expensive at spas, can irritate sensitive skin.
Depilatory Creams
A depilatory uses a chemical process to break down hair protein. Anyone using a depilatory needs to exercise caution since the chemicals can cause skin irritation.
Pros – Relatively inexpensive and last longer than shaving (about four to seven days).
Cons – Frequently causes irritation to facial skin, sometimes yields inconsistent results.
Permanent Facial Hair Removal
While not all permanent hair removal techniques actually provide indefinite results, the term is applied to techniques that provide results that last a year or more.
Electrolysis
This technique involves penetrating the hair follicle with a thin wire and sending an electric pulse into the sac. This destroys the follicle, and the hair shaft eventually falls out.
Pros – Electrolysis is a permanent way to remove hair, once the follicle is destroyed, hair will not grow back.
Cons – Requires numerous sessions, some find it uncomfortable.
Laser Hair Removal
The laser hair removal (LHR) technique works by targeting the pigment in a hair shaft with a high-intensity laser. The light travels down the hair shaft and heats the follicle until its destroyed. Laser hair removal also works on darker skin, which is an advantage over electrolysis. In these cases, a broader, more intense laser targets the capillaries that feed the hair follicles. The end result is the same: the fair follicle is rendered inert.
Pros – Safe, permanent, cost-effective, and relatively painless
Cons – Requires more money upfront than temporary solutions but much more cost-effective in the long run.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Body Details True Laser® Centers uses the state-of-the-art GentleMax Pro True Laser Class IV. This is a powerful, FDA-approved medical laser. Instead of having a single wavelength, the GentleMax Pro combines a 1064 ND:YAG laser and a 755 nm Alexandrite laser for a dual wavelength. Additionally, the laser has a built-in DCD (dynamic cooling device) to maximize patient comfort.
For lighter skin tones, the hair is typically finer. In these cases, the narrower Alexandrite laser will target the hair shaft, and the light will destroy the follicle. For darker skin, the broader ND:Yag laser light will penetrate below the thicker hair shafts and skin to destroy the capillaries that nourish the follicle. Once these are destroyed, the follicle will eventually die.
Body Details True Laser® Centers offer free consultations with a medical professional. During this evaluation, your laser technician will discuss your skin classification and a course of treatment for laser hair removal. You can ask any questions you have at that time with no obligation.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal Sessions
Naturally, there are some things you should do prior to a facial laser hair removal treatment. Your technician will go over these with you, but you can also familiarize yourself with them here:
- Don’t wax or pluck the treatment area. The laser targets the tiny stubble that protrudes from the skin. If you pluck or wax, you take the hair up from the root, which will make it difficult for the laser to locate it.
- Shave a Day or Two Before – You should shave a day or two before your treatment. This will minimize the irritation while still allowing enough stubble for the laser to target.
- Skip Cosmetics on the Day of Treatment – Your skin should be clear for the laser to target your facial hair. Cosmetics can interfere with the laser and can cause irritation.
- Stop Tanning – You don’t need to quit completely between sessions, but you should avoid the sun a few days before and after each treatment. The laser can irritate sun-damaged skin.
- Review Medication – Make sure that your medications will not interfere with the treatment or cause irritation. Talk to your doctor and your Body Details medical professional.
- Don’t Bleach or Lighten Your Facial Hair – Bleaching your facial hair could interfere with the laser’s ability to target the follicles. Don’t alter the color of the hair of the targeted area before treatment.
Facial Laser Hair Removal Aftercare
Your skin will be sensitive after each treatment. You should follow these protocols to help with recovery and avoid irritation:
- Apply Sunscreen – Even if you only intend to have incidental sun, wear at least an SPF 15 sunscreen for three days after treatment.
- Avoid Steam and Heat – Baths, hot showers, the sauna, and the steam room can all open the pores, which can lead to irritation and infection. Stay out of the heat for 24 hours after your treatment.
- Only Apply Mineral Cosmetics – If you have never had an issue with mineral cosmetics, you can use those. Otherwise, keep the affected area free from makeup and creams for two or three days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Removal
Many of our Body Details clients have the same questions about hair removal that you do. Here are some of the most common questions about hair removal here at our Florida True Laser® Centers.
What is the Best Way to Remove Hair on the Face?
If you are looking for a permanent solution to facial hair, LHR is second to none. Within a few sessions, you can be hair free for life. Think of the hours of maintenance and long-term costs you’ll avoid!
What Types of Facial Hair Do People Want to be Removed?
Lasers can target all types of facial hair. Popular treatments include eyebrow laser hair removal and shaping, beard, and mustache shaping, chin hair removal, ear and nose hair removal, neckline shaping, and more.
Can Facial Hair be Removed with a Laser?
Yes. In fact, it’s one of our most popular treatments. Facial hair is naturally more sensitive than many other parts of the body, so you should only go to a laser center that has the equipment that can be calibrated for this type of skin.
Is Stubble OK for Laser Hair Removal?
Yes. A certain amount of stubble is helpful. In most cases, the technician will ask you to shave the treatment area a day or two before so the stubble will be at the optimal length.
Can Laser Hair Removal Work on Dark Skin?
Body Details True Laser® Centers has the proper equipment — the GentleMax Pro True Laser Class IV — to treat dark skin. We have performed thousands of treatments on dark skin, so please feel free to schedule an appointment.
Florida Laser Hair Removal Centers Near You
If you’re uncertain about whether or not you want to commit to laser hair removal, schedule an appointment at a Body Details location. Or just enter “Body Details laser hair removal near me” and schedule an appointment at the location of your choice. Our laser hair removal packages are all-inclusive, and you can enjoy free touchups for life with our The Devil is in the Details guarantee. You have nothing to lose — except unwanted facial hair. Call today!
