Facial hair removal for Does the fortnightly visit to Salon for threading give you nightmares? Even the delicate thread in your beautician’s hands can appear like a sharp sword, ready to rip your skin off! If you face this drama every time you grow an extra line of upper lip or chin hair, then this article is a massive saviour! After reading this, you can learn how to remove facial hair with natural home remedies.
Get ready to say goodbye to harmful lasers, painful waxes and threads to enjoy a smooth and glowing face. But before that, let us learn what is facial hair, where does it grow and what contributes to this annoying problem.
What is Facial Hair and What Causes It?
All humans have fine hair on their faces that is thinner than scalp hair. Genetically, men have thicker follicles above the lips called moustaches and on the chin called a beard. Females do have hair in these places, but almost invisible. With age and hormonal imbalance, the hair becomes denser and visible, especially on the chin, upper lips, side of cheeks and forehead.
Let us learn some of the common factors which contribute to this male-pattern hair growth:
Common:
- Puberty or adolescence in girls – which can lead to a sudden hormonal imbalance.
- Shaving of facial hair – it is also believed that shaving of hair can thicken follicles and lead to ingrown hair.
Medical:
- Hirsutism, in which Stiff body hair which occurs due to high androgen levels.
- Thyroid – which affects hormone production in the body and lead to excessive hair growth.
- PCOS – Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, a type of hormonal disorder in the body.
How to Remove Facial Hair?
There are two options to get rid of unwanted facial hair removal– Home remedies and External treatments.
While home remedies are largely free from side effects and also easy to prepare, they may deliver ineffective results in the first attempt. On the other hand, treatments like laser and threading are instant but may damage your skin’s surface. However, its good to know about both these options to make a suitable decision for you:
A) Natural Remedies to Remove Facial Hair at Home:
Here are some of the natural home methods to eliminate facial hair removal using simple, everyday ingredients. With regular usage, these procedures can slow down hair growth and eventually reduce the need for further proceedings.
1. Lemon Juice and Sugar:
The combination of Lemon juice and sugar is one of the sure-shot methods for removing fine hair. Sugar is a natural exfoliant. Rubbing it on your skin can not only clear dirt and impurities but also remove the strands from their roots. Adding lemon can work as a natural bleach to lighten the hair colour and make them invisible. Here’s how to use it:
Ingredients:
- Sugar – 2tbsp.
- Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp.
- Water- 8 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 10 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a pan and mix lemon juice, sugar and water.
- Now heat it and boil until bubbles appear.
- Stir the mixture continuously.
- Once the mixture thickens, turn off the heat.
- Using a spatula, apply the mix evenly on your skin.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Using circular movements, wash the mixture with cold water.
Suitable For: Oily to Combination Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Once or twice a month.
Precautions: Avoid this if you have very dry or sensitive skin.
2. Oatmeal, Honey and Lemon Juice:
Oatmeal is a gentle scrubbing agent which can get the delicate facial hair removal out. Using it along with a mixture of lemon and honey works as a wonderful alternative to waxing. The sticky texture of honey lemon combo can attract hair, while oatmeal can get them out of the pores. When used regularly, this method can eliminate unwanted hair on your face permanently.
Ingredients:
- Oatmeal Paste– 1tbsp.
- Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp.
- Honey- 2 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Make a paste out of oatmeal, lemon juice and honey.
- On a clean face, apply this mixture on the areas like the upper lip, chin, side of cheeks etc.,
- Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash it with warm water using circular movements.
- Follow it with a moisturiser.
Suitable For: Normal to Combination Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice or Thrice a month.
Precautions: Lemon juice and honey may irritate sensitive skins.
3. Banana Oatmeal to Remove Facial Hair:
The combo of Oatmeal and Banana is not just a great breakfast, but also an excellent hair removal solution. The smooth texture of banana pulp and the exfoliant nature of oatmeal can give you a naturally smooth and hair-free facial skin. Also, this method suits even dry and sensitive skins, as both the ingredients are extremely skin-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Oatmeal Powder– ½tbsp.
- Banana Pulp – 2 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Mix all the ingredients to form a coarse paste.
- Apply it on the desired areas and leave it in for 15 minutes.
- Using your fingers, gently scrub the area while washing the mixture.
- Rinse the pack with water and follow it with a moisturiser.
Suitable For: All skin types.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice or Thrice a week.
Precautions: No significant side effects.
4. Milk and Turmeric for Facial Hair:
Turmeric is a well known antiseptic and antimicrobial agent. That’s not all! It is also an effective hair depilation ingredient, which can work wonders on your skin. Adding milk to turmeric powder can give it a smooth consistency, along with improving its effectiveness. While it may take time to show complete results, you can notice that the frequency of growth gets eventually reduced.
Ingredients:
- Turmeric Powder – 3 tbsp.
- Milk – 1 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Mix both the ingredients to form a thick paste.
- Apply it evenly on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Take a clean cloth and scrub the area gently.
- Rinse with water and apply a moisturiser.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice or Thrice a month.
Precautions: Can leave a yellowish stain on your face.
5. Honey and Apricot:
You must have already understood the benefits of honey for facial skin removal. Adding apricot powder to it makes it a good scrub to eliminate the hair gently, without damaging the skin. You can either use readymade apricot powder or make it fresh at home using dried apricots. This nutrition-rich mixture also nourishes your skin and evens out the texture.
Ingredients:
- Apricot Powder – 1tbsp.
- Honey – 1 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 2 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine the ingredients to form a thick paste.
- Spread it evenly on the affected area.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
- Using circular movements, gently scrub away the hair.
- Rinse with water and follow it with a moisturiser.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Twice or Thrice a month.
Precautions: May not be suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skins.
6. Lavender and Tea Tree Oil:
According to a study, women who are affected by mild Hirsutism can try a combination of Lavender and Tea tree oil to delay hair growth (1). This a very mild and safe treatment, which suits almost any skin type. It is believed that these two plant-based oils have an anti-androgenic activity to counteract the effect of androgens or male sex hormones. Along with a reduction in the hair thickness, the mixture can also slow down facial hair re-growth.
Ingredients:
- Lavender oil – 1 teaspoon.
- Tea Tree Oil – 4-5 drops.
Preparation Time: 4 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a bowl and combine the oils.
- Apply it on the affected area.
- Do not wash.
- Use it 2-3 times a day.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Every day for a few months.
Precautions: If you experience a burning or itching sensation, discontinue usage.
7. Aloe vera and Papaya for Facial Hair:
Aloe and Papaya mix is another natural hair removal solution. An enzyme called Papain, present in Papaya is used in many facial hair removal creams and gels (2). It breaks down the structure of hair follicles and ultimately removes it from the root. Adding aloe vera gel can smoothen your skin and creates an even surface. With regular usage, this combination can make your facial hair less noticeable.
Ingredients:
- Raw Papaya Pulp – 1 tbsp.
- Aloe vera Gel – 2tbsp.
- Mustard Oil – 1tbsp.
- Tumeric Powder – ½ Teaspoon.
- Gram Flour – ½ teaspoon.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the affected areas.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Take a clean, dry cloth and rub it in the opposite direction of the hair.
- Rinse with water.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Two to Three times a week.
Precautions: If you have sensitive skin, you may notice redness and bumps. In such a case, discontinue the treatment for a few days.
8. Egg White, Sugar and Cornstarch:
The combo of these three ingredients is another painless alternative to waxing and threading. When the eggwhite layer gets dried, it creates a waxing-like effect on the skin and removes thin hair follicles. Adding a little sugar and cornstarch can increase its efficacy and also creates a thick mask. This powerful formula can stop hair growth after using it regularly for a few months.
Ingredients:
- Eggwhite – 1.
- Sugar – 1 tbsp.
- Cornstarch – 1 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- First, separate the egg white from the yolk.
- Whisk it nicely to form a frothy liquid.
- Now add sugar and cornstarch to egg whites and mix well.
- Make sure that you get a thick consistency.
- Apply it evenly on the affected areas.
- Let it sit on for 25 minutes.
- Now, slowly start peeling it off like a wax sheet in the opposite direction of the hair.
- Rinse well and apply a moisturiser.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Two to Three times a week.
Precautions: This method may cause redness on sensitive skin.
9. Orange Peel and Oatmeal:
Oatmeal and orange peel mixture is a simple yet effective home remedy for getting rid of facial fuzz. Orange peel is a deep cleansing agent, which can even remove very fine hair on your upper lips and chin. Its skin whitening properties can lighten the appearance of unwanted hair and makes it unnoticeable. Oatmeal works as a natural exfoliant to give you a smooth, hair-free skin.
Ingredients:
- Orange Peel Powder – 1 tbsp.
- Oatmeal Powder – 1 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
- Add a little water to form a thick paste.
- Apply it on areas like the upper lip, chin in an even layer.
- Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Once dry, use circular movements to remove hair from the opposite direction.
- Rinse with water and apply moisturiser.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Two to Three times a week.
Precautions: Orange peel may not suit sensitive skin.
10. Fenugreek and Green Gram:
Fenugreek needs no special introduction to Indians. Besides offering numerous medicinal benefits, it can also work as a hair-removing agent. Green gram powder is traditionally used as a bath powder to get rid of thin facial hair. Adding both of them makes a wonderful alternative to shaving or waxing. Also, this mix can impart a natural glow on your face from the very first use.
Ingredients:
- Fenugreek Powder – 1 tbsp.
- Green Gram Powder – 1 tbsp.
Preparation Time: 5 Minutes.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Add both the powders with some water.
- Mix well to form a paste.
- Apply this evenly on the facial hair affected areas.
- Leave it on for 25 minutes.
- Wet your fingers and rub gently in circular movements.
- Rinse with water and apply a soothing lotion.
Suitable For: Normal to Oily Skin.
How Often Should I Do This: Two to Three times a week.
Precautions: The texture may have an abrasive effect on tender skin.
B) Parlour Treatments To Remove Facial Hair:
Let’s be very honest here! You have a party coming up in the next 1-2 days and the fuzz on your face is worrying you. Such times, there is no way but visit a parlour, as home methods are too much effort and give you slow results. These are the three popular methods of facial hair removal available at a salon, which are instantly effective:
1. Facial Threading:
Whether it is for your eyebrow shaping or upper lip removal, threading is the most sought-after treatments in a parlour. It involves a sharp thread that is skilfully moved by the beautician to pluck the strands out from their roots. Even full facial threading can be done in 20-25 minutes and gives a clean finish.
Pros:
- Inexpensive treatment.
- Almost every parlour offers this service.
- Can remove even small follicles to give you a smooth skin.
- You can see the results immediately.
Cons:
- Very painful, especially on the upper lip and chin areas.
- Can lead to bumps, redness and even cuts, if not done well.
- May lead to slight discolouration of skin in a long-run.
- Chances of infections are high if the thread is not clean.
2. Facial Waxing:
This is a quick way to removal facial hair, especially on the side of the cheeks and upper lips. Soft wax is applied as an even layer on the affected areas. Using a strip, the hair is pulled out in the opposite direction to reveal smooth skin. However, waxing is not recommended for people with acne-prone or sensitive skin, as it can take off the top layer of your skin and result in bleeding.
Pros:
- Instant method and takes less than 10 minutes.
- Not very expensive.
- Waxing is known to give finer hair in future.
- The effect lasts for at least 4-6 weeks.
Cons:
- Extremely painful and can lead to skin tenderness.
- Hair needs to grow a minimum of 1cm to support waxing.
- May lead to skin allergies and patchy skin.
- If waxing is not done in the right way you may end up with bleeding skin and ingrown hair in the future.
3. Laser Treatments:
If you want to skip going to parlors every now and then, Laser treatments may be the right option for you. The semi-permanent method can reduce the frequency of hair growth and is less painful than waxing and threading. In this process, the hair follicles are destroyed by sending by a laser ray into the cells. After a few sittings, you can notice that the hair becomes very fine and almost has zero visibility.
Pros:
- Drastic reduction in hair growth after a few treatments.
- You need not worry about frequent visits to parlors.
- Doesn’t give you excruciating pain.
- Safe on the facial area (if done by a trained professional).
Cons:
- Not an overnight treatment.
- Extremely tedious process and involves multiple sittings.
- Very expensive treatment.
- You must get it done only at a licensed place. Else the results can be very damaging.
- May not work well for darker skin tones.
Other Ways To Removal Facial Hair At Home:
If lasers, waxing or threading are not your cup of tea and you do not have time for home remedies either, then these easy facial hair removal methods can come to your rescue:
Epilators:
Brands like Braun and Philips have very good facial epilators to remove even small and fine hair. They are easy to operate, travel-friendly and even suitable for sensitive skin. You can buy them online or even try at a store before you make a call.
Hair Removal Creams:
Hair depilating creams contain chemicals that can break down hair proteins and dissolve them. You can apply a layer of cream on the affected area, keep it on for a few minutes and simply wipe off the dead hair with a wet towel. Brands like Veet, Nair, Anne French are very popular in India. However, they can give you allergic reactions, so be sure to do a patch test.
Pluckers and Tweezers:
If you have one or two prominently visible strands in the upper lip, chin or eye brow areas, you can simply use a plucker to pull them out. Sit in a brightly lit area, use a mirror to target only the hair and not your skin. Sanitise after every use to avoid infections.
We hope this article has given you an overview of the different facial hair removal methods on your face. Beginners can start with a combination of threading or waxing and suitable home methods mentioned above. Once you reach a certain age and you find your skin losing its elasticity, consult a doctor and find out if lasers can help you.So folks! If you have any other family secrets to removing facial hair, do share them with us. We can help out other ladies using this forum!
