There are many options for removing unwanted facial hair and many of them you can do at home. Some of these options are better than others and some are more expensive, but permanent. Here are your options and the pros and cons for each.
Waxing
Waxing is a good option for removal unwanted facial hair. You can use kits bought at the store or pay more to have a professional wax your facial hair. My friends swear by the storebought strip kits (you literally apply the wax and peel it off) and I've tried them myself.
They work great, but I prefer a pro to do the job.
The pros for waxing: Hair is removed at the root so the results last longer and the hair grows back softer. And many women swear that the more you wax, the fewer hairs grow in.
Cons: The downside to waxing is you have to let hair grow out to wax again. It's painful and you run the risk of the hot wax burning your face.
Sugaring
Sugaring, like waxing, pulls the hair from the root. The huge benefit is it's less painful than waxing. You can buy sugaring kits to use at home or pay a pro to do it.
It's a great hair removal option for the face.
Depilatories
Depilatories are hair removal creams you can buy from any drugstore. They are a good option for anyone freaked out about pulling hair out from the root. You spread on the white cream, wait a specific period of time and then wipe away. Your hair should be gone. The strong-smelling chemicals in the cream dissolve the hair at the skin's surface.
Pros: Quick and painless.
Cons: The creams have a strong, chemical smell, which may turn off some people.
The creams don't always work on thick, coarse hair and if you have sensitive skin, avoid this method or run the risk of chemical burns. I recommend doing a spot check on your leg or arm first to make sure your skin won't react. Because hair is removed at the surface, it will grow back faster than with methods that pull it from the root.
Threading
I'm a huge fan of threading for the eyebrows and my upper lip. I've had it done several times. But here's the deal: threading doesn't hurt much at all (at least for me) when it's done on the brow. The upper lip? That another story. I find it very painful. But because threading is so fast, the pain is momentary.
How it works: An aesthetician uses a doubled-up strand of cotton thread to twist around individual hairs. She then pulls the hair out from the roots. The procedure is used mainly on the eyebrows and upper lip and the huge benefit is the hair is removed from your face by the root so it grows back much slower than it does by shaving.
The main con with threading is it may be hard to find a salon that specializes in threading. Most big cities have them, but if you're from a smaller area, you may be out of luck. You can watch videos online to master the technique, which will take practice. I recommend practicing on the hair on your leg. It's easier to thread your own upper lip and chin than your brows. Leave that area to the pros.
Tweezing
If you only have a few hairs to remove, tweezing is a great option. Be sure to invest in decent slant-edged tweezers. I recommend Tweezerman. They are worth the money (about $18).
Electrolysis
Electrolysis will remove hair permanently. This is a pricey option (from $60 on up a session and you may need 20 sessions or more). Make sure you go to licensed electrologist. And don't fall for any discounts.
Pros: Hair removal is permanent.
Cons: It's pricey. It's also somewhat painful (you get zapped). And you have to go many times for permanent results.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is an option for women with light skin and dark facial hair. The lasers don't work as well on light hair.
Laser hair removal is pricey and painful, but the results can be great and permanent.
Shaving
Shaving is not a good option for the face. It's a myth that your shaved facial hair will grow back thicker but it will feel as if it grew in thicker. Why? Virgin, never shaved hairs have fine, soft ends. Shaved ends are coarser. This is why the hair that grows back after you wax seems to be "softer." Save your razor for your legs and your bikini line.
If you feel you absolutely have to shave (because you've done it all your life, so why stop now, right?), try this 2-stroke method to avoid the blunt ends that shaving does to individual hairs:
Apply oil to skin to soften it.
Apply a shaving cream or gel.
First shave against the hair growth with one stroke.
On the second stroke, shave with hair growth. This gives each hair a softer, angled end.
Lightening Your Facial Hair
If your hair is dark, you might consider lightening the hair rather than removing it. There are several products you'll find at your local drugstore.
Source: About.com
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