The do’s and don’ts of facial hair removal

Getting rid of unwanted facial hair doesn’t have to be complicated, or unnecessarily painful. Body hair removal, particularly on the face, is a matter of choice, and we support people who want plenty of hair or none at all. If you’re going the facial hair removal route, consider what you might need to know before you start.

Facial hair removal methods range from waxing, threading, sugaring, hair removal creams, and plain old tweezing. Every method has tips and tricks to consider. Before you begin, take a look at our do’s and don’ts guide to facial hair removal below to make sure you’re getting the general idea of what to do for removing hair at home, especially if you’re a first-timer.

What to do when removing facial hair

1. Consider your skin type before selecting a product.
   
   Do you have sensitive skin? Dry skin? Combination skin? Bringing your skin type into the conversation is important because if you’re using hair removal methods like waxing on your face, your skin could be susceptible to irritation or may not agree with the product. For sensitive skin, you can try Veet® Professional™ Wax Strips, Face, Bikini & Underarm, with Almond Oil, known for its soothing properties.
2. Exfoliate beforehand.
   
   Scrub away all dirt from your face at least 24 to 48 hours before your selected hair removal time. You don’t want to have any dirt or grime build-up around your follicles before hair removal. It bears repeating: do exfoliate a day or two beforehand, not an hour or two before.
3. Wash your face.
   
   During the day of your at home hair removal, make sure you give your face a good cleanse. It doesn’t need to be intensive or for long but, much like the exfoliation, cleansing will further help out any dirt build-up.
4. Moisturize 24 to 48 hours afterward.
   
   Hydrating your face is always a good idea, but especially so if you’re waxing to get rid of any unwanted hair. In particular, with waxing, you’re removing hair from the follicle itself, and pulling in a way that impacts the skin, so it’s important to use SPF to protect it. Veet® Perfect Finish Wipes are included in every Veet wax box to help remove excess wax and moisturize the skin.
   
   After waxing, try a moisturizer with SPF or add it on before your moisturizer. Just make sure you’re protecting your skin after facial hair removal.
5. Bonus: Use ice.
   
   Sometimes hair removal can leave skin a little red. Reduce some of that redness or overall puffiness with ice. If you don’t want to use ice, try a clean jade or quartz roller that’s been sitting in the freezer for a minimum of 10 minutes or so to get that cooling sensation on your skin.

What not to do when removing facial hair

1. Go into direct sunlight.
   
   Even if you’ve put on SPF after waxing, avoid direct sunlight on your face. Your skin is really sensitive, no matter which method you’ve chosen, so keep it protected by covering it with a hat, SPF, or not going into sunlight at all.
2. Remove facial hair during acne breakouts.
   
   Getting a pimple sucks, and it’s the cruellest scam in the world that breakouts long outlast your teen years and well into adulthood. That said, if you’re having a breakout, it’s best to avoid any hair removal if the acne is around where you’re removing hair. If you’re waxing, it could burst the acne and leave a mark.
3. Book facial treatments after hair removal.
   
   Even if it’s something like waxing your upper lip, try not to get or do your own facial treatment afterward. Your skin is sensitive after hair removal. Any additional treatments may cause irritation.
4. Skip aftercare.
   
   Try a cold compress to minimize irritation and bumps, or a warm compress to help reduce ingrown hairs. Hydrate the skin 24 hours after waxing with a moisturizer that won’t cause any further irritation or redness.
5. Bonus: Remove hair outside of your schedule.
   
   We get the temptation but don’t remove your hair outside of the schedule you’ve set for yourself. Still, stick to a schedule. For waxing, ensure you’re growing it out to the length it needs to be before removal.

* Ensure this product is right for you. Always read and follow the product label before use.