By Mariela
Updated: August 16, 2023
7 minutes
Who would not want a hairless face? For it makes skin smooth, glowy, and radiant. Additionally, makeup application and absorption of skincare products become so easy and efficient.
But the worst thing about unwanted is that no matter how you remove them, they always come back. So, you look for one way or the other to get rid of such objectionable hair long-lastingly, right? But can you be hair free forever? If yes, how long is that forever?
Also, you would be able to afford long-lasting hair removal because great things come at a great cost. Well, I relate to all of your concerns because I have been through the same and have tried several methods to keep unwanted hair at bay. Therefore, I want to elaborate on the best methods to remove facial hair long-lastingly today.
So, stay tuned and find the ultimate solution to your hair problems.
Is Long-lasting Facial Hair Removal Possible?
The answer depends upon how long you consider “long-lasting”. Is it one month, a year, a decade, or a century? If your long-lasting is infinite time. I am afraid long-lasting facial hair removal is not possible. This is because hair follicles tend to regenerate over time resulting in unwanted hair sprouting out again.
But before getting disappointed, I want you to know that you can get very close to long-lasting hair removal and bade goodbye to unwanted hair for a long time. So, yes long-lasting facial hair removal is possible from a month to a few years or for as long as you can keep hair roots in check.
3 Proven Ways to Remove Facial Hair Long-lastingly
Following are the only ways as proved by studies and research that can cause long-lasting hair removal for up to a decade.
1. IPL
IPL is abbreviated as Intense Pulsed Light. It means light of high intensity is used to help you get rid of unwanted hair.
IPL devices
focus light of a particular wavelength on your hair. This light, when reached by the hair roots, is transformed into heat and this heat burns the hair follicles.
Result? You become hairless for as long as hair follicles do not regenerate which is about 6 months to a year. The best thing about IPL hair removal is that it is completely safe and can be done at home without any professionals. But I advise you to get an FDA-cleared device having safety mechanisms.
2. Laser
The second ensured method to remove facial hair is a laser. Laser is the foremother and the more intense version of IPL devices. So, just like IPL, the laser is absorbed into the melanin of the hair reaching the hair ends and annihilating the roots. This strong light needs fewer sessions spaced at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks as compared to IPL.
The results last for a few months to a few years, a little longer than IPL hair removal. However, lasers are expensive. Even if you get only 6 sessions needed for significant results, it will cost you a few thousand dollars.
Also, lasers cannot be done at home and you need a professional salon to go hairless. Further, you can check out the details of facial laser hair removal here.
3. Electrolysis
Electrolysis as the name indicates is the lysis or breakdown of hair cells with the use of electric current. In its procedure, a thin wire is passed under the skin to hair follicles, and a microcurrent or radiofrequency radiation is passed through it. These rays destroy hair-producing cells.
Electrolysis offers results that last for the longest time and is regarded as the only method of long-lasting hair removal by the FDA. So, hair might not regrow back at all once removed through electrolysis. This process is quite expensive as well. You can check the cost of electrolysis hair removal here .
5 At-Home Ways to Remove Facial Hair Long-lastingly
Although laser, electrolysis, and IPL show results lasting for a long time, they are not easy on the pocket making women opt for other methods of hair removal. Following at-home and affordable methods can help you avoid hair regrowth for up to a month.
1. Epilation
Epilation is the process of using a small machine with rotating blades that capture the hair and pull them out of the skin. Although epilators are often used for legs and arms as the process can be harsh on the skin, there are several epilators designed for the delicate skin of the face.
You just have to keep your skin taut and slide the epilator in the direction of hair growth. It might be a painful process but takes only a few minutes for the full face as the epilator grabs several hairs at one time. Also, you do not need to prepare with wax.
2. Tweezing
Tweezing is the perfect solution for the annoying hair on your chin and eyebrows. Methods like laser, IPL, or epilators are not to be used on the sensitive area around the eyes. So, tweezing comes into play, allowing you to pull out the few yet undesired hair sprouting from your well-groomed eyebrows.
All you need is a tweezer and you are good to go. Also, it is helpful when you want to remove a single hair or two from your face. However, the process takes a long time for a full face and can be uncomfortable.
3. Waxing
Waxing has been used for centuries to remove hair from the face and body. Hot wax, cool wax, hard wax, sugar, and waxing strips are used for facial hair removal. Warm and soft wax works best for the face as it is gentle on the skin. And waxing strips are the most convenient way to wax unwanted hair off your face.
With waxing, hair tends to regrow thinner and softer. But waxing pulls the skin and makes you prone to premature wrinkles and fine lines.
4. Threading
Threading is the use of a twisted thread in a continuous sideways motion by hands to grab and pull the unwanted hair out of the skin. It is the most common method to remove facial hair, especially from upper lips and eyebrows.
Moreover, it is also the most inexpensive method of facial hair removal as you only need a thread. However, professional threading sessions can be a bit expensive and it takes time to get skilled at threading at home.
5. Medication
One of the latest discoveries in the field of facial hair removal is medicine or prescription creams to stop hair regrowth. Although it is not that popular yet, Vaniqa, a medication containing eflornithine hydrochloride works to inhibit hair regrowth from the inside.
This process is time taking and you would need to wait for 8 to 12 or more weeks to see long-lasting results. Additionally, do not forget to do a patch test 24 hours before using this cream as it might cause redness, rashes, itching, and allergies.
5 Natural Methods to Remove Facial Hair Long-lastingly
It is not always the typical method that can help you remove hair long-lastingly, sometimes some natural methods can be useful as well. The following are the best natural methods to remove facial hair long-lastingly as they make hair grow smaller, thinner, and softer over time.
1. Egg, Sugar, and Cornstarch Mask
One egg, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch can be used as a homemade peel-off mask to remove hair from the roots. Apply the mask in the direction of hair growth to your facial skin and let it dry off completely.
Once dried, peel it in the opposite direction gently. Your hair will be removed and your skin will become smooth and soft. Its results last for a month. Additionally, egg and cornstarch make skin firm and is useful for anti-aging. It also exfoliates the skin.
2. Gelatin Mask
Although gelatin is used for baking and making desserts, it is efficient at removing unwanted hair as well. Gelatin is especially useful when your facial hair is thick and coarse and does not seem to be removed with other masks.
To make this mask, take 1:3 of gelatin and milk or water, add 3-5 drops of lemon juice, stir the mixture, and heat it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Then apply a thin layer of this mask on your face and peel it off once dried.
3. Turmeric and Papaya Mask
Turmeric and papaya are both known for their hair regrowth-inhibiting enzymes and natural chemicals. Turmeric has curcumin and curcuma oil that slows down hair regrowth and papayas have papain enzymes that inhibit hair and help in removing them long-lastingly.
So, take the pulp of one small papaya and add 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder into it, mix both together, and apply the mixture on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeating the process twice a week for a few months will reduce hair regrowth significantly. Also, you can check other benefits of papaya for the skin here.
4. Gram Flour and Rose Water Mask
Gram flour and rose water mask can be used to remove unwanted hair from the face along with getting rid of dead skin cells. To make this, take equal amounts of rose water and gram flour and mix it well. Once mixed, apply the mask to your face and let it dry.
When it is completely dry, damp it with rose water and scrub it off in circular motions. Regular use of this mask removes hair long-lastingly.
5. Sugar and Lemon
Sugar and lemon when mixed in 1:1 and warmed on mild heat form a sugaring paste. You can also add honey to it to make it gentle for facial skin. Apply this paste in the direction of your hair and pull it off in the opposite direction to remove unwanted hair from your face.
This sugaring paste works like wax but it is softer, gentler, and less painful as compared to wax.
Conclusion
Almost all women aim for hairless facial skin making unwanted hair the worst enemy of our pretty ladies. Although there are several methods to remove undesired hair, a few of them offer the results we want.
So, in this article, I’ve discussed the best ways to remove facial hair long-lastingly with some solutions lasting for months while others progressively reducing hair regrowth over the time of months.
