The upper lip region is sensitive, and if you identify as a woman, you probably don’t want hair growing there. Unfortunately, what you want and what your body has planned for you can be two completely different things. If you are worried about upper lip hair, here is everything you need to know.
You Don’t Have to Remove It
Let’s face it, we humans are mammals, and we are naturally hairy. For some of us, the hair is more prominent than for others, but if you feel comfortable with your face, there is no need to remove facial hair unless you actually want to do so. However, if you do feel the need to remove upper lip hair because you’ve found it bothersome, there is nothing wrong with that either.
Using a Razor
Razors are one of the most go-to methods for hair removal because it’s generally painless. There is a myth that shaving facial hair makes it grow back thicker. However, studies have concluded that this is simply not true and that the hair only seems coarse because you’re only dealing with the thicker outgrowth from the root. If you opt for shaving your upper lip, go for a smaller razor to have more control and make sure that you’re using plenty of shaving cream to protect the sensitive skin.
The big downside to shaving any part of your body is that shaved hair can grow back within one to two days, which means that you’ll be shaving a lot.
Depilatory Creams
Hair removal creams, or depilatory creams, are designed to break down hair for easy, painless hair removal. Using a cream is relatively easy; simply apply the cream to your upper lip, let sit per instructions, and then wipe away the cream and the hair. If you want to try a hair removal cream, make sure that the cream is specially formulated for the facial area to avoid any unpleasant reactions. If you’re trying a new depilatory cream, it is always a good idea to apply a tiny amount first to make sure that you don’t have an adverse reaction.
The downside of depilatory creams is that they don’t remove hair down to the root, which means that the hair will grow back almost as fast as with shaving. Because hair removal creams have strong chemicals, some people have a reaction to them even if the cream is formulated for facial use,
Hot Wax for Upper Lip Hair Removal
Using hot wax is also an option for upper lip hair removal. You’ll need wax, a wax warmer, and any other soothing or exfoliating products to help your skin before and after the process. Waxing entails applying warm wax to the upper lip, pressing it down with a strip until it cools, and then removing the strip and any stuck-on hair. Hot wax, also known as hard wax, is typically recommended for small areas where precision is needed, such as the upper lip.
When it comes to waxing, the quality of the wax and the accompanying products is paramount. When possible, opt for natural-based waxes to help avoid irritation. If you’re new to waxing, try the Nacach Waxing kits, which will give you everything you need in one neat bundle.
Waxing the upper lip helps ensure that the hair stays gone for a few days. However, to wax, you do need a certain amount of hair growth. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, hair should be one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch before waxing.
Tweezing or Threading
Tweezing and threading are great options for removing unwanted eyebrow hairs, and they can also be used to remove unwanted lip hair. Tweezing is excellent if you only have a few hairs that seem to stand out. Threading allows you to remove multiple hairs simultaneously, but the hair definitely needs to be thick enough to thread.
Epilator Devices
These are handheld devices that work similar to tweezers but actually remove hair at the root and can remove more than one hair at a time. This makes epilators more efficient than tweezing. However, as with tweezing or threading, you will probably see some redness after the hair removal. Redness is normal, but you should stop using an epilator if you experience notable irritation.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is done at a facility by a professional and will singe the hair at the root. Laser hair removal is not permanent but is effective for several months.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is also done by a trained professional and involves inserting a probe into the hair follicle to ensure permanent hair removal.
Natural Ways of Removing Upper Lip Hair
In addition to the solutions mentioned above, there are also a few natural remedies that can help with body hair removal.
The Honey Method
Honey works sort of like waxing, and you can include lemon juice, or even bleach, to lighten the remaining hair. Combine your honey with lemon juice or bleach, and apply the mixture to the upper lip. You’ll want to leave that on for 20 minutes while you soak a washcloth in warm water.
After 20 minutes, wring out the washcloth and gently remove the honey lemon paste from the upper lip.
Try Sugaring
A lot of people like sugaring as a natural hair removal method. You will need to make a sugar paste. A few recipes are available online. Use a popsicle stick to spread the paste over your upper lip, and hold a cotton waxing strip to your lip for a few seconds. Then, remove the strip.
Tips and Takeaways
- You don’t have to remove upper lip hair if you aren’t comfortable. Bleaching and other methods can reduce the growth of hair.
- Each hair removal method has its pros and cons, and choosing one over another is often a personal choice.
- Always make sure that you clean the area before hair removal. You might also consider exfoliating.
