Men that have no desire to grow facial hair or want to removal even some of the hair on their face may find that there are significantly fewer options for men than women. The biggest reason for this is that, in general, the hair on a man’s face is significantly thicker and coarser than any hair that most women have on their entire body. Couple that with the more sensitive skin usually found on the face, you end up with an interesting problem.
In this guide, we will uncover some of the hurdles to facial hair removal, how to overcome them and provide you with the best options for removing facial hair. From a few stray hairs to a full beard, there is a hair removal option that will work, and it can be found right here. Stick around and we’ll show you a few tips for achieving the results as well.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| Prkoon Hair Remover |
| 4.1/5.0 |
| Type of Hair Removal: Depilatory Cream |
| Effectiveness: Moderately Effective |
| Effective and Affordable for many users. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver |
| 4.1/5.0 |
| Type of Hair Removal: Epilator |
| Effectiveness: Moderately Effective |
| Multiple opens for effective hair removal. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| VivianAl Wax Kit |
| 5.0/5.0 |
| Type of Hair Removal: Hard Wax |
| Effectiveness: Highly Effective |
| Flexible and Easy to Use, Great for Facial Hair, Less Pain, 100% non-toxic and cleans Pores. |
| Check Amazon |
- Buying Guide
- Best Facial Hair Removers for Men Comparison Table
- Types of Hair Removal: Safe for Facial Hair
- Professional Hair Removal: Electrolysis VS Laser Hair Removal
- Best Facial Hair Removers for Men – DIY
- Tips for Removing Facial Hair
Buying Guide
How did we come to these Facial Hair Removers? There are so many different ways to remove facial hair it can be difficult to compare them. We had to weigh many aspects of each method to determine if it should be included, and if so the best products for that method. Finally, not all facial hair is the same, so we had to add some flexibility in our choices to give the widest range of options for everyone.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages: Every hair removal method or product comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages that must be carefully weighed compared to determine where it falls on the scale of best to worst. We examine each hair removal method independently before pitting them against each other to determine the best possible options.
Effective on Facial Hair: Not all hair removal products can safely be used to remove facial hair. After all, the skin on the face is some of the most delicate skin on the entire body. Since our faces are what we present the world around us,we have to be sure and take care of it. Therefore, finding hair removal methods that are safe and effective for removing facial hair it’s probably the most important criteria that we needed to be taken into consideration.
Pain Level: In a perfect world, you could snap your fingers, take a pill, or blink your eyes and hair that you want going would be gone and stay that way. Unfortunately, most hair removal methods involve some level of pain. We had to consider the different pain levels associated with these methods to help choose the best options for the widest audience possible.
Time Frame: When we refer to time frame, we’re including not only the amount of time it takes to remove the hair but also the length of time you can go between each hair removal session.
Cost: Wouldn’t we all like to never have to worry about how much a product or an item may cost? Unfortunately, that’s not the case so we had to consider the overall cost of whatever method we included in this guide.
Accessible: It doesn’t do any good if the best facial hair removal method or product is only available to 2% of the population or is so expensive but only in few people could possibly afford to use it so we had to consider the overall accessibility as part of our analysis.
Best Facial Hair Removers for Men Comparison Table
| Product Name | Type of Hair Removal | Effectiveness | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VivianAl Wax Kit | Hard Wax | Highly Effective | Check Price |
| Prkoon Hair Remover | Depilatory Cream | Moderately Effective | Check Price |
| Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver | Epilator | Moderately Effective | Check Price |
| Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 6800 with Precision Trimmer, S6880/81 | Electric Shaver | Moderately Effective | Check Price |
| CNV Permanent Hair Remover, IPL | IPL Hair Remover | Highly Effective for darker hair | Check Price |
Types of Hair Removal: Safe for Facial Hair
Shaving
There are several options for men who are looking for a more traditional shave. Shaving for most men usually require maintenance every day or so, depending on how fast their facial hair grows. Here are the common options.
Straight Razor
A straight razor is the oldest form of shaving but has fallen out of mainstream until recent years. This is the type of shave that some men may recognize as the way that a barber shaves you, using a very sharp single blade. Shaving with a straight razor provides the closest shave if done properly.
Disposable Razor
Disposable razors have been around for some time and range from inexpensive single blade razors to more modern multi-blade disposable razors with extra features. Shaving with a disposable (or replaceable head) razor remains the most common form of shaving.
Electric Razor
Some men swear by their electric razor for a close comfortable shave. Electric shavers provide several options including the ability to shave or trim. Many modern electric shavers can be used wet or dry for even more flexibility.
Hair Removal Creams
Hair removal creams (depilatory creams) have been an option for shaving available to women for decades. They use a chemical based formula to dissolve or soften the hair allowing it to be easily wiped away.
In recent years, manufacturers have made creams specifically designed for men’s thicker, coarser hair. There are some hair removal creams that are gentle enough to be used on the sensitive skin of the face, though individuals with sensitive skin may want to be especially careful and test the cream first.
Epilators
Many people may be familiar with older versions of epilators that use a spring to grasp and pull the hair from the root. Most modern epilators feature rotating disks that are angled. As the disks rotate, they grab the hair and release the hair as the disks move apart again.
The big advantage to the newer design is the combination of automatic grasp/release of the hair and faster motors. Like super speed tweezing, using an epilator can be very effective in hair removal with less risk of skin irritation, necessary for facial hair removal.
Waxing
Waxing provides the same complete removal as epilators, on a larger scale.Wax is applied to the face and removed taking the hair with it. There are different types of waxes, but generally fall into hard or soft wax categories, and though most are effective, each has their own advantages.
Hard Wax
Hard wax is heated and spread on the skin, usually opposite of the direction of hair growth. As the wax cools and hardens it shrinks around the hair. When completely cooled the wax can be lifted swiftly away from the skin in the direction of hair growth, removing the hair from the root. Hard waxing is a preferred hair removal method for individuals with sensitive skin since the wax does not stick to the skin only the hair shaft.
Soft Wax
Soft waxes are applied to the skin and then covered with a waxing strip or used with pre-waxed strips. Similar to hard wax, a soft wax will stick to the hair and pulled in the direction of hair growth. Not only do soft waxes require little or no heat to be used, since you do not have to wait for the wax to cool and set, but it can also be faster. However, soft waxes do stick to the skin and may cause more skin irritation and leave more hair behind than hard wax.
Sugaring
Sugaring works very similar to waxes and has been used for centuries for hair removal. The biggest difference between sugaring and waxing is the ingredients. Sugaring is made from a simple combination of sugar, lemon, and hot water. Once applied to the skin it is pulled from the skin much like waxing. The sugar paste can also be reused multiple times before disposable. Since it is made from all-natural ingredients, sugaring is a good option for individuals with sensitive skins.
Threading
Threading is a very old hair removal technique that uses a fine cotton thread that is folded and twisted. When the thread is moved across the skin, the twisted in the thread grab and pull the hair from the roots. While it is a fairly painless and quick method of hair removal, it requires expert technique and it mostly used to define smaller areas such as eyebrows. Threading larger areas would be very time-consuming.
IPL Hair Removal
Intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal uses light waves to target the darker pigment of the hair. The light is absorbed by the hair and the result is damage to the hair follicle, causing the hair to fall out. IPL technology is available in units made for at home use. IPL works for individuals with darker thick hair, but since it is only effective during the active growth phase of hair growth, it does not remove all hair with each treatment.
Professional Hair Removal: Electrolysis VS Laser Hair Removal
In addition to salon waxing and threading services, there are two types of hair removal that should only be done by a professionally trained technician. Both electrolysis and laser hair removal target the hair follicle to destroy the ability to regrow hair. These types of hair removal should only be used if you are 100% sure the area you are targeting you want to remain hair free.
What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the only 100% permanent hair removal method. Electrolysis has been approved by the FDA for hair removal. During the treatment, each hair follicle is directly treated with chemicals or heat. The result is the hair follicle is no longer able to produce hair.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal has been approved by the FDA as well, but for the classification of decreased hair growth. Laser hair removal used light energy at specific wavelengths to target the hair color. The process damages the hair follicle resulting in the hair falling out and decreased hair growth.Over time and with regular maintenance, near permanent results may be possible for some individuals.
In order to see which profession method may be better for you, we compared them based on several features in a table to see the differences more easily.
| Feature | Electrolysis | Laser Hair Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Target Area | One Hair at a time | Larger areas, depending on the unit used for treatment |
| Pain level | Mild to Moderate | Low to Mild |
| Risks | Redness and Irritation ** | Inflammation and swelling** |
| Treatment | Bi-weekly treatments until all hair are gone | 4-6 sessions and 1 or 2 per year for maintenance |
| Results | Permanent | Semi-Permanent (hair grows finer and thinner) |
Note: Both methods may have more severe side effects if not performed by a well-trained professional using proper sterilization and application techniques.
Best Facial Hair Removers for Men – DIY
We’ve put together this mini-list of our favorite hair removal products you can use at home to effectively remove facial hair. Whether you are wanting to remove all of your facial hair, or just looking to define and sculpt, there is a hair removal method that will work perfectly for you on this list.
1. VivianAl Wax Kit (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 5.0/5.0
Men now have a facial wax designed specifically for them. VivianAl provides users a natural aloe scented facial wax. This wax works for face and nose hair removal. The formula features 100% non-toxic ingredients and is a hard wax and is microwavable. The wax is ready to be removed in as little as 2 minutes. This kit includes nose hair applicator, a measuring cup, and a transparent melting pot.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5.0 oz. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| First facial hair wax remover made for men |
| Easy to use |
| Infused with Aloe |
| 100% non-toxic |
| Cleans Pores |
| The Cons |
|---|
| A small amount may require multiple sets for removing larger amounts of hair, such as beard hair. |
2. Prkoon Hair Remover (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5.0
Prkoon Hair Remover is a gentle yet effective depilatory cream. With proper application, this cream will not only effectively remove the hair, but with repeated use, the hair regrowth will return more slowly.
As with all depilatory creams, it is recommended that you test this cream on a small area of your skin before applying to a larger area to make sure you will not have any adverse reaction. You will also want to allow the hair to grow for at least 3 days prior to use and avoid using when your skin is damaged or inflamed.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 4.8 oz. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Simple to use |
| Gentle enough for removing facial hair |
| Skin conditioner to moisturize and protect the skin during and after hair removal |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not remove all hair with one application |
| The very strong chemical smell |
3. Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Epilator and Shaver (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5.0
This epilator and shaver combo from Panasonic are a versatile hair removal tool for both men and women. The epilator includes two epilator heads for removing hair from larger areas or precision hair removal. And as an added bonus, it features attachments for trimming hair and fine line contours. The head pivots to allow it to follow the contours of the face, or anywhere on the body you wish to remove the unwanted head.
This epilator is rechargeable and can be used wet or dry for versatility and flexibility. Men who wish to remove beard or mustache hairs should trim the hair to a length of no more than 1/8th inch for best results. The included trimmer head attachment can do this job perfectly.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 9.6 oz. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Wet/dry epilator |
| Rechargeable |
| 6 attachments |
| Pivoting head |
| 2 Epilator sizes for more control |
| Dual speed |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not work on especially fine/thin hairs |
| Attachments are not included in the product warranty |
4. Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 6800 with Precision Trimmer, S6880/81
Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5.0
When an electric shaver is your choice for removing facial hair, this Philips Norelco Shaver with precision trimmer head attachment packs a mighty punch in such a small and convenient shaver. The 3 rotary heads flex in 8 different directions to follow the most difficult of contours, allowing you to continuously move from your face to your neck.
You have the option of shaving wet or dry, and even in the shower. The patented SkinProtect Blade system captures and lifts the hair for a super close shave in fewer passes. The added precision trimmer helps get those clean crisp lines along the hairline and sideburns.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 15.2 oz. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| 3 Rotary Heads |
| Wet/dry |
| Precision trimmer attachment |
| Fully charged in 1 hour |
| 5-minute quick charge |
| LED display, charge, cleaning, and travel lock |
| The Cons |
|---|
| – |
5. CNV Permanent Hair Remover, IPL
Editor’s Rating: 5.0/5.0
IPL technology is available for at home hair removal. The CNV system offers the newest in IPL technology in this device that offers 500,000 flashes and large lamp window to cover more area in a shorter amount of time than most other devices. This device also offers additional skin care options including rejuvenation and cold compress to soothe and calm the skin following IPT treatment. Individuals with sensitive skin can also use the CNV system on the WPL (weak pulsing light) setting that protects the skin surface from damage that may occur using full IPL. This device comes with a full 1-year warranty and 180-day money back guarantee.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 1.8 lbs. |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Integrated IPL and WPL |
| Skin rejuvenation |
| Fully adjustable |
| ICE cool therapy |
| Safe for facial hair removal |
| Comes with safety glasses for added safety |
| The Cons |
|---|
| May not work as well on lighter hair colors, such as light grays, white or light blondes |
Tips for Removing Facial Hair
No matter which type of hair removal method you can benefit from the following tips.
Exfoliation: All methods of hair removal will be more effective if the face is gently exfoliated once or twice a week. This removes both dead skin cells and loose hairs for the best results. Using some methods, such as depilatory creams, require waiting at least 3 days after exfoliating to use. This helps protect the skin from excess irritation or even chemical burns.
Moisturizing: Using quality moisturizers both before (although not immediately prior) and after any hair removal method makes the skin more supple. The hair will come away more easily. Moisturizing after hair removal will help to soothe any irritation and gentle massage with a good moisturizer will decrease inflammation.
Testing: Always test any new hair removal method before using over a wider area. Even if you have used it before, changes can occur over time. Checking for skin sensitivities will help avoid more serious reactions.
Avoiding the Sun: In most cases, removing the hair also removes most of the skin’s natural oils. It takes time for those oils to replenish and may not reach the same level as when there was hair present or allowed to grow. Protecting your skin, especially on your face, by avoiding direct sun or using sunscreens with SPF protection will allow the skin to heal properly.
This also includes the artificial sun, such as tanning beds and self-tanners. They both may irritate the skin and increase skin sensitivities. A great option is to find a daily moisturizer with built-in sun protection, that way you get the benefits of both.
Conclusion
There are so many hair removal options that we have really only covered the tip of the iceberg. Each individual person may find that what works for someone else may not work for them. You may also have to use different methods to remove hair from different areas of your face.
If you are having trouble deciding on the hair removal method that may work for you. Decide on how permanent you want the removal to be. For permanent hair removal, you may consider contacting a dermatologist for some guidance. Either way, we hope you have found this article helpful in guiding you through this complicated category of hair removal.
