Upper lip, chin, sideburns, between the brows — facial hair is completely normal, and so is wanting it gone. The problem is finding a method that doesn't hurt, doesn't irritate your skin and doesn't need a parlour trip every ten days.
Let's compare the options.
The comparison
| Method | Pain | Lasts | Do it at home? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threading | Medium–high | 2–4 weeks | Hard to DIY |
| Waxing | High | 3–4 weeks | Messy |
| Hair removal cream | None | A few days | Yes (patch test!) |
| Electric facial trimmer | None | A few days | Yes, in seconds |
| Epilator | Low–medium | 3–4 weeks | Yes |
Threading
The parlour classic. Precise and fairly cheap, but painful for many people, and it can cause redness and breakouts on sensitive skin.
Waxing
Lasts well, but facial skin is delicate. Waxing can pull skin, especially if you use retinol or exfoliating acids.
Creams
Painless, but the chemicals can sting or burn on the face. Always patch test and follow the time on the pack exactly.
Electric facial trimmer: the painless daily option
A small trimmer cuts hair at the surface. No pain, no redness, no appointment — perfect for quick touch-ups before work or an event. And no, it won't make hair grow back thicker; that's a myth. Cut hair just has a blunt tip, so it can feel slightly coarser.
Our 2-in-1 eyebrow trimmer and facial hair remover handles both brows and face. See our guide on how to shape eyebrows at home.
Epilator: longer-lasting results
An epilator pulls hairs from the root, so results last weeks. It stings a bit at first but gets easier with regular use. Our 2-in-1 epilator and shaver gives you both options in one. Read the full epilator vs waxing vs threading comparison.
Tips for smooth, irritation-free skin
- Start with clean, dry skin.
- Work in the direction of hair growth with a trimmer.
- Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser after.
- Don't remove hair over pimples or broken skin.
- Clean the trimmer head after each use.
When to see a doctor
If facial hair suddenly increases or becomes thick and dark, it can sometimes be linked to hormones (for example PCOS). The NHS page on hirsutism explains the causes and when to get checked.
Explore all our beauty tools in the health and beauty collection.