Some facial hair on the upper lip is normal. Most women go about their lives without giving a second thought about it. It helps that it’s not noticeable. However, not all women have thin, unnoticeable hairs on their upper lips. Although some women don’t mind the visibility, some women prefer to remove the hair on that area. Maybe you’re wondering if you should do the same. Waxing is one way to go about it. In fact, it’s an effective hair removal method.
Not only is waxing a popular choice of hair removal, but it’s also a method with great perks too. Waxing removes the hair from the follicle, contributing to a slow growth rate. But just like any other part of your body that grows hair, do so with caution. The skin on the upper lip is a sensitive area, so be sure to be thorough with sanitation, preparation, and aftercare.
Hot Wax
Hot wax is applied directly to the upper lip while it’s still warm. It can be used with or without a waxing strip. This can be painful to sensitive areas such as facial skin unless it’s handled well and with caution. Waxing can be a painful experience for first-timers too, but with time and a couple more tries, it becomes bearable.
Waxing does a clean job at removing hair while slowing down the regrowth. It can also remove hair from almost any part of the body effectively, be it thin or thick. However, hot wax is best for coarse hair than thin hair. As the hot wax hardens, it embraces the hairs and grips them well before the pull. However, a downside to hot wax is if it’s used with little to no caution, it can cause burns. Moreover, it can be a little tricky and messy to use especially for beginners.
Cold Wax
Cold wax does a similar job as hot wax, however, it’s burn-free, easy to use, and takes less time to do compared to hot wax. It’s also more travel-friendly and less messy to use.
Cold wax, as the name suggests, does not require heating or to be warm to function. It’s usually lukewarm in temperature and ready to use. It can also be used with wax strips. But unlike hot wax, cold wax isn’t as effective in removing coarse, thick hair. It’s best for thin hair, which makes it a viable option for waxing upper lip hair.
Does Waxing the Upper Lip Cause It To Darken?
If your upper lip area isn’t in its best shape, you might want to hold off the waxing. Sensitive or compromised upper lip areas can be vulnerable to hyperpigmentation after waxing. To prevent this from happening, apply your sunscreen every day. If there’s one external factor that affects your skin the most, it’s the UV rays of the sun.
Given that the skin on our face is the first to be exposed to sunlight, it makes sense to protect it. This is where sunscreen comes in. to further protect your skin, consider getting regular facials, spa treatment sessions, and even a visit to a dermatologist.
Waxing Your “Mustache” At Home
Maybe you’re not quite confident and ready to use waxing methods yet, and that’s okay. There are other hair removal methods that you can do at home on your own. Here are some of them.
Threading
Although the thread is an accessible tool, it’s the skill needed in this removal method that makes the difference. In threading, a long thread is wound up around the hairs on the skin and pulls them in succession from the roots. This often feels like a series of little sharp pains but it’s the faster alternative to plucking. This is also ideal for short, thin hairs as the thread spatial advantage in locating and pulling these fine hairs.
Razor
Shaving is a quick and inexpensive technique to get rid of upper lip hair. On top of that, it’s less harsh than other methods for facial skin areas. Should there be any cuts, wounds, and other sensitive areas, make sure not to shave these areas. Additionally, don’t just use any razor. Go for smaller razors, or ones manufactured specifically to shave the upper lip area.
For a better and safer shaving experience, apply shaving cream. Be sure to shave in the direction of growth. To shave effectively, slightly pull the upper lip down to make skin taut. Make sure not to shave over any cuts or areas.
Hair Removal Creams
This method of hair removal is probably the easiest and the least painful out there. To remove facial hair, apply it on the area for as long as instructed in the packaging. After that’s done, simply wipe off the product with a clean piece of towel. The hair comes off as you wipe too. Although it doesn’t remove hair from the root, it’s a quick and painless way to remove hair.
Removal creams are often accessible and can be bought in your local drug store. Be sure to read up on its instructions for application and take note of how long it should be left on your skin. Before applying it to your facial skin, do a patch test on your arm or anywhere else. Removal creams contain chemicals that break down the protein in hair, thus the hair breaking apart a few minutes after the application. In some cases, the chemicals present in the cream can cause skin irritation, so don’t skip the patch test!
Regardless of the method used, hair removal should always be done safely and with proper sanitation. If your skin reacts in any way to a product or method of hair removal, discontinue its use. Besides, there are other alternatives like the ones mentioned above. They aren’t just safe, they’re just as effective too.
