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Girls may experience facial hair growth for various reasons, and regardless of the cause, it can be quite frustrating! If you have long sideburns growing on the sides of your face, you can explore effective methods to manage them. Some great options for removing sideburns include using an epilator, waxing, or hair removal creams. If these methods don’t work, consider visiting a salon for professional sideburn removal.
Steps
Using an Epilator
Purchase an epilator. Epilators come with multiple mechanical "arms" that can pluck several hairs at once. This method can be painful but is highly effective. Make sure to choose an epilator designed for facial hair. Facial epilators are smaller than body epilators, but their compact size allows for greater precision and ease of use.
- Epilators are ideal if you can tolerate pain and want quick, long-lasting results.
- Some epilators can be used in the shower when the sideburn hairs are wet and soft, making the process less painful.
- If you’re concerned about pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers before using the epilator.
Wash your face. Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, or makeup from your face. Pull your hair into a high ponytail and use a headband to keep shorter strands away from your face. Separate the sideburn area from the headband.
Trim long sideburn hairs. A good facial epilator can remove fine hairs as well as thicker strands near the temples, but shorter hairs are easier to manage. Use scissors to trim the hairs to about 0.5 mm in length.
Glide the epilator over the sideburns. Turn on the epilator and move it against the direction of hair growth. Avoid getting too close to the hairline to prevent accidentally removing hairs outside the sideburn area. Remember, overly defined sideburns can look unnatural.
- Avoid pressing too hard or moving the epilator too quickly. Use gentle upward strokes until most of the sideburn hair is removed.
- Your skin may appear slightly red and swollen after epilation, possibly lasting into the next day, so it’s best not to use an epilator right before a major event.
Use tweezers to remove any remaining hairs. An epilator may not catch every hair, especially those near the hairline. Use clean tweezers to carefully pluck any unwanted strands. However, consider leaving a few hairs for a more natural look. Results can last from a few weeks to a month.
- Don’t forget to clean the epilator after use. Remove the head and use a small brush to clear out hairs. Wiping the blades with alcohol is also a good idea.
Using Wax for Hair Removal
Purchase a facial waxing kit designed specifically for the face. Facial skin is more delicate than other areas of the body, so choose a product clearly labeled as safe for facial use. If you want to avoid messy cleanup, consider roll-on wax or pre-coated wax strips.
- Most at-home waxing kits are microwaveable, making it easy to heat the wax in your kitchen.
Pull your hair back. Wax sticking to unwanted hair can be frustrating, so ensure your hair is neatly tied back. Secure it in a ponytail and use a headband to keep hair away from your hairline. Clip back your bangs, leaving only the sideburns you intend to remove.
- If you don’t have a headband, use bobby pins or duckbill clips to hold your hair in place.
- You can also use a scarf to tie back any loose strands for convenience.
Wash your face. Ensure all makeup, oil, and dirt are thoroughly removed. Waxing can make your skin more susceptible to bacteria, so it’s crucial that the area around your sideburns is clean.
- If you have sensitive or oily skin, apply a light layer of talcum powder or baby powder to the area before waxing.
- Avoid waxing if you’ve used prescription or over-the-counter retinoids in the past 10 days, as waxing could strip away your skin along with the hair.
- Do not wax if your skin is sunburned, peeling, or broken.
Trim long sideburn hairs. For optimal results, sideburn hairs should be the right length before waxing. Typically, hairs should be around 1 cm long. Use small scissors to trim the sideburns to the appropriate length. Note that this method may not effectively remove hairs shorter than 6 mm.
Heat the wax. Follow the instructions on the product packaging carefully. It’s especially important not to overheat the wax to avoid burns. Test a small amount of wax on the inside of your wrist to ensure it’s at a safe temperature. This area has thin skin, making it a good indicator of whether the wax is too hot for your face.
Apply wax to the sideburn area. Most waxing kits include an applicator tool for spreading wax along the hairline. Apply the wax in the direction of hair growth, ensuring full coverage of the hair roots to remove all unwanted strands. Remember, you cannot reapply wax to the same area without risking skin irritation.
- For easier application, place your free hand on your cheekbone to stretch the skin away from the temple while spreading the wax.
Place a fabric strip over the wax. Ensure the wax is still warm and let it sit for about 10 seconds. Use your fingers to press the strip firmly along its length to adhere it to the wax.
Pull off the fabric strip. For best results, use one hand to stretch the skin while the other pulls the strip upward against the direction of hair growth. Failing to stretch the skin may cause bruising. Pulling against the hair growth prevents hair from breaking during removal.
Soothe the skin. The skin around the sideburns may appear red and slightly swollen after waxing. Apply a paper towel soaked in a mixture of 1 part low-fat milk and 1 part cold water for 10 minutes. The lactic acid in milk helps calm the skin. Repeat every few hours if needed.
- Instead of the milk-water mixture, you can use a moisturizer, antibacterial cream, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, or aloe vera gel. Some waxing kits include a soothing cream as an alternative.
- Avoid strong products like alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide for at least 24 hours while the skin heals.
- Apply sunscreen to the waxed area, as the skin will be more sensitive to sunlight.
Use tweezers to remove any remaining hairs. You cannot reapply wax to the same area, so use tweezers to pluck any stray hairs. If wax residue remains, use a moisturizing product like baby oil to clean the skin. Avoid waxing the same area again for 2-6 weeks.
- Some waxing kits include wax-removal oil to clean wax from the skin and hair without causing hair loss.
Using Hair Removal Cream
Choose a hair removal cream (or depilatory cream). These products use chemicals to break down the protein structure of hair, causing it to detach from the follicle. The most important factor to consider is your skin’s sensitivity. Opt for a formula specifically designed for facial hair removal and enriched with vitamin E or aloe vera.
- Hair removal creams come in various forms, including creams, gels, roll-ons, and sprays. Roll-ons and sprays are less messy, but creams allow for thicker application.
- If you have sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist to find a suitable product.
Test the cream on the inside of your wrist. To avoid allergic reactions, apply a small amount of cream to your skin, wait for the recommended time on the packaging, and then wipe it off. Wait at least 24 hours to ensure no adverse reaction occurs—the chemicals can be harsh, as they target the same proteins found in both hair and skin.
- The wrist is an ideal testing spot because its skin is thin and delicate, similar to facial skin.
Pull your hair back. A thick fabric headband works well to protect your hairline from accidental hair removal. Ensure the sideburns are separated and not pulled back, allowing for precise application.
- Check the skin around your sideburns for cuts, scrapes, burns, or peeling. Hair removal cream can irritate or cause chemical burns on damaged skin.
- Remember to remove makeup and cleanse your skin thoroughly before applying the cream.
Apply a thick layer of cream to the sideburns. Use a dabbing motion rather than rubbing or massaging the cream into your skin. Apply to both sideburns simultaneously, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
- Hair removal creams may have a strong, sulfur-like odor, which is normal. If you’re sensitive to smells, opt for a fragrance-free product.
Wait for the cream to take effect. Carefully follow the instructions to determine how long to leave the cream on; typically, this is around 5-10 minutes. Do not exceed the recommended time, as this could cause severe burns. Many creams suggest checking after 5 minutes to see if the hair has loosened enough for removal.
- A slight tingling sensation is normal, but if your skin starts to burn, immediately wipe off the cream and rinse the area with cool water and a gentle soap.
Wipe off the cream. Use a damp cotton pad or soft cloth to gently remove the cream, and the hair will come off with it. You may need to wipe several times to fully eliminate the sideburns.
- Ensure all cream is washed off to prevent further chemical reactions on the skin.
- Hair may start to regrow within a week. During this time, your skin will remain smooth and free of ingrown hairs.
- Moisturize your skin after hair removal. Most hair removal kits include a soothing lotion for post-treatment use.
Seeking Professional Services
Visit a salon for professional sideburn waxing. If you’re not confident about removing sideburns at home, consider visiting a salon or spa for professional treatment. Choose a clean facility with licensed estheticians or waxing specialists.
- Ask friends or family for salon recommendations. This is a great way to find a trustworthy and professional establishment.
- If you don’t know anyone who regularly gets professional waxing, read online reviews of nearby salons and spas to make an informed decision.
Consult a doctor about laser hair removal. This procedure uses heat to destroy hair follicles during their growth phase. The results are permanent, but since not all hairs are in the same growth stage, multiple sessions are required to fully remove sideburns. Typically, 2-8 treatments are needed for permanent hair removal.
- This method works best for individuals with contrasting skin and hair colors, such as light skin with dark hair. Follicles won’t absorb laser heat effectively if you have dark skin and light hair.
- Research thoroughly before choosing a laser hair removal provider. Improper use of lasers can cause permanent damage, so ensure the procedure is performed by a trained dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
- If the procedure is performed by a nurse or esthetician, ensure a supervising doctor is present.
- Ask how many machines the facility operates. More options increase the likelihood of receiving the most effective treatment.
Find an electrolysis specialist to remove sideburns. Electrolysis uses a tiny probe to destroy hair follicles with an electric current. The hair (in this case, sideburn hair) is removed and typically does not grow back. Similar to laser treatment, the hair must be in the right growth phase for removal, so multiple sessions may be required. Some cases may need up to 20 treatments.
- Electrolysis is effective on all hair and skin colors.
- It’s crucial to find a reputable and experienced professional for this procedure. Poor technique can lead to infections, scarring, and skin discoloration.
- When performed correctly, electrolysis is a proven safe and permanent hair removal solution.
What You’ll Need
- At-home waxing kit
- Tweezers
- Facial hair removal cream
- Cotton pads or soft cloth
- Scissors
- Facial epilator
- Baby oil
- Moisturizer
- Headband and/or hair ties
- Bobby pins or hair clips
