Facial Waxing

Facial waxing is an easy and relatively quick way of removing hairs on the face for both men and women, and is most effective for the forehead, sideburns and chin. Because these areas are less sensitive the likelihood of developing a red, itchy rash is reduced. For those prone to reactions from waxing, or those using retinols or acne preparations, this may not be the most advisable approach for removing hair, likewise for those with coloured skin, who can develop discolouration over time. The best way to determine your personal level of sensitivity is to start on a small area first and gauge any negative response before going any further with the treatment.

Facial waxing, like the waxing of other areas of the body can be performed at home or by professionals at a salon.


To perform facial waxing at home you will first need to purchase cream wax – different to the regular type used for waxing the legs and arms, and especially suited to the face. As with all waxing the hair needs to be at least ¼ inch long for the procedure effective. Preparation for the waxing includes the tying back of long hair to prevent any interference, and the cleansing of the face to remove any dirt or oil which could reduce the adherence of the wax to the face and may increase the risk of infection during the healing period. Now that the area is well prepared the wax can be applied. This should be done in the direction of hair growth and in small sections at a time. The fabric strip can be applied onto the wax and smoothed in the direction of hair growth, before being quickly but carefully peeled off whilst holding the skin taught with the opposite hand. Pressing the hand directly onto the skin after removing the strip can help to soothe the area.

When waxing the upper lip it is important to check the direction of hair growth, and to be particularly careful as this area tends to be the most sensitive. Pulling the upper lip taught tends to lessen the pain and make the hair removal more successful.

The process should now be repeated in the remaining areas of the face, although waxing the same area more than once can cause severe soreness. If stray hairs remain then they should be removed using tweezers. This is most likely on the chin where the hairs tend to be more bristly and harder to wax.

Any remaining wax should be cleaned off the skin using baby oil or wax remover, and then a cleansing lotion applied to help the skin to heal and reduce soreness.

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