Peach fuzz (vellus hair), also referred to as facial fuzz or peach fuzz is soft, fine and lighter-colored than other facial hair. While not usually visible to others, some individuals can be bothered by its presence.
There are various effective solutions to eliminate facial hair. Here are a few: dermaplaning, laser therapy, electrolysis, and shaving.
Dermaplaning
If you’ve spent any time exploring beauty on TikTok, chances are you have come across or heard of dermaplaning: the practice of shaving the face with a blade to exfoliate, reduce acne scarring and remove peach fuzz at once. Dermaplaning should only be undertaken under supervision by an accredited aesthetician.
Prior to receiving dermaplaning treatments, it is wise to refrain from shaving or tweezing the area being treated. You should also refrain from engaging in activities like spray tanning or sun exposure which could impede hair follicles absorbing laser energy during treatments.
Your aesthetician will begin by cleansing the skin before gently scraping away facial hair using a small scalpel-type blade. Although this may sound intimidating, the process is painless and quick – as well as safer than waxing or IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments which may lead to burns and other adverse side effects – particularly for those with darker skin tones.
After going through the dermaplaning process, your facial hair should grow back at roughly the same rate and texture as before. However, it should be noted that what was removed wasn’t actually beard or whisker hair but more delicate, finer peach fuzz-type fuzz that often covers beard and whisker areas.
Electrolysis, which permanently stops hair growth by targeting individual follicles with heat or chemical energy and destroying them, may also be an option; however, it should be avoided by those with sensitive skin, and those who have excessive facial or neck hair because it increases the risk of ingrown hairs and other side effects.
Other hair removal solutions for peach fuzz include waxing, sugaring and tweezing. However, depending on which method is chosen to remove peach fuzz hairs, waiting time between sessions may become an inconvenience and isolating experience.
Laser Therapy
There are various treatments available to help remove peach fuzz. These include laser hair removal, which uses heat to heat up hair follicles to discourage further hair growth, and electrolysis – a permanent form of destruction for individual follicles – among many others. Shaving and tweezing may also help achieve smooth, hair-free skin. It is important to consider all factors which might determine which option is most suitable for you when selecting treatment, including how squeamish you are about taking razor to face, how steady hands may be, and whether this option offers temporary or permanent solutions.
Laser therapy is an ideal method for eliminating peach fuzz quickly, effectively, and with minimal discomfort. This is particularly true if receiving your treatment at a professional spa or salon where an aesthetician will shave the targeted area before administering laser pulses via handheld device – this may feel similar to rubber band snapping against your face; most find this sensation tolerable.
During treatment, you’ll be required to wear protective eyewear and will be provided with topical numbing cream in order to minimize discomfort. Following this treatment you may experience skin irritation, but this should typically subside within hours or days; there may also be discoloration present on treated areas.
Laser treatment may be effective at eliminating peach fuzz, but it isn’t always suitable. Vellus hair is light in color and doesn’t contain enough pigment that lasers look for when targeting it, leading to burns, hyperpigmentation and scarring instead of smooth complexions. If you prefer long-term solutions such as electrolysis as an alternative – while more involved than shaving, electrolysis has proven highly successful at permanently eliminating unwanted facial hair without painful sessions like those required with laser hair removal treatments or regular follow up visits like laser hair removal does – we suggest speaking with your dermatologist about electrolysis as an alternative long term and permanent solution compared with laser hair removal sessions do require follow up sessions regularly whereas electrolysis does not.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis offers permanent hair removal solutions for peach fuzz or other unwanted facial hairs. Electrolysis involves having a trained electrologist insert a thin wire into each hair follicle and run an electrical current down it, which will destroy its roots. Electrolysis remains one of the few permanent methods available, though full results usually take multiple sessions over a year and a half to achieve.
When looking for an electrologist, be sure to solicit advice from friends and family as well as conducting an exhaustive online search. In addition, visit their practice to see how clean and professional it is before scheduling a consultation appointment. During that meeting, discuss what areas need treatment as well as the cost per session.
Before your appointment, it is essential that your skin is well hydrated. Furthermore, harsh treatments or retinols should be avoided prior and during your procedure; sensitive individuals may wish to inquire about topical anesthetic cream as a means of decreasing discomfort.
After receiving treatment, it’s normal to experience some redness or sensitivity in the area treated. This will generally go away on its own within several hours and is best to limit sunlight exposure for several days following your session.
Shaving is another effective way of eliminating unwanted facial hair, but isn’t recommended for those with sensitive skin. Electric razors or manually with shaving cream can be used, though be wary not to cause ingrown hairs and cause irritation to your face.
Home remedies for unwanted facial hair removal may include using turmeric paste or egg white mask. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it may reduce irritation and swelling. Combine turmeric with milk or yogurt to form a paste which should then be applied directly onto your skin before being scrubbed off in circular movements. An egg’s yolk also contains proteins which promote healthy skin as well as helping remove extra hairs.
Shaving
Peach fuzz (commonly referred to as vellus hair) refers to fine, soft, lightly pigmented facial and neck hair that grows at close range and may make its presence uncomfortable for some individuals; it doesn’t pose any significant health risks and can easily be removed using various treatments.
Shaving is an effective way to remove peach fuzz, although improper techniques may lead to razor burn and ingrown hairs. A quality razor combined with shaving gel and moisturiser will be necessary in order to avoid these complications; however, shaving alone is not a permanent solution and may require regular visits with either a dermatologist or esthetician in order to achieve long-lasting results.
Waxing or sugaring are also popular methods of eliminating peach fuzz, as these methods remove hair at its source – more so than shaving but potentially painful for those with sensitive skin or dermatitis. While waxing tends to cost more than laser hair removal treatments, its price can often be less of a consideration when covering large areas.
Electrolysis offers another solution to permanently eradicate peach fuzz: electrolysis uses electrical current to destroy hair follicles. While it can be costly and time consuming, electrolysis offers permanent relief from unwanted peach fuzz. However, to reduce scarring or changes to pigmentation changes it should only be performed by licensed professionals to minimize risks of scarring.
Though all these options can be effective, the right treatment option for an individual will depend on their skin and hair type. When making this decision, it’s essential to carefully weigh both risks and benefits of each option before choosing which treatment path to pursue; working with a board certified dermatologist or esthetician may help narrow down their selection process further.
