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Should I shave my face or not? —this is an internal fight that we all face when we see those annoying hairs that sprout around our chin. You probably fall into one of two camps: embrace or erase. There's nothing wrong with leaving your hair on your body. If you fall into the latter type, your Google search history is likely littered with queries like “What's the best effective tool for reducing peach fuzz?” or “What is peach fuzz?”
Well, there are two types of facial hair. “We have vellus hairs—thin, soft, wispy hairs—that we call peach fuzz. Terminal hairs can grow in the jawline, upper lip, and chin but are darker, thicker, and grows longer,” Morgan Rackley, licensed esthetician and owner of Luminous Skin Atlanta. Because the hair on the skin is so fine, the tool you use needs to be able to remove the hairs without irritating your skin. Putting just any razor to your face is a big no-no, so we've rounded up the 13 best ones to get the best shave and smooth skin.
Pros
Comes with a storage case
Cons
Difficult to obtain replacement blades
For a more luxurious feel than the disposable ones, this razor comes in a clear storage case that helps preserve the razor's quality and store the extra three blades it comes with.
Pros
Super affordable
Cons
Blades can get dull after a while
For the price of a small coffee, Revlon gives you two razors that are gentle enough for frequent use and glide smoothly against the skin, whether dry or with shaving cream.
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Pros
Comes with 12 razors
Cons
Blades can get dull
Peach fuzz will never be an issue when you have 12 disposable razors in your reach to remove hair all over your face. The angled design can even get around your brows to keep them clean between salon visits.
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Pros
Durable packaging and long-lasting blades
Cons
Pricey
The sharp blade removes even the most stubborn hairs on your face and is made of Alumina composite that will remain durable no matter how messy your skincare routine gets.
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Pros
Sloughs away dead skin
Cons
Pricey
Dermaflash's hair removal device doesn't look like the typical razor but delivers better results. The tool removes hair while simultaneously exfoliating away dead skin to reveal the radiance hiding underneath all the hair.
Pros
Gets every hair
Cons
Feels heavy
With this gem from Tweezerman, no hair is left behind. As one user puts it, “This tool does such a good job at getting off all of the little hairs all over my face, it leaves me feeling nice and smooth without causing any irritation to my skin.”
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Pros
Travel-friendly
Cons
No replacement blades
The foldable design makes the No Mo-Stache razor a godsend for travelers and is sharp enough to exfoliate the skin without any tugging or irritation.
Pros
Has a slip-free shell
Cons
Super sharp blade
Versed Skin's razor is designed with a sharp, jagged blade that comes close to the smooth finish and feel of an in-salon dermaplaning treatment. What's more, the tool has a slip-free exterior to prevent any mishaps.
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Pros
Compact and easy for mobility
Cons
Short lifespan
Pretty packaging aside, the Finishing Touch hair removal device works great as a quick clean-up around your face. The device moves on its own, so there is no need to hold your skin taught or keep the tool on an angle.
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Pros
Has different attachment heads
Cons
Battery-operated
This razor comes with a trimmer head that is flexible to catch any unwanted hairs, and another head attachment for cleaning up eyebrows. The razor is also made of stainless steel to avoid rusting.
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FAQs
Is it safe to shave peach fuzz on your face?
Rackley ensures it's safe to shave your face using a razor, but razors should be used very carefully. “It is easy to nick the skin and cause micro-cuts. Over time, micro-cuts can thicken the skin and age the skin faster,” she explains, creating new skincare problems for you.
When using a facial razor, what are some best practices?
“When using a facial razor, it is super important that you thoroughly cleanse the skin to give you the smoothest surface possible and to prevent infection in case you accidentally cut yourself,” Rackley adds. Next, you need to ensure the skin is prepped and cleansed even more by using a toner with salicylic acid. When it comes to the actual shaving step, moisture helps. “Moisten the skin, lightly shave in the direction that hair grows,
and make sure to moisturize after shaving. Then, throw your razor away,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye adds. Rackley says she prefers using an oil on the skin “to give the blade/razor a better glide.”
What is the best way to remove facial hair and why?
Razors aren't the best way, but they are the most cost-efficient and a simple quick-fix for those who can't go in-office. Both Dr. Boakye and Rackley agree that the best hair removal method is laser hair removal, as “it won’t cause long term inflammation,” Rackley says. “With the right technician, a laser is safe, fast, and long-lasting." Dr, Boakye says other hair removal methods cause “ingrown hairs and the risk of hyperpigmentation.”
If Rackley had to choose, waxing would be another good alternative.“[With waxing] the goal is to remove the hair from the root, which allows the results to last longer than shaving. Tweezing/plucking usually causes inflammation and hyperpigmentation if you do not use the right technique.,” she says.
Will shaving the upper lip make it darker?
“Shaving the upper lip will not make the hair grow darker. Shaving does not affect the hair thickness or growth rate. However, the skin may become irritated, which could make the skin appear darker and can cause ingrown hairs or tiny cuts on the skin,” Dr. Boakye explains.
How soon does the hair grow back after using a facial razor?
“Using a facial razor is a short-term solution to hair growth. On average, you will start to see very minor hair regrowth within seven days and full growth by four weeks, depending on the area,” Rackley says.