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We talk about it all, from bikini lines to boyfriends, but facial hair rarely gets mentioned even among friends. Is it the last beauty taboo? You might feel like the bearded lady, but don't worry. Just because the subject doesn't come up over Friday night cocktails with the girls, you don't have to pretend it doesn't exist. There are many solutions to the problem of unwanted facial hair, and you don't have spend big bucks to get the soft, smooth skin you love.
Waxing: The Pros
Dating back to the ancient Egyptians, waxing remains one of the most widely used hair removal methods. It's not permanent, but hair typically taking two to six weeks to reappear. With each treatment, the hair comes in softer and finer, and waxing removes even fine hairs, so you won't have to search for strays to pluck. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be done at home using cold or hot wax kits. Salons prices vary widely depending on location and treatment.
Waxing: The Cons
The biggest con with waxing is the pain. If you're reduced to tears and cursing, then don't suffer for beauty in silence. Rest assured, the salon staff has heard it. Before you book an appointment, consider the texture of your facial hair. Waxing works best on fine hair; the pain might not be worth it with coarse hair. Waxing might not be the best option for sensitive skin because the process can irritate your skin. It can also cause skin discoloration on darker complexions.
Cream: The Pros
Cream hair removers dissolve the hair instead of ripping it out at the roots, so it's a relatively painless method. It's also inexpensive; you can purchase creams from most pharmacies and supermarkets for about $10 at the time of publication. Treatment takes place in the comfort of your own home, so you're not spending money in a salon. The regrowth period is fairly short since the cream dissolves the hair above the skin, but the hair usually grows back finer with each treatment.
Cream: The Cons
Though usually painless, creams can burn sensitive skin. The cream can also irritate the skin before it works effectively on coarse hair. The chemicals that dissolve the hair can cause an allergic reaction in some people, so always do a patch test on another part of your body before applying a depilatory cream to your face. Don't wait until the day of your big date or you might turn up with a bumpy rash instead of a smooth upper lip. As with shaving, which also removes hair just along the surface of you skin, regrowth can appear almost immediately, and the hair may feel stubbly. Also, creams frequently leave behind strays that need to be plucked.
