Do you wax your facial hair regularly? Are you using your body waxing kit for this purpose? We can imagine how troublesome the task is for you, as the skin on your face is much more delicate than on other parts of your body. Moreover, it can turn susceptible during waxing, thus giving you redness, rashes, and many other issues. Hence, using homemade mild sugar wax recipes to remove facial hair is always good. This article will discuss homemade wax recipes for facial hair removal that will help you take special care of your facial skin.
Is Facial Hair Normal?
Yes, it is expected to have facial hair. Approximately 10% of women experience excessive body hair, including facial hair. The primary reason for excessive body hair is a hormonal imbalance (1). If a woman’s body has more testosterone (male sex hormone), this can lead to excessive facial hair growth. Other factors include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), heredity, pregnancy, and menopause.
While most women see the growth of fine, light-colored hair on their faces, others might experience thick and dark facial hair strands, making it a little unsightly. Consult a doctor while observing a sudden growth of facial hair in a short span of time (2).
How to Get Rid of Facial Hair?
Thankfully, there are multiple ways to deal with excessive facial hair. While some of these methods are natural, easy to use, and pocket-friendly, others, like laser hair removal, depilatory creams, etc., can be tried depending on one’s preference and budget. In addition, standard hair removal practices, including shaving, tweezing, waxing, epilation, and threading, are often tried on facial hair. However, it is always recommended to use homemade waxing alternatives for complete protection of delicate facial skin.
Types of Homemade Wax
Preparing your wax for hair removal at home is a great idea. It not only ensures safety but also saves money. Typically, there are four different types of homemade wax:
Hard Wax
- Made of beeswax, rosin, and other therapeutic ingredients (olive oil, coconut oil, vitamins, etc.)
- Great for smaller, sensitive areas (eyebrows, upper lip, underarms, bikini line)
- Does not need removal strips to work.
Soft Wax
- Uses ingredients like rosin, oils, and some other additives.
- It can be prepared at home by melting granulated sugar, lemon juice, and honey together.
- Suitable for more extensive, non-sensitive areas (arms, legs)
- Needs wax strips of small pieces of cloth for removal.
Sugar Wax
- A natural and less painful method of waxing
- Contains sugar, salt, water, and lemon juice (any other form of citric acid will also do)
- Perfect for all body parts irrespective of the skin type
Other Natural Waxes
- Cocoa powder, juice, powdered fruit mix, pure honey, etc., are added to the same base as hard or soft wax.
- It can be used on all body parts but is most effective on more minor spots and sensitive skin.
- It offers many added skin benefits with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Read Also – Sugaring for Hair Removal – What You Need to Know?
3 Homemade Sugar Wax Recipes for Facial Hair Removal
Discover the wonders of homemade sugar waxing, where a thick sugar substrate clings solely to the hair, effortlessly removing each strand from the root. Unlike traditional waxing, it doesn’t adhere to the skin, minimizing pain. We present three easy sugar wax recipes that are gentle for your face and budget-friendly, allowing you to prepare them easily at home. Explore these recipes for a smooth and painless hair removal experience.
Recipe 1: Sugar and Honey Wax
What You Need:
- Brown sugar / regular white sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Raw honey – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 1 tablespoon
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A spatula
- A few thin cloth strips
Instructions:
- Pour all ingredients into the microwave-safe bowl and place it inside the microwave oven.
- Cook for 30-35 seconds until the mixture bubbles and turns brown. This will give your wax the perfect consistency.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and let the homemade wax cool down.
- Now, thoroughly apply a wax spatula to the facial hair you want to remove.
- Place a cloth strip over it, press firmly with your fingers, and smooth it out following your facial hair growth direction.
- Then, pull the cloth firmly yet swiftly (apply as sharp motion as possible) just in the opposite direction (reverse of your hair growth).
- Repeat the wax application and use the cloth strips one by one to eliminate all unwanted facial hair.
Read Also – How to Remove Facial Hair Naturally at Home
Recipe 2: Sugar and Lemon Juice Wax
What You Need:
- Brown Sugar / Regular white sugar – 1 cup
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice – 2 tablespoons
- Water – 2 tablespoons
- A medium-sized bowl
- A spoon
- A spatula
- A few cotton cloth pieces
Instructions:
- Take sugar, lemon juice, and water in the bowl.
- Place it over medium heat and stir with the spoon for 8 to 10 minutes. The mixture should become quite thick, and its consistency should be similar to honey.
- Turn the heat off and remove the bowl from the oven. Let it cool down for a few minutes.
- Apply the warm wax to your facial hair with the help of the spatula. Remember that you need to start with a small section.
- Place a cotton cloth over it, press the wax firmly, and smooth it out with your fingers.
- Now, pull the cloth up in a rapid manner. Again, the direction of your movement should be opposite to the growth of your facial hair.
- Keep repeating the last step until you remove all unwanted hair from your face.
Adding fresh lemon juice to homemade sugar wax recipes is highly beneficial as it acts as a natural antimicrobial agent and fights against breakout-causing bacteria to prevent bumps. It also nourishes the facial skin deeply with its high vitamin C content.
Recipe 3: Sugar, Honey, and Lemon Juice Wax
What You Need:
- Brown sugar / regular white sugar – 1 cup
- Raw honey – 2 tablespoons
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
- A microwave-safe bowl
- A spatula
- Some cloth strips
Instructions:
- Pour sugar, honey, and lemon juice into the microwave-safe bowl and place it inside the microwave oven.
- Heat the whole thing for 2-3 minutes for perfect wax consistency.
- Remove the bowl from the oven and allow it to cool down to some extent.
- Now, apply the warm wax to a small section of facial hair with the spatula.
- Place a cloth strip over it, press it firmly, smooth it out with your fingers, and swiftly pull it off against the growth of your hair.
- Continue the process unless you get rid of all the unwanted hair.
While the method of preparation remains the same, you can also go for alternatives to homemade sugar waxing. Some easy yet effective options are:
- Lemon juice, grated coconut, and honey
- Sugar, tomato juice, and honey
- Sugar, cornflour, lemon, and honey
Pre-Waxing Steps for Facial Hair Removal
Before removing your body hair with your new at-home wax recipes, there are a few pre-waxing steps you’ll want to take.
- Before applying your wax recipe, gently clean and exfoliate the area where the mixture will be used and allow it to dry completely.
- For the best results, always apply the mixture in the direction of the growth of your hair and pull it off in the opposite direction. (3)
- Before waxing, ensure that your hair is at least ¼ inch or 1 cm. (or longer) in length. If it is too short, refrain from the method, as the wax will not hold the hair properly.
- If you are suffering from irritation, inflammation, or sunburn, avoid waxing to prevent the conditions from worsening. (4)
- Do not apply wax to the facial skin areas with acne, cuts, or piercings.
Never apply too hot wax to the delicate skin of your face, as it will burn the skin accidentally.
Post-Waxing Care for Facial Hair Removal
Keep the following waxing aftercare tips in mind while trying homemade waxing for the elimination of your facial hair:
- Take a cotton pad and dab coconut oil on your waxed facial skin to remove any remaining wax residue.
- Clean the area with warm water (with a soft cloth or cotton) and apply a moisturizer gently.
- Stay away from any exfoliation treatment until your skin comes to normal condition.
- Apply an ice cube, some fresh aloe vera gel, or vitamin E oil to the waxed areas right after the procedure. It will reduce sensitivity or inflammation and soothe the skin to a great extent.
- Do not apply makeup or cosmetic items loaded with harsh chemicals and fragrances just after waxing.
- If your facial skin has dry patches here and there, it may come off along with the wax strips, thus causing significant pain and inflammation. So, keep it moist but not oily.
Tips to Remember for Facial Waxing
- The facial hair removal wax can also be prepared using a stove or oven. But you will need a small regular bowl in such cases.
- The heating part is quite tricky. Your wax must not be too soft or too hard. If you remove the bowl from the heat too early, the mixture will remain too soft, making it highly sticky during waxing. Conversely, if you cook it for too long, it will become hard, just like candy.
- The cooling part is also essential as it will help you figure out the actual texture of the recently prepared wax and decide whether it needs to be modified.
- Always make use of a spatula for the application of wax. Using fingers or a knife is not at all recommended.
Is it Safe to Use Depilatory Creams?
Depilatory creams dissolve the hair at the skin’s surface. Typically, depilatory creams are safe when used correctly and do not cause severe side effects. However, if you don’t follow instructions carefully and leave it on your skin beyond the recommended time, it can cause irritation, rashes, or even peeling.
When applying a depilatory cream, following specific instructions carefully is crucial. Take extra caution when using it in sensitive areas like bikini lines. In addition, facial skin is much more delicate, and one should not apply body depilatories to facial skin.
Summary:
Facial hair in women is a common phenomenon often triggered by presence of male sex hormone, PCOS, menopause and pregnancy. It doesn’t require any medical attention until and unless you see a sudden spike of facial hair in a short period of time. Shaving, tweezing, waxing, epilation, threading, laser hair removal, depilatory creams are some of the tried and tested methods to get rid of excessive facial hair. Alternatively, you can try homemade natural sugar wax recipes which are simple, effective and budget friendly to replace conventional methods. With simple kitchen ingredients like sugar, honey and lemon, you can quickly prepare your own DIY solutions. However, it is important to follow pre-waxing steps and post-waxing care during each session of facial hair removal. This will ensure the best results with minimal adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Is It a Good Idea to Wax Your Face?
Absolutely. There is no harm. While saving can cause your facial hair to grow faster and thicker, waxing damages the hair follicle and reduces future growth. If you are using our recommended homemade techniques, it’s not only economical but also harmless for sure.
How Do You Wax Your Upper Lip at Home?
Apply Lemon and Sugar scrub to get rid of upper lip hair. Apply a semi-liquid paste to affected areas for 10-15 minutes. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water. Read this for more info on DIY home remedies to remove upper lip hair.
What are the Side Effects of Waxing?
If you have sensitive skin and are allergic to some products, you might experience irritation, redness, or rashes. Apply a moisturizer on the affected areas if the problem persists.
How Do You Store Sugar Wax?
You can keep homemade sugar wax in an airtight container for 12-14 days. Then, heat it in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or more till you get the desired consistency.
Can You Use Vinegar Instead of Lemon Juice for Sugar Wax?
Any substance with citric properties can be used in place of lemon juice. Vinegar and lemon juice can be good alternatives.
Is Sugaring Less Painful Than Waxing?
Yes, this is because, unlike hot wax, sugar adheres to hair and not to skin. Hence, sugaring is less painful than waxing.
Does Face Waxing Cause ‘Sagging’?
There is a common perception that waxing leads to skin sagging. The peeling process removes the dead skin, impurities, and hair strands, although it doesn’t affect the skin’s elasticity. Sagging happens due to the loss of fat or collagen. While waxing can cause skin irritation if you have sensitive skin, it never causes sagging.
References:
- ‘Causes of Chin Hairs,’ Healthline.com
- ‘Hair Removal,’ AAD.org
- ’12 Must-Know Things to Consider Before Waxing Your Face‘,; GoodHouseKeeping.com
- ‘How to Remove Facial Hair at Home,’ WebMD.com
