The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List (2024)

Beauty

The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List (1)

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Shaving your face is natural no matter what gender you are. While there has long been a stigma surrounding face shaving among women, social media, particularly TikTok, is opening a discussion on this form of self-care. In one video, TikTok user @thatgirlsare noted, "It's not only men that have thick, dark facial hair. And it's not only men that shave their face with razors." She added, "Let's normalize some girls having thick dark facial hair and using razors to shave." Face shaving, also known as dermaplaning, can remove vellus hairs (peach fuzz) and terminal hair or dark facial hair.

Although some women, like @thatgirlsare, use a body razor, experts recommend you use an eyebrow razor for face shaving. Dermatologist Mona Gohara explained why to USA Today. She said, "It's different from a regular razor, because you can get a better angle with the long dermaplaning tools and it's also less sharp than razors, which are meant to cut thick hairs." So what's the right way to approach face shaving?

Before putting the eyebrow razor on your skin, ensure your face is clean and without makeup. Second, wet your face and use shaving cream or gel such as aloe vera. As you shave, hold your skin tight and shave the hair in the direction it grows. Lastly, moisturize. Razor subscription service Jill demonstrates this process in a brief tutorial on TikTok. Despite having many benefits, face shaving has certain drawbacks. Here are the positive and negative sides.

Dermaplaning leads to glowing skin

The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List (2)

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Face shaving and dermaplaning are the same idea, but there is one main difference between the two. Dermaplaning, using an eyebrow razor,provides the skin with a glow. Dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi told USA Today, "It's more than just a method for hair removal. It's a much deeper exfoliation treatment... so removing the dead skin cells allows for better penetration of your skincare products, making them more effective. It also allows for makeup to go on smoother." In addition, dermaplaning gets rid of debris and oil. It softens the skin and could ultimately give you more self-confidence about your bare complexion.

Likewise, dermaplaning can reduce dark spots and the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. It can also help with acne scarring. Although some believe dermaplaning causes facial hair to grow back thicker, this is not the case. Mona Gohara explained to USA Today, "There are different factors that play into this like age, hormonal influences and genetics. That's what influences the amount of hair and how thick it is — not how you remove it."

While you could get professional dermaplaning done at a dermatologist's office, dermaplaning at home is entirely safe. Best of all, it's inexpensive and effective. Depending on your hair growth, you can expect to do it about every six weeks.

Dermaplaning isn't for everyone

The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List (3)

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For all its excellent benefits, face shaving and dermaplaning are not ideal for every skin type. Dermaplaning is not recommended for individuals with dry skin and sensitive skin. Experts warn that those suffering from rosacea, eczema, acne, or skin cancer should also avoid dermaplaning. It could worsen your skin and lead to infections, scarring, and breakouts. Opt out of dermplaning if you're susceptible to ingrown hairs or irritationbumps whileshaving. Like any hair removal with a razor, dermaplaning can cause cuts or razor burns. For people with have thick terminal hair, dermaplaning could cause the appearance of a five o'clock shadow, perhaps leading to more frequent shaving.

In an article for Refinery29, Jacqueline Kilikita wrote about her negative experience with professional dermaplaning. Kilikiti, who suffers from hirsutism, which causes excessive facial hair, noted that after dermaplaning, her skin "felt sore and looked unnervingly red." While she said she liked the smooth look that dermaplaning gave her face, Kilikiti admitted that it led to more ingrown hairs than usual.

If you have any concerns about side effects, consult a dermatologist before dermaplaning or consider other hair-removing alternatives such as waxing or laser hair removal. If you plan to try dermaplaning, experts recommend always usinga different razor than the one you use on your body and thoroughly cleaning your skin. If your skin is irritated or inflamed for any reason, wait for it to clear up before dermaplaning.

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The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List (2024)

FAQs

The Pros And Cons Of Face Shaving For Women - The List? ›

The practice of women shaving their faces is gaining popularity due to its potential benefits, including smoother skin, enhanced skincare routines, and improved makeup application. However, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides, such as irritation, ingrown hairs, and the need for ongoing maintenance.

What are the cons of shaving your face as a woman? ›

Cons of female face shaving
  • Can lead to irritation - if using the wrong tools or bypassing key steps.
  • May lead to ingrown hairs - if using wrong technique on terminal hairs.
  • Might cause dryness - shaving removes skin oils.

Do dermatologists recommend face shaving for women? ›

The short answer is no. The long answer is this: “This myth does not have any scientific basis. During shaving, the hair is cut from the skin's surface, whereas hair regrows from the root deep beneath the skin tissue,” explains Dr Madhuri Agarwal, dermatologist.

Should older women shave their face? ›

Shaving your face can help clean up and brighten your skin, making it easier to apply makeup. But it could also cause damage and lead to ingrown hairs. It's also good to see a doctor to rule out a medical cause for your facial hair.

Is it bad to shave peach fuzz off your face? ›

It's there to protect the skin and regulate its temperature. But if you're not loving your fuzz, it's also completely harmless to remove. Some women choose to get rid of peach fuzz for a range of reasons – smoother skin, seamless makeup application and visible facial hair are just a few.

What happens to a woman's face if she shaves? ›

The practice of women shaving their faces is gaining popularity due to its potential benefits, including smoother skin, enhanced skincare routines, and improved makeup application. However, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides, such as irritation, ingrown hairs, and the need for ongoing maintenance.

How long does it take for facial hair to grow back after shaving a female? ›

With shaving, some women will see hair regrowth within 24 hours, and most will regrow hair within a few days. While the shaving may not cause hair to regrow darker and thicker, the razor's blunt cut makes will make the regrowth more obvious. Waxing is about consistency, the more you do the more the results will show.

How often should I shave my face as a woman? ›

How frequently you should shave depends on the individual's hair growth. Shaving your face twice a week should serve the purpose. But if your hair grows faster, you can shave every one or two days.

Is dermaplaning ok for older skin? ›

Dermaplaning isn't just “o*kay” for mature skin, it's ideal for it. Because it's such a gentle and non-invasive treatment, dermaplaning is a great treatment for adults of any age.

How to stop hair growth on a woman's face? ›

If you have hirsutism, your GP may suggest:
  1. losing weight if you're overweight – this can help control hormone levels.
  2. things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching.
  3. a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream)

Do women's faces get Hairier as they age? ›

Day, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. As we age, our bodies lose estrogen; testosterone, unopposed, causes us to grow more hair where men have it, on our faces (and to grow less on our heads).

What are the disadvantages of removing facial hair? ›

Shaving can cause skin cuts and may lead to ingrown hairs. Plucking can hurt, especially if a lot of hairs are removed. Using hot wax can burn your skin. Chemicals that dissolve hair often smell bad and can cause allergic skin reactions.

At what age does facial hair stop growing for females? ›

Never. Males usually have facial hair all their adult lives. Women have facial hair too, but until menopause, it is usually so fine and light colored it can't really be seen. Once estrogen levels start dropping, it tends to get darker and coarser.

Do you regret dermaplaning? ›

Disappointing Results. Another common reason people regret dermaplaning is that the results don't meet their expectations. While it creates a smooth, radiant base after treatment, the effects are temporary. The vellus hair grows back quickly, often within a week or two, requiring frequent repeat treatments.

Is facial hair removal razor good or bad for ladies? ›

When the razor blade cuts the hair at an angle, it can cause it to grow back into the skin resulting in painful, red bumps. Ingrown hairs are unsightly and can lead to infection if left untreated. In addition to these risks, using a facial razor can also lead to infection.

What is the downside of dermaplaning? ›

Dermaplaning is good for people who don't have any severe skin issues, such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or acne. It can help even skin tone, brighten a dull complexion, and remove unwanted facial hairs. What is the downside of dermaplaning? Risks to dermaplaning include breakouts, cuts, and scarring.

How to stop facial hair growth in females naturally? ›

Few foods might help you to get rid of facial hair: Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, garlic, peaches, oats, dried fruits, barley, mung beans, lentils, and rice bran may help increase the estrogen (hormone) levels in the body and reduce unwanted facial hair naturally.

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