Peach fuzz (vellus hair) is a type of facial hair that’s shorter, softer in texture, and lighter in color compared to other hairs on your body.
While not typically visible to others, you may still elect to remove peach fuzz if you want a smoother face, along with better makeup application.
Before you attempt removing these small hairs yourself, it’s important to know which treatments are safe to use on your face — and which ones you need to skip entirely. Your options may go beyond typical shaving or waxing.
Certain treatments are also best left up to a professional, particularly if you have sensitive skin or are prone to pigmentation changes. If you’re interested in peach fuzz removal, consider talking with a skin care professional about your options.
If you’re looking to remove peach fuzz, you may consider discussing the benefits and risks of the following options with a dermatologist or esthetician.
Dry shaving
Shaving is perhaps the easiest — and most accessible — form of hair removal. Since shaving removes hairs on the surface without taking out their roots, you may need to shave every day for best results.
Shaving every day may increase your risk for cuts, razor burns, and ingrown hairs. However, you also won’t need to worry about other side effects, such as redness and inflammation.
An electric razor is a relatively safe, and quick way to remove peach fuzz. Look for a smaller device—preferably one that’s designed for the contours of your face.
Waxing or sugaring
Both waxing and sugaring work with heated pastes that are applied to the skin. After a few seconds, a cloth is applied over the paste and ripped off or the paste is peeled back, removing your hairs along with it.
The results from these methods last longer than shaving because the hairs are removed from their roots.
While both processes may be used at home, you may consider seeing a professional if you have sensitive skin. Avoid either treatment if you’re currently using:
- retinol treatments
- antibiotics
- prescription-strength acne medications
Face depilatories
Depilatories are chemical-based gels or creams that remove hair by disrupting keratin fibers in your hair. An ingredient called thioglycolate breaks these hair proteins, causing your hairs to dissolve.
Depending on the exact product, a depilatory is applied to the skin and left on for a few minutes before needing to be washed or wiped away.
It’s important to purchase depilatories designed specifically for the face. You should also be aware of possible side effects, such as:
- burning
- blistering
- itching
- stinging
- peeling
You also shouldn’t use depilatories on broken, sensitive, or inflamed skin. Before using face depilatories, consider conducting a patch test on a small area of skin in the same area you intend to use it. This is to make sure you’re not allergic to the ingredients in the product.
Keep the product on the skin for the time instructed by the packaging.
If your skin begins to burn or sting, rinse it off immediately and discontinue the use of the product. If there aren’t adverse reactions, you can continue to use it.
Threading
You may have heard of eyebrow threading, but you may also be able to obtain this same treatment for peach fuzz.
The process works by using two cotton threads that are twisted and rolled over your skin, quickly plucking out unwanted hairs. Results may last up to 5 weeks.
The key to successful threading is to get this treatment from a professional. This may reduce your risk of side effects, such as:
- pain
- irritation
- ingrown hairs
Dermaplaning
While dermaplaning itself has long been used to treat acne scars, the treatment is now advocated by some skin care clinics as a way to help remove peach fuzz and exfoliate your skin. The process works with a small scalpel to methodically shave off vellus hairs.
Dermaplaning is considered safe for all skin types when done by a professional.
After the procedure, you may notice some side effects, including:
- redness
- irritation
- peeling
Laser therapy
If you’re wanting more long-term results, you may consider talking with a dermatologist about laser therapy. The process works by heating up follicles so that they temporarily stop growing hairs.
Laser hair removal comes at a higher cost and is only done by a professional. You may also consider whether potential side effects are worth the longer-lasting effects.
These side effects may include:
- redness
- burns
- hyperpigmentation
Electrolysis
Like laser therapy, electrolysis is a more long-term solution to hair removal, and is only performed by licensed professionals. Unlike laser treatments, though, electrolysis aims to destroy hair roots with electrical currents.
Electrolysis is typically the most expensive option and requires numerous treatments. If you have dark skin, you’ll want to work with a professional who is experienced in using this treatment with different skin tones due to the risk of scarring and pigmentation changes.
When considering options to remove peach fuzz, it’s just as important to know which ones to avoid.
Body depilatories
When shopping for depilatories, you’ll find different products for either the face or body. These contain different strengths of chemicals. Body depilatory should not be used on the face.
If you already have a body depilatory but want the same results for peach fuzz, you must buy a depilatory specifically made for your face.
Wet shaving
While you can technically shave any part of your body, shaving with water and a razor is best reserved for legs, arms, and other areas with tougher skin.
For peach fuzz, it may be better to shave with a smaller electric razor, to decrease your risk of cuts on this sensitive area of your face.
Plucking
You can use tweezers to pluck out eyebrow hairs or other stray hairs on your face, but this method isn’t a practical way to remove peach fuzz.
Not only are the hairs too fine for a typical pair of tweezers to latch on to, but the process will also be too time-consuming.
Bleaching
While bleaching facial hair might seem like a good idea, this method can do more harm than good. Peach fuzz is typically lightly colored, so the hairs aren’t noticeable compared with those on your head, arms, or legs.
Bleaching body hair isn’t safe, because it can damage your skin. In fact, professional bleaching solutions are sometimes used by doctors to help correct hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
If you use a bleaching kit on your face for peach fuzz, you might accidentally lighten your skin tone instead. This effect may be even more noticeable in those with darker skin tones.
Peach fuzz will not grow back thicker when you remove it.
As with other types of hair, you may notice a thicker-feel to peach fuzz as it grows back. However, this is only temporary as new hairs break through the skin’s surface, and it doesn’t mean the hair itself is actually growing back thicker.
Just like with other types of facial and body hair, you have a variety of options to remove peach fuzz.
While these options include conventional shaving or waxing, you may also speak with a dermatologist about other methods.
It’s also important to avoid treatments that are designed for other types of body hair, or ones that are too harsh for the delicate skin around your face.
A dermatologist may also recommend professional treatments, depending on your history of skin sensitivities, adverse reactions, or pigmentation changes. When in doubt of any hair removal treatment method, it’s best to first talk with a professional.