How to Remove Peach Fuzz on Your Face

Everyone has peach fuzz on their face—and body, for that matter—and it’s completely normal. While this light, barely noticeable hair is nothing to be ashamed of, many beauty influencers insist that shaving the peach fuzz on your face is the secret to smoother skin. And, as it turns out, they may be right. Commonly referred to as face shaving, removing peach fuzz is a gentle form of exfoliation that can leave the skin softer and make for a smoother makeup application. If you’re interested in how it works, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll detail the benefits of removing peach fuzz and explain how to get rid of peach fuzz on your face for a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion.

What Is Peach Fuzz?

Peach fuzz, also known as vellus hair, is that super fine hair on your face that resembles the fuzz on the skin of a peach (hence the name). Peach fuzz grows on the entire body from head to toe, except for the eyelids, lips, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. According to the Cleveland Clinic, peach fuzz helps protect the skin and regulate body temperature.

Vellus hairs are different from terminal hairs, the type of hair that grows from your head or brows. If you look closely, you’ll see that peach fuzz on the face and body is typically lighter, shorter, and finer. Peach fuzz is common on all skin types and skin tones and is generally not very visible from afar. While the decision to get rid of peach fuzz on the face is a personal preference, doing so may offer cosmetic benefits, like a smoother makeup application.

What Are the Benefits of Removing Peach Fuzz From Your Face?

Not everyone will want to get rid of their peach fuzz, and that’s okay! But if you’re considering it, know that there are a variety of benefits to removing peach fuzz on the face, which is why so many people have made face shaving a part of their regular beauty routine. Removing your vellus hairs can:

• Slough away dead skin cells. The majority of techniques used to get rid of peach fuzz on your face can also provide gentle exfoliation and help get rid of the dull, dead cells on the surface of your skin. Regularly exfoliating can help make your skin look clearer, brighter, and smoother. It may also help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and dark spots.
• Provide a smoother makeup application. If your skin has an uneven texture, your makeup may not apply as evenly as it could. Getting rid of peach fuzz can help smooth your skin texture and allow foundation, concealer, and other makeup products to glide more evenly across your skin.
• Promote less congested skin. While removing peach fuzz won’t eliminate breakouts, the gentle exfoliation provided by some methods of hair removal may help to prevent clogged pores or blackheads. Of course, if you have blemish-prone skin, you’ll still want to follow a targeted routine to help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
• Enhance the benefits of your skincare routine. Dead skin and peach fuzz on your face can create a “barrier” between your skin and the products you apply—which can potentially affect how well your skincare products absorb. As is the case with any form of exfoliation, shaving your face to remove peach fuzz could potentially help your skincare products apply and absorb more easily.

How To Get Rid of Peach Fuzz on Your Face

If you are set on parting ways with your peach fuzz, there are plenty of different methods for removal. Feel free to choose from any of these options below to say bye to those wispy little vellus hairs and hello to smoother-looking skin.

1. Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a professional treatment that removes peach fuzz on your face, as well as dead skin and other surface debris. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the process—which is typically done in a spa or salon—involves shaving the face with a scalpel-like tool. A trained provider will gently sweep the tool back and forth across the surface of the skin, which removes the top layer of skin, as well as vellus hairs. By removing peach fuzz and dead, dull cells, your skin will instantly look smoother and glowier. Because it removes hair at the skin’s surface rather than at the root, your peach fuzz will grow back within a few weeks unless you commit to repeat treatments.

2. Shaving

Shaving is very similar to dermaplaning in that it removes vellus hairs and dead surface skin cells and helps promote a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion. Unlike dermaplaning, you don’t have to visit a pro to shave your face. However, it is important to use the right razor for the best results. Rather than reaching for the same razor you use on your legs, you’ll want to use a small, single-blade razor meant specifically for use on your face. Because of their smaller size, facial razors can easily navigate along the contours of your face for a smooth, precise end result.

3. Waxing

One of the most common methods for hair removal on your eyebrows, waxing can also be used for peach fuzz on your face. Whether you use an at-home kit or head to the salon, the process is pretty standard. First, soft melted wax is applied to the area in question, then it’s given time to cool and harden.

Next, a fabric is placed on top of the wax and pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth to remove the hair from the root. If you use hard wax, the process is the same except there will be no fabric needed, and you’ll instead pull the wax (and the hair) off of your skin by itself. Because waxing removes hair from the root, results last a bit longer than they do with shaving—you can typically expect your skin to stay smooth for a couple of weeks.

4. Sugaring

Sugaring is another hair-removal method that can be used to remove peach fuzz on the face and body. Rather than using traditional wax, the process involves using a sticky sugar paste to remove hair. When warm, the sticky paste adheres to the hair; once cool, it hardens and can be peeled off, taking the hair along with it. Like waxing, sugaring typically lasts a few weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows.

5. Threading

Threading involves using a loop of thread to pluck the hair away from your skin. This popular hair removal technique originated in India and is typically used to groom and shape the brows, though it can also be useful for those looking to remove peach fuzz on their face. It’s a bit more precise than waxing and can be a great option for removing peach fuzz in hard-to-reach areas, like just beneath the nose or around the lips.

6. Hair removal cream

Hair removal creams, also known as depilatories, utilize chemicals to dissolve the hair. It’s a quick and effective way to remove peach fuzz and ideal for those looking to avoid the discomfort associated with waxing or sugaring. Keep in mind, though, that if you go this route, you’ll want to use a hair removal cream that’s been formulated specifically for the face. Formulas for the legs or bikini area will likely be too strong and irritate your skin.

7. Bleaching

While not quite a hair removal method, bleaching can be a helpful option for those who might have darker vellus hair that they’d like to be less noticeable, but don’t want to remove completely. By using a bleach that’s designed specifically for facial hair, you can lighten peach fuzz on your face so that it’s less visible.

8. Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a professional treatment that involves using a concentrated beam of light to remove unwanted hairs, as the Mayo Clinic explains. Laser hair removal delays hair growth for long periods of time, and when the strands do grow back, they’ll be finer and much more sparse than before. There are different kinds of lasers—including both at-home and in-office options—that work best for different skin tones, so talk with your provider about which treatment is best for you.

9. Electrolysis

If you want totally permanent peach fuzz removal, opt for electrolysis. According to Cleveland Clinic, the process—which is performed by a trained electrologist—involves inserting a thin wire into the hair follicle. An electric current will then move down the wire to the bottom of the follicle, destroying the hair root. That follicle damage is what will then prevent hair from growing back, and it will cause the existing hair that’s there to fall out. Keep in mind that this is not a one-and-done treatment and can be very time-consuming if you want to address large areas covered with vellus hair, but it may be worth the commitment if you’d like to be permanently free of peach fuzz.

Does Peach Fuzz Grow Back Darker?

Many people are reluctant to try removing peach fuzz due to fears that it will grow back darker or thicker. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Plucking, waxing, or shaving peach fuzz on the face won’t change the color or the diameter of your hair—both of those characteristics are determined by your genetics. In fact, some methods of hair removal, such as waxing and sugaring, can make hair grow back finer and thinner over time, per the Cleveland Clinic.

How To Care for Your Skin After Removing Peach Fuzz

After removing peach fuzz, you’ll want to take proper care of your skin to help ensure it looks and feels its best. Typically, that means treating it gently, prioritizing hydration, and making sure to protect your skin from the sun.

After at-home hair removal—like with a depilatory cream, wax, or razor—you’ll want to hold off on exfoliating for a few days, as your skin may be slightly more sensitive than usual. Instead, shift your focus to hydrating and nourishing your skin. Lather up with a gentle cleanser, and swap out your vitamin C serum or retinol serum for a hydrating option, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. Moisturizing is a must, too. For daytime, we love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream. The fast-absorbing formula is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid and deeply hydrates the skin without a heavy or greasy feel. In the evening, you could try a richer cream, such as the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream with Antioxidants to help nourish your skin and support your skin’s natural recovery processes.

Most importantly, you’ll need to wear sunscreen during the daylight hours. After removing any peach fuzz on your face with a method that involves some sort of exfoliation (such as shaving or sugaring), your skin may be more susceptible to sun damage. L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion immediately leaves skin feeling fresh and moisturized without a greasy feel, blends into all skin tones, and is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

Keep in mind that your exact aftercare routine may vary depending on the hair removal method you’ve chosen. If you’ve gotten rid of your peach fuzz with a professional procedure, such as laser hair removal or electrolysis, it’s important to follow the protocol given to you by your provider for the best end results.

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Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris