Facial hair removal for sensitive skin | Philips (2024)

Whether you want the perfect base for make-up or simply want to boost your self-esteem and confidence, facial hair removal is something many of us will spend time and money on. Incorrect hair removal can lead to cuts, burns, and ingrown hairs, especially for those of us with sensitive skin.

By understanding the ins and outs of body hair removal for sensitive skin, you can avoid these common issues and reduce the risk of irritation. Here, we will explore everything you need to know about body and facial hair removal for sensitive skin, including:

• Why is maintaining a good skincare regime for sensitive skin important?
  
• How to achieve healthy skin?
  
• Are there any pre-treatments you should consider for sensitive skin?
  
• What are the four simple methods of body and facial hair removal for sensitive skin?

Whether you’re wondering, “is IPL safe for sensitive skin?” or simply want to choose the best hair removal for sensitive skin, we’ve got you covered. So, read on for our tips for the best hair removal for sensitive skin so you can enjoy a clean, hair-free face without irritation.

Why is maintaining a good skincare regime for sensitive skin important?

It's crucial to keep your delicate skin healthy and glowing. If you have sensitive skin, it requires extra care and attention.¹ Taking care of your sensitive skin has three key benefits:

1. Overall, health is closely linked to good skin care.
   
2. A consistent skincare routine can help maintain a youthful appearance.
   
3. Maintaining a good skincare routine can play a vital role in preventing potential skin problems in the future.
   

How to achieve healthy skin?

Understanding the importance of maintaining healthy skin is just one aspect of the whole picture. Equally important is learning how to improve your overall skin health. Here are three of our top tips for improving your skin health:

1. Wash your face properly. Washing your face once or twice a day is enough, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. This helps keep your skin clean and healthy while also maintaining its natural moisture level.
2. Always wear sunscreen. Don't let the clouds fool you! UV rays can still harm your skin, even on a cloudy day. Make sure you protect your skin with SPF, which is just as important as it is on a sunny day.
3. Adapt your skincare routine to your skin type. It's important to keep in mind that what works for someone with oily skin may not work for someone with dry skin. To ensure that you're taking the best care of your skin, customise your daily skincare routine to suit your skin type.
   

Pre-hair removal sensitive skin care

If you have skin that is more sensitive, hair removal preparation is essential to ensure that you protect it and avoid causing any further irritation. Here are our four simple steps to prepare your skin before we show you the best hair removal methods for sensitive skin:

1. Exfoliate: This should be done 24 – 48 hours before your hair removal treatment. This will help to remove dead skin but take care not to overdo it, as this will result in tight and more sensitive skin.
2. Wash: The best body hair removal for sensitive skin is done on clean skin. Wash with warm water and a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser to remove excess dirt and oils.
3. Steam: Holding your face over a bowl of hot water is a great way to soften the hair and prepare your sensitive skin for hair removal.
4. Dry: Use a clean, soft towel to pat your face dry.
   

Four simple methods of body and facial hair removal for sensitive skin

When your skin is sensitive, hair removal can be something that requires a little extra thought to avoid irritation. To help you make the right choice for you , we’ve chosen four of the best hair removal methods for sensitive skin:

1. Trimming

   Trimming is a painless and safe way to manage unwanted hair in sensitive areas, including facial hair maintenance that poses no risk of cuts or nicks.

2. Sugaring

   Like waxing, sugaring removes hair from the root for a longer lasting and smoother result. Unlike waxing, sugaring removes unwanted hair in the direction of growth. As this method causes less irritation, it is a great choice for body hair removal for sensitive skin.

3. Epilation
   
   Epilation offers longer-lasting results, making it one of the best ways to remove body hair for sensitive skin. Epilating may feel uncomfortable initially, but with regular use, it will become less painful. Using an epilator frequently can result in finer and lighter hair growth, which requires fewer treatments, ultimately benefiting sensitive skin in the long term.

   Top tip: Although epilators are safe to use on your face, always take care. Using these correctly is key, especially if your skin is sensitive. Hair removal with an epilator done incorrectly can lead to ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

4. IPL

   If you’re looking for the best body hair removal for sensitive skin, IPL treatments are an effective method for removing hair without the risk of cuts or skin irritation. So, is IPL safe for sensitive skin? Absolutely! It destroys hair follicles to prevent new growth for long-lasting results, perfect for sensitive skin.
   
   Top tip: When it comes to using IPL for sensitive skin on your face, choosing the best IPL device is key. The Philips Lumea IPL includes four curved attachments that adapt treatment programs for different parts of the body, including the face. Enjoy up to 92% hair reduction in just three treatments* and six months of hair-free smooth skin after 12 treatments.**

If you’re still unsure if using IPL for sensitive skin is right for you, why not check out these reviews by real women who share everything you need to know about using IPL for hair removal?

Post-hair removal sensitive skincare

The best way to remove body hair for sensitive skin will be a personal choice, but no matter which method you use, it’s important to take care of your skin after removing the hair. Here are our top tips for post-hair removal sensitive skincare:³

• Use an ice pack to cool any irritation. This could simply be a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth from the freezer.
  
• Avoid the sun. Any exposed skin could become irritated by the sun, so be sure to keep covered and wear plenty of sunscreen.
• Moisturise. Gently apply moisturiser in circular motions to prevent irritation and flaky skin.

Now that you have learned everything you need to know about hair removal for sensitive skin, it is time to put our tips and tricks into practice. Your skin will thank you for taking the best care of it before, during, and after removing that unwanted hair.

* When following the treatment schedule, measured on legs, individual results may vary
** Median hair reduction on legs: 78% after 12 treatments

Sources:

¹ Healthy Skin Matters, NIAMS
² Face washing 101, AAD
³ Laser hair removal, NHS

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