We all have a down over the lip. With time, hormonal variations, it can give way to some annoying hairs. Hair that can be concealed or eliminated by choosing the right technique.
A light down? Discoloration is enough
A fine down, not too abundant, but dark, it is all the same embarrassing. Above all, we don’t try anything radical! Because any intervention that aims to remove it will lead to the regrowth of more hair. “On a down even seeing, discoloration remains the best solution ”, explains Dorothée Lewintre, manager at Jolen. This type of product is generally formed of two phases: hydrogen peroxide, associated with an activator responsible for opening the scales to reach the melanin (pigments) lodged in the heart of the hair.
However, be careful with the dosage! Especially on dark skin, because the purpose of bleaching is to whiten the hair to make it transparent. However, if an oxygenated product that is too concentrated (or even pure hydrogen peroxide) is used, it becomes yellow. A result that turns out to be as unsightly as a hair that’s too dark … And in some cases, the skin itself can partially discolour.
In practice, what do we do?
• Test the bleaching product on an area of the face hidden by the hair.
• Mix the two phases,
as indicated in the instructions.
• Apply from 7 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and color
down to fade.
• Spray with soothing thermal water and apply a cream for sensitive skin. To prevent the product from running or peeling off when dry, tilt your head back
or stay lying down for a few moments.
Facial waxing: bad ideas!
The mechanical razor. Otherwise you will end up regrowing with real mustache hairs!
Pure hydrogen peroxide. Like hair bleaching products, it can “burn” the skin, which is much thinner than the scalp.
Hair removal creams for the body. Their active ingredients penetrate to the root of the hair to degrade it, they can be too aggressive for this area of the face where the skin is particularly fragile. The product may also run on the lips or in the mouth at the time of application.
Some hairs? We choose hair removal
With age and hormonal upheavals, on dark-skinned brunettes, but not only, real hairs appear, few in number, but coarser and darker. “The discoloration is no longer sufficient, because the hairs will remain very visible”, specifies Dorothée Lewintre. Only then can we move on to hair removal. The bravest can tackle it with tweezers. Another possibility is to bring cold wax strips. As long as you choose those designed for the face: their size is suitable for this not very wide area; and their specific formula contains care, softening and soothing active ingredients. The other option: to go to the institute for a hot waxing.
In practice, what do we do?
• With tweezers You need sufficient light (this is not always the case in a bathroom). Disinfect the forceps, then grab the hair as close as possible to the root in order to pull it out with its bulb. Disinfect, then spray a little thermal water.
• With strips, read the instructions for use. Hold the skin when tearing off the strip, it hurts less. Finish with a vaporization of thermal water. Rather
in the evening, in case of redness!
• With hot wax, if there is more than a few loose hairs. Ideally in an institute for a quick result, without smearing, and the assurance of being quiet for three weeks. About 10 €
the session of barely ten minutes.
Facial hair removal: we advise you
1 antidote
A washable roll-on and a wax with sugar, hypoallergenic, enriched with softening white lily. With reusable fabric strips.
Roll-on precision face down & eyebrows, Nair, € 6.75 for 15ml.
2 bleach
This kit (dish and spatula) allows you to quickly and easily create your mixture face bleach.
A formula based on essential oils.
Special face bleaching cream, Veet, € 5.65.
3 Soft cream
A classic of discoloration, presented here in a special version for sensitive skin. It owes its softness to the presence of soothing aloe vera.
Bleaching cream with aloe vera, Jolen, € 8.80 for 30ml.
4 easy wax
It contains an extract of pine resin, which facilitates the dilation of the pores. We catch the hair better and it hurts less when removing the tape.
Cold face wax, Blondépil, € 4.50 for 20 strips.
A mustache? We move on to long-term hair removal
Laser
always at the doctor
“This so-called hair removal”definitive“Is for those who have a real mustache”, specifies Dr Anne Grand-Vincent, aesthetic doctor. Its drawback: “The laser risks causing paradoxical regrowth.” Hair grows back elsewhere: because, if it targets the melanin in the hairs, the laser also heats the surrounding area, stimulating the surrounding hair bulbs. We end up with a less showy mustache, but hairy cheeks! In order to prevent it, Dr Françoise Roudil, dermatologist, places ice packs around the area to be waxed. If you choose this solution, contact a laser doctor.
In pulsed light
also at the beautician
Less powerful than the laser, it is available in institute or at the doctor’s office. We agree to follow one session per month, under penalty of ending up with finer hairs, but also longer. There is also a risk of paradoxical regrowth.
Electric hair removal
she made progress
It consists of inserting an ultra-fine needle along the hair to the bulb and cauterizing it. The technique is less painful than in the past, but it remains long: from 5 sessions of 15 minutes for a down to 10 sessions of 30 minutes for a mustache, with prior application of anesthetic cream. The consequences: redness for five days. SPF 50 sun protection is mandatory for the next ten days.
