Peach fuzz is that layer of fine hair sitting on your face. It has been a hot topic in the beauty community for some time now. Although formerly treated as the elephant in the room, keeping or removing that thin layer of hair, not a bother to some but a source of stress for others, has been a subject of intense discussion. And just like any other beauty trend, women can only scratch their heads, confused whether they should take the yay or the nay side.
Also called downy or vellus hair, peach fuzz is barely bothersome for a portion of the female population. After all, all humans were born with it. Just like hair planted all over the body, it serves a vital function: it promotes heat preservation or is a vessel for perspiration to keep the body cool.
On the other hand, there’s the argument that some have more peach fuzz than normal, and, as you can guess, it’s not the most pleasant sight. We are yet to become a society that’s more accepting of body hair on women, among other body inclusivity rhetoric. These women who promote peach fuzz removal are generally concerned with its aesthetic purposes to appear more polished and flawless on the camera.
There’s also science to back this facial hair removal. To name one, clearing the face of peach fuzz eases the removal of dead skin cells and, in turn, contributes to the growth of new skin. To add, it promotes better absorption of skin-nourishing products like your moisturizers and serums, even makeup application.
Still, within this sphere of peach fuzz removal advocates is a divide on the correct method. That’s understandable with the technology available, right? Even more so because anyone who’s trying it for the first time can’t help but worry if their hair grows back thicker and ultimately defeats the purpose of hair removal in the first place.
For the younger girls, though, it is better to leave your body hair untouched. You wouldn’t want to deal with cuts, ingrown hair, and burns early on. But if the push comes to shove and hair affects your self-esteem and impedes your daily life, it’s wise to confide in your family and consult waxing professionals.
This stands true for females of any age. Speak about your specific case with hair removal experts, and they can recommend what’s best for you. Here are some being practiced in the industry:
Threading
Most people may already be familiar with this. But for newbies, threading is done using a thread. Usually, it’s a long strand that is folded, and the two strands formed are twisted several times to what will become the hair trap. Both ends of the thread are pulled apart in an attempt to tighten the twists and, in the process, trap hair from your face in between them.
This rather cheap method pulls your skin in a pinching manner, but while effective, it can be excruciating. So be aware that it can have you tearing up in the salon. Also, it might cause sensitivity or irritation on the skin, so caution must be taken when applying skincare after the removal.
Dermaplaning
It’s basically shaving, but this one uses a scalpel-type tool. Its vertical design helps for an even and clean shave. What’s good about dermaplaning is it removes dead skin cells, leaving not only a polished finish but also a skin that’s more efficient in absorbing skin treatments. Unlike threading or waxing, this is painless, but it is not recommended for those with sensitive skin.
Waxing
Using hard, honey, or sugar wax, you can also remove peach fuzz, especially if you’re sensitive to other hair removal products. As your hair adheres to the patch of wax applied on your skin, it’s removed from the root, leaving your skin smooth and hair-free for a long time. Although painful, this method is rather efficient as it removes many hairs and even dead skin cells with one pull. Price-wise, it’s usually more expensive than threading but cheaper than dermaplaning.
Electrolysis
One of the more sophisticated peach fuzz removal techniques is electrolysis. It uses a very thin needle poked into the skin until it reaches the hair follicle’s base. It then releases heat to cauterize or burn off the blood supply disabling it from growing any more hair. This is a rather technical process that requires training to perform, so that’s one more thing you have to take note of before biting on just any attractive deal.
Debunking the Myth
To give you peace of mind, peach fuzz grows back but not thicker, not even close to beard-like, no matter how you remove them. It’s okay to have them removed if it’s been problematic to you but don’t be too rash, especially if it’s your first time. Have a hair removal expert assess what’s best for your skin type, and you wouldn’t regret having done it at all.
