Should You Shave Your Face If You’re a Woman? Pros and Cons

Shaving the face can help clear and brighten skin, making makeup application easier. However, it can also cause harm and increase the risk of ingrown hairs. A clinician can evaluate and treat excessive facial hair when needed.

There’s a longstanding rumor that some iconic beauties — including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor — removed facial hair. Whether true or not, many modern people discuss the cosmetic advantages of facial shaving openly.

All women have facial hair. It generally falls into two categories: vellus hair and terminal hair.

Vellus hair is the fine, nearly invisible “peach fuzz” that covers much of the face and body. It helps regulate temperature and aids sweat evaporation.

Vellus hairs are very thin and translucent. In strong light you might spot them on your cheeks, forehead, upper and lower lip, neck, chin, and sideburn area.

Terminal hair is coarser and darker. Many women develop terminal hairs on the upper and lower lip, sideburns, neck, and chin.

Both vellus and terminal hairs can be removed by shaving.

Below you’ll find the benefits and drawbacks of facial shaving for women, guidance on terminal hair, and causes that can drive increased facial hair growth.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of facial shaving for women?

Beyond hair removal, shaving serves as a physical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells. For some women this is an advantage; for others it can be a drawback.

Before bringing a razor to your face, assess your skin. If you have conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or acne, shaving may worsen irritation and discomfort and could increase risk of infection.

Sensitive skin or areas of redness and inflammation may not tolerate shaving well.

If your complexion is clear and tolerates exfoliation, shaving offers certain benefits — but there are also potential downsides:

Benefits of facial shaving for women

• Smooth base. Shaving removes hair, grime, excess sebum, and dead skin cells, which can brighten the complexion. This creates a smoother surface for makeup, helping it apply more evenly and last longer.
• Boosted confidence. Some people feel self-conscious about facial hair. If shaving improves how you feel about your appearance, it may be a worthwhile choice.

Drawbacks of facial shaving for women

• Shadowing. When removing terminal hair especially, you may have to shave frequently to maintain a clean look. Darker hairs can create the appearance of a shadow beneath the skin after shaving.
• Ingrown hairs. Shaving vellus hairs rarely causes ingrowns, but shaving terminal hairs can lead to painful ingrown bumps.
• Skin injury. Shaving risks nicks and cuts that can sting and bleed, and it can produce razor burn.
• Dryness and itching. If your skin is dry, shaving can worsen dryness and trigger flaking and itch. Applying a moisturizer immediately after shaving usually helps mitigate this issue.

Does shaving make facial hair grow back thicker?

Shaving trims hair so that the cut edge feels blunt and coarse, which can create the impression of darker, thicker regrowth.

However, shaving does not change hair thickness or pigment. Terminal hairs may feel stiffer until they grow out, but their structure and color are not altered by shaving.

How should you shave your face?

Shaving the face should be approached differently than male facial shaving and also differs from shaving legs or underarms.

To shave your face properly:

1. Wash your skin and dry it completely. Facial shaving is often done on dry skin without foam or lather. If dry shaving irritates you, consider using a shaving gel, lotion, or cream designed for the face.
2. Choose a single-blade or straight-edge razor made for women’s facial shaving. These are sometimes labeled as eyebrow razors or dermaplaning devices.
3. Avoid dull blades to reduce the chance of cuts and irritation.
4. Keep the skin taut with one hand. Hold the razor at about a 45-degree angle and use short, gentle strokes with minimal pressure. Always shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against it.
5. Rinse the blade after every pass.
6. Avoid shaving very close to the eyes unless you are highly confident in your technique.
7. Rinse your face after shaving and apply moisturizer right away.

What other options are there besides shaving?

Alternative hair removal methods include:

Waxing

Unlike shaving, which cuts hair at the surface, waxing pulls hair from the follicle root.

Waxing lasts longer than shaving but shares some risks, including ingrown hairs and irritation.

It can be done at home or by a salon professional and may be uncomfortable or painful for some.

Waxing requires hair to be a minimum length (about 1/4 inch) for the wax to grip effectively. If terminal hairs on your face are short or sparse, waxing may be less practical.

Laser hair removal

Laser treatment is a longer-lasting, semi-permanent option performed by professionals such as dermatologists or licensed aestheticians.

Although costly, laser hair removal can provide extended periods without hair for women with terminal facial hair, which some find justifies the expense.

Laser works by the pigment in hair absorbing light energy, damaging the follicle. It’s most effective when hair is darker than the surrounding skin.

Because vellus hair is lightly pigmented and translucent, laser is not effective for removing it.

Another option to consider for smoothing and removing peach fuzz is professional facial extractions or dermaplaning treatments offered by skincare specialists.

If you notice increased facial hair, see a doctor

Extra or darker facial hair can result from genetics; some ethnic groups naturally have more facial hair than others.

Hormonal imbalances and medical conditions can also cause excess facial hair growth in women. Possible causes include:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal disorder often linked to insulin resistance. Women with PCOS commonly experience increased facial and body hair, along with irregular periods, infertility, acne, weight gain, and hair thinning.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): CAH refers to a group of inherited conditions affecting the adrenal glands and altering cortisol and aldosterone production. See more about this at the NCBI resource.

• Cushing’s syndrome: This condition results from excessive cortisol levels.
• Menopause: Perimenopausal and menopausal women may develop new hairs on the chin, upper lip, ears, and sideburn area due to hormonal shifts, including reduced estrogen.

If facial hair seems excessive for you, a discussion with your doctor can clarify causes and point to medical or cosmetic treatments that may help.

Takeaway

Facial shaving among women is more widespread than some might assume. It’s used to remove both vellus and terminal hairs from the cheeks, chin, upper lip, and sideburns.

Shaving also offers mechanical exfoliation, which can make skin appear fresher and cleaner.

To shave safely and effectively, use tools designed for facial use.

If you have abundant, dark facial hair, there may be a genetic or medical explanation; consulting a healthcare professional can help identify lasting solutions.