How to Use Hair Removal Cream on Your Face

Co-authored by Naomi Elza

Last Updated: December 16, 2024

It’s easy to feel self-conscious about the hair on your upper lip or between your eyebrows. There are many ways to get rid of unwanted facial hair, including waxing and shaving, but using a depilatory cream is arguably one of the quickest, easiest, and least painful options. To use a hair removal cream on your face, test your skin, clean your skin, apply the cream, and then remove it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Testing and Cleaning Your Skin

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1
Read the product label. While the process might seem obvious, it’s important to read the directions and make sure you understand them before using the cream. Different brands of hair removal cream have slightly different instructions.
- Additionally, this will allow you to learn of potential side effects and also check ingredients for anything you may be allergic to.^{[1]
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- Make sure the cream is designed for facial use. Not all hair-removal creams are meant to be used on the face.
- You can also look for a cream that's designed specifically for the type of facial hair you're looking to remove, like eyebrow hair or mustache hair.
Especially if you’ve never used the product before, you’ll want to try it on a small patch of skin before using a significant amount on your face. Follow the instructions and apply the cream to a very small area on your jawline. If you don’t notice any reactions or irritations on the area after 24 hours have gone by, it’s most likely safe to use it on your face.

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Wash your face. Your face should be clean and dry when you apply hair removal cream. To properly wash your face, wet it with warm water, apply a cleanser, and then exfoliate your skin. Finally, rinse your face with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Part 2

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Applying the Cream

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1
Apply the cream to your facial hair with a cosmetic spatula. When you purchase hair removal cream, a cosmetic spatula usually comes with it as part of a kit. Squeeze some of the hair removal cream onto the curved end of the cosmetic spatula.^{[2]
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Research source} Carefully coat all of the hairs you wish to remove with a thick layer of cream.^{[3]
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- For best results, apply the cream right after showering or towards the end of your shower.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have a spatula, you can also apply it with your fingers or a cotton swab.
- If you're using the cream to remove unwanted eyebrow hair, outline your eyebrows with a brow pencil first. Then, apply the cream to the hairs that fall outside of the outline you made.
Wash your hands immediately. In case you got some of the cream on your hands, it’s a good idea to wash them after you’re done applying.^{[5]
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Research source} Give them a quick wash with hand soap and warm water and then dry them off with a clean towel.
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Leave the cream on for 5 minutes. Most brands of hair removal cream instruct you to leave the cream on for about 5 minutes. However, some brands are different than others, so be sure to double check the label.^{[6]
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Research source} Also, set an alarm on your phone or use a kitchen timer so you don’t lose track of time.
- Leave it on for a few more minutes if you have thick hair.
- Don’t leave it on for any longer than 10 minutes.^{[7]
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Part 3

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Removing the Cream

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Use a spatula or wash cloth to remove a very small amount of the cream. Take a close look at the area to make sure enough time has passed for the hair to dissolve.^{[8]
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Once you notice that the hair is coming off, dampen a washcloth with warm water and gently wipe away all of the cream.^{[9]
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Research source} When you’re done, hand-wash the wash cloth to get rid of all of the cream and hair and lay it out on the counter to dry.
Finally, rinse your face with cool water from the sink to ensure that no loose, stray hairs remain on your skin.^{[10]
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Research source} Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
4
Apply a moisturizer. To keep your skin from becoming dry or irritated, it’s a good idea to apply some hydrating face lotion to your skin just after rinsing your face. Massage the moisturizer into your skin in a circular motion. Apply the lotion to your entire face but spend a little extra time on the place where hair was just removed.
- If you notice any excessive redness, itchiness, flakiness, or other signs of extreme skin irritation, see your doctor and refrain from using the hair removal cream.

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Question

Can you use Veet on your face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Veet makes a special formula designed for use on the face. You should not use the regular formula on your face.

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Question

Can men use women's hair removal cream?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, like most hair removal products, creams are labeled by gender for marketing purposes. It is safe for men to use women's cream and vice versa.

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Question

How long do you leave hair removal cream on your face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Most brands recommend a processing time of five minutes. If it is burning or irritating your skin, however, you should rinse it off immediately.

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Warnings

After using hair removal cream, don’t use scented products on your face, swim, sunbathe, or go to a tanning bed for at least 24 hours. Otherwise, your skin may become irritated.

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Never leave the hair removal cream on your skin for longer than 10 minutes, or longer than the maximum amount of time listed in the directions. This may cause a painful burning sensation and/or may irritate your skin.

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