How to Remove Upper Lip Hair

Facial hair — it’s not just for men. As women get older, levels of estrogen (a female hormone) decrease, which can lead to the growth of facial hair, according to Allure.

While upper lip and other facial hair might be natural, few women want to go around with a mustache. The good news is that there are multiple way to remove upper lip hair.

Whether you prefer to bleach, wax, shave or use another method, here’s how to remove upper lip hair.

Is There a Best Way to Remove Upper Lip Hair?

Is there a best way to remove upper lip hair? The answer depends on you.

Some people prefer to seek out permanent methods of hair removal while others don’t mind a treatment that has to be performed over and over again.

In some cases, your budget plays a role in determining which method of removing upper lip hair is best. Some options, such as laser hair removal, might be long-lasting, but also cost a pretty penny.

Since the best way to get rid of lip hair for you might be different from the best way for another person to get rid of their unwanted mustache, we’ve rounded up a variety of methods and will show you how to remove upper lip hair with each.

How to Remove Hair from Upper Lip by Waxing

For some people, waxing is the best way to get rid of hair on the upper lip. You can wax your upper lip at home or head to a salon or spa and pay someone else to do it for you. If you’re going the DIY route, here’s what to do.

• Cleanse and moisturize the skin first. To reduce the chance of irritation, make sure the upper lip is cleaned and that you’ve applied a layer of moisturizer first. It’s a good idea to invest in a lotion or oil meant for use pre-wax.

• Sprinkle talcum powder on the upper lip. Now that you’ve moisturized the skin, it’s a good idea to put some powder on it to absorb any moisture and to help the wax cling to the hair and skin.

• Apply the wax strips. Apply the wax strip to the upper lip area, then pull off quickly. It’ll hurt, but it’ll be over before you know it.

After you wax the skin above the lip, you want to be particularly cautious about what you put on that area for at least a few days. Skip any harsh products and use your most gentle skin cleanser.

How to Remove Lip Hair by Threading

Another way to figure out how to remove upper lip hair is to have the unwanted hair threaded. Threading isn’t something you can do yourself at home.

The good news is that it’s one of the least expensive types of hair removal, according to Cosmopolitan.

During threading, an esthetician wraps a piece of thread around the hairs, pulling them out by the root. It feels a bit like tweezing, and many people can tolerate the discomfort.

After threading, you can expect your upper lip to be a bit red. That can be tricky, as it means you have to leave the salon with a bright red upper lip.

For that reason, go to a salon that’s close to home. You can also apply a soothing lotion to the skin after threading to minimize the redness.

To keep bumps and ingrown hairs from developing in the upper lip area after threading, exfoliate the skin around the lip on a regular basis, at least a few times a week.

How to Remove Hair on Upper Lip by Epilation

You can also remove upper lip hair by epilating it. Epilation has a lot in common with plucking hair or threading.

It removes the hair by the roots. That means that regrowth is slow, so you can typically enjoy results for about a month.

Here’s how to remove upper lip hair with an epilator:

• Choose the right epilator. Pick an epilator designed for use on the face. The epilator head will be the right size for the small upper lip area.

• Decide on wet or dry. Wet epilation is often easier for beginners, while dry epilation is a bit trickier to do without irritation.

1. Cleanse the skin first. Clean the skip above the upper lip to remove any dirt, debris or oil.
2. Pull the skin tight. The smoother and tauter the skin is, the easier it will be to epilate the upper lip area.
3. Hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle. Don’t tilt the epilator head. You want it to be flat against the skin.
4. Go against hair growth. Move the epilator against the direction of hair growth. Use circular motions to increase the amount of hair you remove.

How to Remove Lip Hair by Shaving

For many people, removing lip hair by shaving is the quick and easy option. It has one pretty significant drawback, though.

There’s always the risk that you will cut yourself while shaving. A bleeding upper lip probably isn’t the look you’re going for.

So — first things first — be super careful if you decide to shave your lip area! Here’s how to remove upper lip hair with a razor:

• Clean the area. Cleaning the upper lip gets rid of dirt and oil. It also softens the skin and hair, which can make it easier to shave.

1. Use a gel or cream. You want some barrier between the blade and your skin, so slather on some shaving cream or gel.
2. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Go slowly to reduce the risk of cuts. Use a sharp, new blade for best results.

You can use a typical razor, such as you would use to shave your legs, to shave your upper lip. But if you’re going to make shaving your go-to lip hair removal system, it’s worth investing in a special blade or trimmer designed for use on the face.

Trimmers are the right size and shape for the upper lip area, so they can be easier to use. Plus, there’s less of a risk for cutting your skin if you’re using the right tool.

How to Remove Lip Hair with a Laser Treatment

Like threading and in some cases waxing, laser hair removal is something you’re better off leaving to the pros.

If you have hair on your upper lip and you’re tired of constant hair removal, laser treatments can be worth it. In many cases, you have a series of treatments, and then the hair’s gone for good.

Laser hair removal is much more expensive than any other option, but it can also last for much longer. It’s up to you to decide if the upfront cost is worth it.

If you’re going for it, we recommend finding the right provider. Here’s what to look for:

• Experience with laser hair removal. If possible, find a provider with years of experience performing laser treatments.
• Medical background. You can go to a spa or salon, but a dermatologist or plastic surgeon might be a safer bet.
• Past patients. While your results might differ based on your skin and hair type, take a look at past patient’s results to get an idea of what to expect.

Here’s what to do to prepare for laser hair removal on your upper lip:

• Avoid hair removal. Skip any usual hair removal treatments for at least six weeks before your first laser treatment.
• Limit your time in the sun. Sun exposure can complicate things when laser hair removal is involved. To avoid any skin discoloration or other issues, wear sunscreen daily and try to spend as little time as possible in the sun.
• Be ready for multiple treatments. You might need anywhere from three to more than six treatments to get rid of the unwanted lip hair.

How to Bleach Lip Hair

Okay, bleaching isn’t exactly a way to get rid of lip hair. But it does make any dark lip hair less visible, which might be your goal.

Here’s how to “remove” upper lip hair with bleach:

• Cleanse your face first. Wash your face to remove any dirt, oil; you know the drill!

1. Mix the bleach cream, according to package direction. We recommend buying a bleaching cream designed for use on the face, not trying to DIY it with hydrogen peroxide or whatever. Trust us.
2. Apply the cream to your upper lip area. Make sure the cream is even and that it thoroughly coats the upper lip region. You don’t want to miss a spot.
3. Let the cream bleach the hair for 10 minutes. To avoid irritation, remove the bleaching cream right at 10 minutes. Don’t let it sit on the skin longer.
4. Rinse the face with water. You can apply a fragrance-free moisturizer at this point too.

Final Thoughts on Removing Upper Lip Hair

Not everyone wants to grow a mustache. If upper lip hair is making you feel self-conscious or otherwise bringing you down, knowing how to remove it can help improve your self-esteem.

The only question that remains is, which method is best for you when it comes to figuring out how to remove upper lip hair?