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Iouniya Laser Hair Removal
Now 37% OffCredit: Iouniya
This device is safe to use on both the face and body, making it a good choice for people who want to target peach fuzz on *both* sets of cheeks.
SmoothSkin Pure Adapt IPL Hair Removal Device
Credit: SmoothSkin
SmoothSkin claims that using this laser hair removal device just twice will yield noticeable results. But keep in mind that it’s not recommended for people with very dark skin tones or light hair.
For people with super light hair, Dr. Mian recommends electrolysis instead of laser hair removal. This method works by using a very fine electric needle that delivers electricity to heat up and destroy the hair follicle, Dr. Jaliman says.
Regardless of hair color, electrolysis is sure to completely remove hair for good, and it’s the only method of permanent hair removal that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the American Electrology Association.
When it comes to getting rid of peach fuzz, the fact that electrolysis is permanent is generally a positive thing. But that also means that once you’ve lost the hair, it’s gone for good. So make sure you don’t get rid of hair that you might want back in the future, Dr. Jaliman says. “You could go too far and then make your eyebrows too thin and then the styles change and you can’t do anything about it,” she says.
And one other thing to note is that many people consider electrolysis to be painful. “But you know what? You can always have topical numbing cream,” Dr. Jaliman says. “And if you’re doing a few hairs on your face, it’s quick and easy. No big deal.”
Like laser hair removal, electrolysis is another procedure that requires several sessions, and the price tag can be hefty, Dr. Jaliman adds. (Each session can cost between $60 and $400, depending on how big of an area you’re targeting.) The exact number of sessions you might need also depend on the amount of hair you’re trying to remove. But if you’re considering using electrolysis to get rid of peach fuzz on your face, expect to undergo sessions for at least a year, she says. “It’s not a quick process, but it is effective.”
Pros: Works well; Great for people with lighter hair colors.
Cons: Painful, expensive, and completely permanent.
If you somehow haven’t encountered dermaplaning videos on your TikTok For You page yet, it’s a form of manual exfoliation used to slough off the outer layer of dead skin cells, debris, and peach fuzz to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion, Stoddard says. And even though dermaplaning can remove vellus hair from the face, it’s not the same as shaving since its typically done using a scalpel rather than a razor.
Once the top layer of dead skin is removed, dermaplaning allows for deeper penetration of topical skincare products, which can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Stoddard says. It also allows for a more flawless-looking makeup application. “The results from dermaplaning will leave you defuzzed and as smooth as a glazed donut,” Stoddard adds.
This technique is usually done in a doctor’s office or at a spa, Dr. Jaliman says, but it is another method that can technically be performed at home. But Dr. Jaliman personally doesn’t recommend trying that since she has encountered patients who have accidentally cut or scratched themselves in the process.
Keep in mind that, similar to using depilatory creams or shaving, dermaplaning only removes hair down to the surface of the skin. So the results aren’t very long-lasting. “It will need to be done continuously,” says Dr. Mian.
Pros: Painless; Exfoliates to leave the skin softer and smoother.
Cons: Has to be done continuously; in-office treatments can be expensive.
Prescription Cream
If none of the over-the-counter options tickle your fancy, you can visit your doctor and ask them for a prescription of a hair removal cream containing elfornithine, Dr. Jaliman says.
Unlike depilatory creams, which dissolve the hair itself, this prescription cream works by blocking the activity of an enzyme in the hair follicle responsible for hair growth, Dr. Jaliman says. You apply the cream twice a day, and typically notice results within four weeks, she adds. “Patients ask me a lot to write this prescription because it reduces how often you need to remove hair. I think it’s especially good for peach fuzz.”
Some people might consider the prescription cream a bit pricey: It usually costs $100 per tube, though a tube typically lasts for about two months, Dr. Jaliman adds. The only other potential pitfall is the fact that the effects aren’t permanent, and hair will start growing back once you stop using the cream.
Pros: Effective, easy to use.
Cons: Requires continuous use, expensive, requires a prescription.
Will peach fuzz grow back thicker after removing it?
A common misconception among people with facial hair (or any sort of body hair that they want to get rid of) is that removing the hair will somehow cause it to grow back thicker or more noticeably.
But rest assured, that’s actually not the case, Dr. Jaliman says. For one, hair grows from the follicle, which is in a deep layer of skin. When you shave, dermaplane or use depilatory creams, you’re only removing the hair at the surface of the skin, meaning that those methods “can’t possibly affect how hair grows back” from the follicle, Dr. Jaliman says.
And you generally don’t need to worry about this with the other methods of hair removal, either. When comes to threading, for instance, repeatedly tugging on the hair follicle can weaken it over time, which can actually cause hair thinning. And while you might notice some hair regrowth in between sessions while undergoing electrolysis, the hair is usually more thin and fine, not thicker.
Some studies show that laser hair removal can stimulate hair growth in a phenomenon called paradoxical hypertrichosis, but this is extremely rare. For instance, a study published last year involving more than 7,300 participants saw only 25 patients experience extra hair growth due to laser hair removal—that’s less than half a percent.
The TL;DR? There are lots of ways to get rid of hair with minimal risks to your health. Just be sure to visit a qualified professional like a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician, or use tools very carefully when removing it yourself.
Katie Mogg is the beauty editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Since starting college at Northeastern University in 2020, her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News and The Boston Globe. She strives to help readers lead happier and healthier lives through science-backed stories that explain how to care for hair, skin and nails. When she’s not working, Katie enjoys live music, strolling through Central Park, planning her next beach getaway, and sharing hotpot with friends.
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