How To Deal With MTF Sideburns

For many MTF women, facial hair can be a very sensitive matter, and maintaining regular hair removal contributes to their gender dysphoria. While a few stray hairs may be manageable, there are several solutions to unwanted hair.

The question is, what is the right way of removing hair?

Although facial hair is completely natural and nothing to be ashamed of, we understand that it hinders the smooth and hair-free complexion you so desire. Not to mention the challenge of applying makeup when facial hair growth forms a fuzzy frame around your face.

You may also feel insecure wearing your hair up because it only displays your long sideburns.

Facial hair growth is extremely frustrating for any woman trying to look feminine and polished. If hair grows on the sides of your face, resulting in noticeable sideburns, you may be desperate to find a way to get rid of it.

Fortunately, there are numerous hair removal options to explore, including hair removal cream, laser hair removal, waxing, and epilators, to name a few. If these methods do not satisfy your needs, visiting a professional salon for hair removal services may be the best course of action.

Regardless, this article will explain various hair removal options for you to try.

Using An Epilator On Sideburns

Step 1:

First things first, you need to purchase an epilator. What an epilator does is it pulls out more hair than a tweezer even could all at once.

It may be relatively painful at first, especially for sensitive skin, But as with most hair removal solutions, your skin will get used to it. Besides, if it's effective, isn't it worth it?

When choosing an epilator, be sure to look for one that is suitable for facial hair. They would be a bit smaller than those designed for body hair removal. The smaller size only enabled you to be more precise and only remove hair that extends past your natural hairline on your head.

An epilator is a great option if you want quick, lasting results. It is also convenient if you want to remove hair right before leaving the house.

Some epilators allow for water exposure, so you can use them in the shower. This is preferable because the hot water will soften your hair and make them easier to eliminate.

If the pain is an area of concern for you, consider taking a light, over-the-counter pain killer before you start to pull out those pesky hairs.

If you find that the epilator isn't the best option for you but you are also reluctant to explore equivalent methods, use a razor or a clipper to trim your sideburns short.

Step 2:

Clean hair and skin are preferable before using your epilator. Cleanse your face thoroughly to remove any residual makeup, oil, and dirt.

Pull all your head hair back into a ponytail and use an elastic hairband to keep all the short hair out of your face, only leaving the hair of your sideburns on either side.

Step 3:

Carefully trim the long hair of your sideburns. A quality epilator will get rid of the peach fuzz along with the thick hairs, but this process will be much easier if you keep your sideburns short.

You can use a pair of scissors to trim your sideburns to a length of around 0.5mm.

Step 4:

Turn on your epilator and glide it in the direction opposite to hair growth; in other words, run it up your sideburns. Be mindful not to interfere with your hairline and try to only remove sideburns no other hair.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if the line separating your hairline and your sideburns are too extreme, it will look unnatural and obvious. If this is the case, you can always use an eyebrow pencil to fill in the spaces to appear more natural.

Be careful not to press the epilator too hard into your skin. Instead, glide it gently upwards, trimming all the most prominent hairs.

Remember that your skin may be a bit red and even swollen. So avoid using your epilator to remove unwanted facial hair before an important event. If you have particularly sensitive skin, rather use a razor since its teeth won't easily leave scratches on your skin.

Step 5:

The epilator may have missed some of the thin hairs of your sideburns, especially the hairs close to your hairline. Remove these hairs using a tweezer. You can also leave some of these thin hairs to ensure a natural shape.

Epilating will effectively remove hair, instating smooth skin for a few weeks to a month. Remember to clean the machine when you're done using it. You should remove the head, brush out all the hairs, and clean the blades with an alcohol wipe.

Waxing Sideburns

Step 1:

Buy a waxing kit made especially for facial hair. As your facial skin is more sensitive than the skin on your body, you need to be absolutely sure that the waxing kit is safe for facial use. If you are new to waxing and don't want a messy situation, buy a roll-on waxing set or waxing strips.

Most do-it-yourself waxing sets are safe to put in the microwave, so heating it won't be an issue.

Step 2:

Pull your hair back tightly. It will be disastrous if your head hair gets stuck in the wax. Gather it into a ponytail and pull a headband tightly to your hairline. The only hair that should be subjected to the wax is your sideburns.

If you don't keep headbands at home, you can use bobby pins or any sturdy clip. You can also use a scarf to ensure no hairs other than your sideburns get involved.

Step 3:

Wash your face well and remove all the makeup and oil that may still reside on your skin. Waxing can make your skin vulnerable to bacteria, so ensuring your skin and sideburns are meticulously clean is essential.

If your skin is prone to oil production, dust a thin layer of baby powder onto the area you want to wax.

Never wax if you have administered a prescription or over-the-counter retinoid or retinol within the last ten days. This will make your skin susceptible to ripping off along with the hair when you wax. Don't wax your hair if you are sunburnt or if your skin is peeling or broken at the site you want to wax.

Step 4:

Make sure your hair is the right length before you wax to get the best results. A good length to adhere to is around 1cm. You can use a pair of scissors to get your sideburns to this length. Keep in mind that if the hair is too short, the was most likely won't be effective.

Step 5:

Read the instructions on the box carefully to determine how you should heat the wax. Be cautious not to overheat the wax, or you will burn yourself. You are advised to test the wax on the inner face of your wrist before applying it to your sideburns to ensure an adequate temperature.

Step 6:

Most waxing kits include a tool you can use to apply the wax. Very carefully smear the wax over your sideburns, being mindful not to let the wax come into contact with your hairline. Apply the wax in the same direction that your hair grows. Be sure to cover the roots so you can ensure effective hair removal.

You cannot wax the same site more than once without causing damage to your skin, so be sure to get it right the first time. You can pull your skin away from your temple before you apply the wax to capture all the tiny hairs.

Step 7:

Next, place a strip of cloth over the wax. As you apply, use your finger to press the strip gently into your skin to make sure it attaches efficiently. While you're doing this, make sure that the wax is still warm and wait around ten seconds.

Step 8:

Place your one hand beside the area you are waxing while the other hand pulls the cloth upward in the opposite direction that your hairs grow. Pulling in this direction will prevent hair breakage.

Step 9:

The skin where your sideburns used to be will be red and maybe a little swollen after you have waxed the area. You can apply a soothing cream or a paper towel with skim milk on the waxed site for ten minutes. The milk's lactic acid will soothe the irritated skin.

A great option for reducing inflammation is a hydrocortisone cream that you can find at any pharmacy. Aloe vera gel will also do the trick. Many wax kits include their own cream to use after you have waxed. Steer clear of any harsh chemicals or substances for at least a day. Even your routine night or day cream may not aid the healing process. If you are going to leave the house, apply a sun protection cream to the area around your sideburns, as waxed skin is especially sensitive to the sun.

You can use a tweezer to remove hair that the wax may have missed. A few days after you have waxed, you may notice some ingrown hairs that you can also pull out with a tweezer.

Hair Removal Cream

Step 1:

Choose a hair removal cream with a good reputation. Hair removal creams dissolve your hair's proteins and detach them from the hair follicles employing chemical reactions. It is essential that you take your skin type and sensitivity into account when you decide on a cream. An option that contains aloe vera or vitamin E is usually a good way to go.

Although gels and roll-ons are less messy, you get a thick layer if you go with a cream product. If you have a history of skin issues, consult a dermatologist on whether hair removal creams are a safe option for your skin.

Step 2:

Test your chosen cream on the inside of your wrist and note any sign of an allergic reaction. Keep the cream on your skin for the recommended amount of time according to the packaging before wiping it off. Give it a good day before definitively deciding that the cream is safe for your skin because adverse reactions may have a delayed onset.

The chemicals are quite harsh, and your skin contains the same proteins that the chemicals will target in your hair, so testing the cream is a wise choice.

Step 3:

Pull your hair back into a ponytail and use a headband to keep any stray hair away from the area where you want to remove facial hair. Ensure that your sideburns are free, so the treatment will only affect that hair.

Always check that you don't have any scrapes or cuts on and around your sideburns. The chemicals could cause burns on those areas. Furthermore, ensure that your skin is nice and clean before applying the cream.

Step 4:

Apply a thick layer of your cream onto your sideburns. Spread it thoroughly, but do not massage it. The cream will reach all the hair follicles without you rubbing it in. Do both sideburns simultaneously and wash your hands well when you've finished.

Step 5:

Let the cream sit for the recommended amount of time instructed by the product's packaging. Never keep the cream on for longer than the package instructs, or it may cause chemical burns.

Don't panic when you feel a tingling sensation; it's completely normal. However, if your face starts to burn, wash the cream off immediately.

Step 6:

Gently wipe the cream off using a warm and wet washcloth or cotton pad. The hair should wipe away easily, but you may have to wipe it a few times to ensure no residual cream will keep reacting with your skin. Hair removal cream should remove sideburns effectively for up to a week before the hair grows back.

Your skin should appear and feel smooth without any trace of ingrown hairs. However, if you do notice ingrown hairs, pluck them out with a tweezer. Moisturize your face well when you're finished. Some kits may include an appropriate lotion.

Laser Hair Removal 

Laser hair removal is a great option if your want to permanently remove your facial hair. But, of course, laser treatment is not something you can perform at home, and you will need to have multiple sessions at a competent salon.

Laser hair removal requires you to have shaved sideburns with the hair residing below the skin in the hair follicle. It is recommended to shave your sideburns 24 hours before your laser treatment to ensure there will be no obvious stubble. You will also be required to remove any makeup and lotion from your face to clean and ready the hair follicle.

It is important to note that shaving will cause the hair to grow harder and thicker, so you cannot opt-out of the laser treatment if you decide to shave.

It may be painful at first, but as laser hair removal requires you to have multiple sessions, it will surely get easier with time.

Laser hair removal is one of few options guaranteed to permanently remove facial hair and ultimately get rid of any stubble you might have from the previous shaving or using other methods. The most important of the many tips regards laser therapy is never to skip an appointment.

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