Got Unwanted Peach Fuzz? Here’s How to Get Rid of It

What Is Peach Fuzz?

“Peach fuzz is the nickname given to vellus hair. These are the fuzzy, almost translucent hairs that coat a lot of our skin (even our ears),” says Mattioli. Unlike normal body hair (aka terminal hair), which is more coarse, vellus hair is a type of hair that’s a lot finer and often harder to see unless you’re looking super closely or in just the right lighting. Vellus hair is also a lot shorter and closer to the skin’s surface than normal body hair as it doesn’t grow as long, and is usually too short to grab with a tweezer. You’ll usually find it on the face, neck, arms, legs, and the trunk too. Even though peach fuzz is much softer and finer, removing it can help with a much smoother makeup application and help your skincare products absorb more easily.

How to Get Rid of Peach Fuzz

1. Dermaplaning

This method removes facial hair and exfoliates dead skin cells using a dermaplaning tool that resembles a scalpel or eyebrow razor. “Dermaplaning (another word for face shaving) is usually the gentlest technique. There’s two types of tools for dermaplaning at home: an electric dermaplaning device (an electric shaver but designed for the face), or an actual manual shaver like one you would use on your legs, (but look for the ones specifically designed for dermaplaning as they are smaller in size),” Mattioli tells us.

If you’re using a dermaplane blade, Mattioli suggests starting with wet skin and a gentle, non-irritating cleanser (Ipsters love FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer), and rinsing off the cleanser once you’re done dermaplaning. “Regardless of which method you use, be gentle with any product you put on immediately after. You can apply your normal skincare routine, just wait a few minutes before doing so and avoid products with any actives like acids and retinols for the rest of the day. If you get a little pink after, that’s normal—it should dissipate in a few minutes,” Mattioli adds.

2. Waxing and Sugaring

Of all the facial hair removal methods, waxing and sugaring are probably the most popular (right behind shaving). What these methods do is actually pull these fine hairs out by the root, leaving you peach fuzz-free for up to 3-4 weeks at a time. The pros? Smooth skin for a longer period of time, and with some practice you can DIY with an at home wax kit. The downsides? It can be painful—ever waxed your upper lip? IYKYK. If you’re new to waxing or sugaring and have sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to leave it to a pro in the beginning.

3. Depilatory Creams

Mattioli advises that while hair removal creams (like Nair) are an option for removing peach fuzz, they can be ”extremely irritating to the skin.” So if your skin type is sensitive, you may want to rule this one out. What depilatory creams do is use chemicals to dissolve hair on the skin’s surface by breaking down the keratin proteins in the hair. The plus side is that depilatory creams involve less discomfort and a lower risk of nicks and cuts than waxing and shaving. The downside? Hair removal creams often have a pretty strong smell and can leave your skin red and irritated after using them. Results also only last for a few days to one week. Always be sure to wipe away depilatory creams completely at the recommended time to avoid chemical burns and keep your skin moisturized with a gentle moisturizer, lotion, or soothing aloe mask (BENTON Aloe Soothing Mask helps calm redness quickly) afterwards.

4. Threading

Threading is a traditional way to remove facial hair that has been around for ages, originating in India and Iran. It involves using a cotton thread to precisely pluck unwanted facial hair from the skin making it a great option for shaping eyebrows. Because threading grabs the hair follicle from the root, it lasts a lot longer than shaving and hair removal creams. It’s also a super precise technique, making it great for removing peach fuzz in tricky areas like your upper lip, under your nose, and behind your ears. One thing to note is that threading can feel pretty spicy, but it’s a pretty quick process. If you experience any irritation afterwards, applying some aloe can help calm your skin.

5. Epilating

Epilators work differently than facial razors because they remove peach fuzz and facial hair from the root. They basically use a set of rotating tweezers or discs to grab multiple hairs all at once and pluck them out. Results usually last a few weeks and epilating devices usually have different settings so that you can adjust the speed and size for smaller treatment areas.

What Are the Benefits of Removing Peach Fuzz From Your Face?

“The main benefit to removing peach fuzz is ultra smooth skin, but it’s really a personal preference. My facial peach fuzz doesn’t bother me but it does on my upper lip, so I dermaplane that area about every two weeks. A lot of my clients that are on camera prefer to keep their face totally free of peach fuzz. If you enjoy wearing a multi-step makeup routine, peach fuzz can sometimes be more noticeable with makeup on, so removing it can be a noticeable benefit. It exfoliates too,” says Mattioli. Smoother skin texture, flawless makeup application, gentle exfoliation, better absorption of your skincare products, and selfies that slay—there are so many good benefits!

Does Peach Fuzz Grow Back Darker?

Ah, we’ve all wondered whether or not this is really a thing. After all, removing unwanted facial hair only for it to grow back with a darker pigment sounds like a true nightmare, right? But rest assured—this is far from the truth. “Hair absolutely doesn’t get thicker or darker after shaving or dermaplaning. However, as hair grows back after shaving and dermaplaning, it can be stubbly and might feel thicker. That’s just the nature of hair stubble,” says Mattioli. Mattioli adds that if you were to stop removing your peach fuzz, that stubbly feeling would go away as your peach fuzz grows back to its original state. Myth debunked.

Final Thoughts

If you’re determined to be smooth as a dolphin or just want to get rid of some peach fuzz, there are plenty of ways that you can keep it at bay. When it comes to choosing what’s best for you, be sure to consider your skin type (is it sensitive, acne-prone, or prone to ingrown hairs?), convenience (are you looking for longer or shorter lasting results?), level of comfort, (because some can certainly be more uncomfy than others), and whether or not you want to DIY. Have more questions? Always be sure to see a licensed esthetician or your dermatologist for the safest, most effective results.