Should you pluck chin hair? Experts confirm the best way to shift facial fuzz

Spotted a rogue chin hair? According to the NHS, nearly 75 percent of women experience increased body hair as they age, especially after menopause. Yet with so many filtered images of baby-like skin on our social media feeds, it's tricky to know what’s ‘normal’ in the body hair department.

The answer is: there is no normal, and the temptation to take one of the best razors for women to some facial fuzz is commonplace. “Everyone is unique, and the same goes for body hair,” explains Sofia Farnesi, co-owner of Naked Hare salon. “The amount, texture, rate of growth, and likeliness to get ingrown hairs varies from person to person.”

The decision to embrace it or remove it is yours entirely. If you prefer to remove your chin hair, there are several methods available including plucking - but is it recommended? We've quizzed hair removal experts to find out.

Your complete chin hair removal guide

Many of us grow the occasional chin hair - it's totally normal and rarely a cause for concern. Genetics, age, and hormones can all play a role here. If you want to remove individual chin hairs, plucking is a good option that's perfectly safe if you get it right. “I would recommend plucking for small surface areas, removing stray chin hairs,” confirms Sofia.

To do it safely and hygienically, start by using one of the best cleansers for your skin type, rinsing it off with warm water to clean and soften the skin. Then, get your best makeup mirror ready because it's time to tweeze. "Sterilise the tweezers by cleaning them with antibacterial soap or rubbing alcohol," says Yana Gushchina, founder of Browfique London. "Then, pulling the skin taut, pluck one hair at a time and always pluck in the direction of hair growth to reduce the risk of the hair becoming ingrown."

Wondering how often you should tweeze? “Pluck the hair successfully from the follicle and you shouldn’t have to remove it every day,” says Sofia. If you are removing chin hairs every few days, it could be that you’re breaking the hair just above or below the skin’s surface instead of taking it from the root. A decent pair of tweezers, as well as the correct technique, will help prevent the hair from breaking.

Alternative ways to remove chin hair

If plucking is not your cup of tea or perhaps you have more than a few chin hairs to remove, consider an alternative hair removal method:

• Waxing: Waxing and sugaring remove larger areas of unwanted hair, quickly. “Often hair gets broken when plucking, instead of being extracted from the root,” says Tanja Westendorff, owner of Sugaring London. “Sugaring, where hair is taken from the root using a natural gel made from sugar and water, is a great alternative.”
• IPL: For a long-term solution, several IPL hair removal devices have been designed to remove facial hair, including chin hair. These devices use intense light energy to target the hair follicle and keep it in a dormant phase, to reduce growth. You can expect to see visible results after three or four sessions, usually four to six weeks apart.
• Laser: The most powerful and permanent hair removal treatment, laser hair removal can reduce and even eradicate hair growth in a specific treatment area. You'll need at least six treatments, maybe up to twelve, and expect to pay around £50 per session for a small area such as chin hair removal.

Notice excessive chin hair growth? Speak to your doctor as a sudden change in facial hair pattern can indicate a hormonal imbalance caused by a medical condition.

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Your plucking FAQs answered

For pain and fuss-free plucking, follow Sofia’s top tips…

• "DO invest in a good pair of tweezers: It’s a game changer! There's nothing worse for your skin than being picked and prodded at. An efficient pair of tweezers will swiftly and effectively remove hair in one go.
• DO tweeze after a bath or shower: The heat will open the pores and relax the hair making it easier to remove.
• DO disinfect your tweezers: Use antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean your tweezers.
• DO pull the skin taut: This will allow you to get a good grip on the hair with your tweezers. It will also reduce the chances of catching and irritating the skin.
• DO pluck in the direction the hair grows: This will help prevent the hair from breaking and will reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
• DO NOT use AHAs or BHAs: After plucking the hair, as the skin can be sensitive. Do, however, exfoliate before plucking to remove build-up or dirt around the hair follicle.
• DO NOT pluck large areas: Prolonged plucking and repetitive plucking can irritate and damage skin. Use tweezers on small areas of skin, like eyebrows and chin."