Wait—Read This Before Shaving Your Face, Pls! (2024)

So you’re trying to figure out how to shave your face, eh? Maybe you’ve seen all of the IG and TikTok videos of people shaving off their peach fuzz to fix cakey foundation and soften their skin texture, or maybe you're working with PCOS or hirsutism and looking for some hair-removal options that won't, uh, burn your freakin' face off. Or maybe, you're just trying to figure out whether or not to spend the money on a professional dermaplaning treatment, instead of DIYing it at home.

Regardless of why you're lookin' into how to shave your face, you're in the right place. Because we chatted with the experts about all things face-shaving, peach fuzz, and more. Keep reading to find out everything you've ever wanted to know about getting super-smooth, hair-free skin (if, of course, that's your thing—body hair is normal and natural, so please do whatever the f*ck you want and ignore the rest).

Meet the experts:

• Estee Williams, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York, NY, who specializes in cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology.
• Muneeb Shah, DO, is a licensed dermatology resident at Atlantic Dermatology in multiple locations across North Carolina. Dr. Shah is also one of the most popular dermatology ~influencers~ on social media, with almost 14 million followers on TikTok (@dermdoctor) and 800,000 followers on Instagram (@doctorly).
• Neal Schultz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Park Avenue Skin Care in New York, NY. Dr. Schultz is also the founder of BeautyRx, a professional-grade skincare line.

Is shaving good for your face?

There's no good or bad when it comes to shaving your face (if you do it correctly, of course)—it's all personal preference. Is there a medical or skincare benefit to shaving your face at home? Nope! Unlike professional dermaplaning, which removes the top layer of your skin (along with your hair) for an added exfoliating effect, shaving just removes surface-level hair...and that's about it.

With face shaving, you use a (clean, new) razor to remove surface-layer peach fuzz, but with dermaplaning, a dermatologist or medical esthetician uses a surgical scalpel to carefully remove hair, peach fuzz, and even part of the stratum corneum (the top layer of your skin), says dermatologist Estee Williams, MD. Think of shaving as the cheaper, easier DIY hair removal option and dermaplaning as the more effective, professional version.

Is it OK to shave peach fuzz on your face?

Yes, it's totally fine to shave the peach fuzz (aka vellus hair) on your face, if it bothers you. Though your body hair—including your peach fuzz—serves the purpose of insulating and protecting your body, there's no real harm in (safely) removing yours, if you're not a fan of it. It all comes down to personal preference.

Will my hair grow back thicker after shaving?

No, your hair will not grow back thicker or darker after shaving it or dermaplaning it—this is one of the age-old myths that just won't freakin' die. “That myth exists because people mistake the wispy feeling of their unshaven facial hair with the slightly blunt feeling of their clean-shaven facial hair as it starts to grow back,” says dermatologist Dr. Schultz. “So it’s more about what you’re feeling and seeing, versus what is actually going on.”

What is the proper way to shave your face?

Put down your usual body razor or bikini trimmer and grab a clean, new face shaver—specifically, a razor that’s actually been designed for delicate peach fuzz—because the best way to shave your face is with a facial razor. Actually, while you’re at it, go ahead and grab a whole pack, because you’ll want to toss the blades after each use to be safe. The key to preventing ingrown hairs and razor burn is to use a sharp, sterile razor, so trying to get the most uses out of your blade is a definite no-go when shaving your face.

How to shave your face:

Shaving your face sounds straightforward enough...until you're standing in the mirror holding a razor and filled with nerves (hi, me). So here's a breakdown of how to shave your face in four easy steps. Gather all your supplies (shop our recs below), then follow along.

1. Cleanse. First, you want to make sure your face is totally clean and free of makeup or residue. so wash your face with a gentle cleanser or a simple face wash for sensitive skin to clear away any grime and soften your peach fuzz.

2. Apply a shave gel. Although some people swear by shaving clean, dry skin to exfoliate your face (which is totally fine, if that works for you), Dr. Schultz recommends using a shaving cream or a thin layer of your gentle face wash on damp skin to minimize friction and prevent irritation. So first, wet your entire face, then apply a thin layer of cream or gel all over the area you’re shaving.

3. Shave in short, light strokes. Tilt the razor and lightly place it against your skin (Dr. Shah recommends holding it at a 45- or 30-degree angle). Once you have the hang of how to hold it, use short, light strokes to shave the hair in the direction that it grows to avoid ingrowns. If you need, you can use the other hand to pull the skin taut and prevent the razor from skipping or tugging on the skin.

4. Rinse and moisturize. Splash a little water over your face to wash away any leftover fuzzies, then Dr. Shah says to follow up with a gentle, water-based moisturizer and avoid any products that contain any harsh actives, like retinol or glycolic acid, immediately afterward.

Need a visual? Check out...

Our favorite face-shaving tutorials:

Is face shaving safe?

Yes, face shaving is safe, depending on your skin type and your technique. Dr. Williams explains that shaving your face can cause irritation and should be avoided if you have sensitive skin or an active acne breakout—both of which can be made worse by the sharp blades. Otherwise, TikTok-famous dermatologist Muneeb Shah, DO, (and the creator of one of the videos that popped up in my feed and got me interested) says shaving your face is safe to try at home, as long as you practice safety measures.

For one, practice holding the razor and test it on another part of your body before trying it on your face to make sure you understand how to properly angle the shaver. It's also super important to use a clean razor every. single. time. because you could nick your skin and risk an infection if the blades are dirty. No good.

The final word

As is the case with most beauty treatments that have plenty of room for error, leave the face shaving to the pros for the best, safest, and most noticeable results. But if you can’t justify spending up to $250 on a dermaplaning treatment and want to try it yourself to remove annoying hairs and help your products better penetrate, just promise you’ll *at least* use a clean razor and follow the steps above. Cool? Cool.