I Shaved My Face With an Eyebrow Blade—Here's What Happened

When it comes to removing unwanted facial hair, there are myriad ways to de-fuzz. From waxing and tweezing to threading, sugaring, and laser hair removal—we all generally know the traditional lineup of hair removal treatments available. One that doesn't get enough attention? Good old face shaving. And since we can't resist shedding light on all aspects of the beauty world, we took it upon ourselves to experiment with the age-old depilatory strategy augmented by a slightly more modern tool for an optimized approach: an eyebrow blade. Below, Hallie Gould, Byrdie's editor in chief, reports on the experience while experts weigh in.

If you told me a few years ago I'd take up "shaving my face" as part of my job description—I'd think you were crazy. Now, I know otherwise. Enter the Tinkle Eyebrow Razor. Only, I used it to shave my face instead of to shape my brows. Pretty much anyone looking to have smoother, softer skin may benefit from a face razor. In fact, our experts say face-shaving can even help your products penetrate more deeply into your skin. And I was definitely on board with that. Read on for more about this face razor and the benefits I saw after using it on my skin.

What Is Face Shaving?

While the general intricacies of shaving your face may be obvious (gently gliding a razor over the skin to cut off unwanted hairs and produce a smoother appearance), the popularity of the process amongst women is often minimized. Despite the act often being perpetuated as a masculine chore, women across cultures have been taking to depilatory systems (including picking up primitive razors) for centuries. "Kao sori (Japanese for face shaving) is a popular skincare custom in Japan," says Cynthia Popper, a Japanese skincare expert and editor at DHC Skincare,. "Women take tiny straight razors and shave the peach fuzz off their faces for smooth, fuzz-free complexions and to maximize penetration of their multi-product skincare routines."

Why I Chose to Shave My Face

Let it be known there's no "rule" about having to get rid of facial hair or peach fuzz. But if you're someone like me with a multi-product skincare routine, you know the search for new skincare methods for a brighter, tighter, fuzz-free complexion can seem never-ending. I've had dermaplaning done during various facial treatments over the years, but never implemented it as a consistent skincare technique at home. And while I love a good spa or skincare treatment, I've been on the hunt for something I can keep up with on my own. So once I heard of the popular Japanese hair removal technique kao sori, I thought this could finally be the at-home solution I'd been hoping to find.

Benefits of Shaving Your Face

• Smoother skin
• Softer skin
• Light exfoliation
• Increased product absorption

Before purchasing my razor blade, I read up on the effects it would have on my skin. The technique boasts smoother, softer, cleaner skin as the blade clears debris and makes way for new skin cells. According to Tiffany Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, the benefits of shaving are primarily to remove unwanted hair and lightly exfoliate by removing dead layers of skin. Plus, it prepares your skin for product application, so efficacy is improved.

"I have combination skin that can look a bit cruddy and congested if I don't exfoliate regularly," Popper says. "Kao sori is a fast, affordable reset." After reading all about it, I was sold.

Face Shaving vs. Dermaplaning

Unlike traditional shaving, which involves using a standard face razor to shear the hair, dermaplaning relies on a smaller blade (like an eyebrow razor), which cuts closer to the face and therefore sloughs off a lot of debris and dead skin (in essence, you're scraping the skin and not just the hair). Dermaplaning can get so deep, in fact, that it can actually clear more dirt and oil from the skin than traditional face shaving can.

How to Prepare to Shave (Dermaplane) Your Face

You may be thinking why would I need to prepare to shave my face? But having clean skin is one of the most important steps before doing any type of hair removal, especially shaving. "Always cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities before shaving," says Dr. Libby. Since shaving can introduce bacteria into the skin, removing dirt and debris may decrease the chance of unwelcome breakouts and irritation. Dr. Libby recommends a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic option like the Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser ($8).

Dr. Libby also suggests having a razor that is solely for your face. "Since there are different bacterias to each area of the skin, you should be using a different razor for the body and face." She also notes that if you're looking to remove mostly fine, light hairs and exfoliate, investing in a single, more precise handheld facial blade is most appropriate. No need to invest in a heavy-duty razor for these delicate strands.

What to Expect From Shaving Your Face

After doing my research and talking with Devon, my colleague and long-time devotee of kao sori, I was convinced of its place in my beauty arsenal: "A while back, esthetician Kerry Benjamin disclosed to me that she shaves her face," she told me. "Every few weeks, she grabs an eyebrow shaver and glides it down her entire face. Benjamin assured me it was an excellent form of exfoliation and that my skin would feel baby-soft after. She was right. I went to the beauty supply store, picked up a three-pack of eyebrow shapers, and never looked back. The results were exactly what I dreamed up." Even better? No downtime and the results are immediate.

Another bonus: without the layer of fuzz on your face, you'll notice that your makeup glides on smoother and your bone structure looks sharper. Seriously, your cheekbones and jawline won't appear as soft, instead, they'll have a more sculpted and chiseled appearance.

And to answer the question that's probably top of mind: no, shaving your face won't make the hair grow back thicker or darker. As with any hair on your body, the peach fuzz—technically called vellus hair—on your face will grow back just as it was before you removed it. (This myth comes from the fact that hair naturally tapers off at the end, so shaving naturally causes a blunt edge that could be perceived as thicker or darker as it first grows in.)

Potential Side Effects of Shaving Your Face

Shaving seems like an innocent technique and, for the most part, it is, but when it comes to removing hair from your face, there are a few pointers to keep in mind. "If the skin is not prepped or clean, I do not recommend shaving your face," warns Dr. Libby. "This can introduce bacteria into the skin which can lead to breakouts and infections and create further irritation." The same goes if you have any existing skin irritation or inflammation.

Dr. Libby also mentioned being aware of how your skin reacts to hair removal. If you often get irritation bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae), have sensitive skin, or are generally prone to ingrown hairs, it's best to skip the shaving session. "I would recommend going to see your dermatologist for treatment options that can range from topical therapies to laser hair removal," says Libby. Of course, one obvious thing to take into account when it comes to shaving your face is to use a light hand—otherwise, you could end up suffering from razor burn or even cuts.

As with any exfoliation tactic, it wouldn't be unusual to experience some purging or breakouts in the days after your shave, but they should subside quickly. If not, it may be a sign that dermaplaning doesn't agree with your skin and it would be in your best interest to seek other removal options.

Aftercare

"An eyebrow shaver can be an excellent way to exfoliate for softer, smoother skin," notes Dendy Engelman MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. "Because it works to remove dead skin cells, your serums will be able to penetrate deeper into the skin barrier for enhanced efficacy." This means it's crucial to apply a super-hydrating serum or mask post-shave, as the products will penetrate more deeply. It will also alleviate any irritation, dryness, or itching that could result from the traction of the blades against the skin. As skin may be most sensitive at this point, it's best to steer clear of any harsh actives or acids in your skincare lineup as they could cause further irritation or induce a negative reaction.

Remember: It is very important to use sunscreen after shaving, as exfoliated skin may be more sensitive to the sun.

The Final Takeaway

After my experiment, I've officially adopted shaving my face into my skincare routine. It's simple, easy, and quick enough to pop into my already-existing skincare routine when needed. I now shave my face about every three weeks, or whenever I feel like it needs it.