Before you blame “bad genes” for your hairy lip, know that you aren’t alone.

Most women deal with stubborn facial hair, from upper lip, chin, to sideburn hair. And men may want to lower their beard line (or remove their beard entirely!). As clubs go, this one is far from exclusive.

And while it may be easier to chalk it up to bad luck—and indeed, some hair growth is certainly normal even if you consider it unsightly—common causes for this excessive and visible hair growth stem from hormonal fluctuations, medications, or conditions like hirsutism.

Why Facial Hair Appears

It's Normal to Have Facial Hair

Everyone has facial hair. For women, it's typically fine, light-colored strands known as vellus hair or "peach fuzz." This type of hair is a normal part of human anatomy and serves functions like regulating body temperature and protecting the skin. However, for some, these hairs can become more noticeable or bothersome, leading to a desire for removal.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormones play a significant role in facial hair growth. Life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can alter hormone levels—especially androgens—resulting in new or more prominent hair on areas like the upper lip, chin, or jawline. This is particularly evident in individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can cause excess facial and body hair in up to 70% of those diagnosed (Science Direct). While medical treatments can help regulate hormone levels, they often don't lead to significant reductions in existing facial hair, making permanent hair removal methods like electrolysis a valuable option.

Medications & Health Conditions

The Cleveland Clinic highlights that medications like anabolic steroids, testosterone treatments, cyclosporine, minoxidil, danazol, and phenytoin can trigger hirsutism as a side effect. In some cases, facial hair for women may be a side effect of broader endocrine or adrenal conditions. That’s why we always start with a holistic consultation—because facial hair removal isn’t one-size-fits-all!

Facial Hair Removal Methods

Temporary fixes like tweezing and shaving offer quick results, they're essentially Band-Aid solutions for a problem that deserves a permanent answer. Chin hair removal and upper lip treatments in NYC have become increasingly popular because people are tired of temporary solutions that create stubble, irritation, or patchy results. Temporary methods like threading, shaving, or “best facial hair removal” gadgets just don’t cut it. They can cause ingrown hairs, skin irritation, or paradoxically trigger thicker regrowth.

Electrolysis vs. Laser Facial Hair Removal

Let's address the elephant in the room: why not laser hair removal or IPL for facial hair? While these technologies work well for large body areas with dark, coarse hair, facial hair presents unique challenges. Laser treatments struggle with:

Light-colored hair (blonde, gray, white, red)
Fine peach fuzz
Hormonal hair that tends to regrow
Precision needed for facial contouring

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When it comes to permanent facial hair removal, electrolysis is ideal. Unlike laser hair reduction, which often struggles with blonde, red, gray, or fine hairs and may not suit all skin tones, electrolysis uses a tiny targeted electrical current to treat each individual follicle with precision. This makes it a universally effective solution for every face, every hair color, and every skin type. Whether you're managing chin hair, upper lip fuzz, or hormonal growth patterns like hirsutism, electrolysis offers consistent, cumulative results—with each session permanently disabling more follicles. At our NYC facial hair removal clinics, we specialize in delivering medically informed, comfortable treatments that put an end to the cycle of waxing, shaving, or threading. Smooth skin incoming…

Common Areas Treated: Chin, Lip, Brows & Beyond

Most of our clients come in with concerns like:

Upper lip hair removal
Chin hair removal
Sideburn fuzz
Jawline and neck hair
“Beard shadow” in post-laser areas

From a rogue brow hair to stubborn mustache growth, electrolysis handles it all — precisely, safely, and permanently.

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Electrolysis uses a refined, bendy probe to deliver heat directly to and destroy hair roots.

It doesn’t rely on hair or skin color, as opposed to other hair removal methods. This is why it’s the only method that can even treat white, gray, red, and fuzz hair and any skin color.

It’s therefore the only FDA-approved method to claim permanent removal (others can only offer permanent reduction).

Electrolysis Advantages

	Waxing	Laser Hair Reduction	Electrolysis
Method	Wax adheres to and pulls out hair	Applies energy to entire skin, which descends through pigment	Delivers energy precisely to roots with refined, bendy probe
Preciseness	Approximate	Approximate (~½" applicator)	Perfect (individual hair level)
Skin color	All	Struggles with dark & tan	All
Hair colors	All	No white, gray, blond, red, or fuzz. Partial for light brown	All
Feeling	Ripping pull	Rubber band snap	Small pricking sensation
Permanence	Temporary results	Permanent reduction	Permanent removal

I was pleasantly surprised by how minimal the discomfort was during my electrolysis treatment. Compared to other methods I've tried, it was virtually painless, leaving me feeling confident and at ease.

Ellie M, our client

Questions about achieving permanent smoothness?We've got Answers!

The truth is: it depends. Depending on the person, you may be able to get away with one facial every 6 weeks. But once you consider factors like climate — is your skin constantly getting battered by cold, dry winds?—or skin type—is your skin too dry? Too oily? Acne-prone? — you might find that more frequent facials can do wonders.
We offer three types of facials; Anti-Aging (targets fine lines and wrinkles), Microdermabrasion (reduces pore size and renews skin tone) and Skin Resurfacing (repairs and rejuvenates skin).
Approximately 60 minutes.
Facials aren’t “one-size-fits-all” (is anything really?). Therefore, you should choose one that’s beneficial to your particular skin type and goals. Combination skin can benefit from a chemical peel, while our Anti-Aging facial may work best if you suffer from dry or wrinkling skin. Not sure what would work best for you? Our staff is always ready to give their expert advice.
We recommend that you do not wear makeup (or else our technician will have to take time to remove it). It is also recommended that you wait two weeks after the last facial treatment or other procedures such as waxing or injectables.
At Nios, we like to call those first few hours after a facial the “Glow Zone”. We recommend skipping those scalding hot showers, steering clear of the sauna or chlorinated pools, and avoiding the sun like a nosey neighbor. And since you want your skin to breathe, you’ll also want to give your makeup a rest.
Our facials lean toward the gentler side of life and you can return to work and social life right away. Nonetheless, you may experience mild redness, inflammation, or increased sensitivity. See the facial page for details on each.
Chemical peels and Microdermabrasion facials may reduce the appearance of dark spots by removing a microscopic layer of skin. But remember, you may need multiple sessions to see results.
You don’t have to make a deal with the devil to keep looking young. At Nios, we offer a specialized Anti-Aging facial that involves cleansing, exfoliation, steam, and a powerful microcurrent treatment to get fine lines and wrinkles under control.
Of course every person (and face) is different, so we recommend a consultation with a Nios technician, but cleansing facials that include extractions have helped many people reduce acne and prevent further scarring.
You’re in safe hands at Nios! Our technicians are educated on various conditions. Just speak with your technician to ensure that the products and facial treatment are safe for you.

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Discover the Nios difference

Equipment

The best treatment machines money can buy.
Technicians

Our secret weapon. Hand-picked for warmth and skill.
Safe hands

Conceived and directed by an M.D.
Convenience

7 days/week; 9am-8pm; multiple integrated locations; personal TVs & music.
Skip the sales pitch

Treatments are focused on your well-being, not quotas.

Client Testimonials

“Our go-to for
pampering sessions”

“I had a facial with Tara and she was excellent!”

She was clearly knowledgeable and let me know what she was doing every step of the service. My skin looks and feels amazing. I highly recommend her!

“Felt truly beautiful after my anti aging facial with Andrea!”

Felt truly beautiful after my anti aging facial with Andrea! And loved the way she explained all the steps. Ditto Christine, who was so patient and clear with all my questions during the consultation. 100% going back, and will enthusiastically recommend

“I've now had three treatments with Amy and waited to provide a review. ”

I really, really like Nios. It's moderately priced electrolysis and all of the staff I've met have been very pleasant and accommodating. My technician, Amy, is so kind. We have great conversations and she makes sure I am comfortable every step of the way.

Permanent Facial Hair Removal NYC