Laser hair removal for the upper lip is one of the best ways to handle unwanted hair up there, especially if permanent hair reduction is the goal.
On top of long-lasting results, it’s a lot less embarrassing than answering the door with an upper lip slathered in hair removal creams. At-home IPL treatments come with the added bonus of taking care of business when it works for you, not the mustache tamer at the salon.
There's a better, more long-term solution to get rid of that ‘stache.
Does laser hair removal work on the upper lip?
Laser hair removal does work on the upper lip. It targets the melanin at the hair follicle with heated light energy, damaging the follicle enough to prevent new growth over time.
At-home laser laser removal with Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, works in a similar way. Your device just uses a broadband pulsed light instead of a single, focused laser.
How many laser treatments will it take to remove all of the hair on my upper lip?
It will take anywhere from 3-12 sessions to remove all of the hair on your upper lip. Most users fall somewhere in the middle of that range, with 4-6 laser hair removal sessions needed to get the job done.
You’ll need maintenance touch ups to tackle any errant fuzz for a few months after. That’s because your regrowth happens in cycles and you can never get to 100% of hairs in the treatment area in each session. It’s just science.
How much will laser hair removal on the upper lip cost?
Laser hair removal on the upper lip costs $50-$75 per session. From there, the cost of your treatments can vary based on the provider you choose for treatments, the type of laser technology used, and how many sessions you’ll need to get hair-free.
At-home IPL is more cost-effective. You pay a one-time fee for your device and that’s pretty much it. You’ve probably spent more on bespoke candles that are supposed to smell like your old neighborhood. We’re not judging.
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Upper Lip Laser Hair Removal Sessions
Prepping the Area
Prep your upper lip the same way you would your underarms, bikini line, or anywhere else. Exfoliate your skin with a gentle cleanser like The Revealer. Avoid harsh skin care products that might make your skin more sensitive. That includes:
- Retinols
- Alpha hydroxy acids
- Acne-fighting products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acids
The days leading up to your treatments are a bad time to get a chemical peel.
Should I shave my upper lip before laser hair removal? You should shave your upper lip before laser hair removal. Shaving before treatments allows the laser light to target the pigment at the hair follicle.
Avoid plucking, threading, waxing, or any other hair removal methods that pull hair at the root. You’ll make your treatments much less effective and potentially cause ingrown hairs in the process.
If you live somewhere with lots of sun, wear sunscreen on your face in the weeks leading up to your treatments. You generally want to avoid too much sun exposure that would make your skin more sensitive or change your skin tone/lighten the hair.
During Treatment
Each session should only take about 5-10 minutes for a small area like your upper lip. Laser hair removal isn’t as painful as waxing, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park for everyone. Some people compare it to a rubber band snapping against the skin.
Others say the upper lip isn’t as painful as the bikini area or armpits, but that might depend on the thickness of your skin. We mean that literally and metaphorically, by the way. If you have a thicker upper lip or a high pain threshold, treatments might not feel as bad.
If you know you’re super sensitive to pain, ask about a topical numbing cream as part of your prep for laser treatments. At-home IPL is another option. Most users report little to no discomfort with IPL.
Aftercare for Smooth Skin
Laser hair removal is pretty great, but it isn’t perfect. It won’t hit evey single hair in one go. Avoid plucking, tweezing, waxing, or doing anything other than shaving in between your sessions. We said it once and we’ll say it again: You’ll make the next round much less effective.
Be kind to your upper lip after each treatment. Try not to touch it too much, even if you’re feeling yourself just a little bit sans mustache. Ice the area if it’s feeling sensitive. A soothing gel with aloe like The Reviver can help calm any redness.
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Upper Lip Laser Hair Removal Safety
Laser hair removal is safe for use on your upper lip and the rest of your face, too. That includes the chin, sideburns, and unibrows. Just make sure to wear protective eyewear with each session, whether you’re in the salon or in your room with an at-home device.
What are the side effects of laser hair removal? The most common side effects of laser hair removal include skin irritation and redness, but those usually go away within a few hours.
Blistering and scarring in the treated areas are rare but often preventable. Stick with professionals and use at-home devices only as directed to avoid most side effects.
Can you have laser hair removal on your upper lip if you have dark skin?
You can have laser hair removal on your upper lip if you have dark skin, but only with certain lasers. Thanks to improvements in laser technology, women with darker skin tones can tackle unwanted hair with laser hair removal treatments that use longer wavelengths.
Those wavelengths penetrate deeper into the skin to avoid hyperpigmentation, the main side effect for women with darker skin types. You’ll need to see a dermatologist to make sure the right laser is used for your skin tone.
At-home IPL treatments and traditional laser hair removal methods are not recommended for very dark skin or red, blonde, or gray hair.
Let’s Consider the Alternatives
Laser hair removal isn’t the only game in town when it comes to handling unwanted body hair, but some methods are better than others when it comes to facial hair.
Bleaching
Bleaching doesn’t involve removing any actual hair. You’re lightening the hair to an off-white color so it’s less visible to the naked eye. If you have friends who lack personal space boundaries, they’ll probably still be able to see your lip fuzz.
Drug store bleach kits are pretty cheap and easy to use, but you’ll need to bleach every 2-4 weeks. It’s like taking your mustache to the salon for highlights, complete with the upkeep needed when your hair starts returning to its natural hue. It was fun while it lasted.
This isn’t some milk mustache we’re talking about, either. Bleaching isn’t great for sensitive skin or anyone who doesn’t vibe with chemical smells. It’s also risky for darker skin tones.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams are an inexpensive DIY method for a temporary mustache break. Sadly, you may see hair growth within a few days. The smell on some of these creams is pretty off-putting, too — not ideal when you’re slathering stuff right under your nose.
Waxing
If you’re worried about the ouch factor of laser hair removal on that sensitive upper lip, waxing isn’t the answer. It’s a more painful, shorert-term solution for unwanted hair. You'll likely be back for another wax within 3-6 weeks.
Tweezing
Waxing is a more efficient way to pluck hairs from the root, but tweezing may be the preferred method for those who only have a few stray hairs to handle on that upper lip. Much like waxing, though, there’s a lot of upkeep involved.
You also have to be vigilant about keeping tweezers clean when you’re plucking anything out of your face. There’s a risk of infection here otherwise.
Shaving
We know we just told you to shave your mustache before each laser hair removal session, but that’s just a temporary thing. Your hair will grow in a lot sparser with each treatment. If you shave the ‘stache as your primary mode of hair removal, expect to deal with stubble as a result.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the only hair removal method that is truly permanent, but it’s expensive. A single electrolysis treatment costs anywhere from $75-$200 per hour. While it won’t take much time to handle a small area like the upper lip, you’ll need 10-14 treatments for permanent results.
IPL Treatment
IPL treatments for the upper lip works like laser hair removal. You just have the added bonus of handling that mustache from the comfort of your own couch. It’s a cost-effective way to handle your business, too. All you need to pay for is the one-time cost of your device.
While it doesn’t work on every skin tone and hair color, it’s the ideal solution for a growing number of users.
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Go Nood and Ditch the ‘Stache for Good
At-home IPL treatments are the better way to get rid of upper lip hair for good. Break up with your waxer. Ditch the smelly bleach kits. Spend the cash you save on anything else.
At Nood, we’re so confident that you’ll love your results that The Flasher 2.0 comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. That’s more honest than your friends have ever been when you ask if they can see your mustache.
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