We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you; see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Epilating the face at a glance
A facial epilator is a small battery or rechargeable device with a few tweezers that pull hairs out by the root. It suits the chin, upper lip, sideburns and jawline, where the hairs are fine and scattered. For brows, see our eyebrow and upper-lip epilators, and for sensitive spots read about ingrown hairs on the face. This guide lists what dermatology sources say about epilating the face and four epilators that are in stock on the web US.- DermNet NZ lists pain, folliculitis, scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs as the side effects of epilation.[1]
- DermNet NZ says hand-held tweezers suit the occasional coarse hair or a small group of hairs on the eyebrows or chin, and that electrical tweezers are made for both small and large areas.[1]
- Nemours KidsHealth says an epilator is not a good idea for eyebrows, because it pulls out many hairs at once and gives you no precise control.[2]
- For brows and the upper lip, the AAD points to threading: it removes only the hairs you target, it is as precise as plucking and it causes little irritation.[3]
- Cleveland Clinic says ingrown hairs are common after shaving, tweezing and waxing, and that you should not pick, scratch or pop them.[4]
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice. See a dermatologist if epilating leaves painful bumps, scars or dark marks on your face.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Power | Wet or dry | Tweezers | Key extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battery (1 AA) | Not confirmed | 6 tweezers | Protective cap, cleaning brush |
| 2 | Rechargeable | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Cleansing brush, toning head, stand |
| 3 | Battery (2 AAA) | Not confirmed | 6 tweezers | Auto-stop under pressure |
| 4 | Cordless | Wet and dry | 60 tweezers | Gentle cap, pressure sensor, LED light |
– not stated in the listing · Specs as stated by the maker; check the label before you buy · Not a treatment for any skin condition
Is It OK to Epilate Your Face?
Yes, many people do, and it is a recognized method. DermNet NZ defines epilation as removing hair including the root, by a mechanical device, tweezer or wax, and notes that electrical tweezers are made for small areas as well as large ones.[1] The trade-off is comfort and skin reaction. Facial skin is thin and the hairs are fine, so the tweezers pull at each one.- Long Gaps Between Sessions – Nemours KidsHealth gives 3 to 8 weeks for plucking against 1 to 3 days for shaving.[2]
- One Hair at a Time vs a Sweep – Tweezers remove a few hairs, and a device with more tweezers covers more skin per pass. For the brows, Nemours KidsHealth says an epilator gives you no precise control.[2]
- Pain – Plucking can be painful, and temporary red bumps are normal while the follicle is swollen and irritated.[2]
- Skin Reactions – Folliculitis, scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs are on DermNet NZ’s list of side effects.[1]
Can Epilating Darken or Mark the Skin?
It can. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dark marks that follow irritation, is one of the side effects DermNet NZ lists for epilation.[1] Folliculitis, an inflamed follicle, and scarring are on the same list. Cleveland Clinic adds that an infected ingrown hair brings pus, discoloration and pain, and that the infection can lead to scarring.[4]- Clean the Device – Nemours KidsHealth advises sterilizing tweezers and other plucking devices with rubbing alcohol before and after each use to lower the chance of infection.[2]
- Do Not Pick Ingrown Hairs – Cleveland Clinic says to leave them alone, and to exfoliate gently with warm water to help them release.[4]
- See a Doctor – If a bump grows bigger and more painful, visit a healthcare provider.[4]
Epilating vs Other Ways to Remove Facial Hair
- Threading – The AAD says threading rolls two twisted cotton threads over the hairs and that results last 4 to 5 weeks. It suits eyebrows and the upper lip, is not suitable for large areas and takes skill, since inexperienced hands can leave brows uneven or cause ingrown hairs.[3]
- Waxing – The AAD says you can wax delicate areas such as the upper lip, but removing the wax can be painful and the skin can stay red for a short while.[3]
- Shaving or Trimming – Short-lived, painless unless you cut yourself, and frequent shaving can irritate the skin.[3]
- Laser – The AAD says laser hair removal is permanent after 6 or more treatments, except on a woman’s face.[3]
What to Look for in a Facial Epilator
- Tweezer Count – Facial epilators use a small number of tweezers, such as 6 on the Remington and Emjoi, which keeps the head small enough for the upper lip. Body epilators such as the Panasonic ES-EY30 use up to 60.
- Power – The Remington runs on one AA battery, the Emjoi on two AAA batteries (not included) and the Braun FaceSpa Pro is rechargeable.
- Pressure Control – The Emjoi stops automatically if you press too hard, and the Panasonic ES-EY30 has a pressure sensor.
- Extra Functions – The Braun FaceSpa Pro adds a cleansing brush and a toning head.
- Hair Length – Remington says to epilate hair between 0.5 and 5 mm, so trim longer hair first.
- Easy Cleaning – Choose a model with a cleaning brush or a washable head, since you should clean the tweezers after each use.[2]
How We Chose These Facial Epilators
We research products using manufacturer information, ingredient lists, retailer listings and guidance from dermatology and health organizations. We do not test products in person. Read more in How We Research. We also checked that every pick is in stock on the web US. We looked at these factors:- Features – Tweezer count, power source, attachments and safety features named on the product page.
- Face fit – Whether the head is small enough for the chin, upper lip and sideburns.
- Power – Battery, rechargeable or cordless runtime.
- Sources – What DermNet NZ, the AAD and Nemours KidsHealth say about epilation.
- Stock – Whether the product is in stock on the web US.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Facial Epilators
- Is there a permanent option for facial hair? The AAD says laser hair removal is permanent after 6 or more treatments, except on a woman’s face, so facial hair needs ongoing removal.[3] Ask a board-certified dermatologist about your options.
Our Picks: Epilator for Face
Here are 4 epilators for the face. Each one is in stock on the web US. We hope you love the facial epilators we recommend! This does not change your price.1
Remington® Smooth and Silky Cordless Facial Epilator
Currently unavailable
- Six automatic tweezers pull hair from the root, down to 0.5 mm, and the head is compact enough for the upper lip, chin and jawline.
- Remington says to hold the skin taut and move in slow circles.
- It runs on one AA battery, which is included.
- A protective cap and a cleaning brush come with it.
2
Braun® FaceSpa Pro 911 3-in-1 Facial Epilator
Currently unavailable
- It combines a facial epilator, a facial cleansing brush and a micro-vibration toning head in one rechargeable device.
- The set includes a bronze cap, a stand and a pouch.
- Braun says the epilator removes hair 4 times shorter than wax.
3
Emjoi® Facial Epilator Precision Disc Epilator
Currently unavailable
- Six tweezers sit on a 3-disc system, with one fixed disc and two that open and close, and the discs remove hair as short as 0.3 mm.
- A 14 mm disc opening and 180 tweezer closings per second are the stated specs.
- It stops automatically if you press too hard.
- It runs on two AAA batteries, which are not included.
4
Panasonic® ES-EY30 Epilator Wet/Dry 60-Tweezer Epilator
Currently unavailable
- The dual-disc head has 60 rotating tweezers, and it catches hair as short as 0.02 inches (0.5 mm).
- A 90 degree pivoting head follows body contours, and a pressure sensor helps you keep the pressure even.
- It has three power levels, an LED light and a waterproof body for the bath or shower, with a gentle cap included.
- One hour of charging gives up to 30 minutes of cordless use.
Index Table: Top-Rated Epilator for Face
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remington Smooth and Silky - Cordless Facial Epilator |  | Remington | |
| 2 | Braun FaceSpa Pro 911 - 3-in-1 Facial Epilator |  | Braun | |
| 3 | Emjoi Facial Epilator - Precision Disc Epilator |  | Emjoi | |
| 4 | Panasonic ES-EY30 Epilator - Wet/Dry 60-Tweezer Epilator |  | Panasonic |
Sources
- DermNet NZ. Epilation. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Nemours KidsHealth. Hair Removal. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). 6 ways to remove unwanted hair. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. Ingrown Hair. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around DermNet NZ, AAD, Cleveland Clinic and Nemours KidsHealth guidance on epilating the face; removed the claims that epilation causes no pigment change, is non-invasive and reduces hair growth, and the unsourced aftercare advice; added the point that an epilator gives no precise control on eyebrows; replaced the out-of-stock Philips Series 8000 with the Panasonic ES-EY30 and dropped the Philips Series 2000, which is a body epilator; added a Key Specs table, How We Chose and a FAQ; rewrote all product notes and updated Sources
- Sep 2021: First published
