How to Bleach Facial Hair

Co-authored by Matt King

Last Updated: November 19, 2022

Whatever your reason for bleaching facial hair, the process is simple and easy to do at home. You can use commercial bleach, which you can purchase at any drug store, or try natural remedies. If you want clean, light facial hair, you can bleach your facial hair in a short period of time and then enjoy the look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Commercial Bleach

1
Pull back your hair. If you have longer hair, it needs to be protected from the bleach. Accidentally getting bleach on your hair can cause discoloration, so pulling longer hair back in a bun or ponytail is necessary prior to the bleaching process.^{[1]
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2
Clean your face. Use soap and cold water. Make sure to remove any makeup, dirt, and debris from your face. When you're done, pat your face dry with a towel.^{[2]
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3
Mix your bleach according to package directions. Your package should come with instructions that advise you on the ratios of powder and creme to use for your bleach. It should also come with a small bowl and some kind of device for mixing. Mix your bleach and cream until you have an even, consistent mixture.^{[3]
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4
Apply the mixture. Use an applicator brush or the small spatula that came with the kit to dab the bleach on any facial hair you're treating. Dab the bleach on and do not rub it into your hair. Make sure the bleach is applied evenly across your facial hair.^{[4]
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- Some areas you may want to bleach include dark patches of hair on your upper lip, chin, or cheeks.
5
Leave the bleach on for 10 minutes. In general, it takes around 10 minutes for bleach to work. Set a timer and leave the bleach in place for this long. In the event your hair isn't bleached after 10 minutes, you can leave the bleach on for an additional five to 10 minutes.^{[5]
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- However, if you feel a burning sensation, rinse off the bleach before 10 minutes pass.
6
Remove the mixture. Use a washcloth or the spatula that came with your kit. Gently scrape off the bleach until it's mostly removed from your facial hair.^{[6]
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7
Wash your face. Washing up afterwards is important to remove any lingering traces of bleach. Use a towel dipped in lukewarm water to gently wipe off your face. If your skin is irritated from the bleach, apply a fragrance-free facial moisturizer to your face.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Natural Bleach

1
Rub a tomato on your face. It can take a few days to have an effect, but some people find tomatoes naturally lighten and bleach facial hair. All you need to do is rub a small slice of tomato across any dark facial hair for about five minutes and then rinse off the juices.^{[8]
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2
Use a mixture of milk and papaya pulp. Place about half a cup of papaya pulp in a bowl with a tablespoon of milk. Work this into a thick paste and then dab it on any unwanted facial hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it out and see if you notice any lightening.^{[9]
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3
Try a turmeric, salt, milk, and lemon juice mixture. There are no rough guidelines for the amount of these ingredients to use. Simply mix salt and turmeric into lemon juice and milk until you have a thick paste. Then, scrub the mixture into your face for five minutes before rinsing it off. You may notice that your facial hair has bleached slightly.^{[10]
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4
Use sugar and lemon juice. Mix two cups (475 mL) of sugar with a quarter cup (60 mL) of lemon juice and half a cup (120 mL) of water. Heat it over a low flame on your stove until it turns brown, stirring constantly. Let the mixture cool slightly, so it's warm to the touch but not scalding. Apply the mixture to your face using a butter knife. Use waxing strips to hold the mixture in place. Pull the mixture off in the opposite direction of your hair growth immediately. The mixture does not need to stay on. This should both lighten and remove unwanted facial hair.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Safety Precautions

1
Test any materials first. Before using any bleaching products, whether natural or store bought, apply them to a small patch of your skin first. Watch for an allergic reaction over the next day or so. If you have any irritation, you should not use that product to bleach your facial hair.^{[12]
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- It makes sense to use a patch of skin on a hard to see place on your body, such as your arm.
2
Use a mild formula or natural methods for sensitive skin. If your skin tends to be sensitive, look for mild formulas in the store when finding a bleaching product. Bleaching is a somewhat intense process for any skin type and can cause a lot of irritation if your skin is already sensitive.^{[13]
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3
Do not apply bleach over abrasions, warts, or moles. Bleach can aggravate things like abrasions, warts, and moles. Avoid applying bleach altogether if you have existing warts and moles where your facial hair is. If you have abrasions or injuries, let them clear up before bleaching your skin.^{[14]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I lighten my mustache with a mixture of olive oil and honey?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

It won't hurt to try it. However, you may need to apply the mixture more than once before you notice a difference in your mustache.
Question

I was going to try the turmeric/salt/lemon/milk mixture, but then remembered that turmeric - even a little bit - dyes my skin. Will that happen with this mixture, and how can I prevent it?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Apply a base product such as petroleum jelly on the areas that you don't want to lighten. Also, don't leave the mixture on for more than 5 minutes to prevent it from staining unwanted areas.
Question

The first time I used this, my skin was lightened also. How can I avoid this?

Community Answer

Use less bleach and make sure it goes on the hair and not the skin. Some skin whitening my still occur, with you should be able to minimize it.