Can Exfoliating Remove Hair or Just Smooth Your Skin? Here’s the Real Truth

Exfoliating skin should be an essential and mandatory step in skincare. This is because even though we cleanse our face everyday with cleanser, there will be some build-ups, dead skin cells, etc in the skin which causes a step-behind glowing skin. For improving your skin texture and also to enhance skin glow, ensure to exfoliate your skin at least once a week. People now want hair-free, smoother skin which helps in removing your unwanted hair easily! 

Exfoliation helps not just in removing the dead skin cells but also the unwanted tiny hairs on the skin. Even though this is not a proper way to remove your facial/body hair, they contribute to an extent to baby hair removal.

In this blog, you will learn in detail about how exfoliation works/helps in skincare, does it remove face/body hair, and along with smoothening the rough texture’s in the skin.

Can Exfoliating Remove Hair?

Exfoliating skin does not remove facial hair as like shaving/waxing/threading. But they remove the dead skin cells and surface buildup that traps the hair beneath the skin. When these dead skin cells get removed, exfoliating skin loosens the trapped hair, and in such a way hair removal methods will be effective.

Exfoliation supports hair removal rather than replacing it. In this way, the hair grows outwards properly, reduces hair formation, and smoothens the skin.

How Exfoliation Works on Skin

The skin has the ability to shed away the dead skin cells, but as we age the process shows down and accumulation adds on day-by-day. This will lead to dull skin, clogged pores, rough texture, and even lifeless skin. In such a case, using exfoliation helps in removing the dead skin cells either through physical/chemical methods.

• Physical exfoliation  - Includes scrubs, brushes, exfoliating gloves, which removes the surface layer of dead skin cells. This is mainly called as a face/body exfoliator.

• Chemical Exfoliation - Has AHA and BHA based ingredients which dissolves the dead skin layers in the skin.

In this way, the skin surface will be exfoliated without getting trapped under the dead skin layers.

Benefits of Exfoliating for Hair Removal

1. Prevents Ingrown Hair

This is one of the biggest benefits, which is preventing ingrown hair growth. Ingrown hair generally occurs when hair curls back instead of growing towards the outer surface. If this is the case, they will lead to bumps, redness, and even skin irritation.

Doing regular exfoliation at least once in a week helps in blocking the hair follicles, and gives the right direction for hair growth.

2. Improves Effectiveness of Hair Removal Methods

When you exfoliate your skin first before, it prepares and creates a proper base for the upcoming hair removal process like waxing or shaving. Removing the dead cells helps in making the hair removal powder/tool to get in touch with the skin for better results.

This leads to smoother and longer-lasting hair removal.

3. Reduces Skin Bumps and Rough Texture

Exfoliating the skin helps in removing the build-ups which is the base for rough and textured skin. In this way, they reduce the post shaving bumps and skin irritation, even on the under arm area and legs.

Smoother the skin is, the overall appearance gets elevated naturally.

4. Helps Release Trapped Hair

There are times where the hair in the skin gets trapped inside the dead skin cells. If that is the case, exfoliating the skin helps in releasing the trap by removing the surface build-up on the skin.

5. Enhances Skin Brightness and Even Tone

Doing exfoliation once or twice in a week helps in improving the skin tone, reduces the pigmentation on the skin, and also helps in giving you the smoother, healthier, and brighter skin.

Exfoliation Types Suitable for Hair Removal Support

Physical Exfoliation

Here, the scrubbing happens through granular or textured materials. Some of the common physical scrubs include sugar/salt scrubs, coffee scrubs, gloves which have exfoliating material, and even herbal powder-based scrubs.

These help remove surface buildup and stimulate blood circulation.

Chemical Exfoliation

In this type of exfoliation, there will be the presence of gentle acids or enzymes which break down the dead skin cells. Some of the ingredients include AHA’s, BHS’s, PHA’s, and even fruit enzymes.

Here, chemical exfoliation is gentle and can be used to penetrate deeper into the pores, which is perfect for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Comparison: Exfoliation vs Hair Removal Methods

In the above table, you can know the difference between even types and how they help in ingrowing hair.

Right Time to Exfoliate for Hair Removal

Doing exfoliation at the right time helps in making you achieve better hair removal results.

• Before Hair Removal: If you have planned to shave or wax in the morning, ensure to exfoliate the previous day.

• After Hair Removal: Post exfoliating skin, wait for a couple of days and then again exfoliate. This step helps in preventing ingrown hair and bumps on the skin.

Note - Do not exfoliate skin immediately post shaving or waxing, since the skin will be sensitive and can be easily irritated.

Areas Where Exfoliation Helps Prevent Ingrown Hair

Exfoliating the skin helps in preventing the ingrown hair growth like legs, underarms, bikini area, arms, etc. In this way the skin seems to be smoother and clear.

How Often Should You Exfoliate?

This completely depends on one’s skin type. If you have:

- Sensitive Skin: Once a week

- Dry Skin: 1–2 times a week

- Oily or Normal Skin: 2–3 times a week

Doing too much of exfoliation will damage your skin and also cause redness and irritation on the skin.

DIY Ingredients for Gentle Exfoliation

Some of the natural ingredients which exfoliates skin includes:

1. Coffee Powder: Removes dead skin and improves circulation

2. Sugar: Gentle exfoliant that smoothens skin

3. Oatmeal: Soothes and exfoliates sensitive skin

4. Fruit Enzymes: Help dissolve dead skin layers naturally

5. Walnut Shell Powder: Provides deep exfoliation

Step-by-Step Guide to Exfoliating for Smooth Skin

1. Cleanse your skin with body wash or soap bar to remove the dirt and oil.

2. Apply the exfoliating product and gently massage them in circular and non-circular motion.

3. Focus on areas in the skin, where hair growth is more and common.

4. Wash off with cold / lukewarm water and pat dry your skin.

5. Moisturize post exfoliating and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer.

Mistakes to Avoid While Exfoliating

Avoid these mistakes to protect your skin:

- Scrubbing too harshly on the skin surface

- Exfoliating daily

- Using harsh exfoliants that will cause damage to sensitive skin

- Exfoliating immediately after waxing or shaving

- Skipping moisturizer after exfoliation

Can Exfoliation Reduce Hair Growth?

They do not directly reduce or cause an impact in hair growth. But depends on factors like hormonal factors or genetic factors. 

Anyhow, using exfoliators helps in making the hair growth finer and lesser; And they help in improving the hair texture.

Who Should Avoid Frequent Exfoliation?

Certain skin conditions require caution while exfoliating:

1. When you have open cuts or wounds in the skin.

2. When skin infections are spreading.

3. When your skin is damaged/ irritated.

4. When you have sunburns in the skin.

Conclusion

One of the valuable ad-on in skincare routine which helps in shedding the dead skin cells, while also promoting smoother and healthier skin. Even though the hair cannot be removed directly through the exfoliation process, they act as a support and help in making your hair removal journey smoother and shining.