Fab or flub? Hair Off Facial Buffer promises painless hair removal

From dermaplaning and threading to sugar waxing and depilatory creams, hair removal has come a long way since the days when the ancient Egyptians would use seashells as tweezers to remove hair from their bodies.

In this week’s Fab or Flub? column, I’m taking a look at a product that employs a lesser-known hair removal technique known as buffing.

The Hair Off Facial Buffer ($7.49, CVS) uses this method of depilation. It is described as a revolutionary, all-natural hair removal product that gives hair-free results without pain, odor, chemicals or mess.

The product claims to make facial hair removal easier, faster and more convenient, making it great for travel or touch-ups.

First impression

Unlike other hair removal devices and systems, the Hair Off Facial Buffer has two parts: a pink facial strip and purple rubber support.

The facial strip, which adheres to the rubber support, is reminiscent of extra-fine sandpaper and is formulated with a SilCoat finish that is to help reduce hair regrowth over time when used regularly.

To use the buffer, you simply pull taut the area of skin you are buffing (in the same way as with waxing) and then gently stroke the buffer over the area in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion.

You continue the process until all the hair is removed, then finish by washing your face with cold water. If needed, the product’s instructions suggest applying a mild cream to reduce redness or irritation.

Fab or flub?

Flub. While the Hair Off Facial Buffer initially sounded like an easy, fast way to remove hair, the product failed to deliver.

Not only did the buffer do a less than stellar job of removing hair (I saw minimal difference in the areas I tested), but I also found it to be rougher on the skin than I expected. On naturally sensitive facial areas (i.e. the upper lip), the facial buffer is just as irritating as more reliable hair removal techniques, such as waxing or threading.

I probably should have known that the buffer would turn out to be a dud. Buffing as a hair removal technique does not actually remove the entire hair follicle. Instead, it relies on friction to remove hair at the skin’s surface.

This means that hair is more likely to grow back faster (not slower, as the product claims) and that you could be left with a lingering shadow where the hair used to be.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Fab or flub? Hair Off Facial Buffer promises painless hair removal."