When Tweezers Just Aren't Enough

"Which one of these works best, I mean, which one of them is the strongest?"

So that was the question today. It came from a polite woman in her late forties or so, with a slight drawl, tidily dressed. It seemed sensible enough, a fair question. I want people to be at ease when asking such questions about sensitive and personal topics. After all, they came to the drugstore for help. Except I have no idea which over the counter facial remover would work the best. She continued...

"I've used the regular ones before and they worked really well, but I never thought there was a difference..."

Yes, some bottles of Nair and like products are for specific areas, like the legs, bikini line, and the face. I tried not to study her face for fuzz as she pantomimed putting on hair removal cream for me.

"I never even looked until the last time I was using this one and it kind of started to burn..."

Yes, putting the chemical designated for removing coarse leg hair on your more sensitive face is probably not the best idea. Yes, they are basically the same, but one is specifically designed to be put on your FACE...that is why is has FACE labeled on the bottle. It won't eat the flesh from your lower jaw and hopefully will not leave a rash (oh rashy people out there, hear my cry or laugh as the case may be)that people will question you about.

"Don't they make bigger bottles, I want a BIG bottle! See? I want to put it all over down here on my chin and down to my neck..."

Er...no. They don't make super-sized bottles of facial hair remover.

Sorry folks, there are some decisions I simply can not make for you. After we looked at all of the bottles, and I explained the differences, I left her to make her own decision. I do not want to familiarize myself with the grain and texture of your hair follicles. I am not going to choose what concoction you should put on your face so you can come back and tell me that it didn't work for you, and that you are going back to the leg hair strength cream that caused a burning sensation.

Unwanted facial hair? Truly a crisis in the beauty aisle. I'm 29 years old. I know some people near my age do, but I don't have unwanted facial hair nor do I use products for it. With any luck, I will never have too, and I'm sorry for those of you who do have this cosmetic dilemma. Try not to alarm me though with such questions when the answer is plainly on the bottle. We'll take it up with the manufacturers that they should put "alarms" on them much like people do with chili. "One Alarm" could be for mild peachy fuzz, "Two Alarm" for slightly irritating growth, all the way up to "Five Alarm" for stiffer than the boar bristles in your hair brush. If that's not enough, please consult your health care provider or dermatologist for a prescription strength remedy. Have a good day!