How it works

Bleaching works by breaking down hair's melanin, or pigment, permanently lightening the hair. Some of the active ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide) that are used to lighten facial and body hair are also used to lighten head hair. That said, the product you use to get golden, summer-y highlights isn't the same stuff you'd use to bleach hair on your upper lip.

"The hydrogen peroxide content is much lower for facial hair bleach than scalp hair bleach," Ciraldo explains.