Cheek and sideburn electrolysis permanently removes hair from the sides of your face, from peach fuzz to coarse strays. A 45-minute session costs $90 in Irvine. Most clients need 10 to 18 sessions over 12 to 18 months, and the method works on every skin tone and hair color.
Key facts
| Result | Permanent: the only hair removal method the FDA allows to be marketed as permanent |
|---|---|
| Price | $90 per 45-minute session |
| Typical course | Often 10 to 18 sessions over 12 to 18 months, longer when hormones are involved |
| Works on | All skin tones and hair colors, including peach fuzz, gray and blonde |
| Method | Thermolysis, galvanic or blend on Apilus, sterile single-use probes |
| Comfort | Warmth and light stings, mild redness for a few hours, no downtime |
| Specialist | Aida Khazieva, 20+ years, 10,000+ clients, rated 5 on Google |
| New clients | Free consultation, $25 off the first session |
Why treat the cheeks with electrolysis?
Cheek hair is usually fine and pale, which makes it invisible to laser and annoying to shave. Razors leave it blunt and darker looking, and wax can lift the skin on a cheek that is already delicate. Electrolysis reaches the follicle itself, whatever color the hair is.
The result is permanent for each treated follicle, and the FDA allows only electrolysis to be marketed that way. If you have been told laser could help, our page on electrolysis vs laser explains where each one fits.
What does it cost?
Cheeks and sideburns are one area at $90 for 45 minutes.
| Service | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cheek and sideburn electrolysis | 45 min | $90 |
| Chin, for comparison | 30 min | $65 |
| Face general zone | 30 min | $75 |
The consultation is free and takes 15 minutes. Your first session is $25 off, and packages cut 10% off 5 visits or 15% off 10 visits. See the prices page for the whole menu.
How many sessions do cheeks and sideburns need?
Expect roughly 10 to 18 sessions across 12 to 18 months, since the cheeks hold more hairs than a small area like the lip. Results vary. What shapes the timeline:
- Density. A scattering of hairs finishes sooner than a full patch.
- Hormones. Menopause, PCOS or medications can keep producing new hairs. Read about PCOS facial hair for context.
- History. Years of shaving or waxing change how the hair grows.
- Attendance. Steady visits early on shorten the whole course.
| Stage | Visit frequency | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing | Weekly or every 2 weeks | Months 1 to 4 |
| Thinning | Every 3 weeks | Months 4 to 10 |
| Finishing | Every 4 to 6 weeks | Months 10 to 18 |
A typical plan, not a promise. Aida adapts the schedule to your response.
What does a 45-minute session feel like?
You recline while Aida works through the cheek in small sections, so you always know which part is being treated. Each hair gets a short pulse, and you feel warmth or a light sting. The sideburn near the ear is the most sensitive spot, and she slows down there.
Aida Khazieva is a licensed cosmetologist and electrologist with 20+ years in the field. She chooses thermolysis, galvanic or blend per hair on an Apilus device, and each visit uses a new sterile probe. You can read about the three modes on the electrolysis hub.
How do you prepare and heal?
Show up with a little stubble and keep your skin gentle for the rest of the day.
Before your visit
- Shave 1 to 2 days ahead so hairs are about 1 to 2 mm
- No waxing, plucking or epilators for at least 3 weeks
- Come with a clean face, no foundation or sunscreen on the area
- Pause acids and retinol on your cheeks for three days
After your visit
- Expect pinkness and small bumps that settle in hours
- Avoid hot yoga, saunas and heavy sweating for the rest of the day
- Use mineral makeup the next morning if you wish
- Wear sunscreen daily and do not pick scabs
What mistakes should you avoid between sessions?
The biggest mistakes are plucking, waxing and picking. Each one undoes progress, because a plucked hair can regrow distorted and a hair that is not there cannot be treated.
Shaving is fine and does no harm to the follicle. Trimming with small scissors is fine too. Beyond that, a few habits help the face heal quickly and keep results on track:
- Do not use a depilatory cream, which can irritate treated skin
- Skip facial scrubs and brushes for two days after a visit
- Use a gentle cleanser and a plain moisturizer
- Apply sunscreen daily, because treated skin tans unevenly
If a small scab forms, leave it alone. It will fall off by itself in a few days, and picking it can cause a mark. Tell Aida at your next visit about anything that looked unusual, and she will adjust the settings.
Where do we see clients from?
People travel to our Irvine studio from Newport Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and the rest of Orange County. If your hair also grows on the chin, look at chin electrolysis, and for a quick answer to common questions see the FAQ.
We are at 18021 Sky Park Circle, Suite N, Irvine, CA 92614, open daily 8am to 9pm.
Results vary by person. Electrolysis is performed by a licensed professional, and an individual estimate is given at your consultation.
Bottom line
Cheek and sideburn electrolysis clears hair on the sides of the face for good, including soft fuzz laser overlooks. A visit is $90 for 45 minutes, and a course often runs 10 to 18 sessions. Start with the free consultation for your own estimate.
Questions
How much does cheek and sideburn electrolysis cost?
A 45-minute session is $90. First-time clients take $25 off, and packages save 10% on 5 visits and 15% on 10 visits.
Does electrolysis work on peach fuzz?
Yes. Fine, light hairs are the area where laser fails and electrolysis succeeds. Soft hair often clears faster than coarse hair, although there are more hairs to treat.
How many sessions do cheeks take?
Typically 10 to 18 sessions over 12 to 18 months. Results vary with hair density, hormones and past waxing. Aida gives you a personal estimate at the consultation.
Is the sideburn area more sensitive?
It can be, because the skin is thin near the ear. Aida adjusts the intensity as she goes, and sessions are paced so you stay comfortable.
Why do I get new hairs on my cheeks after menopause?
Shifts in estrogen and androgen levels can wake dormant follicles. Electrolysis treats the hairs that appear, and work often goes best alongside your doctor if a hormonal cause is suspected.
Can I shave between sessions?
Yes, shaving is fine and you should be 1 to 2 mm grown in on the day. Avoid waxing, plucking and epilators, which pull the hair out and leave nothing to treat.
Will my cheeks look red afterward?
Mild pinkness for a few hours is normal. Most clients go about their day, and mineral makeup can be used the next morning.
Is it safe for dark skin?
Yes. Electrolysis does not depend on pigment, so it is safe and effective on every skin tone.
