If your facial hair isn't grey or very light blonde and you aren't very dark skinned, laser is the quickest first line treatment. If done right, you can permanently get rid of a 5 o' clock shadow in 10 - 15 sessions (this will take about a year and a half, as you should take a break during the summer months and you should space the later sessions out a bit to catch as many hairs in the growth cycle as possible). I still shave after 10 sessions of laser, but it's just to get my face smooth. I can go out unshaved for two days and without makeup, it takes a pretty big weight off my shoulders. If laser doesn't lead to noticeable blank patches within the first few sessions or if the hair turns lighter, tell your laser technician immediately, they will have to make adjustments to the settings. DO NOT FALL FOR IPL SCAMS. IPL isn't laser, it is almost never a permanent solution for facial hair (it can work on the shins, because hair roots there are closer to the surface). You might need a few touch-up sessions down the line because some hair can regrow, but it'll mostly work.

Needle epilation / electrolysis works if laser is not an option or as a follow-up to laser hair removal. Electrolysis is extremely time-consuming, we're talking several hundred sessions or more. Electrolysis goes after every single hair individually. The advantage is that you can remove all facial hair this way. If your aim is total removal and never having to shave again, electrolysis as a follow-up is a necessity, but it'll take a lot of time even if laser had good results.