Shaving everyday and I'm a woman

LegacyUser

I am a 26 year old woman and i have to shave my face everyday sometimes twice. I have tried everything from laser to electrolysis,hair removing cream,waxing but nothing works. Because i have to shave so often or i have a shadow i now have stuble. So i was wondering does anyone know of a hair removing cream that would remove stuble and is there any make up that would hide the darkness over my like. I always wear a lot of make up but i am finding concealer,foundation and powder is not hiding it anymore any suggestions would be great.
PLease don't suggest laser as i have gone for years and made no difference.
Thanks in advance

Wibbs

Have you gone to a doctor about this? Have you PCOS or some other condition? Hair growth like this must have an underlying issue.

smileysurfer

Wibbs wrote: »

Have you gone to a doctor about this? Have you PCOS or some other condition? Hair growth like this must have an underlying issue.

+1

Perhaps a hormonal issue. Talk to your Doctor.

star-pants

Aye I would agree go to your doctor and see what they can suggest.

LegacyUser

I had stubborn hairs on my chin for years, I was stupidly plucking them out. Went for electrolysis for ages...the original needle method....excrutiatingly painful 'til I discovered Emla cream, you plaster it on thickly an hour before the treatment..it numbs the area. Anyway the hairs lessened and thinned out eventually and I stopped going. 10yrs or so passed and I noticed they were growing again, I headed to a beautician who claimed to be using needle free electrolysis. They were using the tweezer method where they're meant to hold the hair, send an electric shock into the root and the hair should come out easily. I was going every 2 wks for about a yr...no feckin' difference. I suspected the girls were plucking the hairs out instead of waiting for the shock to work. I went to another place and started the old system..works far better. I just go every month or so, and trim any ones that are noticeable. There is a different type of treatment that is supposed to be permanent....they use some kind of laser. I wonder if that's the type you'd done that didn't work. It's very expensive but only takes three sessions..so they say.

liah

star-pants wrote: »

Aye I would agree go to your doctor and see what they can suggest. The shaving is just encouraging growth at the moment too.

Shaving doesn't encourage growth, it just makes the hair appear thicker because it makes the ends more blunt instead of tapered.

LegacyUser

OP here yeah i have PCOS and i attend a consultant and have regular blood tests they have tried everything,cream to shrink the hair follicles different types of laser.
I know i shouldnt shave but its so think hair removing cream wouldnt take it away and no woman wants to go around with hair on their face.
Thanks anyway

dreamlogic

You could try bleaching the hair - might at least make the regrowth less noticeable.

LegacyUser

I would try epilating instead of shaving, at least then the regrowth will be less visible & slower because it's being removed at the root.

Stheno

OP don't know if this is any help, I was reading an article on bbc news yesterday about this, and the advice there was to seek medical advice/help from an endocrinologist or dermatologist. If your consultant isn't one of those, then perhaps they could give you a referral?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8002579.stm

Good luck

Spearmint tea is supposed to help with hormonal hair growth.
It is an androgen blocker.

I too reckon epilating will serve you much better than shaving.
I'm surprised waxing didnt work better than shaving though.

Have you tried that prescription hair minimising cream? Vaniqua?

LegacyUser

I have PCOS too & it caused the same problem. Did you go to an endochronogolist? I'm on medication at the moment which keeps my hormons in check as the PCOS was causing too much androgen which was causing hair growth.

The Endochronologist I went too just didn't give up - at first the things he tried didn't work but he kept calling me back every 6 months or so & when it wasn't working he'd change the treatment. I think it's been about 3 years since I first went but about a year ago we finally hit on a treament that worked - and I can see a huge improvment now. Just go back & insist on trying another approach - otherwise get your GP to refer you to another consulatant.

LegacyUser

OP i feel your pain...I also have PCOS and have the same problem not only on the face but pretty much everywhere on my body -I have tried everything but to no avail, I have Body Dysmorphia and get horrible bouts of anxiety too as a result of it also ..its horrible because i always have to cake on the makup cos of the redness and scars on my face from shaving.
the fair has gone from fine blode to thick dark stubble on my body and my face the exact same as a man..The one thing I always fear is if I had an accident or went into a coma or had to get surgery even going as far as death what would people think when they saw me...even the thoughts of a sunny day is hell because i cant show off my body and the sun shining on my face will show stubble

i've tried Dianette,Laser,Electroylisis and Vaniqa and havent seen great results from any
i was referred to a dermatoligist and she just told me to do laser or keep shaving - I cant afford laser so its shaving all the way

is there any support groups that do meetings in Ireland?

I find a lack of support for this illness in Ireland

peekyboo

Unregistered wrote: »

I have PCOS too & it caused the same problem. Did you go to an endochronogolist? I'm on medication at the moment which keeps my hormons in check as the PCOS was causing too much androgen which was causing hair growth.

The Endochronologist I went too just didn't give up - at first the things he tried didn't work but he kept calling me back every 6 months or so & when it wasn't working he'd change the treatment. I think it's been about 3 years since I first went but about a year ago we finally hit on a treament that worked - and I can see a huge improvment now. Just go back & insist on trying another approach - otherwise get your GP to refer you to another consulatant.

Hey, just wondering what treatment was??

OP, I feel your pain it is just not a nice situation to be in. Have you tried 'Hair no more' by the Skin Doctors? It might keep the hair off for longer. Good luck

stiff kitten

it may be a hormone problem...go see your gp as i don't think that sounds normal

LegacyUser

OP, I too suffer with this condition - and as another poster mentioned its not just on m face but I also have male pattern hair growth on my body. ie I have dark black hairs on my chest, stomach, arms etc.

I've been diagnosed with PCOS but no medical treatment has helped. I started attending a beauty salon a few years ago (which I NEVER did due to embarrassment) and gradually gained enough courage to fully disclose my hairiness. My beautician assured me that its actually a very common condition among lots of women, and there are many treatments.

I used to shave my stomach and chest regularly (sounds gross I know), but I had to for laser treatment - which didn't work for me either. and I had to continue shaving to keep the stubble at bay.

I get my stomach waxed regularly now, and my chest. Although I bought an epilator which I use on my chest every few days. This plucks the hairs and doesn't mark the sensitive skin on my decolletage /:)

I also get my face waxed regularly . I was getting it done so often I invested in a hot wax heater and I now do it myself every week. I'm practically and expert now. I would only use the HOT Peelable wax on my face - not the strip wax which used to rip half my skin off too. Its painful but I use a numbing cream called 'no scream cream' beforehand and it does dull the pain.

I've also been trying out a new treatment of hair removal for my face from a company called <snip>, which seems very good. but it uses chemicals and can only be done is a salon, which means I cant do it myself.

Basically what I'm trying to say is your not alone with this condition and there are different methods to treat it. I've haven't found a cure but I have found different ways to manage it, and I feel more confident because of it. Persevere and try all the different treatments out there, and you'll find the one that works for you. Most of all don't be embarrased to seek advice - as I said its a lot more common than our modern beauty industry would have you believe.

Good luck.

LegacyUser

op here,someone above thinks the exact same as myself. Sunny days are a nightmare i still have to have a thick full face make up, i was in hospital before and used to have to get up before anyone to make sure i got the single bathroom so i could shave its soul destroying.
My biggest fear is im going on holidays with my boyfriend and i am hoping i won't be got out or he sees a razor.
like the above poster i tried vaniqua,laser and dianette. I have to use a mans fusion as womans razors won't shave it.
I am thinking of taking a week off and not going outside the door and letting the hair grow and then trying to remove with hair removal cream. But even going around in front of my family is embarrassing even though they are supportive. Surely in this day and age there should be something out there that can work
Thanks all rant over

Aseth

On one of the TV stations there's an advert for some sort of pads(sory don't know if allowed to mention brand but it has 'sheer' in name ^^) that you just use to massage the area where the hair grows and at least according to advert hair are removed quickly and painlessly.

Snoochiboochies

Unregistered wrote: »

OP here yeah i have PCOS and i attend a consultant and have regular blood tests they have tried everything,cream to shrink the hair follicles different types of laser.
I know i shouldnt shave but its so think hair removing cream wouldnt take it away and no woman wants to go around with hair on their face.
Thanks anyway

The contraceptive pill Dianette has been proven to reduce hair growth,i have been using it and it has reduced it but I still find myself using nair facial hair remover the odd time. I can understand exactly what your going through as it can be very frustrating and upsetting.
The best thing to do is to stop shaving, this is only making it worse, nobody wants stuble on their face. Try other methods,
Take some time out on your own, let it grow out, use some cream and see how it goes,
Vaniqua is also a new thing on the market that can be used twice a day but i didnt get any results from it.
Regarding make up- i have found, that it only makes the hair look worse.
Mayb try mineral make up??

strongbluebell

I've PCOS too. Been shaving my chin and upper lip for several years but was becoming less and less successful due to coarse hairs and almost immediate stubble regrowth. About 6 weeks ago I went to a salon and had it waxed, delighted with results, lasted a few weeks and regrowth was finer and softer. Treated myself last week with hot wax that I bought in Boots, a little tin container for the wax that you melt on hob. Went really well, wish I'd tried it years ago. Even though I had to let hair grow a bit before I could use wax I didn't mind too much because it was finer.

monsoonish78

strongbluebell wrote: »

I've PCOS too. Been shaving my chin and upper lip for several years but was becoming less and less successful due to coarse hairs and almost immediate stubble regrowth. About 6 weeks ago I went to a salon and had it waxed, delighted with results, lasted a few weeks and regrowth was finer and softer. Treated myself last week with hot wax that I bought in Boots, a little tin container for the wax that you melt on hob. Went really well, wish I'd tried it years ago. Even though I had to let hair grow a bit before I could use wax I didn't mind too much because it was finer.

I get stubble too and I went to the salon to get it waxed last week but the girl said she couldn't do it as the hairs weren't long enough! Should I just let them grow longer before I go back again?? Her only other suggestion was to bleach it - that gets a major thumbs-down from me I'm afraid!

strongbluebell

monsoonish78 wrote: »

I get stubble too and I went to the salon to get it waxed last week but the girl said she couldn't do it as the hairs weren't long enough! Should I just let them grow longer before I go back again?? Her only other suggestion was to bleach it - that gets a major thumbs-down from me I'm afraid!

Mine weren't very long when I went, I'd been off work a few days so I'd let it go but it wasn't too bad. Went to a place in House of Fraser, Dundrum, can't remember name but no appointment needed, it's in the cosmetics area. €12 for chin, I think €20 for lip and chin. Girl that did it was very thorough and kept going till she had them all.

kdak

its uk based but may be of some use!

http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/

sorry im no help on the original issue though!

Wibbs

Spearmint tea. I knew one woman that swore by it for just this issue.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376599.stm

meganj

I find the deplitory creams work! You know they one's where you put it on and you scrape it off. It burns the hair and I'm not sure it'd be suitable for the face.

I've PCOS to OP your not alone!!!

monsoonish78

I got some Veet wax strip things especially designed for the face, it says they're effective on short hairs so I'm gonna give them a go. I don't have a good feeling about it though!

LegacyUser

monsoonish78, I would advise NOT to use the Veet wax strips, or if you must, use them with care. I used them a few years ago on my face and the ripped skin and all off. They're like a very strong sticky tape. I was left with a scabby hairy tash and jaw line while the skin recovered. I had forgotten about it and got them again a few years later. The same thing happened.

If you can, try to use the hot peelable wax that you dont need the strips with. Small kits can be got in a chemist. Its designed to attach to the hair and not stick to the skin as much. Another tip is to use to talc powder on the area before you wax, it helps too. And always apply the wax in the direction of the hair growth , and remove against the hair. This helps prevent ingrown hairs.

There is a great series of video tips here
http://www.ehow.com/video_4410167_applying-hard-facial-wax.html

I've found them to be a great help to get my technique right, and saved me a fortune in salon costs. But might be best getting in done in the salon for the first couple of times to get used of it.

strongbluebell

monsoonish78 wrote: »

I got some Veet wax strip things especially designed for the face, it says they're effective on short hairs so I'm gonna give them a go. I don't have a good feeling about it though!

I found the hot wax much better, the veet didn't take of my skin as previous poster mentioned but it didn't take off much hair either!