Facial hair problem

LegacyUser

Hi,

I've suffered with facial hair now since my early teens - none of the usual hair removal methods have worked. After finally coming to terms and accepting my fuzziness I've decided to get rid of it for me!

I've found a reputable clinic and have had a long discussion with them about laser hair removal. My biggest worry at this stage is the shaving of the area that has to be treated. This will mean shaving my upper lip and chin. I'm not worried about the chin but the idea of shaving my lip is scaring me. I have researched and I'm aware that shaving does not mean hair grows back thicker but it will be stubbly. If this doesn't work its something I have to live with for the rest of my life.

Anyone here had laser? Any advice? All advice will be much appreciated! My hairs are dark and my skin would definitely not be pale - more like a honeyish colour maybe.

kjl

FrasFro wrote: »

Hi,

I've suffered with facial hair now since my early teens - none of the usual hair removal methods have worked. After finally coming to terms and accepting my fuzziness I've decided to get rid of it for me!

I've found a reputable clinic and have had a long discussion with them about laser hair removal. My biggest worry at this stage is the shaving of the area that has to be treated. This will mean shaving my upper lip and chin. I'm not worried about the chin but the idea of shaving my lip is scaring me. I have researched and I'm aware that shaving does not mean hair grows back thicker but it will be stubbly. If this doesn't work its something I have to live with for the rest of my life.

Anyone here had laser? Any advice? All advice will be much appreciated! My hairs are dark and my skin would definitely not be pale - more like a honeyish colour maybe.

My ex gf used to drap a razor over her face every so often, never seemed to affect her stubble wise.

LegacyUser

I've just started Laser 2 and a half weeks ago. I had quite significant hair growth on my chin and neck. Now my face is 95% clear of any hair. I'm quite pleased with the results but obviously know that its temporary for now. It was recommended I Have at least 7 treatments and will need to go back for top ups a few times a year.

I have very dark coarse hair and pale skin which I was told to keep well protected from the sun so the laser would be more effective. Did the technician talk about your skin type with you? I would'nt know about the skin types only that pale skin usually works better as darker skin absorbs the laser rather than the hair.

If you are deemed suitable though-i would say go for it!!!! I was at a stage that it really couldnt get much worse. You could always use hair removal cream if you're worried about shaving while waiting to have laser, it might give a better finish than shaving.

Good luck with it! :-)

LegacyUser

Op I have a similar problem to you hair on my neck and sides of my face and it's terribly embarrassing, my mother had drilled into me from a young age never to shave the hair, so went I went for a lazer consultation I was terrified when they asked me to shave.

When I explained my fears to the beautician she told me that I could cut the hair back using a nail scissors, that it's just waxing/plucking etc that they have a problem with as the hair still needs to be attached to the root. If the hair is long enough I'd say you'd be fine with cutting it if you feel nervous about shaving.

LegacyUser

wolverine_girl wrote: »

Op I have a similar problem to you hair on my neck and sides of my face and it's terribly embarrassing, my mother had drilled into me from a young age never to shave the hair, so went I went for a lazer consultation I was terrified when they asked me to shave.

When I explained my fears to the beautician she told me that I could cut the hair back using a nail scissors, that it's just waxing/plucking etc that they have a problem with as the hair still needs to be attached to the root. If the hair is long enough I'd say you'd be fine with cutting it if you feel nervous about shaving.

Really? I would feel more comfortable with that. I may ring tomorrow and ask if they can still do it if I trimmed it rather than shaved beforehand. Laser is something I really want to do but now that I have found out about the shaving I feel upset because I just don't think I have the guts to do it. The idea of having stubble and then if it doesnt work a proper thick mustache just frightens the hell out of me.

LegacyUser

I've been having laser treatment in a Dublin hospital for the last few years and the consultant and nurse have both told me that the area needs to be shaved the night before the treatment. If it's not the laser isn't absorbed as well as it should and the effect of the treatment isn't as good.

Shaving's not that bad, I've been doing it for ages and to be honest you just get over it.

tenchi-fan

You won't have stubble. You only get stubble if the hair is coarse.

I'm guessing the hair is pretty noticeable as it is.. and believe it or not cutting it short and caking it with makeup will just make it worse.

If you only shave it once a week, yes, it probably will remain noticeable & people might speculate that you are shaving. A girl I work with comes in every second week with her facial fluff all tidied up.. it's daft, as if we didn't notice it building up over the previous 2 weeks!

The solution is to shave every day or two, then no one will be any wiser. Make sure to wash your face well with hot water, use a good razor, and use moisturiser afterwards.

I honestly think you should try it.

StormWarrior

I would get a blood test from your GP before you go, check if your hormones are out of balance. My cousin had a facial hair problem, and she had laser treatment for 2 years and guess what - it didn't work AT ALL because the facial hair was caused by hormone imbalance. The clinic didn't warn her in advance that if it's a hormonal problem the laser treatment may not work, but they admitted it after a long time of treatment without results. She wasted a fortune. If a blood test shows a hormonal imbalance, you may be better off trying something else first, like the pill. The GP can also precribe a cream called vaniqa, which removes facial hair and is probably cheaper than laser.

LegacyUser

I would get a blood test from your GP before you go, check if your hormones are out of balance.

+1 to this

The GP can also precribe a cream called vaniqa, which removes facial hair

vaniqa doesn't remove the hair as such, but it stops or slows (depending on how successful it is for you, it doesn't work for everyone) the re-growth, you still have to remove the hair first. It is quite pricey about 60 euro for a 3 month prescription, but its definitely worth trying before you go down the laser route, which i'd imagine is more expensive...

I've also heard that vaniqa can be used in conjunction with laser and it gives great result, i'm not sure how true this is though, so maybe best check with a doctor first. But yeah definitely don't rush into laser if you haven't been checked by a doctor for a hormonal imbalance, because if it is a hormonal thing, its entirely possible laser won't be any use to you.

LegacyUser

StormWarrior wrote: »

I would get a blood test from your GP before you go, check if your hormones are out of balance. My cousin had a facial hair problem, and she had laser treatment for 2 years and guess what - it didn't work AT ALL because the facial hair was caused by hormone imbalance. The clinic didn't warn her in advance that if it's a hormonal problem the laser treatment may not work, but they admitted it after a long time of treatment without results. She wasted a fortune. If a blood test shows a hormonal imbalance, you may be better off trying something else first, like the pill. The GP can also precribe a cream called vaniqa, which removes facial hair and is probably cheaper than laser.

I've changed pills and tried vaniqa but that hasn't worked. Although my doctor has told me that vaniqa and laser work very well together. Thanks for the advice though!

tenchi-fan wrote:

You won't have stubble. You only get stubble if the hair is coarse.

I'm guessing the hair is pretty noticeable as it is.. and believe it or not cutting it short and caking it with makeup will just make it worse.

If you only shave it once a week, yes, it probably will remain noticeable & people might speculate that you are shaving. A girl I work with comes in every second week with her facial fluff all tidied up.. it's daft, as if we didn't notice it building up over the previous 2 weeks!

The solution is to shave every day or two, then no one will be any wiser. Make sure to wash your face well with hot water, use a good razor, and use moisturiser afterwards.

I honestly think you should try it.

Thanks so much for that advice. I wasn't really thinking how I could shave every day. As you pointed out it is noticeable regardless but I suppose for some reason I am working myself into believing it will grow back like my fathers when that (hopefully) isn't likely. Especially if as you said I made sure to use a good razor. Thanks again!

I think I will do it. I will take the weekend just to have some time and then ring up for a further appointment on Monday. Thanks everyone for all their advice!