Facial hair dilemma!

LegacyUser

Hi!
This is a really embarrassing problem that I really couldn't ask my friends or family about but I'm 18 and I have a little bit of facial hair....theres a bit on my upper cheeks that are dark and on my chin but they're quite thin. I looked it up on the internet and know it could be a lot worse so I really don't want to risk shaving/waxing/plucking them in case it goes horribly wrong.
No ones ever particularly commented on it except my father (in his very supportive subtle manner of " do you wanna go get that hair on your face removed?!") and my cousin. I know that I have a slight hormone imbalance but the doc never said anything else about it, I don't have PCOS either because I went for an ultrasound and they said there was no sign of any cysts.
Am I normal and just completely overreacting? Or does any one have any advice?
Thanks!

dudara

This is quite normal - lots of women have facial hair. Go to a salon and ask for their advice on dealing with it. Depending on the location of the facial hair, they will probably recommend either plucking or waxing.

Nothing to be embarassed about - just go get it dealt with.

LighterGuy

To be totally honest, as a guy...
Facial hair on a women (usually the upper lip area more commonly) isnt exactly nice to look at.

But it certainely wouldnt be something i'd break up over a girl with
I dated a girl once who had it. Never said anything. After a while I noticed it was gone. She was waxing it.



I say wax it.
I know it will grow back thicker. But think of it this way, alot of girls have this and wax. Sure even the male equivalent to upper lip hair is a mono brow. Which alot of guys have. Which alot of guys pluck/wax.

Leeg17

I wouldn't see it as too big of an issue, but if you are noticing it and it would make you feel better than I would recommend going to a salon and get it done by them as Dudara said.

It's probably one of the most common things people go into them for.

m'lady

Laser could also be an option, which would be a long term solution, although its expensive initially, you would never have to worry about it again, apart from the odd 'top up'.

tenchi-fan

hairy mary! wrote: »

No ones ever particularly commented on it except my father (in his very supportive subtle manner of " do you wanna go get that hair on your face removed?!")

That was very decent of him. It's obviously fairly noticeable so maybe his comment prompted you to do something about it.

As for shaving/waxing/plucking.. shaving would be quick and painless but you would need to do it regularly. plucking could be disastrous.. don't do it. I think waxing is your best bet.

The Big Red Button

LighterGuy wrote: »

I say wax it.
I know it will grow back thicker.

Waxing won't make it grow back thicker.

tenchi-fan wrote: »

As for shaving/waxing/plucking.. shaving would be quick and painless but you would need to do it regularly. plucking could be disastrous.. don't do it. I think waxing is your best bet.

Don't shave it whatever you do! I really don't see how plucking would be disastrous, at all? If there are only a few hairs, pluck them yourself, if there are a lot then go to a beauty salon and ask about waxing/laser therapy.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the advice. I talked to my grandmother about it and she said that she was the same way as we're both really pale with black hair. I was thinking of maybe using hair removal cream on my cheeks as they are only small patches and I use it on my upper lip already.
God, I wish I never noticed it now!

futonic

There's home laser hair removal things you can get now.. for example second hand on adverts.ie there is....

http://www.adverts.ie/262523/hair-care-and-grooming/rio-salon-laser-hair-remover/

Maybe that would be more permanent.

kjl

I was once with a girl with hairy nipples, she somehow got it into her head that she shouldnt remove them. OP, it no big deal, get them zapped or waxed, or even trip with a hair trimmer.

LegacyUser

I'd recommend electrolysis if you can afford it. That means using a needle to send a pulse of heat into each hair to kill it. If it's only small patches of hair then you'd only need a few minutes each session. But you would need to go back for several sessions. It would cost maybe 15/20 euro for 10 mins. Unlike Laser it has been around for a long time and I know women in their 40s who had it done in their 20s and the hair is still gone. They do it in beauty salons but some are better than others, I'd try to get a recommendation from someone rather than just trying some random place.

Bobbins

A good friend of mine recently confessed to years of misery and paranoia re facial hair growth. We've been best friends for years and I never noticed it but anyways....she eventually 'plucked' up the courage to call to a beauty salon where she's embarked on a course of laser removal and feels so much better....Give it a go...but whatever you do, do not shave it!

smoggy11

OP I have the exact same problem!

I'm very pale with dark hair and I have hair on my upper lip and chin area.

When I was 16 I had a course of laser therapy and as it sometimes gets worse before it gets better with laser, I was left in the worse stage as I could no longer afford the treatment. Its not that noticable to anyone else, but it is very noticable to me. I hate it!

Speaking from experience, waxing, shaving, plucking and depletory creams will only make it worse. The hair is more likely to grow back course and as hair grows at different rates, you may be left waiting a while before you can remove the hair again.

I would recommend home bleaching. It lasts longer than the others and it is less painful than waxing! Boots own hair lightening kit I find the best. It is two creams that you mix. Jolene is the best for lightening, but it is very awkward to use, its a cream and a powder and theres a ratio to use.

As a warning, if you decide to go on a hormonal pill, depo provera or the implanon, the hair may get worse. I found a subtle increase in the hair after I had the implanon inserted.

Best of luck OP, it's not a nice thing for us girlys to have to deal with!

LegacyUser

I know Dads can really put their foot in it sometimes. Not having PCOS is a bonus, I have had good results going to these people http://www.lasercentre.ie/ I couldn't wax as I'd come out in a really bad rash. Best to explore all options but lazer works!

implausible

OP, lots of women have hair on their faces, you're just unfortunate in that you have dark hair and pale skin. The reason you don't notice it on other women is because theirs is so fair. If you go down the waxing/shaving/removal cream route, you'll have to keep doing it as the hair will grow back in some type of stubble.

Bleach is your friend, it'll lighten the hair and make it less noticeable. And at least if you're not happy with the results, you won't be left with stubble and you can try another method. And it's cheap!