Facial Hair - I'm Female :(

LegacyUser

Hello all,
I suffer with the very embarrassing issue of facial hair- on the sides of my face and chin. Up until now I have plucked this to the best of my ability but it feels like I could do this daily and I still would not be able to hide the issue I have recently signed up for laser.. but to my horror I have just realized that they say not to pluck/ wax the hair as it makes the laser ineffective. The solution they say in between treatments it to shave or use a hair removal cream.

I tried a hair removal cream before and spent the the next two months with my hair down to distract from the weird bald appearance of my skin in that area compared to the rest of my face Soo embarrassing.. so that is not an option for me now. The thoughts of shaving fills me with absolute dread
I am actually very very upset and self conscious of this issue especially as I have recently met a new guy and I cringe everytime we kiss as a result in case he notices this. This is why I booked in for the laser... which was meant to start last weekend, but I got scared about the shaving aspect and I have now rescheduled the appointment for this weekend.

For anyone in the know- Is it possible to pluck hair in between sessions and then leave the laser sessions for a little longer and pluck again after the laser session? I dont think I can face the laser if I have to shave in case I have that balded look to parts of my skin again.

Id really appreciate any help.

LegacyUser

The laser works on the root of the hair, so if you pluck out a hair, and then go for a laser treatment, there's nothing there for the laser to work on and you're wasting your money. I had a similar issue to you, so I feel your pain - I had really bad facial hair, used to pluck them out every day, couldn't keep up. I booked in for electrolysis, and I was driven demented to start off with cos I couldn't tweeze the hairs out between sessions, and I was really self conscious about it. And once I stopped plucking, the hair was noticeable.

What I did was I booked the sessions as close together as possible to start with, which helped a bit. I must have gone 8 or 10 times the first month (electrolysis is different to laser, you probably know that already) slathered on make-up, wore my hair down, and just hoped that no-one would pass comments. I never shaved or used immac - I snipped hairs with a nail scissors or nail clippers sometimes, you get more control. Once the hairs got finer due to the treatment, I bleached them (which is allowed), which would tide me over for a couple of weeks.

I'm sure people probably did notice the first month or two, but everyone was too polite to say anything. (Except for the time I turned up at the beauticians and the receptionist took one look at me and said "electrolysis, is it?", lol.) But the thing is, it was only for a few weeks. If you can get over that hump, you'll be flying.

LegacyUser

op, i sympathise. i really do. i'm a woman with pale skin, black hair, and excessive hair on my upper lip and under/on my chin. i can't afford laser treatment at the moment. and anyway, from friends who had it done i will say it definitely doesn't work for everyone, so do go into it with your sceptical hat on.

i use removal cream and then a bit of gradual fake tan moisturiser the next day, and as much as i stand in daylight, shine lights on myself, and stand in all angles i can in front of mirrors, i can't see the 'bald patches' you mention. but then every person's skin and hair is different, so i'm not sure internet strangers are the best people to be advising you. i think personally you should trot along to the place that you've booked the laser therapy with and ask them. and don't be embarrassed. no matter how bad you think your issue is i can guarantee they've seen worse! best of luck x

LegacyUser

Hiya. I understand where you're coming from because I've been having IPL treatment for a chin that'd resemble Desperate Dan otherwise.

From my memory of the care sheet that the beautician gave me, plucking and waxing aren't the thing to do because it'll just undo the work that the laser has done to the follicle. What I did in the early days was to shave and I didn't have any problems with that. It's a myth that shaving makes your hair grow back stronger and thicker. And over time, the lasers will kill off those follicles anyway.

angeline

As you're going for laser, which by the way I have no personal experience with, the whole idea is to kill the root. So that is why they are saying to shave I would guess. I honestly would not worry about this. It is just like shaving your legs. Just shave all the hair on your face so it all looks the same. I don't see any problem at all with shaving.

Queen-Mise

I don't know enough on this to really comment.

What I do know though is that there are women who go weekly to beauticians for hair removal from face and other obvious areas - I was really surprised that she had so many standing appts each week. But then if it is your face, of course you are going to go weekly.

Is there a part of boards.ie that has a beauticians section, ask them for more info and how common it. Talk to a few beauticians, or find a forum online with other women with this problem, get some reassurance, find out what works and doesn't work for them.

I presume the same thing is the same for facial hair, shaving makes the hair stronger, waxing gradually makes the hair weaker and laser gradually kills the follicles (I am probably far off with this). Laser is too expensive for large body parts so only really used for small areas. I don't think it would be too pleasant though waxing the face :eek:

It is embarrassing, don't let if rule your life too much, find the methods that work best for you to control it.

I'd be inclined to tell the new boyfriend though. If it bothers him too much, then bye bye, and if not then you don't have to cope with the paranoia.

Have you seen the Surprised Kitty video on YouTube, the woman who owned that cat had a beard, it looked so good on her. [not suggesting you do that].

Here is a forum on womens-health.com on facial hair - take a read through it and see what worked and didn't work for other women. http://www.womens-health.com/boards/hair-removal/4920-facial-hair.html

a posse ad esse

Have you spoke about this with your GP? Excess facial hair in women could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or side effect of a specific birth control pill. I would speak about this with your GP to get tested to rule that out. Treatment and/or possible pill changes could help rectify the facial hair issue. If not, the best (unfortunately-most painful) solution is electrolysis. That is sure proof. I have had laser hair removal done in the past where the hair did grow back in some parts of my body. The beautician told me electrolysis was the next best option.

IvyTheTerrible

a posse ad esse wrote: »

Have you spoke about this with your GP? Excess facial hair in women could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or side effect of a specific birth control pill. I would speak about this with your GP to get tested to rule that out. Treatment and/or possible pill changes could help rectify the facial hair issue. If not, the best (unfortunately-most painful) solution is electrolysis. That is sure proof. I have had laser hair removal done in the past where the hair did grow back in some parts of my body. The beautician told me electrolysis was the next best option.

Have to agree with this poster. Excessive hair growth on the face can be a sign of underlying hormonal imbalance. Go to your gp, they can organise blood tests to see if that's the cause.

Best of luck, OP!

Danniboo

OP, sorry to hear of your prob. The first thing I suggest is to go and see your GP, a large amount of facial hair could be an indication of something else, such as hormones etc. Unfortunately you have to shave between laser sessions.

LegacyUser

noticeable facial hair on women's faces can often be an indicator of problems with ovaries or testosterone. go see your gynacologist and get checked for hormone levels and polycystic ovaries.

marymarcy

Hi. I had facial hair on the sides of my face, and my chin and underneath my chin. It started in my early 20's (I'm 34 now). I had it waxed, and I had electrolysis, but eventually tried laser. It worked well for me on the sides of my face particularly. It worked well on my chin too.

When you are lasered (in my experience) they shave you first (which makes you feel very feminine as you can imagine!) and I found there wasn't too much regrowth from appointment to appointment, and you can clip the hairs if there is just the odd one, or shave if necessary, though I didnt find it necessary.

I was on the pill for a number of years after that, and that definitely helped, I have just come off it and the hairs have increased a bit on my chin, they are fair, I pluck them, and every now and then have them threaded which I find good. The hairs on the side of my face were darker and never came back, the laser seems to have done the trick.

I also remember using Vaniqua cream (on prescription back then) and finding it helpful.

It really sapped my confidence though it probably wasnt that noticeable, but it was all I could see.

I hope that helps a little, and that you solve the problem. Best of luck! Oh and do talk to your GP as others have suggested.

LegacyUser

To everyone above,

Thank you so much for your kind replies. Going to the doctor is something I will look into to see if this is a hormonal imbalance.. If this is the case do you know if it is treatable with laser?

As it is I cant bring myself to shave my face.. plucking even though it takes a while leaves my skin with some small fine blond hairs that are normal enough so I dont have that AWFUL patchy baldness that draws more attention than the actual hair.
So i think I am going to give laser a shot anyways as I have already paid for it.. but does anybody know is laser has worked for them if they waxed or plucked after it.. and then stopped plucking/ waxing a few weeks before the next treatment? The lady in the clinic advised not too, because it would not achieve best results but even if I plucked and had laser and had some reduction effect Id be happy that I didnt have to resort to shaving my face
At the mo, it feels like I am permanently stuck with this problem. i feel so unfeminine, its so embarrassing, its affecting everything

Danniboo

fedupofface wrote: »

To everyone above,

Thank you so much for your kind replies. Going to the doctor is something I will look into to see if this is a hormonal imbalance.. If this is the case do you know if it is treatable with laser?

As it is I cant bring myself to shave my face.. plucking even though it takes a while leaves my skin with some small fine blond hairs that are normal enough so I dont have that AWFUL patchy baldness that draws more attention than the actual hair.
So i think I am going to give laser a shot anyways as I have already paid for it.. but does anybody know is laser has worked for them if they waxed or plucked after it.. and then stopped plucking/ waxing a few weeks before the next treatment? The lady in the clinic advised not too, because it would not achieve best results but even if I plucked and had laser and had some reduction effect Id be happy that I didnt have to resort to shaving my face
At the mo, it feels like I am permanently stuck with this problem. i feel so unfeminine, its so embarrassing, its affecting everything

Laser will work with a hormone imbalance, it may take longer and the effect might not be as great at first but it will work.Some tough love now,If you pluck during laser you may aswell not get it done, it works on the hair follicle and if your plucking your essentially removing what the laser is working on. You are going to have to get used to shaving/trimming OP. Plenty of women have to do it, despite popular belief. Your GP/laser consultant will be able to sit you down and answer your questions, reassure you. Maybe make a list of your worries/concerns and bring it with you.;)

LegacyUser

I suffer from the same problem. My facial hair was very bad over my chin and my neck. I have a hormonal imbalance but can't be on the pill. When I was on the pill though it lessened a lot. Have had laser treatment (off the pill) and it is great! Go for it!!! In my experience it took about 2/3 sessions to really notice a big difference. I had to shave the hair in between (which isnt a great feeling) but it's a temporary solution until you are getting more prolonged hair free periods. Because my problem is hormonal I get top ups of laser treatment every 3/4 months after initially getting 10 treatments. The hair now though is nothing in comparison to what it used be like! And mostly just on either side of my chin. It is expensive but for me personally it was the best money I ever spent!

LegacyUser

Hi OP. I know you have a serious issue with shaving but whatever you do, DO NOT wax or pluck. What's the point in having the laser done if that's the case? It's the worst thing you could possibly do here. I've had laser treatment done and it worked wonderfully. But I did what my beautician told me and trimmed/shaved when necessary. NOT waxing and plucking .

LegacyUser

There are threads on this in the ladies lounge just search for 'PCOS'. I just want to echo what others have said don't shave, pluck, wax. If mine get too long in some cases I would cut them a bit with a small scissors. Make sure that the place you go for the laser is reputable and a proper clinic. Some beautician type places don't have a powerful enough medical grade lazer. The lazer clinic on hume street is good. I was diagnosed with Pcos. I'm lucky as I don't have a weight problem and the hair problem has reduced significantly i presume due to the lazer treatment and exercising. Read a little bit online, go to your g.p. and go to a proper lazer clinic good luck and try not to worry a lot of women out there have the same problem.

LegacyUser

Hi again,
thanks for the replies, it really does help to know that there are other ladies out there who suffer with this problem.. even though everyone i see seems to be hairless!!!!
The poster above advised me not to shave.. but does laser work when the hair is growing out of the skin also?
I have hair on my upper lip, but it is blond and has never really been a major concern except when i wear foundation I have to wipe some off my upper lip all the time as it looks a bit moustachy, but generally its not THAT noticeable, i worry if I shave this I might just have started off a cycle of doom and more embarrassment! I am also going to look into going on the pill to see if this will jelp.. or would this work against laser?
Also for anyone who has shaved during laser.. even after the first session is the regrowth slowed down, and if it is how often would you have to shave?

I am sorry if this is coming across as vain in comparison to other peoples problems on this forum.. its just i have felt i have been managing to kind of control the problem for the last few years by plucking.. even though it gets a little embarrassing at times.. I am so scared that I will make the whole thing ten times worse and lose the control of managing the hair problem. It fills me with dread. if there are any beauticians or anyone else who can speak from the voice of experience, Id really appreciate it and thank you so far for your help x x x

Ickle Magoo

Post deleted.

Folks, the OP is well able to google laser treatment facilities in their locale if that's the route they want to take - please don't advertise/shill/link to specific commercial organisations in this forum.

Many thanks.

LegacyUser

I'd stay away from going at the blond hair on your upper lip, using a hair removal cream is best for that if you're really bothered by it. Shaving could make it really coarse and the laser, in my experience, won't get rid of this blond hair.

Shaving is perfectly fine in between laser treatments. Any hair removal that removes hair from the root is not.

After laser treatment the hair continues to grow out of the root until it falls out after about 10 days. During this time you have to shave it. I had to shave it everyday. But once it falls out you're generally hair free for a bit and then hair (in other growth cycles) will grow out. You can shave these and laser will get them next time. So on and so forth until the hair is greatly decreased!

After 10 sessions I had 99.9% less hair and you can increase the length of time between sessions as time goes on. Now I get a top up every so often. If i see the odd hair I pluck it out but dont pluck at all if Im planning to get another treatment within 6 weeks. You could also try hair removal cream in between sessions, in my experience this never works to the root of the hair.

OP, it may not be a big problem in the great scheme of things but it has an awful effect on your confidence. It really makes you feel so bad about yourself! So if you can at all I suggest go for the laser!

LegacyUser

Hi

I think you should go chat to the person who's going to treat you. They'll be able to assess things and give you advice. Different types of hair sometimes require different types of removal techniques.

Please try not to be so embarrassed by it. Facial hair on women is more common than you'd think. If there wasn't an issue, do you really think there would be so many clinics and salons offering electrolysis, laser etc? If you think about what beauticians face into every day of their lives, I reckon a hairy lip is on the mild end of things. I know I'd sooner laser someone's face than have to look at their ladybits and do a Brazilian!! They're there to do a job and to be professional about it.

I've had laser treatment done on my face and I really can't endorse it enough. I used to wake in the morning to a five o'clock shadow and bristles on my chin/neck/lip. Now that is embarrassing.

LegacyUser

Thanks again ladies, you really dont know how much support this is as like the above poster says.. it strips you of all confidence because you just want to hide away from everyone and hope they dont see it.. and like seriously who are these people whos eyes are drawn to that area of the face.. its so rude and upsetting yet you have to carry on the conversation even though you are dying inside..

Thankf for the advice re not plucking and waxing.. i think i need to see this as a longterm investment for my happiness and wade out these times.. im thinking of my bf and wondering if he will notice or feel stubble after one day..or will laser certainly slow this growth down right from the very first treatment? Two last questions.. to the lady who used VANIQUA.. can this be prescribed without having to see if its a hormonal problem, or just if the patient requests it?

Also I plucked the hair 2 weeks before my impending appointment this weekend.. should I still go or reschedule.. again?I can feel a little regrowth already.

Many thanks.

LegacyUser

Don't pin your hopes on Vaniqua. I went to the doctor and was prescribed this before she did any tests. Vaniqua is a drug that works brilliantly for some people but not for everyone. In my case it turned out to be the most expensive (and useless) tube of cream I've ever bought. So just warning you there.

I can see that this hair issue is upsetting you but you're going to have to accept that in the hair world, things take their own time and may not fit in with your own schedule. If you get laser treatment, you've got to do what the beautician tells you and wait for the hair to fall out in its own time. If your GP does prescribe Vaniqua, you're not going to get instant results either. Nor will any other treatments you may be prescribed.

If you're that bothered, pick up the phone and have a word with them. Or pop in for a visit if the salon's nearby. They're the hair removal experts and will know far more about your case and what you look like now than we do here.

LegacyUser

In my experience laser does slow down the growth of the hair from day 1, but sometimes this isnt great cos its not long enough to get rid of if you know what I mean. But all of these

If theres hair growing at the moment I would say go for it. The hair you plucked and is not there now can be dealt with at your 2nd appointment!

Good luck with it! Its such a great feeling to have a hair free face!

Overthrow

OP, if the thought of using shaving foam upsets you, there are shaving oils that you can use as an alternative.