Please help! Problems with chin hairs.

[SassySpice]

I'm 44 and for the last year or so I've been getting really ugly, visible chin hairs coming through.

There are around 8 or 10 problematic ones. They are really thick and pluck out fairly easily, but within a couple of days I get angry raised lumps where I've plucked. The lumps turn in to little zits with pus and I'm constantly walking around with a spotty, scabby chin.

It's really getting me down and I've no idea what I can do. I take every good care of my skin but just can't seem to deal with this problem. Today I'm sitting here feeling such a mess. There are visible black dots under the skin surface too where regrowth is occurring.

I work in customer service and I'm so self-conscious when talking face to face with people. Could anyone please give me some advice.

[bulletproofgerbil]

I feel your pain as am in the same situation. Years ago I had laser hair removal and it was fantastic. Had no issues for about 15 years. I'm guessing mine is making a re-appearance now as am getting very menopausal symptoms and am about to start HRT.

I can't afford laser at the moment, but if I could I'd have that done again in a heartbeat. It was brilliant. If you have dark skin though it's not supposed to be as as effective. I have pale skin and dark hair which is the best combo for successful laser treatment.

[mervynmouse]

Groupon often seem to have laser hair removal offers on which make it more affordable?

[PoppyWearer]

Oh I would love a solution to this! I keep picking at the re growth under the skin and have a little scar now - that's just with one or two of the buggers!

[Corygal]

Once I've managed to rip mine out, I immediately slather the hole with clearasil intense spot cream, or whatever it's called - you know, the spot cream that comes in a little tube in a box to indicate it's strong. Kills bugs round the hole to allow it to heal without exploding into a boil.

Also has the great advantage of bleaching any surrounding hairs. I get mine from Poundland, by the way, is 7.99 in Superdrug.

[Neena28]

I am 31 but have had a couple of buggers like this for a few years. They are beard hairs basically!

I found spot cream dried the area which made the fact I'd had a go at the black dots more obvious. I now seem to have them under control, well the hairs are still growing back regularly but the area around them is fine. This has been several years of trial and error...

I keep the area well hydrated. No gel cleansers etc that aggravate the dry bits.

I use a chemical exfoliant often (virtually everyday) like clarins exfoliating toner or cane and Austin pads from space nk. These keep the dead skin off your face so mean that the beard hairs stop getting 'stuck' and getting a bit manky.

I use excellent tweezerman tweezers so there's no having 3 yanks. I can grasp the hair at the base and slide it firmly out. These means the hair comes out from the root (can often see a little bulbous end). Then it's slower to grow back as a bonus and less likely to make a spot.

I never ever ever try and tweeze until I can clearly see them with my (up close) naked eye, not at that first stage of feeling a slight bristle. I was convinced everyone could see me as I see myself in a magnifying mirror. They can't. Leave it until its actually grasp-able and pull it out as above and no-one will have a clue.

I know this is horrible And makes you feel totally self conscious. It did me for years. But the above steps helped enormously. And as an added bonus the layering of a bloody good cleanser, removed with a hot wet flannel followed by the exfoliating toner and a good moisturiser will brighten and help your whole skin no end!!

Hope this helps.

[SassySpice]

Many thanks for the replies. I've picked up a few great tips, thanks. Glad I'm not alone!

Was also wondering if threading might be of benefit. Only concern would be having a smooth chin area and downy hairs on the rest of my face.

[valiumredhead]

Lady shave is your friend!!!! Plucking/waxing etc will encourage growth as it stimulates the root.

There is a reason men shave and if there was a better way they would be doing it by now. Their whiskers are coarser than yours and they have more and they shave! We have been hoodwinked into thinking that any other option is better than shaving - big money marketing scheme.

[AgathaF]

What about electrolysis? I haven't tried it, but if it is just a regular few it might be worth a go.

[Cherrypie32]

I second laser hair removal if you can afford it. Nothing else will be permanent. It doesn't even hurt which is a bonus.

[MooMinCow]

Electrolysis is better for thicker individual hairs (laser better for larger areas) and is the only guaranteed permanent way of hair removal. It's not that expensive these days and if its only a few hairs 15-30 mins should be plenty. Can be a bit painful but worth it (I had it done on some thick hairs round by belly button and they have never grown back)

[valiumredhead]

Laser won't work on white hairs only dark.

[Pinkflipflop]

Phillips lumea

[DuchessOfAvon]

I have my chin, upper lip and eyebrows threaded every fortnight. Its great - and the regrowth is gradually getting finer. But mainly its because its done regularly and I don't have to fret about it every blinkin' morning.

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

I am a hairy bugger

I had laser treatment fro the worst offenders (moustache/beard), but as others have said, you do need top-ups

I now use a combination of epilator, plucking, and emergency shaving on the m

[JamieandtheMagicTorch]

Cherry - laser hurt me - not a lot, but a bit

[SassySpice]

Duchess
If you have your upper lip and chin threaded, how do these areas look in comparison to the rest of your face - ie. natural downy hairs?

[DuchessOfAvon]

I can't see a difference. She is quite selective with the threading and so gets a good balance. She targets the big chuffers.