Any facial waxing experts out there?

[birdling]

I have pcos and since my early 20's I've had facial hair.
I'm now in my 40's and have to shave daily. I have a proper full on beard, with proper stubble and 5 o'clock shadow. Just like a man. It's so embarrassing.(I went to the doctor's before it got so bad, they gave me some special cream that was supposed to help, but it did absolutely nothing).
I know I should never have shaved it, but I couldn't afford anything else and the facial hair removal cream never seemed to work, so I've been shaving daily for 20+ years.
I'm fed up with it.
I wonder if waxing might help? If I try it, how long would the hair need to be for it to work properly?
And how soon is it likely to need doing again?

Have you tried threading?

It would need to be visible for the wax to take hold, so depends how comfortable you would be letting it grow through a bit every four weeks or so.
I personally would try laser. You again need to let it grow through slightly but the long term results are great.

I feel your pain. PCOS and now menopausal here too.

Salon waxing was never an option for me, too expensive and never enough time anyway.

Laser treatment not suitable, hairs all too pale and anecdotally, it’s never a permanent solution with PCOS anyway. Certainly couldn’t afford to do a full course more than once.

I believe that electrolysis is the only real permanent solution but it would be very time consuming and expensive.

I bought an epilator and use it a couple of times a week. Initially, it stings like hell but in time that definitely recedes and it’s okay actually.
I always have a pair of tweezers about my person so I can pull random ones out when they appear (which is often).

It sucks but I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ll always have to deal with this and have found a solution of sorts.

No, would it work on thick, coarse hairs?

I had a very similar thread a little while back.

When I had my face waxed I had a hideous reaction that took days to go down.

My mum did pay for me to have electrolysis back when the hair wasn't so thick, or widespread, but it was definitely too expensive to continue.
I haven't tried an epilator (well, I did on my legs, but quickly gave that up) perhaps I could try it.

I would have to hide for a while before the waxing, but perhaps the hairs would grow back thinner or lighter so they wouldn't be so noticeable? She says, hopefully...

Oh dear, that must have been distressing. Do you know if it is a common side effect?

Right in my job I’ve sorted loads of people like yourself out. Stop shaving, go for a professional wax, buy a wax pot you can get that Mylee one £20 comes with everything and tiny. Top up when desperate with this. Exfoliate still attend you salon appointment. Or you can try laser but remember it’s permanent hair reduction and you can get mixed results. Hardly anyone does electrolysis it works but you’ll be at it ages and you can on cut in between. You hot wax on face, no strip and don’t go to a therapist using strip wax on your face either. If you use hot wax they’ll be hardly any downtime. I’ve been doing this 30 years and seen it all. Again stop shaving you can’t solve this issue until you do. I promise it will improve if you ditch that razor, I’ve done this countless times. Good Luck.

Yes.

Thank you!
How long do the hairs need to be for the hot wax?

Yes. Anything where you are pulling out the hair and leaving the follicle open risks infection/reaction.