13 year old laser hair removal?

[Trepidfox]

Hi all looking for some advice, 13 year old DD is in the throws of puberty. Just started periods this year, usual developments (skin erupting, normal body changes) She devolved upper lip hair a few years ago which she has been removing with hair removal cream however on hols I have noticed she has long thick dark hairs under her chin (area between the chin and neck) I suffered this too (pcos diganosed) so assuming she will have the same fate? We're very open about hair/body stuff. She hasn't mentioned that she's noticed/feels conscious of this. Do I mention it? I didn't have the benefit of someone helping me with this and it's something I hid/shaved/plucked/felt mortified about for years until I finally had laser hair removal and it changed my life (literally) should I mention it? And would it be way too early for laser? Also would you consider making a docs appt? I'm thinking it's too early as her periods are not regular just yet (only started June this year) I just don't want her to through the crap I went through until my mid 20s 😣

I don't think they recommend laser for under 18s?

I reckon there'll be lots of opinions along lines if she's ok with it and not mentioned it then just leave it but I would say, if you've noticed it then others will notice it. Teenage years are hard anyway, teenage girls can be brutal at best of times to each other. I have pcos and I noticed my DD having dark upper lip hair. She didn't say anything to me but I mentioned it, normalised it and offered her the option whether she wanted to sort it and didn't make it a huge thing. If your DD is dealing with her upper lip hair already then I'd imagine she'd want to sort this too. Maybe the cream hasn't worked there and she's not sure what to do? I looked into laser hair removal Previously. They won't touch people under 18 at the ones I called. I do have Philips lumea and she has option to use it if she wants to.

Why would you make her a doctors appointment? For what?

I would be surprised if any clinic took on a 13 year old for laser hair removal! Completely ridiculous age imo.

I would do this for my daughter - she's 8 and I've noticed she already getting hairy legs but I don't mention it. I wouldn't let her shave but I'd use my lumea on her and then take her to a salon once she's older.

I started growing facial hair when I reached puberty and was totally mortified about it.
I didn't speak to my mother about it( we didn't have that sort of relationship) until a boy made a joke about it to me. I then spoke to my mother and she took me to the GP and he laughed and told me to shave.
Years and years followed of different hair removal methods and a fortune spent on electrolysis. I had medical investigation in my early 20s which told me I had a " hormone imbalance " and it was linked to my irregular periods and the fact I only ovulated about 6 times a year.

All this affected my self confidence immensely.
Pregnancy actually really helped the problem though and post menopause it's not a problem at all.

So I think you should try and talk to your daughter. Perhaps start by talking about your own experiences and so long as you do it sensitively I think it will be really really helpful to her to know there is a solution and that you are there to support her.

I would want to investigate whether there is a hormonal cause such as PCOS.

Hi guys thank you for the replies. I didn't think to consider there was a age restriction for laser (haven't even looked 🙄) I'm planning to wait until we get home and say something (gently and non confrontational) she currently shaves armpits and legs and has expressed she prefers less body hair. I have a philips lumia but it's v old model and been sitting in a drawers for ages so I think I might purchase the new one. It worked a little bit for me (less maintenance) but I found the professional laser really worked well (v pale skin and dark hair)

@Completelyjo unless you've experienced the issues at hand I would say least said the better. Have a look at the other replies on the thread and maybe you'll get an idea of what it's like to experience pcos/excess body during your teenage years and the havoc it csn wreck with your confidence/self esteem

@MissScarletInTheBallroom yes that is ultimately what I'd like to do but thinking it's prob too early now? I didn't get diagnosed until v late teens but sure that might have changed by now

For possible PCOS diagnosis which will then open some doors to treatments. There are ways to manage the symptoms including unwanted hair growth. There is really no harm in speaking to the GP.

I’m in the midst of laser removal and my DD wanted hers done but they absolutely won’t until they’re 18.

Have not read this thread as I’m getting ready to fly. But quickly, visit hairtell forums and find out about electrolysis. You need a skilful operator but the UK is fortunate to have quite a few. Once the hair is gone, it’s gone forever with electrolysis so can’t recommend it more highly.

@Windywandy it's awful isn't it? I was a school and literally one of the girls sitting next me to was like OMG you've got hairs growing from your chins and then the whole table was staring at me...I hadn't even noticed 🫨 It really stuck with me and made me so embarrassed. I know it's only hair, I know we're all human but it absolutely destroyed my confidence for years

@Lovelylilylane thank you!

Just mention to her that when she’s doing the hair removal cream on her upper lip to do it under her chin as well.

Look into laser in a few years.

If it’s just a few stray corse hairs I would probably just pluck them for her if she wants you do but if it’s more than that and she wants it yes I would definitely look into faded, I didn’t have facial hair but I had ridiculously hairy legs in primary school and I was mortified every time doing PE and my mum wouldn’t let me shave them (I was about 10) I still remember how embarrassed I was about it. If it was my daughter I would let her remove her body hair in any way that is safe.

My dd had laser firm aged 16. The therapist had to check her insurance and said it was fine but I had to give consent and be in the room when it was done. She had very noticeable top lip hair. It's didn't work brilliantly but did reduce it by about 50% the therapist wasn't too sure why it was working that well but did say it might hormone related.

I don’t think GP will look at PCOS at this stage. Just a note from my personal experience with DD.

Why would it be ridiculous?

Don't bother with the GP. She's just hairy. I went to GP as a teenager about this and was told I just had high testosterone levels for a female.
You sound like a great mum, I wish mine had been like you...
I'd let your DC lead on this, great you have an open dialogue about it all.
Facial waxing strips could be a less invasive option for the chin/neck, waxing does reduce thickness of hair over time.
I wax my son's unibrow and it works well!
Electrolysis worked well to reduce my chin / neck hair, but it does sting a bit.

Hi all, having a quick goog it looks like some clinics will offer treatments between 14-17 with a guardian present, I may be wrong but there doesn't actually seem to be a law just most clinics will not treat under 18s which I am assuming is due to insurance and reading up it seems 13 is too early as hormones are only just rumbling and any treatment now may not be as effective. I will have a chat and suggest less invasive removal for now (if she wants to) ultimately I just want her to know that I'm here if she needs to discuss it or has concerns. I Plucked/shaved for many years with the result the skin there has been damaged and looks more textured than the rest of my face/neck 😣 thank you all for the suggestions ❤️

In theory absolutely yes in practice you would need to check if you have have laser at 13. You may need to stick with threading and waxing in the medium term

@Trepidfox I would mention it. My daughter is v hairy. I have been using my Lumea on her underarms with great success v quickly. (It’s the latest one) and she’s younger than yours

@JasmineTea11 I was diagnosed pcos (only had bad skin and hair as the symptoms) my periods have always been bang on time each month. My mum had excess facial hair but she never really talked about it until later life. All 3 of my partners sisters have pcos with excess hair, weight, irregular periods etc...so I was assuming she is suffering the same fate. You could be right though, we're all just full of follicles 😂

I wish my mum had mentioned it to me. I was bullied badly and looking back I was shaving and getting stubble. I wish someone has shown me other hair removal methods. Waxing, laser etc