Please help with facial hair removal

[Vicki1981]

I have such sensitive skin and currently risk an eczema episode around my mouth, chin and nose if I even look at the wrong moisturiser.

For removal I have tried home waxing and creams both for sensitive skin. The creams leave me looking and feeling burnt and the wax leaves me with very sore skin, both for over a week after which is highly embarassing.

I daren't go to a salon, I've phoned a few before but all they say is they have sensitive versions of everything. I'm not sure that would be enough.

It's never bothered me until now. I'm 30 and it's never noticed but it's beginning to and I am getting very conscience of it.

Does anyone have any magic ideas?

Thanks.

Forgot to mention sensitive removal cream even irritates and feels its burning my legs so I can't go more than 30 secs with it. My legs aren't bad with eczema at all at the moment.

I often get eyebrow waxes, no issues there.

Suggestions anyone? There must be something I could do...

i think you need to go to a salon that has the special hot wax - not using strips - that is for face and pube areas. either that or bite the bullet and go for laser removal. If you're sensitive about it now, believe me, it will only get worse as you get older. Laser would probably be the best investment for the future...

If you have pale-ish skin and dark hair, lazer has the best results and is very quick on a small area. Feels like an elastic band pinging against your skin, so not too painful. I don't know where you're based, and whether it is appropriate or not to have lazer treatment if you have any kind of skin condition, but the people at the lazer clinic at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead are lovely and I'm sure would be able to advise you.

Although it is a private clinic they are based within the hospital and the treatments are carried out by nurses and doctors, so you would get proper medical advice.

www.skinlaserclinic.co.uk/

I can't use any homemade stuff either but I go to a salon for my upper lip (also hit me at 30 sadly). I used to have a day's worth of rather red looking upper lip but it settled down so it is worth a try. As heavydutyjudy said use hot wax etc. Also, over time I have found that I am less sensitive (upper lip is done every 3 weeks).

Have you tried generously dusting your face with talc before using wax strips? It changed me from looking like I'd been splashed with acid for a week to normal.

Could you try threading - it doesn't use any product, so it might help if you're reacting to wax/creams.

Thanks everyone. I can't afford salon treatments (other than maybe a wax and can't afford that atm). The baby powder idea sounds fab I'm so pleased I asked. may try that this weekend.

Vicki1981 wax is the irritant for me - so all waxing is out -it may be for you

i could tell you the story of preparing to go on hol with new man and got my legs waxed beforehand for nice smooth legs - i ended up with inflamed spotty savlon covered legs throughout the hol.

creams leave me burnt and sore -sensitive ones

I end up using a tiny mini battery operated razor off amazon and doing the moustache every couple of days - its ok for me

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5x-Epicare-Epilator-Epistick-Facial-Hair-Remover-Stick-/180749084882?_trksid=p4340.m503&_trkparm

This is what somebody recommended on here before and I bought it, it works really well for upper lip. The first few times it was a little painful but I just did a little bit every now and then and now I do it daily and don't feel anything.

Wow the eBay twisty threading thing looks amazing - albeit painful! Is it hard to use?

Might have to get one. Wow. I started with no options now I have lots! I don't think I'd like to shave. Just don't want to get started with that.

It's very easy to use. I work from home and have it on my desk and whenever I stop work to look at Mumsnet I end up just twisting it over my top lip - I've been hair free for 2 months now - so better than waiting for the hairs to grow and then wax, this seems to get them when they're really short.

I've just bought one of the EBay epilator thingies. It isn't that painful, certainly much less so than waxing. And it doesn't pinch the skin at all. Plus it's dead cheap. Go for it.

How exciting! Going to order one thanks so much

Hi, I use an epilator too. I have very sensitive skin and it works a treat. I bought one that is multiheaded and tried them all until I found the right one (which wasnt the head recommended for face either!) It does hurt at first but I always try to do it when I am in the right mood! I also recommend cleansing afterwards and then applying a face moisturiser for spotty skins (I use a no. 7 one). It helps to avoid a spot developing.

do you really need to remove it? Have you tried bleaching? I use a 2 tube thing from boots. Jolene is a bit harsh and sort of falls off! If it's a new thing the hairs are probably very fine, so bleaching will work great. Obviously do a patch test first.

Do it in the evening (if you go red it will fade over night) without preparing your skin at all (don't wash, moisturise or remove make up as a bit of the day's dirt will protect your skin, but recent moisturiser will stick to the hair and stop the bleach working). leave on for the minimum time (usually about 5 mins). Rinse with cold water then use a gentle soothing moisuriser (I use baby lotion). If it's not light enough you can repeat the following evening.

I've just ordered one yay exciting!

I don't think I could manage bleach my skin there is so awfully sensitive.

Have you ever tried Aveeno cream? It's really good for sensitive skin. Nothing to do with hair removal, but might be good for your skin. Try the green one with oatmeal. It's brilliant stuff.

Yes I have thank you - it didn't work on my face. Good tip for others though.

Oh. My. God.

Just learnt how to thread using a tutorial. It's easy but OUCH ouch. It bloody hurts!

How annoying. Ordered a hair puller-outer, received a blackberry battery.