Facial Hair/Skin Care Advice...

[hairyface]

Literally at the end of my tether...getting married next year and my face is a mess...HELP!

Since I was a teenager I had excessive hair growth on my chin/neck.
For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to shave it off..10 years later and its now a daily routine which literally rules my life. :(

I've had all the tests for hormone imbalance/pcos but everything is completely normal. I have hair on my moustache/cheek area but it is blonde downy hair so not sure if the regular shaving on my chin has caused it to become darker and thicker?

I've tried waxing/epilating/threading but the hair is too strong and it causes more damage trying to get it out. Plucking leaves me with ingrown hairs and takes ages. I had electrolysis but that gave me an infection of the hair follicles. I'm currently on my third session of medical strength laser hair removal but have seen no improvement of the hair growth just yet.

Because of all this my chin area is constantly red and irritated and I frequently get spots & shaving rash. I've mastered my makeup routine (an hour each morning) so only my darling fiancé and mum know about my problem. But I wonder if there is a way of improving my skin condition through products?

My current routine is an oil free make up remover & moisturiser before bed. Then each morning I use a clean and clear daily exfoliating wash in the shower & use soap to shave the area. Almost every morning my skin surface looks smooth and clear after makeup application. But throughout the day, white bumps sometimes appear on my chin which scab over until the next day after I shave. It seems like a constant battle, just when I think my skin is improving a white spot appears and starts the whole healing process again.

The rest of my skin is combination- the odd small spot/dry patch but I would be happy if this was throughout my whole face. Obviously my dream is for the laser hair removal to work so I wouldn't have to shave daily anymore which would solve my skin problem. But in the meantime, can anyone offer any advice on products I could use to improve my skin condition??

At the moment I am dreading my wedding day...I don't want to have to wake up at 6am to shave...then have a makeup artist touching my face, trying to cover up my spots...then dread have any photos taken up close :(

nobody??

Oh dear seems like I am the only one with this issue...think I will book another appt with my doctor...

I don't have any advice, really, and would say doctor might be the way to go, but I didn't want you to think no one cared!

The only thing I will say is that the Clean & Clear wash is too harsh for your skin if any of it is irritated, and soap probably isn't helping either. Try a cream cleanser and that could probably be used to shave with too.

Thanks for replying :) I will look for a sensitive cleanser- any recommendations?

Think I will speak to my doctor about being referred to a dermatologist. Because if I have to live with the hair for the rest of my life (pray that laser works and I don't though!) I definitely need to find a way to manage my skin care routine much better.

From what you've said, your skin doesn't sound problematic apart from the area that is shaved? Once you get the hair in check I'm sure you'll be okay with a regular skin care routine. Hope the laser works out for you x

The Body Shop aloe cleanser is nice, as is the Boots Botanics one for sensitive skin. I think it's called "calming", the one with mallow listed as an ingredient on the front. Which moisturiser are you using?

I use Boots oil free day moisturiser (with aloe vera) which calms the area but still results in spots so maybe I need something for acne prone skin?

It is 100% the shaving that is causing the issues, but If I stop shaving, after a couple of days the hair becomes apparent and my makeup doesn't go on properly. So its like a vicious cycle...

I get eyebrows threaded - lots of friends get their whole face done
Maybe an option as hair doesn't have to be long??

Assuming that the laser will eventually work but that you need something in the mean time....

1. It sounds like you are getting folliculitis which is common with regular shaving. Can you google better shaving techniques? Shaving in the direction of the growth, using shaving oil instead of soap. Maybe an electric ladyshave.
2. Have you tried hair removal creams? They are very popular alternatives to shaving amongst Afro Caribbean men as they are also very prone to folliculitis.
3. Have you ever tried to bleach the hair? Now I know that a blonde beard won't look much better than a dark one, but it might be an option that allows you to go longer between shaves thus sparing your skin a little.
4. Have you tried hair removal pads? I think in Boots they are called Silkimitt. They rub the hair off. They are probably a bit harsh but would be an alternative to shaving sometimes.
5. Threading? Removes hair at the root like plucking or waxing but less irritating. Then use a good exfoliator each day to prevent ingrowns. The Silkimitt could work for this, or a chemical or gritty exfoliator in a tube.

Stop using clean & clear and any soaps. Any grainy exfoliator and anything foaming just encourages spots. Use a cleansing balm, oil or gel to wash/shave your face. And afterwards use an acid toner to exfoliate - again, nothing scratchy!!! It's a complete myth in most cases that if you have oilskin that you should avoid oils. On the contrary, it might be just what you need. Are you on any kind of contraceptive pill?

I think at the moment your skin is more irritated and sensitive than acne prone. If the spots are related to the shaving then they aren't acne. A good moisturiser for you could be something like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care which you can get from Boots. Avoid fragrance and alcohol in products.

Hi - I've had v similar problems. Laser was great to reduce the hair a lot and I'm now doing the last of them with electrolysis. Follicle infection is a problem with this so this is what I do:

Gentle non-foaming cleanser such as La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel or Cetaphil
Acid tone with salicylic acid - this is the crucial step! Options are Clearasil fruit pads, Clinique Mild Exoliating Lotion, Paula's Choice 2% BHA or Effaclar Duo (I've found thelast 2 the best)
Moisturise with something really gentle like LRP Cicaplast or Cerave.

For me this is a good combo of eradicating the spots and healing the sensitive shaved bits.

In a spot reaction emergency - or now usually as prevention the night after electrolysis - I use a salicylic acid 10% peel which stops all outbreaks dead in their tracks.

I highly recommend either cetaphil which is a creamier cleanser or the una Brennan face cleaning oils are lovely too, I particularly like the vitamin c one. It will balance your skin whereas a foaming wash will disrupt the natural ph and could be contributing to spots. X

Thanks so much for all your advice! Seems like I have got it all wrong! I will definitely buy the Cetaphil cleanser as I've heard good things about it but I'm a little reluctant to use acid toners- won't they irritate the skin further?

I am on Yasmin contraceptive pill which was prescribed to help with the hair growth but I haven't noticed a difference since taking it.

I have tried other methods of hair removal but shaving seems the only way to remove it swiftly and discretely between laser sessions.

Regarding acid toners, it depends on which one you use. There are gentle but effective toners like pixi glow tonic (awesome), F.A.B radiance pads, others too. Those, a good facial oil and a moisturiser could do your skin the world of good.

Also, have you ever been prescribed Dianette? It's not suitable for everybody but is used for acne/excess hair growth for women. Ask your Dr next time you see them.

I also wondered about a hair removal cream, OP? You can get ones for sensitive skin and the regrowth would be less blunt and stubbly than with shaving.

The Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion already mentioned is really mild but you could always build up its use gradually, perhaps start by using it 2-3 times a week in the evenings? You can also return it if you don't get on with it (I just bought some and the advisor on the counter told me this) Make sure you get the mild one though and not the numbered ones, they are totally different.

Don't use anything with sls keep well away try liz earle or kores Greek cleanser in boots good cleansing is the key or janey Lee Grace site good luck

Sorry not boots it's tesco

Not everybody on here likes her, but Sali Hughes from The Guardian has an article about hair removal on today's website. On my iPad, so can't link, google guardian, once on the website look for the fashion or lifestyle section and it should be on there.

Someone else beat me to Dianette pill. It's still in use for excessive body hair conditions but not as a stand alone contraceptive pill.

I would ask GP for that. It's very effective.

Can't really help with anything else. Sorry.

Thanks again all. I have tried hair removal cream but the hair is too thick to even be affected... I will ask the doctor about Dianette too.

I've been using a cream cleanser and shaving with a electric ladyshave followed by an oil free moisturiser for the last couple of days and haven't had a white head woohoo! x

Glad you're having a better time with your skin now

If you do a search or Google 'Mumsmet facial hair' you should find dozens of threads.
There are quite a lot of us with facial hair issues.

You need laser treatment. Start now if you can afford it - only go to the specialist clinics (sk:n) are v good.
I've not tried the home laser lots but they have had very good reviews. Could you afford to buy one from qvc as they do money back guarantee?

m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?path=%2Fen%2FPhilips-Lumea-Precision-Plus-SC2006-11-IPL-Hair-Removal-System_1419330%2F&unCountry=uk