Damn these indestructible chin hairs!!

[Pollyanna9]

So on my chinny chin chin I have some hairs that are like WIRES. As they grow they cause a spot, a bump, a full on red lump, they are trapped, I cannot get them out, they end up raw, scabbed and scarred. Repeat every few weeks...

Been plucking them for years - they have not got the message.

Am successfully using a Phillips laser hair machine on other body areas where it's working a treat - just not on the chin.

I look absolutely awful - I've got three very obviously red lumps on my chin at the moment and they're even difficult to cover with make up as they are so lumpy and flaky.

Now I know that lasers work on hair where there is a contrast between the colour of the hair (needs to be dark) and the colour of the skin (needs to be light). The only thing is, these blessed chin hairs are white (Jesus, can the ageing process be any crueler?!).

I wonder if this is why its just having no effect.

I am wondering if electrolysis would be better. I did buy a Rio machine but the tweezer do-dahs are so thick that I can't grasp the hairs. The way the machine works is it's switched on first (with current flowing) then you grab the hair - so I'm dragging the tweezers all over my chin and electrolysising my skin in order to try and get hold of the hair - so it's all a bit of a mess and I just can't use it successfully.

If it was the case that salon electrolysis would work, I'd have to save up for it but at the moment I look a right state and can't go on like this.

Did anyone else persevere with laser for this and if so how long did it take to work?

Did anyone with white wiry chin hairs try salon electrolysis and if so did it work?

Oh, and before anyone suggests it, no type of exfoliation works - absolutely none. I get ingrown hairs all over my body and have wasted countless money on every possible type, and form of exfoliation known to man - it just doesn't work. I've got to kill the hair off at the root.

Thanks!

Do you find those really semi transparent ones are a complete git because the hair itself is easily, easily breakable ie it snaps off, but the root is like a Russian shot putter - it will not let go!

Electrolysis works on all hair colours. It might take a few sessions but it will work. I know how you feel, if it wasnt hair, it was the rash, never worn a swimsuit without spending ages try to deforest everywhere, nightmare! I used to shave my chin and neck area, but got a brilliant beautician to sort it out. I am pale skinned, dark haired too and a hairy Mary everywhere, but use eplitator and Lumea to deal with it all now, seriously life changing.

polly

YES 😩

CoolCarrie ha - deforestation! Brilliant!

Yes the Lumea is worth its money when you compare to salon laser hair removal for sure.

Electrolysis it is then, when I can afford it (which will likely not be this year).

Pollyanna - ever thought about writing chick lit? are you India Knight

Pollyanna9 have you tried using sudocream after you shave your bikini or when you get red lumps...it is a wonder cream.

Now brightnearly I could do! Do you think I have it in me?!! No, I'm not India Knight - is she devastatingly witty too ( ha ha!)? I've probably read one of her books I wouldn't be surprised. I read all the time when I'm not trying to dig hairs out of one or another area of my body.

oh Alc I've tried honestly everything - I'm afraid no cremes, serums, hair regrowth inhibitors, peeling solutions, exfoliating powders work. Before the hair is out it's getting stuck (stupid hairs).

I do feel I've got a novel in me and I know the subject I'd cover as well. Maybe in light of my ongoing complete lack of a social life I should be having a crack!!! Actually I've got a couple of ideas - but literally no idea how to write an actual book!

I have actually written a book already!!! But it's factual not a novel and I can't mention it as it might out me (and I value my secret MN self!). Let's call it a self help book for women around children's health - that's as far as I can get. Sadly, never sold a single copy (so maybe the becoming a well minted author ISN'T a good idea!!)!!!!

This is something I've wondered about. With trying to kill the hairs, we weaken them making it harder for them to burst through the surface. So laser/ipl/electrolysis/epilating, even, makes ingrown hairs worse. Until the hair is completely dead at least.

I think too much.

Fucking chin hairs! The worst is when you can feel the little bastards sprouting but they're too short to pluck. Or you try to pluck them and they break off

Oh my God Queen I know! How STRONG are they - you can literally pull your skin away about 2cm from your skull trying to pull the blessed thing out - they do not want to come out do they! You meet my minimum wearing requirements for posts as well so I like you even more than just because of our shared hair issues!

I know what you mean Chicken. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't!

I think they have barbs or something. In fact, I'm pretty sure. I've one that comes out with a follicle shaped like a hook, I'm sure. Think harpoon.

oh jeez, harpoon hairs. Shudder.

I don't have any advice to offer I'm afraid, but just wanted to say that if all your chin hairs are light then you should really stop using the laser. You'll be doing more damage to your skin than your hair.

Electrolysis, swearing foully before you get there to cheer up. I have Lone Nemesis too, currently in a spot bigger than my head.

Sounds positively unpleasant LanaorAna.

I can feel a couple about to break through now and I swear I plucked them clean out only a week ago!

I have lots of these, including one which grows periodically inside a mole at the side of my mouth, making it swell and get pus like a spot. It's foul and VERY annoying. Primark have good tweezers, is literally my only contribution to the conversation, beyond empathy.

But OP - can you talk more about the laser on other areas. If so LOVE to get rid of what feels like thick, wirey, ingrown pubes on my thighs

Thigh pubes - god, is there no end to the torture!!!!

Yes, it's working GREAT on all the areas where the skin is pale and the hair is dark - thighs, lower legs, underarms, bikini area. So even on lower legs with really really strong growing black hairs, it's really really patchy now with areas that have absolutely no hairs at all. It's working really well.

Does it hurt, and how long does it take?

I hate chin hairs. I pluck every night before bed. I have tried epilating which results in lots and lots of red bumps same with waxing. Would love to try electrolysis if I had the time..... please would someone invent a pill to stop hair growing in certain places

It doesn't hurt hardly at all - it's like a light snap with a rubber band. V tolerable. It does take a while. I'd say 20 minutes per each half of a leg and doing underams/bikini area ten minutes altogether. It's a ballache when you first start as it's every two weeks. I've just dropped it to three weekly and will do that throughout the winter hoping that by spring I can drop it to monthly to maintain throughout the summer. Well that's the theory anyway.

Op, I know you've probably tried it but an Aspirin mask on your sore ingrown bastards might ease things a little!.

You need to get a prescription for Vaniqua (Elfornithine) cream from your GP. It inhibits hair growth and really helps. It's applied twice a day and needs to be used constantly. Some GP's are reluctant to prescribe it as it expensive (abt £50). Be persistent!

Doesn't the lumea work in white hair then? I'm off work sick and this thread is raising the issue of lots of chin hairs in my life:) - usually just use tweezers and try to avoid thinking

No, the Lumea is only for dark hair. It does say that on the various boxes etc, but you ban can have a check on their website.