Unwanted Hair

[Frizzball36]

So I am mid 30s and have 2 kids. I have always felt quite hairy and my mum was not the type to care about such things. She never shaved or waxed and it was not a topic under discussion.
I wish I'd grown with her comfort in such things, but I didn't.
I always felt ashamed of being overly hairy and always wanted silky legs, and neat bikini line, but I've never been able to achieve it.
And now, my face has caught up with my body 😔

I've tried shaving and hair removal creams on both legs and bikini and find that my legs cope OK (although often resemble corned beef in their colour tones, so any rash/spots from hair removal aren't visible.
However my bikini line always ends up with puss filled spots within 12hrs and then looks awful until its covered in hair again.

Since having kids, my moustache is also getting so obvious and my chin has about 20-30 dark black thick hairs that grow through.

It's really starting to get me down so wondering if there are any other at home removals that are worth trying.
I know there's light/laser options, but no idea if they are worth it as they are expensive. If I knew £300 would then end up in me getting rid of the hairs permanently, I'd do it, and feel better for it.

I'm not sure I could stomach waxing!

I had laser on upper lip, it hasn't completely gone but is at a stage where I'm happy with it.

Wood love to do more but can't afford it!

I buy a packet of facial waxing strips from the pound shop.

Chin hairs I pluck

If you have pale skin and dark hair then absolutely look into a philips lumea, I got mine over 6 years ago now and it was the best money I've ever spent. It's not been as great on my facial hair as my legs/bikini line/underarms but I barely shave any more, only when I do maintenance top ups every few months but would happily put on a swimsuit and go to pool/beach right now.

Another vote here for Philips Lumea if you have light skin and dark hair. I used to be very hairy and hated it. Now only have a few stray hairs here and there. I used it on my face as well with great results.

I know you have kids, but have you ever had your hormone levels checked? PCOS and other hormonal problems can make women more hairy. Obviously, it can just be genetics, but something to consider.

I've had both laser in a salon and have a braun machine at home. They work best on pale skin and dark hair. The salon has much quicker results, whereas the IPL is slower, but in the privacy of your own home.

I bought a Babylis IPL device in January for £25. It’s a bit smaller than the Phillips but for a tenth of the price I’m prepared for it to take longer to cover each area. I’m not yet 100% hair free but the reduction is so significant and I can sometimes just pluck out the odd offender.

I have the Phillips lumea which was good on my legs but useless on my face as my hair growth is hormonal from PCOS. I'd like to get laser treatment but don't know what I'm looking for, there seems to be so many different types with hugely varied prices.

Definitely some options to research and look into.
@eleoura I genuinely think it is probably hormonal as it has become worse since having my 2 kids. My mum has a few hairs on her chin in a mole or 2 but nothing else.
I find that i end up with spots in the area as the plucked hairs grow back and I feel like some teenager again.
I was hoping that as I got older I'd become more comfortable in my own skin, you know, like in the movies lol! But definitely feel like my body has other ideas.

Jml flawless is a good shaver for face.
I have a lumea but too scared to use it on my face.

@Frizzball36- Worth getting your hormone levels checked then- especially if its getting worse. NADS do an ingrown hair liquid which is good. Also, exfoliating on a regular basis as the hairs come through can help with in grown ones.

I plucked and bleached and tried electrolysis etc for years.

Then I got a tax rebate and decided as it was unexpected money I’d use it to finally make a difference. I had IPL all over my face and it was literally life changing. Worth every penny. My confidence increased dramatically, I no longer felt the need to hide my face when talking to people (especially outside!) and I no longer worry that my DP will feel anything when he kisses me.

I had a course of 6 sessions and the hair was totally gone for several years.

As I got older I started to get more chin hairs so I bought a home IPL machine for about £250. I did my armpits, legs, chin, toes etc and after maybe 4/5 times the hair has totally gone and I haven’t had to shave or wax my legs or pits for many years.

I know not everyone has such amazing results but I’d honestly give it a go. £250 seems like a lot but when you add up what people spend on waxing/threading/veet/razors etc over the years it evens out. And the emotional impact is priceless.

@markruffaloCrumble that's really helpful. What one did you go for?
I'd love to get it professionally done, but I think it would be out of my price range, but I can stretch to around £250-300 I think. But don't want to waste the money if it doesn't work.
I'm pale skinned with mid brown hair, but I have red tones through it and I know that there are issues with red hair with a lot of these devices.