Facial hair becoming harder to hide. Plea for help. Pic included!

[Palomadoves]

I've always had difficult facial hair but managed it over the years... however I caught sight in a photo of how bad it's become and vowed to change what I'm doing and fix it

I've always lived with the creeping in hair around the edges- don't know if that's a big problem (although the kids make fun of it at school/work). But the stubble is showing badly on my upper lip and chin and that's what I'm most self-conscious about. Plucking doesn't last any time and the ones I pluck most are the thickest. Shaving leaves them growing stubble by afternoon. Is the answer IPL? Many thanks for any advice!

I have PCOS and more chin hair than you. I have found that the lumea has helped reduce how often I need to pluck.

Dermaplaning left my face feeling awful, really stubbly and rough .

Whatever you decide OP, your skin is beautiful. That's what people will notice the most!

The lumea is amazing. I think it will be great for you. I use mine on upper lip, under arms and bikini line and it’s so so good. One of the best things I’ve bought. On the sides of your face you could try derma blading with a Hollywood browser or have it done professionally.

I haven't rtft, but I have similar facial hair.

I epilate my whole face every 2-3 weeks! It works very well and it only takes 10 minutes. I use a normal epilator that you use on your legs. It doesn't hurt. It creates no mess. And my skin is left lovely and smooth, and make up goes on much better too. It's quite a perfect solution for me....

However.....when I first starting doing this it was not so easy! It probably took a year for my skin to get used to this. It used to hurt ALOT! I just had to persevere and take it slowly. It also used to cause outbreaks of spots.... so I had to be extremely thorough with cleaning the skin and using antiseptic cream afterwards. And I would do it before bedtime to let things settle down overnight.

It was worth persevering though because it's super easy to do now with no side effects. So I recommend epilating your facial hair - as long as you are very careful and are prepared to manage some start up pain and side effects.

I use a Phillips lumea at home, it ha changed my life. My upper lip and bikini have been the most stubborn but it has still made a massive difference. Try that while your kids are little and if still not happy in a year or so try professional. Look out for offers on black friday

Philips Lumea DEFINITELY! Keeps it at bay but you need to keep doing it. I shave and zap every week which is more than they recommend and it's totally gone but if I leave it a month, it starts to come back but very sporadically. I got 25% off by going direct to Philips website. The cheapest one will do, you don't need fancy extra attachments.

And then if you get a good response, find a salon that uses the Soprano Ice laser machine. Specifically thag machine. Then it will be gone for good in 6-9 sessions. I promise. I've had thag on bikini line and armpits and it's worked completely. Just using the home Lumea machine on lips, forehead, beard and legs now.

OP I am naturally very hairy and have spent ££££ on hair removal. I haven’t used the lumea, but 20 years ago I went every week for an hour of electrolysis. It took about 18 months. Now I pluck about 5 hairs a month. My hair is fine and fair, so the worst sort for laser.

Chin hairs seem to multiply after the age of 40, I've had this conversation with so many people recently.

I love my Philips Lumea, it hasn't been great on my upper lip (though that's quite fluffy and not that dark), and it has made the remaining chin hairs much blonder though they are still really coarse when they poke through.

It's been amazing on my bikini line and fab on my legs, it has really changed summer, holidays and swimming for me.

I really don't think that is bad at all. You may not like it but I wouldn't register that or think anything about it so don't be thinking other people are thinking it is awful.

You could get a really good illuminated 10x magnifying mirror and a pair of good tweezers. I don't think that hair is at all abnormal for 40s btw.

If you can afford a Lumea then it will sort that out for you! I got it for my chin hairs which were dark, thick and would go from an annoying bump under my skin to a 5mm sticky out hair in the blink of an eye. I now don't have any thick facial hair just some very fine hair on my top lip against the lip line (bit too close to zap) and only have to zap once a month to keep under control.

I've since also done my underarms (no more shaving, no more stubble!) and lower legs.

Another vote for at home IPL! Its got rid of 95% of my thick body and facial hair, a total game changer.

I started with coarse, dark hair during puberty. I have a diagnosis of hypertrichosis. On my face it was in a male pattern which obviously was the most distressing area.

I had IPL in my early 30s. That totally sorted it till peri menopause started and I had another course in my early 50s. I’ve had 10 clear years so far. The last course was with Sk:n who were great and had regular big discounts on courses of treatment. Without doubt it was the best money I’ve ever spent. I have pale skin and had thick, coarse dark hair which the therapist said is the ideal combination for success. If it’s any consolation mine was in a different league of severity to yours. It was a full beard, tache and sideburns. I spent hours every day plucking, shaving, bleaching. It was relentless because I couldn’t keep on top of it. I was so self conscious and had huge lack of confidence.

Lumea should help OP. X

Forgot to say on my body my hair was also male pattern. I still refer to myself as guy the gorilla. As I’ve got older (now in my 60s) I’m less bothered but I’ve never been swimming or worn a swimming costume or shorts on holiday ever. It has definitely affected my life negatively. I couldn’t afford laser over such a big area and couldn’t take spiralactone because blood tests showed it was affecting my liver.

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

Go for laser treatment. It'll be gone and never comes back. Game changer. Worth every penny.

This. It works.

Laser treatment is my recommendation. I have PCOS and this worked for me. I needed 8 sessions to get on top of it, then I have a maintenance session every 6 months.

At home options simply are not strong enough for my hormonal hair, needed professional treatment.

Just be aware for hormonal hair, laser isn't a guarantee to work. I was lucky that my beautician gave me 4 free sessions to trial to see if it works (god knows I pay enough every 2 months for medical grade face treatments haha).

Reading this with interest but my facial hair (which annoys and upsets me) is very fair. Does this mean I can't use the Lumea you are all recommending? What could I use instead?

@inksinkbink, yes, professional laser or home treatment with Lumea won't work for you. It needs a significant contrast between the color of the hair and the color of your skin.
Electrolysis would work well for you.

You can buy something like this for £70 and it removes the hair permanently so it works out the cheapest option plus you can do it in the privacy of your own home.

www.amazon.co.uk/Clean-Easy-Electrolysis-Permanent-Removal/dp/B00011JN5G?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I first noticed chin hairs about 10 years before the menopause and since have found that if I get my weight down below a certain level they stop.
Easier said than done, I have a very very underactive thyroid and I used slim and save to lose weight, and they no longer send to France.

Threading if you can get to a salon. Really quick.

Wow- I was busy with the kids and just checked back. So grateful for all of your shared experiences and advice (and solidarity). I'm heartened. I'm going to get a Lumea (probably wait for Black Friday as someone recommended upthread, and because their website refers to signing up for Black Friday deals).

I've just been ditched by a newish date and need an overhaul as my mind has gone into overdrive about what's wrong with me. Easiest to start with the hair...

I agree newtb- I learned quite young that my PCOS was best managed with low weight so I don't go above 8ish stone. I get spots, carb cravings and worse hair if I reach 9st. It's probably different for everyone but the persistent hairs just won't stop though.

I have Mediterranean genes and the hairiest dad so there was no escape from this affliction!