Chin Hair. Is it a good idea to Epilate the hair?

[mumznet]

I've had a bout 9 sessions of laser a few years ago. The laser seems to have worked on the sides of my face. However it seems that it made the chin hair a bit worse, thicker and more I think. I recently started to thread my hair with an electric threading machine (www.<a class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/WAYCOM-Electric-Epilator-Threading-Depilation/dp/B06XHNSXX8/ref=asc_df_B06XHNSXX8?linkCode=df0&psc=1%29&hvnetw=o&hvdev=c&hvadid=79989563336532&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvtargid=pla-4583589108234836&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-style-and-beauty-4531640-Chin-Hair-Is-it-a-good-idea-to-Epilate-the-hair" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/WAYCOM-Electric-Epilator-Threading-Depilation/dp/B06XHNSXX8/ref=asc_df_B06XHNSXX8?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989563336532&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589108234836&psc=1) and hair has grown back slightly after 7 days.

However, this made me think about epilating. Threading removes hair from the follicle so after 7 days I've seen regrowth. I thought if I use epilating instead, I might have a hair free chin for a few weeks, as Epilating removes hair from the root.

Will epilating give me spots on the chin/jaw? Anyone tried epilating their face? I don't want to go back to laser or use IPL for a personal choice. These things can have side effects which will show later on, so I don't want to use those.

Chin hair is thick and black. Thanks.

I have had electrolysis done on some rogue hairs on my chin. Very much depends on the skill of the operator. if you can feel the hair being pulled out the root wasn't killed. It doesn't depend on a contrast between skin colour and the hair. IPL does because the light targets darknesses and the starker the contrast the better it tends to work. It's been very permanent for me.

@Sweepingeyelashes thank you for sharing. I'm glad it worked for you.

I am also wondering if the GP could prescribe something a cream or tablets to stop the hair? Is there no such thing? One doctor did say to me I have Polycistic ovaries without the syndrome, is that causing me to be more hairier? my sister doesn't have the issue of facial hair.

I use my leg epilator a couple times a week to keep up with the growth cycle

There is a cream called vaniqua which I was prescribed by the dermatologist but wasn't very effective. I don't think GPs prescribe it. This was 15 years ago

@cherrypiepie thanks. do you use the leg epliator on the face? thanks for sharing the creams name. nice to know that there is something that could be done by specialist doctor.

Yea leg epilator. It doesn't hurt maybe it did at the start but not at all now.

I take the cover off the epilator don't know but feel it gets the tinker hair too - probably not advisable!?

Can't go anywhere near under arms with an epilator though!

thanks, I heard epilating can make the skin sagging. however I don't think threading has any side effects. Have you noticed any skin sagging with epilating?

@Moochio I tried it again today after doing it previously 3 weeks ago. I did it without showering/soaking the skin. It wasn't really too painful, but I think this way it made the skin a bit more spotty/with tiny rash. I t was also a little itchy today. I used aloe vera gel, and using rose water too. Also took an antihistamine. perhaps it is better after a shower!

I go over it with a normal leg epilator about once a week. It takes maybe two minutes? Then I take out the odd one with tweezers between times. I've been doing it for years. I have never read anything about skin sagging, not doing it on your period or whatever. Sometimes it hurts more than others in your cycle. If it is too painful that day - then stop and wait until the next day. It really isn't any more complicated than that.

I found threading/epilating looks good, but it can be very hard on the skin over time and if the hairs break off, you are at risk of needing to deal with ingrown hairs just where you can't see them.

I tend towards electric shavers now and my skin is far less tender - it's smoother and obviously, it's not painful in the slightest, unlike threading; never do it when you're due on, by the way - that's the time when it's most unpleasant and your skin is most likely to react to the repeated trauma.

thanks @ sonjadog useful to know that. sometimes there is alot of info online, some of which is not always true.

@NeverDropYourMooncup thanks. I agree the threading/epilating would be quite hard on the skin. I am concerned that over time if I keep threading my chin and jawline I would get wrinkles.

I was using a tinkle razor before, so that I have to use at least 3 times a week otherwise there can be a beard. Would it be better to just the tinkle razor, I was getting annoyed to use the razor so many times a week, so started threading.

also I'm getting little little spots not to noticeable, but I can feel the spots on my skin with the threading.

I'm worried with the laser and Lumea I may have fat loss, so not going in that direction. is shaving my only option? shaving didn't give me spots.

It's up to you - but wet shaving (which is what the Tinkle is) takes more time of a morning. It's also harder on your skin if you want to do it a second time in the evening because you're going out or you've noticed that you've missed a couple.

Shaving is less likely to cause spots because it doesn't break the hairs under the surface of the skin and also exfoliates the area, so reduces the chances of ingrowns - as long as you don't apply any pressure at all. A men's razor is the best for that, rather than a women's branded little one. You just gently float the razor over your skin/unscented shaving product.

However, if you need to do it as regularly as me, which it sounds like you do damn PCOS that exfoliation, combined with accidentally putting too much pressure on the blades can also irritate the skin.

The improvement in my skin since switching to a Philishave (a rotary shaver is better than a strip one) is huge. Whilst they obviously still come through, they don't feel as sharp or as noticeable. The only time I'll use a razor is for a special occasion where I'm wearing full makeup; even then, using the electric normally helps, as there's just a tiny amount to float the blade over and my skin is in better condition already, meaning I'm far less likely to react to cosmetics or moisturiser over the area.

If you're worried about any shadow, a slight change in tone of concealer over the area counteracts the bluish tint and if you like to use contouring techniques, a pink or slight orange/red tone to the bronzer rather than a cool tone helps make it imperceptible.

That way, with a healthier, less traumatised skin, you can stick to using gentle products for chemical exfoliation if you choose to. And wearing sunblock without it causing a reaction.

Everybody gets wrinkles in the end, though. Worrying about them won't change the fact that one day you'll be in your fifties. Keep your skin as healthy as you can, wear sunblock and there will be fewer, but ageing is still a natural process. What's important to have skin that feels comfortable in the meantime - and threading doesn't do that - stick to using it for fine detail in brows.

Also chin hair is more likely to be hormonal, which may be why the laser didn’t work, and can sometimes make is worse as well, so wise to stop/not try that again if you have PCOS.

with an epilator you can reduce pulling on your skin by holding it taut with the other hand, which is hard to do with threading! But the end result on the hair is the same.

given your concerns, it does sound like an electric shaver as suggested would be your best option.

@Maflingo thanks, yes good idea to not go back to laser. I had 6 sessions, then they suggested 3 top ups. but it didn't work on the chin. However the finer hair it did work on, on sides of face and upper lip. Dr did suggest PCOS without the syndrome, is that a real thing? why without the syndrome?

I get fed up doing hair removal repeatedly, max 2-3 days can go by with little bit of stubble. shall i go to doctor for some medicine?

@NeverDropYourMooncup how often do you have to use philishave? after 2 days?

Yeah, there or abouts. Because it takes just seconds, I don't really have to think about it that much; compared to waxing/threading/wet shaving, where I'd be constantly bothered and checking for ones that were missed, dealing with ingrowns and spots and worst of all for me, having to wait for it to grow long enough to be epilated again.

For the sake of thirty pounds or so for a rechargeable (there are usually open box offers on Amazon), don't assume that the only way to go is spending hundreds on the fancy, all bells and whistles versions, why not give it a a go?

Thanks, @NeverDropYourMooncup ordering one straight away. is this any good www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SatinShave-Ladyshave-BRL130-00/dp/B01CFVDRP6/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=63294723037&gclid=Cj0KCQjwma6TBhDIARIsAOKuANwjNgRelLRj4LsS0NblYlAVd99ET7Narv7WLuXMxHg4ojjZhQbW0mYaAjS3EALw_wcB&hvadid=318268399668&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045532&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12289439106263221429&hvtargid=kwd-319472881328&hydadcr=11283_1841364&keywords=philips+women%27s+electric+shaver&qid=1651250143&sr=8-5

No.

You need a men's rotary Philishave.

thanks @NeverDropYourMooncup is this fine www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Electric-Shaver-Powercut-52/dp/B07ZQH4VSC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=17NPDUWE5DN6P&keywords=mens%2Brotary%2Bshaver%2Bphilips&qid=1651250890&s=drugstore&sprefix=mens%2Brotary%2Bshave%2Bphilips%2Cdrugstore%2C102&sr=1-4&th=1

This one, for example

www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Electric-Shaver-PowerCut-Trimmer/dp/B081G9M1CX/ref=sr_1_13?m=A2OAJ7377F756P&qid=1651250926&refinements=p_89%3APhilips&rnid=1632651031&s=warehouse-deals&sr=1-13

Your one is exactly the type I mean - they're good for getting all around the chin and neck without irritation from going over the same area multiple times.

@NeverDropYourMooncup I tried the philisshaver today. It was much easier to use then the tinkle razor and I just used it dry on the skin. Thanks this is a useful machine to have.

my face does feel slightly painful when I touch it, so I last did threading on 24th. so if I move my skin upwards it kind of hurts, I've not experienced this before. At the moment I can see some hair which are just under the skin, so that gives a dark shade. I think my chin is quite hairy. I am hoping to use something that would reduce the hair.

I have a tree glue (i know it's an ancient thing, but heard it is good) and can use that to pull the hair out, but they would need to be a bit longer to be pulled out. I heard online that one ladies hair came back only after 1.5 months, which sounds good.

or how about creams, someone has suggested spironolactone anyone heard of this?

Does epilating reduce the hair long term @Maflingo and @sonjadog ?