Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

Concerned about excessive facial hair

14 replies

notrrtyhj · 14/09/2022 23:27

I'm in my late 20s. I've always been hairier than average, and have been removing my upper-lip hair since I was a teenager.

However in the past few years I've noticed I've started getting chin hairs. At first it was just a few, but now it's quite a lot as well as a patch on either side of my jaw. The hair is thick, dark and bristly and it grows back really quickly.

I was waxing it, but now I use retinoids I can't wax it. So I was dermaplaning it with a brow razor which worked quite well, but I'd still need to do every other day. Then I bought one of those face 'epilators' (I put 'epilators' in speech marks as it definitely doesn't epilate the hairs, but just trims them). Since starting to use this around a month ago it feels like it's gotten so much worse and the hairs grow back in less than a day. :(

I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to stop using retinoids (which I need for acne), just so I can start waxing again. At the moment I'm tweezing as well as using the epilator.

I don't know whether to go to my GP, but I'm incredibly embarrassed about it. I have normal, regular periods but I am overweight (size 16)... Could losing weight help?

OP posts:

SouthOfFrance · 14/09/2022 23:30

If you are only in your 20s it's definitely worth a trip to the GP. It could be hormone related, and easily fixed?
Don't be embarrassed about your weight, it won't be that.

WeeM · 14/09/2022 23:35

I would def go to the gp in case it’s hormone related. And if it’s bothering you def look into professional laser hair removal. I have had it done recently and honestly I wish I’d done it years ago!!

Original poster

notrrtyhj · 14/09/2022 23:38

What will the GP do if it’s hormone-related? Will I need to stop removing the hair so they can see it?

OP posts:

MaraScottie · 14/09/2022 23:44

Definitely GP. Don't worry, they won't need to see it. Could be caused by something like PCOS.

Luredbyapomegranate · 14/09/2022 23:45

The most likely thing is PCOS. Your acne and excess weight may also relate to this. They can do don’t blood tests to check hormone levels and send you for a scan if necs.

You can just describe the hair, they are unlikely to want to see it. Loosing weight often helps, I think there’s evidence a lower carb diet diet can help too.

Laser is the quickest way to get rid of it more or less permanently (you might need the odd top up), electrolysis also works but is slow.

The pill can also be helpful.

It’s a fairly common condition so no need to be embarrassed, you’d GP has seen it all before.

5zeds · 14/09/2022 23:45

Losing weight will help as will drinking more water. It sounds like you do need to go to the GP. Personally I’d just go and wear a mask if it’s too much so they can see what’s what. Phillips Lumea works for some people but some say it doesn’t work on facial hair.

TheOnlyBeeInYourBonnet · 15/09/2022 01:46

5zeds · 14/09/2022 23:45

I am intrigued as to how drinking more water will help with facial hair?

But I'm going to warn against the Lumea having burned my lip the first time I used it after starting tretinoin.

lljkk · 15/09/2022 07:11

When you gals say easily fixed, does that still mean OP could go on medication for a long period? Friend said the medication badly disagreed with herself in other ways.

Lavendersummer · 15/09/2022 07:15

Could be PCOS. You can still have periods but don’t necessarily ovulate.
spearmint tea is supposed to be good for excess hair growth

5zeds · 15/09/2022 07:23

I have no experience of trentonoin but if it makes you more susceptible to sun burn thenI would imagine you’ve been warned against any light based therapy. I have PCOS and was told to drink more to help my body regulate hormones as you can dump excess in your piss. Carrying excess weight increases androgens so weight loss also does help however much it would be nicer not. Both impact all my symptoms. I should probably have said my PCOS is particularly severe and so it’s possible I am seeing things through that lens.

Zeeza · 15/09/2022 08:39

I'd suggest going and getting electrolysis. If you are plucking / epilating it can promote growth and make the hair thicker.

If you can afford it, get electrolysis. It probably isn't going to get better on its own. Go to someone reputable who won't give you scarring.

Do it as soon as possible cos it's no fun to live with. You might have to get a quick top up session every couple of years, but it is so much cheaper than laser in the long run.

Zeeza · 15/09/2022 08:40

Oh yeah, and go to your gp too if you are worried as others say. But thats to check for an underlying condition. That won't solve the hair.

Original poster

notrrtyhj · 15/09/2022 19:20

Thank you all, I will probably go to the GP but I'm kind of putting it off...

I decided to buy the Philips Lumea as I saw Boots and a deal on it, and writing this thread made me realise how much of a burden this is for me to deal with. I remember when I was a teenager I was too embarrassed to ask my parents for face wax strips so I would cover my upper lip/mouth area with my hands nearly all the time. I think it probably affected my self-esteem quite a lot.

I'm hopeful that the Lumea will work, even if it just slows down the hair growth I'll be happy to be honest! I think it will be good to try it on my legs too

OP posts:

WeeM · 16/09/2022 18:33

honestly I’m fucking mad with myself I didn’t do anything about it sooner….what a difference it’s made so the fact you’re doing it now and not living with it for donkeys years like I did is fab. Even just the difference in the way my make up goes on is life changing! I have PCOS too by the way so that’s the cause of mine.

Flip