Facial and chin hair

[QuickCoffee]

NC for this, I'm mortified. I will spare you the details but my elderly neighbour lady has humiliated me today in front of people; including my children; when she pointed and laughed at my chin hair. I feel so ashamed..Anyway, I've read in some of the previous posts that hair laser removal is great for getting rid of facial hair. How many times would I have to go to the beautician on average? (I'm on a low budget) Is shaving necessary beforehand? (and won't it make things looks worse?) ... What would you recommend?... For info, my skin is light, the hairs are dark, so I use bleach cream (same on my upper lip...) I've also trimmed and tweezed my chin hair in the past, but this made it grow faster and longer... I'd be grateful for some tips... Thank you.

@LadyRoughDiamond Thank you for your tips, I'm adding the face epilator on the list.

@BeckyWithTheGoodHair010101 Thank you for your tips, I'll ask the beautician what's the best way to kill these follicles.

@WinterNightStars Thank you for your message, you are very brave; I've never dared using wax strips; I'm too left-handed!

Probably about half a dozen, the amount of hair has diminished each time. I made Mr B have his shoulders waxed and the hair’s never grown back after just one wax.

I have a Philips lumea IPL for home- cost about £300 on black Friday 8 years ago. My face takes 3 minutes every few weeks and if I get 10 years out of the machine then I'm looking at 30 quid a year for it which is pretty good value (plus I don't just do my face)

Ladies, thank you so much for taking the time to share tips and give me support. After feeling so bad for most of the day; it's heartwarming to see so many kind ladies helping me. It's a lovely reminder that there are more good people in this world than nasty ones. I am going to consider all your tips and discuss them with a couple of beauticians. Thanks to you, I have learnt that there are solutions and I don't have to feel embarrassed anymore, this is a common issue that should not be a taboo anymore. I tried to reply to everyone but I apologise if I forgot anyone; that was not intentional and know that your message is appreciated! Take care everyone, looking forward to chatting with you again on this site (under my usual username). 💐

@Telepathickitty Thank you, I had a look at one of them and it could well be worth it. But I want to be sure it's the right solution for me.

Electrolysis is the only permanent option BUT it can take a very long time to kill of the hair follicle completely. I have been going for 2 years (yes 2 years!) once a month to get mine done. They are now pretty fine but still long so want to keep going until there is no hair at all. I am not suitable for laser sadly, but I would have opted for laser for the more immediate good results

The best solution I’ve found is a tool I bought in primark for £1. It’s a spring with a handle at each end and removes hairs like threading, really easy to use and very effective!

Another one here for Philips Lumea. Best money I have ever spent. They have a 100 day money-back guarantee if you're dissatisfied for any reason. I've had mine for a few years now. No hair left on lower legs, barely anything on upper legs and armpits. Hardly anything on my face left and I just shave and zap the whole lot of two months or so.

I’ve not read the full thread so apologies if anyone else has mentioned the following; hair growth on the face is hormonal so whilst laser can “kill” the hairs that are already growing there is still every chance the next door follicles might start growing new hair, it can be an expensive “maintenance method”. I always say at least 10 sessions on the face so not to mislead.
You may have one or two sessions and think it’s amazing but it’s often a “false result” due to the hair growth cycle- your therapist should explain this to you.
Dark hair and fair skin is the best combo for results as the laser is attracted to pigment.
Not all lasers are equal- look for places that use Lynton lasers or soprano ice.
Waxing and threading are good budget options, the hair will look finer growing back as the end is tapered. Don’t let anyone use strip wax on your face, Lycon is a wonderful brand for facial waxing. Waxing and threading however can stimulate the growth a little as they encourage blood flow to the area when the hair is removed.
Other factors to consider for the efficacy are age, if your family is complete, pre or post menopause?

🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Firstly OP, sending you a huge hug for the trauma caused by the nasty neighbour. People astound me with their lack of manners these days. 🤗
I personally would love to wax and use cream, but I'm diabetic, so can't apparently.
I tweeze, but that's becoming less and less now as I've been doing it so long.
I've bought some dermablades for the bum fluff hairs on the sides of my face and under my chin. I don't do it very often, but I find them great!
I have dark wiry upper lip hairs, about 4 each side, then the odd black ones here and there on my chin and under. The rest are white and mostly thin, but if I can see them, they're gone!
Those 10x magnifying mirrors are great! I have a Borders book light that I bought 25 odd years ago and which has come in very handy for clipping onto the mirror (since I first got a Kindle!) and diving in with the tweezers!
My dad used to shave my grandma (his mum) in the nursing home and I never realised I'd have that problem one day!
We don't get a "This Is What Will Happen When You're Over 50" manual sadly!!!
Good luck with whatever method you choose and come back and let us know how it's going! x

@mrstrickland Thank you for the info, I hope you won't have long to go now before you finally get rid of these hairs. It looks like I'm going to be patient (something I need to work on...); but I'm ready to do anything at this stage...

@Oldwood Thank you for your tip. Could you please tell me if it looks like a cotton bud? I'm not exactly sure which tool you mean but I think I have an idea.

@CinnamonJellyBeans Thank you for sharing your positive experience with the Lumea. I thought it was a laser method but it isn't; it also seems to be a much cheaper option than other methods at a beautician's.

I'd be looking for ways to get the nasty elderly neighbour out of my face for good first, you'll feel much better. What a cow.

Anyway, you've got loads of good suggestions here so you'll have options if you decide you'd like to change your routine, as we all do sometimes. But in any case, hold your head high, you have the high ground here and I'll bet you most normal people don't even notice your facial hair (when is the last time you noticed someone else's...?), and your children will always love your beautiful face because it's yours.

For what it's worth, since my face started turning a bit more billy goat than I'm comfortable with in my old age I've attempted to keep the worst at bay. I have an epilator for my legs for when I can be bothered and wondered a while ago if it would work on the chin as I am rarely organised enough for appointments. It does, so I swipe that round my chops occasionally (chin, haven't braved the tache) and tweeze in between. So waxing, threading, any method of pulling the fuckers out is going to work to keep it under control.

Good luck whatever you decide op x

@Downbadatthegym Thank you for all the info you kindly provided. I had no idea that other factors had to be taken into consideration such as age, menopause... I'm in my mid-50's and going through menopause so I will mention this to the therapist. Thanks for the tips about the Lynton or soprano ice, too; I'll make sure to choose a therapist who provide these treatments before booking an appointment to discuss the options.

The biggest problem I find is being able to see those pesky chin hairs! I bought a 10x magnifying mirror and use it in natural sunlight and it shows up absolutely everything. I actually quite enjoy plucking the stray pube-like chin hairs and find it very satisfying lol. The finer upper lip hairs I use a dermaplane once a week and that keeps on top of it.

@MoonWoman69 Thank you so much for your kind support and advice. I'm over the pain of the humiliation but it's indeed unbelievable how rude some people can be; and she should know better as she's most likely gone through the same issue...but she's moving soon, and I won't miss her...
I'm sorry to read that you are diabetic; I wish you well with your health.
Tweezing is what I've been doing for a couple of hairs; the very dark ones on my upper lip and jawlines... Thank goodness for this magnifying mirror. Love the way you "recycle"the Border's book light; that was actually a good idea!
Your dad must have been a wonderful son to his mum; what a beautiful way to show love!
Indeed, why aren't we told about what to expect when we're over 50?! Why does it have to be such a bad surprise; and more to the point: why does it still have to be a taboo?! Men have it so much easier than us ladies, don't they?... If only someone would come up with the "miracle method"to get rid of (even prevent), these annoying hairs... They'd make a fortune!

@PeopleTalkingWithoutSpeaking Thank you so much for your message; it's very sweet. Regarding that old cow; well, she's put a house on sale last week, so I hope she sells it fast! I will have a nice glass of wine to celebrate when she moves and have a toast to you and all the other wonderful ladies here who kindly took the time to give me support and share their advice!
My children have been very supportive; they're wonderful children.
Thank you for your kind words; I'll try not to feel embarrassed anymore. You are right, I've never noticed another woman's facial hairs, and despite mine being visible on my chin (despite me bleaching them), I'd never had anyone making any remark or even staring at them. Thank you for sharing your experience; indeed I have plenty of options to consider, and discuss some of them with a therapist/beautician. I'll will also probably try the cheapest options like threading the most visible ones first, gosh; these things are so annoying, but keeping them under control would already be great.

@Summergarden Thank you for your message and sharing your experience. I must definitely get a better magnifying mirror than I have now; a 10x like you have. I know what you mean; I love it when I got rid of these little annoying things! But I have the impression I've been getting more of them. It's time I try something else. How does the skin looks like a few days after you used the dermaplane? I don't think I'll dare doing the full tash, just its corners (and the chin)..

Hello ladies, so my "battle plan"is to make an appointment with 2 different therapists/beauticians to talk about the options that would be best suited for me, I'm hoping to do this next week. I'm also going to give threading a try (one of you kindly suggested the one sold at Primark's that seems to be great), and also consider the Lumea option, lots of food for thought. I will keep you updated, that's the least I can do. Thank you and speak to you very soon! x

I can't get over the neighbour being so nasty. As if anybody wants any unasked for feedback on their appearance from a neighbour. Great that she's moving, hopefully you can give her some feedback of her own before she leaves!
Eg I can laser my hair but you'll always be a b*tch

I do a mix of threading, lumea and bleach fwiw. My hair is relatively light currently.