so depressed and ashamed about dark follicles.. dread summer - any advice :(

[hellebores]

I have pale skin and dark hair on my legs. Around each follicle from my ankles to thighs is a dark brown/purple mark - making my legs look like they are covered in spots. I shave them and also wax and use creams. Don't fancy the idea of laser removal. ( They are not ingrown hairs or heat rash - they are there all the time).

I dread summer and get so miserable, and now have a new boyfriend who has never seen my legs out of trousers or thick tights!! - it's making me so unhappy

Has anyone out there solved this problem?

How about having a fake tan put on? Or you can get spray on bronzer for your legs. L'oreal glam bronze is quite good.

Not a permanent solution, but I am pale with dark hair and my legs always look a lot better with decent fake tan & plenty of exfoliation. I think the dark circles probably are the root of the hair follicle which would only disappear with laser removal.

have you tried epilating? I have similar issues and epilating is the only way it goes for a few weeks

Laser is the only way to go. And much less painful than waxing. It really works.

Laser seems expensive.. and you have to let it grow - like waxing. Oh god I can't wait for autumn grrr...

thank you for you advice though - I have bought an epilator a couple of weeks ago but all the scary attachments put me off

will also try self-tan (or real tan - ha!)

can't believe there is so sittle on internet about this - still, nice to know I'm not the only hairy legged monster out there - just wish boyfriend didn't have nicer legs than me!!

I guess it's the shaving that's done it??

there was a girl on that programme "Embarrassing Illnesses" with the same problem and the doctor cured her. Have you spoken to your doctor?

I don't know where you got your info from, but not only do you not let it grow for lasering, they ask you to shave it right before you have it lasered. I have been through every option known to woman for hair and lasering is light years (no pun intended) above the rest. Works out way cheaper in the long run and way less painful than waxing and NO ingrown hairs and more or less permanent.

Can you get your whole legs lasered then?

Hmm. maybe I'm confused about lasering - I will check it out right now - thank you! Anyone know any reputable clinics - i have read horror stories of permanent scarring..

I think on that Embarrasing Illness prog they may have been talking about infected follicles - folliculitis - which I think I have one or two of - but mainly they are just dark spots.