Facial hair ruining my life.

[AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti]

I’m 47. Have been shaving my face daily since I was 21. Don’t have PCOS but doctors identified I had elevated androgen levels 15-ish years ago but offered no help.

I have coarse dark hair in a male pattern on my face. No other peri-menopause symptoms but now getting noticeable regrowth within 12 hours of shaving. It’s making my life a misery.

I’ve tried home IPL. I had a reaction to waxing many years ago which took weeks to settle leaving me with angry welts all over my lower face.

I’m getting pretty desperate now. Has anyone found anything that will help? Can’t help but feel this will only get worse as I head towards menopause. I really need a solution now. :(

I have in person clients. It is definitely visible even with makeup (which I probably couldn’t wear after treatments).

Have been low carb for about 10 years (lost 3 stone), I do weight training, mindfulness to manage stress etc. not sure what other lifestyle factors there are.

I've had a lot of electrolysis and being hairy has affected me a lot, so I can relate OP, but kindly, if you want to address it, you are going to have to carve out time to do it. You'll have to use annual leave and make plans to be shut away at home sometimes. I know it totally sucks, you have to make a living and all, but, as you know, it tends to get worse. Sooner or later you're going to feel pushed into radical action because it's not going to get better. I suspect you're understandably, angry about it all, so you're resistant to the radical/ costly/painful solutions, even though you want to do something about it. If that makes sense?!
I was at my most hairy in my early 20s, plucking loads of chin hair every morning. It was hard to let them grow enough for the electrolysis treatment as I had an office job and a social life, but I just couldn't cope with it getting ever worse. Good luck, I hope you find something that helps.

I’m having laser hair removal currently and have to shave my face 24 hours before each treatment. Session 3 tonight and had hardly any regrowth

You need to schedule a couple of days off.

Well l think we have explored every avenue for you.
Unfortunately we are not miracle workers.
So it's up to you now to make a decision or live with it.🤷‍♀️

I do appreciate everyone’s suggestions. I have mental barriers to overcome given this has been a “hidden” part of my life for 25+ years. And I don’t work in a way that “no camera/hiding away” would work. If this will cost me 12-24 days of lost income as well as the treatment costs, that’s another consideration. I’m weighing everything up.

I’ve found a clinic that will do a consultation session and I’ll see what they suggest is the best option. I do want to resolve it, but it comes with challenges and I need to have a sense that it will be worth the risks and costs to get a resolution.

Buy the Philips lumea.
It's brilliant

I use the lumea too, I really recommend it. You don't get results straightaway, you have to use it regularly (I think I used it about twice a month for a year). And then one day it just stops growing back, or just a few hairs, so you then only need to use it once or twice a year.

I have so much more confidence now

Laser usually requires completely shaving beforehand, so there shouldn’t be any need to let it grow for a few days. I found it brilliant on my legs, underarms and bikini area - had them done over a decade ago and they remain hair-free. It was never quite as successful on the face, but still made a noticeable difference.

I'd highly recommend some supplements to reduce androgens. Spearmint tea and Saw Palmetto are great. Alongside those, you can mix spearmint oil into a moisturizer and apply that twice a day to the facial hair. Have a look at Health & Balance vitamins. They're primarily for PCOS but the anti-androgen supplements would work for you.

Nothing will get rid of it apart from laser or electrolysis. Laser won’t work if the hairs are grey.
I’m a few months into electrolysis treatment and it’s been worth every penny. I’m already seeing less hair and the ones that do grow back are finer. If your facial hair is getting you down that much then you need to invest some time and money in getting rid of it. Book a day or two off when you know you’ll be your hairiest before treatment! Or just lie and say your camera is broken. It will be worth it in the long run.

Definitely the Philips Lumea. It works best on pale skin/dark hair but works on other combinations too. Much cheaper than laser and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. You have to shave the area before using it so there’s no need for you to be hairy! Honestly, it is worth EVERY PENNY.

You dont need to grow out your hair for laser so I would go for that.

I had laser treatment. Really worked on all my dark facial hair. Skin improved too. Friends have had similar experiences.

Laser is not a permanent solution.

Thank you again. I actually had a lumea and sold it. I now have a U-Like which hasn’t done much. (I had laser on my legs and underarms in 2003 and legs are still hair free (apart from a few on my knees).

I’ll look into the supplements too.

I have laser and it’s been very, very good. About £130 for 6 monthly sessions. I can leave the house without makeup or tweezers and mirror in the bag.

Electrolysis - hurts like hell but worth every penny

Can I just say... To add..
I feel for you, really, having facial hair as a woman.
But. You shouldn't feel ashamed.
We're all at the mercy of whatever our weird and wonderful bodies decide to do.
And if anyone is judging you.
Well... Fffffff... them.
I am sick of how shallow the world is. Just totally sick of it.
Reading this woman's upset over some hairs growing on her face which she can't control. Spending money and her precious time trying to escape the judgement. Why should she feel ashamed. God...!!

You could definitely shave for laser, no need to have growth in between. But I am 9/12 sessions in and see no improvement sadly. I am hoping it turns around but it's getting me down so you have my utmost sympathy.

Just take a few days off work, surely if this is ruining your life and there is a potential solution then you can make it happen?

Don’t have PCOS but doctors identified I had elevated androgen levels 15-ish years ago but offered no help.

I'd be going back to your GP and asking what treatments ARE available now! Reducing the androgen levels 'might' be far easier than bleaching, waxing, electrolysis, laser etc!

Doctors offered no help at the time - appalling and you were fobbed off. So did they merely say you do not have PCOS so off you go. I would certainly return to the GP now and if they remain unhelpful change GP practice.

Raised androgen levels can be associated with PCOS and I think you may well have been given duff info at the time. Not many GPs were up to speed with PCOS then and some are unaware of it now.

I think nowadays they just need you to not have waxed, they shave it off before the laser anyway. Perhaps it’s easier for them to see where exactly you need it if you have regrowth?

from memory when I had mine done 20 years ago, I called in sick for a couple of days. I did get strong marking on my face after the session and also couldn’t go out for another few days but after a week all the hair started falling out and the marks went and it was an absolute miracle!!!