Embarrassing problem

Fridaygirl_2

Hi all,

I post a bit on some of the other boards but feel so embarrassed about this that I have created a new username

I am dark haired and have always been on the hairer side and have tried everything with varying disasterous results. I have extremely sensitive skin and my first brush with waxing left me sitting in a bath of cold water with the itchiest, redest legs- not fun! Body hair isn't really my issue as I keep on top of that with shaving- not perfect but does the job.

However, I have just had a really distressing time at the beauticians. I have my eyebrows threaded (well, singular eyebrow!) as waxing leaves me in masses of pain and a red face for 3 days. It was a different lady to my usual one who would not stop going on about my upper lip.

Now, I know it's not good, I have tried everything- waxing left me with with a red moustache, threading the same. I currently bleach but even then I have to be careful when I do it as it is inflamed for about 12 hours afterwards. I told her this, but she kept on and on- " a beautiful girl like you shouldn't go around with a moustache" "are you married? doesn't he mind you having facial hair" on and on and on.

God just typing it brings tears to my eyes. I have been using this salon for about 3 years but I just threw the money down, told her she had insulted me, that I was never coming back and ran out the door. The owner looked a bit startled and has tried calling me but I cannot speak to her- I am too upset.

I've been home for a couple of hours, although I have loads of errands to run I cannot face going out, although I know I have facial hair hearing it from someone else, so brutally, has really hurt me.

So I guess the advice I need is what can I do about this- permanently. I have been googling skn clinics that offer laser hair removal. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Also, would it be suitable for someone with sensitive skin?

Or, does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

hethmar

Hi there, first question is, have you checked this out with a doctor? Superfluous hair can often be a sign of polycystic ovaries (in fact its so common in woman with PCO that Sk:n clinic give a reduction in the laser prices for anyone with the condition!).

So, check it out with your doctor first. Have a look on the sk:n clinic sites and google for others who have used them. I havent had laser hair removal at sk:n but I have been there for fillers (Im old ) and the girls were lovely and caring.

I do wish you well - I suffered from this problem when I was young and I know how depressing it can be. But things have moved on a lot and you have a great deal of choice and help out there now.

hethmar

Oh, just found this

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/L/lust4life/look_young/treat_laserh.html#whatis

http://forum.sofeminine.co.uk/forum/f50/__f74_f50-Sk-n-clinics-any-experiences.html

Fridaygirl_2

thanks hethmar,

I had a check up last year and mentioned my hair but the Dr dismissed it as "normal" and that I do not show any of the other signs of PCOs- I am slim, regular periods etc. I will follow it up though, in the interests of moneysaving- thanks for the tip!

hethmar

I was just reading that 1 in 10 woman suffer from excess hair but for some its normal because of their colouring/countries of origin.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/hirsutism.html

Fen1

Could you try a different doctor? Pcos symptoms can vary. Ask for a hormone test.

You have every right to ask for this to be investigated properly - it is causing you emotional distress.

I would also ask the doctor about your sensitive skin - your reaction to waxing on the legs is unusual. The facial reaction is also interesting - I have rosacea so have very sensitive skin, and get very pink after threading, but it quickly goes down.

Get your hair and skin properly checked.

lostinrates

Fridaygirl wrote: »

thanks hethmar,

I had a check up last year and mentioned my hair but the Dr dismissed it as "normal" and that I do not show any of the other signs of PCOs- I am slim, regular periods etc. I will follow it up though, in the interests of moneysaving- thanks for the tip!

fwiw I didn't know I had PCOS until I became ill with other things...unable to keep to my ''normal'' diet and exercise and lifestyle the other symptoms became apparent then. But not everyone has it.

You know, almost everyone has something they are embarrassed about, really they do. Please don't feel housebound.

You were having your eyebrows threaded, have you tried this for the top lip too?

also, when you waxed, was it home wax or salon wax?

I found electrolysis time consuming, tedious and quite painful and it didn't work, neither did laser for me, and its worth pointing out that over the top lip its also quite uncomfortable...it sort of goes into the teeth... but its worth looking into if its affordable.

There WILL be a solution, I'm sure.

Fridaygirl_2

I have tried threading on the top lip, it's the same with waxing- this skin is just too sensitive and flares up.

My eyebrows are okish- they're red but go down after about 5/6 hours.

Waxing, I have never tried it myself- have always gone to the salon. I have tried several, after the first time I get a test patch but have not yet found anywhere suitable. The incident with me spending the night in a cold bath was due to my mother taking me to get it done when I was 13! I suffer with eczema too, not on my face though, which might be a factor?

Right, I have got to go out now, have an assignment that needs to be delivered by the end of the day or I fail.

Thanks, it has really helped just being able to put it "out there" xx

Badger_Lady

If it's never been a problem before, don't let some bint touting for extra work get you down!

But if you are worried, what's wrong with shaving? I know we tend to think of facial shaving as a men's task, but I have a couple of friends who shave the peach fuzz from the sides of their faces and it works well for them. If you're fine with shaving elsewhere, would you consider it?

I'd probably recommend using a nice shaving oil suitable for sensitive skin though...

glowgirl_2

I would recommend that you shave it, yes really, use a good quality razer thats not too wide(so not a venus) and some sensitive skin gel, and just get rid of it;) use some cream that reduces hair growth afterwards and see what happens, you have nothing to loose even if you need to do this regularly it takes minutes and because the hair is so fine you shouldnt get any stubble especially if you stay on top of it. Facial shaving for women is routinly done is asian countries and a couple of my older friends who have developed facial hair recently love this method - good luck:)

liney

Shaving takes the taper off the end of the hair and makes it appear thicker. If you find your hair growns back quickly you could end up with stubble. I'd carry on bleaching over shaving if it was me.