How best to remove (women's) facial hair?

curlygirl1971

emsywoo123 wrote: »

How effective did you find Vaniqa alone? I am a total wuss with pain so am trying to avoid ILP.........

To be honest I've never used it on it's own - it's always been in conjunction with something else. Have I ever had a near normal level of hair growth? Yes - whilst using Vaniqa, Spironolactone, Dianette.

Now I'm using Vaniqa and having laser treatment and my face, compared to my late twenties, is in a much much better state and manageable - I no longer spend hours dealing with it, hiding from light, shying away from people, I no longer have my hand permenantly glued to my chin in a whistful manner .

I'll never know how effective Vaniqa is for me until I stop using it and cease laser. However what I can say is that I firmly believe that for me it results in the appearance of reduced hair growth (I say it like that because what it actually does is slow down the hair growth cycle). As I pay for it myself I spoke to the Endo. Consultant recently about it and she said that all the studies indicate it is effective - not wholly or completely - but some. And this is my experience of it, so whilst I can afford it and whilst I feel there is some benefit I will continue.

A couple of times I've not used it for a while - last year I forgot to take it on a 2 week holiday and within weeks I could see an increase in hair again....and then of course you have to wait for it to start working again.

Another poster commented on Vaniqa not suiting her skin - I've noticed that I get a couple of more spots in the area of use and sometimes (esp if I put too much on) it feels unpleasantly itchy for a while. For me the trade-off is worth it.

As for the pain of laser - I'm a complete wuss too. I had my bikini line waxed twice - I broke out into a sweat and it made my bottom lip wobble and my knees knocked afterwards :rotfl:Never again. But laser - there are different types, many people just find them uncomfortable and then I guess some people find it painful.........but it's surprising what you will go through if you can see a good result. My most recent treatment was a lot more comfortable because there has been less for the laser to zap at. And each session is perhaps only 10 mins for lip and chin anyway.

If you decide to go for it then do your research - For many, IPL is not as effective as proper laser and many places that advertise 'laser hair removal' are actually using IPL. I go to a place that specialises in Surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures (rather than a beauticians) - after looking around at prices I realised it wasn't any more expensive than many other providers and they also do a good loyalty scheme.........I've booked 2 sets of 6 and already have £150 off my next booking. This last January they did a 50% off offer...so so far, it's not been too bad.

HeadAboveWater

For anyone who's interested in an epilator, mum's just told me about about this offer, although I'm not sure on the make/brand. Plus Topcashback are giving 10.1% on Avon purchases too.

Since I switched from waxing to epilating on my face, I wouldn't go back!! (Time, pain and cost all taken into account )

lostinrates

curlygirl1971 wrote: »

To be honest I've never used it on it's own - it's always been in conjunction with something else. Have I ever had a near normal level of hair growth? Yes - whilst using Vaniqa, Spironolactone, Dianette.

Now I'm using Vaniqa and having laser treatment and my face, compared to my late twenties, is in a much much better state and manageable - I no longer spend hours dealing with it, hiding from light, shying away from people, I no longer have my hand permenantly glued to my chin in a whistful manner .

I'll never know how effective Vaniqa is for me until I stop using it and cease laser. However what I can say is that I firmly believe that for me it results in the appearance of reduced hair growth (I say it like that because what it actually does is slow down the hair growth cycle). As I pay for it myself I spoke to the Endo. Consultant recently about it and she said that all the studies indicate it is effective - not wholly or completely - but some. And this is my experience of it, so whilst I can afford it and whilst I feel there is some benefit I will continue.

A couple of times I've not used it for a while - last year I forgot to take it on a 2 week holiday and within weeks I could see an increase in hair again....and then of course you have to wait for it to start working again.

Another poster commented on Vaniqa not suiting her skin - I've noticed that I get a couple of more spots in the area of use and sometimes (esp if I put too much on) it feels unpleasantly itchy for a while. For me the trade-off is worth it.

As for the pain of laser - I'm a complete wuss too. I had my bikini line waxed twice - I broke out into a sweat and it made my bottom lip wobble and my knees knocked afterwards :rotfl:Never again. But laser - there are different types, many people just find them uncomfortable and then I guess some people find it painful.........but it's surprising what you will go through if you can see a good result. My most recent treatment was a lot more comfortable because there has been less for the laser to zap at. And each session is perhaps only 10 mins for lip and chin anyway.

If you decide to go for it then do your research - For many, IPL is not as effective as proper laser and many places that advertise 'laser hair removal' are actually using IPL. I go to a place that specialises in Surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures (rather than a beauticians) - after looking around at prices I realised it wasn't any more expensive than many other providers and they also do a good loyalty scheme.........I've booked 2 sets of 6 and already have £150 off my next booking. This last January they did a 50% off offer...so so far, it's not been too bad.

It was me that had skin problems with it ( i also have pcos) and i had laser for a year (not while using it). It did not help. I fact, some of the darker hairs turned white and so are not laserable even if i try this again.


I think the cost if this is underestimated to us. however, and i know this is not going to be popular, i do think it is our 'cosmetic' issue. No one knows more than I how life inhibiting a 'cosmetic' issue is, 'cosmetic' doesn't mean its without knock on impact to our confidence, self esteem etc. but.......hair on my chin/top lip, or anywhere, compared to cancer treatment for example? No contest for me what needs NHs limited resources more.

What is intersting to me, is that a bulk order of more than four is cheaper. It makes me wonder if an organisation like verity could become somehow a care provider or access to resource via paid membership for bulk ourchasing. Private access to such healthcare does not have to be hell, its whether this sort of thing could be started by someone with ability to research and comply with the inevitable legal requiremnts and framework and make a mass provision to something for diagnosed patients a financially worthwhile thing to the provider and those avcessing the medication.


Edit...h,m, now wondering who i can enroll as my nominated hair monitor when i have extended hospital visits.

lostinrates

emsywoo123 wrote: »

How effective did you find Vaniqa alone? I am a total wuss with pain so am trying to avoid ILP.........

Atm i cannot remember what type of laser i had. The only place ip really did not like it was around top lip and a little around bottom teeth. It felt sharb and ...'bright' but lasts a very short time. Although i did not find it effective, the discomfort was not unbearable.

HeadAboveWater

For those of you in Belfast, or Northern Ireland, check out this offer from Groupon.

emsywoo123

I just had threading. Shine a light. Ouch.

naveshasharma

you can use waxing, plucking, depilating, epilating and laser!!!! its help to remove the hairs of your chin....

Dunroamin

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I have just used normal Veet in the past.......I didn't know there was something specific available?

I've used normal Veet as my skin isn't particularly sensitive but you used to be able to buy a range of products specifically for the face. Nowadays, all the hair removing creams in Boots specifically say that they're not to be used on the face, even if they're suitable for sensitive areas.

MoonJelly

I am following this thread with interest. I have hair problems so the doc prescribed Minoxodil. Bad news is that it increases body hair. My hair is really dark so the facial hair really stands out. I tried threading but I couldn't stand the pain (I already thread my eyebrows so I can deal with a certain amount of torture). I tried waxing and it hurt so much and it made me break out with cold sores (trauma to the lips can be a trigger).
I heard Asian ladies use turmeric creams. Has anyone here tried them?

Uniscots97

unixgirluk wrote: »

Nono update:- Right since my last update I have used this 3 times on my face, legs and bikini line

Face:- I could feel some hairs the next day after using this but my face was definitely less sore using this than waxing. Although one hair which is particularly coarse went up in smoke which was quite scary! The growth is slower which is a bonus and I'm not left with that red rash you get from constantly plucking!

Bikini line:- Most of the hairs went the first time, the remaining went the second time. I have a little regrowth now though.

Legs:- I think this is the area that might take the longest. The fine hair above the knees went on the first use. The hair on my lower leg is taking longer. I wasn't totally hair free even after using it 3 times. I couldn't see the hair so would have gotten away with wearing a skirt short etc but I could feel the hair.

Face: for whatever reason the hairs on the left side of my face bar a few (2 or 3) haven't come back but most have come back on the right side of my face and neck. I got my OH to do my jawline for me and I now don't have that permanent red rash I had on my jawbone from constantly plucking. I won't lie some of the hairs when the 'go' (explode more like) does hurt. I actually had a tear rolling down my cheek when one really wiry hair went.

Legs: Only noticed a few hairs not come back and more success on my knees and upper thighs.