Looking Good, Feeling Great - Grooming question re: facial hair

I am wincing as I write this, I feel so embarrassed. I wish I could post this under another name!

I have a "mustache" and straggly hairs on my chin. I have been shaving my chin hairs--and the ones under my nose.

I was shaving about every other day, because I just hated to feel them all scratchy on my chin.

I am aware that shaving does not affect the actual hair growth: it just produces a blunt edge which looks "bigger" that hair removed in other ways. Nonetheless, I've decided to try cold wax.

Here's my question: how long should I let the hair grow out? My chin is driving me nuts, already (I started Monday). And I don't really want to go out in public, like this!

And another question: Once I do wax, how long do I need to wait again?

Thanks for your help.:o

I have a mustache and chin hairs 2 even under the chin area I really hate it and I use the hair removing cream which only lasts like 2 or 3 days. I really hate it and of course its emerassing :o I try to avoid ppl I dnt see often on those days! :( tried the sally hensen microwave wax and it actually works for about a week then if I use it again a few days later it won't work as good so I would think u have to wait until the hair grows out enough for the wax 2 hold....... I've never tried cold wax though! Which one did u use and does it work? :)

I found a little AA-battery electric trimmer at the drugstore that's designed specially for facial hair - the head is only about 1/2" long. That little sucker actually does a fabulous job! Only drawback is that on a dark cold morning when you're half asleep, it looks an awful lot like the electric toothbrush, and no matter which way you mix those two up, it ain't pretty ...

it looks an awful lot like the electric toothbrush, and no matter which way you mix those two up, it ain't pretty ...

ew, ouch!

works for about a week

Oh blast, I was afraid of that! I may be able to do my chin hairs already--but I'd hate to go through the pain and not have it work.

I've never used this wax before (or any wax) so I don't know what to expect! It's called Persian Cold Wax Hair Removal.

I found a little AA-battery electric trimmer at the drugstore that's designed specially for facial hair - the head is only about 1/2" long. That little sucker actually does a fabulous job! Only drawback is that on a dark cold morning when you're half asleep, it looks an awful lot like the electric toothbrush, and no matter which way you mix those two up, it ain't pretty ...


:rofl::rofl:

a painful subject for me. i have really strong hair on chin and neck and, like cherry mentioned, it makes me stay at home many times i would like to be somewhere else. i'm even afraid i lost some friends due to 'i can't come see you today because...' and then make something up day after day. i have had this problem for most of my life (i'm 33 now, and this hit me at the age of 14 or so) so it is painful and frustrating to even write about it.
anyway, back to removing the hair: i use warm wax. i live in europe and you can buy it here in specialized shops, don't know if this kind of wax is available in the US. :D i wax every two to three weeks, since the hair grows faster in the summer and much slower in the winter. warm wax spreads the pores and makes it easier to pull the hair out and once it's pulled out, i usually go ten days (less in the summer) without it showing at all. it grows slowly, it takes more then a week for it to grow long enough i can wax it again. it has to be at least three to four milimeters long (0.12 inches according to google :D), i'm afraid. drives me crazy.
i would, however, like to stress out that it is very much individual how long it will take for the hair to grow long enough, it depends on how active your hormones are, how strong the hair is... but it really has to be pretty long to be ready for waxing.

Yep I knw the boxes usualy say it lasts up to 6wks but It doesn't for me, I think it is worth the PAIN though. Once u get used to it its not so bad. :D The worst part is pulling it off Good Luck

Check some local salons. It's really cheap to have it done (like $6 for upper lip) and WORTH IT! I tried cold wax, it's torture. Warm wax stings when they do it, and I got red in that area for about 2 hours. Then smooth as silk for over a month. Worth every penny.
Also I've had Indian "threading" done to my eyebrows and they never looked better. It also stings a little, but if you can find a salon in your area that does the traditional Indian threading, ask about it. It's also pretty inexpensive, I think I paid $15 for my eyebrows, and they looked great.
But for upper lip/chin hair, I think waxing in a salon is the best way to go. Call around for prices; and if you do it, let us know how it goes.

Also, the hair on my face got lighter and less dense the more I had it waxed. I don't really even have to do it any more. Don't know if it's like that for everyone, though.

Also, the hair on my face got lighter and less dense the more I had it waxed.

This is what I'm hoping will happen. Shaving nearly everyday (and I haven't even gone through menopause, yet) was just getting me down.

I will let you all know.
If I survive. :dizzy:

I doubt that there's a woman out there that doesn't deal with the problem of facial hair and other sensitive areas ;)

My advice is DONT"T DO THIS YOURSELF! It's really easy to pull off the strips the wrong way and cause a rash, especially if you have sensitive skin. Go to a salon, they usually do it in places where they do manicures and pedicures. It's not too expensive to do a lip wax, anywhere between $5-12 at most. It's totally worth it and lasts for a few weeks. I don't know anyone who waxes more frequently than a month so you should be fine.... you look like you have fine blondish hair anyway and your regrowth will be very fine like baby hair probably.

I tweeze the little hairs on my chinny chin chin. I avoid harsh chemicals at all costs because my skin is very sensitive so avoid those smelly creams that don't do anything anyway. I do have some friends with very dark hair that don't remove their lip hair they just bleach them.

I'm a big believer in threading. I only do my eyebrows though, the pain is too much to think of doing my lip.

I wax at home with hot wax. Not the kind with strips, just the really hard hot wax. I've yet to give myself a rash, even with sensitive skin. I wax about every 3 weeks, because my hair grows fast and at different times.

If you're going to wax at home, I suggest trying it somewhere other than your face first. Your leg, a spot on your upper arm, etc. Just so you can get a feel for how to do it.

I hate to be dense...but what is threading? :shrug:

Threading...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threading_(epilation)

And it hurts!

I use the hot wax at home too. It's cheap and more convenient than going to a salon for the same service. I am very pleased with the results and sometimes I even do my sideburns.

I use Nair and it actually does work if you do it right. I have used cold wax, strips, and hot wax. I think the salons do the best job, but I like to do it at home because of the embarrassment issue. No matter what you do, it will hurt a bit. I recommend using a salon just to get a feel for it.

Well, I did it!

I had the most success with the "mustache." It was relatively easy to pull the strips off against the direction of the hair growth as the instructions said.

It is not a procedure for the faint of heart. I sincerely hope it is a long time before the hair is noticeable. I did it yesterday evening...and I was still red this morning.

The chin did not work out so well which was a major dissappointment. I think largely because it grows every which way--and it is difficult to hold the skin down while you pull. So, I think I will tweeze--though the pain from tweezing each and every hair on my chin makes me want to pass out.

(I can handle a great deal of pain all at once, strangely. It's the tiny little individual stabs of pain over and over and over that gets me. It's like a truck backing up and beeping is a worse sound than a fire truck with its siren blaring.)

Thanks for all your encouragement. It gave me courage.

I use an epilator on my chin/neck area.. it's not that painful to me.

Hi...well I inherited hair on the dad's side of my family I think! I had a dark mustache, chin hairs, neck hairs, sideburns - you name it. I tried everything.

I don't have this problem anymore. I went to get lazer done. And problem is gone, I get touch up's every year or so and odd hairs that I have to tweeze -some grow back but they are so baby fine that you cannot see them. Everyone thinks this costs a huge amount of money and I spent about 2000 over the course of a year and noticed after two sessions a change right away. You don't have to worry about growing them out before or anything. It doesn't hurt (just don't go around your peroid) and it's so worth it. I would recommend it to anyone. In Canada, it's tax deductible! If you decide to do it, check out the place first and they should offer a consultation. Ensure it's clean and that they are licensed :)

It might not be a cost that you would consider, but it's great long term results and less thinking, oh can you see my hairs, etc.

Good luck!

Well, I did it!

I had the most success with the "mustache." It was relatively easy to pull the strips off against the direction of the hair growth as the instructions said.

It is not a procedure for the faint of heart. I sincerely hope it is a long time before the hair is noticeable. I did it yesterday evening...and I was still red this morning.

The chin did not work out so well which was a major dissappointment. I think largely because it grows every which way--and it is difficult to hold the skin down while you pull. So, I think I will tweeze--though the pain from tweezing each and every hair on my chin makes me want to pass out.

(I can handle a great deal of pain all at once, strangely. It's the tiny little individual stabs of pain over and over and over that gets me. It's like a truck backing up and beeping is a worse sound than a fire truck with its siren blaring.)

Thanks for all your encouragement. It gave me courage.

Excellent, you look fantastic! You know how it goes, it hurts to be beautiful and so onwards we march on our quest to beauty. By the way, after you wax it may be a good idea to clean the area and use a light lotion or baby oil to coat and sooth.

I waxed mustache this weekend and Im now broke out in tiny white bumps, what the heck? What do I use instead of Sally Henson face wax strips? Gheesh!

Buy some witch hazel and put it on after you wax. You could also mix in some crushed aspirin with water or glycerin and put on after you wax. (Tend skin, a commercial product is basically that)

I use that Smooth Away product you can see on the tele. I use it on my legs too (but it takes a long time because of my fat legs lol) and it just gets rid of the hair. I can't really use products on my skin, so it quickly removes the hair on my upper lip really well. I've tried waxing, but some waxes actually make my face blow up like a blow fish and that isn't a good look for me. You know my lips being swollen and puffy and my face red and scaring the public...well that isn't a good thing haha.

The rest of it, like "whiskers" I just use tweezers. I don't mind and find it painless for me.

So far I'm happy with the Smooth Away thing, but some people dislike it or say it doesn't work. *shrugs* It works for me.

Still if there is anything out there that won't cause me to flareup then I would try it. I'm always looking for something new. I'm just wary of products.

I doubt that there's a woman out there that doesn't deal with the problem of facial hair and other sensitive areas ;)
Which is exactly why I don't consider it a problem.

I know I'm in the minority with this, but I don't find facial hair on women to be a big deal. Tweezing, waxing, threading, etc. is all fine, but I like the option of just living with it too. I remember seeing an infomercial for some facial hair remover and the lady was like (while remove fine little peach fuzz on her cheek,) "We don't want hair on our faces, men have that." Well guess what, women do too! I think it's perfectly "womanly" for a women to have something that grows naturally on their own bodies by the very nature of them being women.

Again, I'm not saying that I don't get wanting to remove it or that it's bad, but I've come to enjoy stroking my beard. haha I guess I'm a little inspired by a highly androgynous woman I saw on a documentary who had a far fuller beard than probably any of us could have and she embraced it totally. Most women just have fine little mustaches that most people probably wouldn't notice anyway. And if they did.. I just think there's something wrong with treating it like something unnatural.

Peace out. :devil:

Which is exactly why I don't consider it a problem.

I know I'm in the minority with this, but I don't find facial hair on women to be a big deal. Tweezing, waxing, threading, etc. is all fine, but I like the option of just living with it too. I remember seeing an infomercial for some facial hair remover and the lady was like (while remove fine little peach fuzz on her cheek,) "We don't want hair on our faces, men have that." Well guess what, women do too! I think it's perfectly "womanly" for a women to have something that grows naturally on their own bodies by the very nature of them being women.

Again, I'm not saying that I don't get wanting to remove it or that it's bad, but I've come to enjoy stroking my beard. haha I guess I'm a little inspired by a highly androgynous woman I saw on a documentary who had a far fuller beard than probably any of us could have and she embraced it totally. Most women just have fine little mustaches that most people probably wouldn't notice anyway. And if they did.. I just think there's something wrong with treating it like something unnatural.

Peace out. :devil:

I respect what you say here and feel quite torn with it myself. On the one hand I think the standards women have to live up to are overwhelming and unattainable. Skinny airbrushed models, flawless skin, shiny smooth hair, glowing tans, pouty lips, hairless bodies, no cellulite, expensive clothes, balancing on stilettos, getting facials, makeup, the list is daunting. While I agree that it's ok to live with it and wear it proudly my eye finds it unattractive and unfeminine. I'm pretty liberal when it comes to not shaving the underarms, not wearing bras, and wearing unconservative clothing at any size there are some things I do not mess with - my face is the first thing people look at and I want it to be warm and inviting... not a jungle.

Which is exactly why I don't consider it a problem.

I know I'm in the minority with this, but I don't find facial hair on women to be a big deal. Tweezing, waxing, threading, etc. is all fine, but I like the option of just living with it too. I remember seeing an infomercial for some facial hair remover and the lady was like (while remove fine little peach fuzz on her cheek,) "We don't want hair on our faces, men have that." Well guess what, women do too! I think it's perfectly "womanly" for a women to have something that grows naturally on their own bodies by the very nature of them being women.

Again, I'm not saying that I don't get wanting to remove it or that it's bad, but I've come to enjoy stroking my beard. haha I guess I'm a little inspired by a highly androgynous woman I saw on a documentary who had a far fuller beard than probably any of us could have and she embraced it totally. Most women just have fine little mustaches that most people probably wouldn't notice anyway. And if they did.. I just think there's something wrong with treating it like something unnatural.

Peace out. :devil:

Personally I thought every woman had the hair thing, some more than others. Hair is hair...when I first started seeing my whiskers I get under my chin and things I just grabbed the tweezers and went to town lol.

I don't think it is "unnatural" and I don't really think most women do, but like with anything it is a problem/solution topic. I personally don't want a mustache or beard and I don't have enough hair growth to have anything even close to a beard or even a full mustache lol. I have the whisker thing happening, so I have like peach fuzz mixed with dark thick whisker type hair lol. Which while natural is like totally not my thing lol. Love the peach fuzz...dislike the whiskers. I mean I can already see myself when I'm 101 or something...I'll be that lady stumbling about with tons of whiskers like a cat.

To me it is the same thing as "how do I get my sagging stomach to look better in clothes." For me now it is more of a problem/solution which obviously includes weight loss. And yes it is natural that my tummy is sagging, but I'm not gonna embrace that and run around with my tummy hanging out. I'm gonna stuff it in shape wear and continue to lose weight, but yeah shape wear all the way lol.

haha I mean I'm not Frida, I can't pull off something like that anyhow! ;)

This may be of interest to those waxing, shaving, etc...

Hair grows in three cycles, one hair you see (and shave or wax off), one is about to push through, and one is just starting to grow under the skin from the follicle...

so when you're waxing or shaving and removing those on top - those new hairs you see coming back so quickly are the ones that were in the middle cycle of growth.

I love those little finishing touch electric facial razor thingees (mentioned above, the mini-tool) - quick easy touch-ups, but I'm fine with a little peach fuzz...any stray ones, i'll pluck

I leave the waxing to the hair salon I go to. They only charge $12 for my brows, upper lip and chin. And I'm good til my next trim which is every 6 weeks. Last time I went in she put the wax on my upper lip and I said, " Is that chocolate??? " She said it was a new chocolate scent wax they had got in. I asked her how many calories it was because it smelled so good I wanted to eat it! HAHA

I use Nair for the face as well and it works well. I also use tweezers because not all of the hairs are dark-just a few. So tweezing isn't so bad and certainly doesn't hurt more than waxing. Added bonus? I don't have to wait until the hair is long enough to wax! I just do spot pulls every morning before I put on my make-up and no one is the wiser!

Plucking is also good.

I too have this embarrasing problem. I shave although it never gets completely smooth. I hate this and someday hope to get some form of electrolysis.

Has anyone had any experience with permenant removal?


Also...I know that facial/excessive hair growth tends to be pronounced more on heavier people due to increased/decreased hormones...etc....I'm wondering does it go away any with weight loss?

I too have this embarrasing problem. I shave although it never gets completely smooth. I hate this and someday hope to get some form of electrolysis.

Has anyone had any experience with permenant removal?


Also...I know that facial/excessive hair growth tends to be pronounced more on heavier people due to increased/decreased hormones...etc....I'm wondering does it go away any with weight loss?

Not for me. I'm almost at goal weight and I still have the problem as much as ever. Currently I pluck, which is okay but for long term I'm considering electrolysis or laser treatments at some point, because as someone else mentioned, I can't help picturing myself as this old lady with whiskers when I'm too old to mess with it. I DO NOT want that to be me!!!

I use Sally Hansen hair removal cream on my chin. I don't really have anything but soft blonde hair anywhere else, but I have a few tough little buggers on my chin, heh. It isn't very harsh and hasn't given me any irritation, despite my sensitive skin.

Threading...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threading_(epilation)

And it hurts!

I actually like threading WAYYY more than waxing... I have really sensitive skin and most waxes make me break out but threading is all natural... Its kinda like tweezing.. over time the pain goes down... it also hurts more if the hairs are fully grown in...

[QUOTE=McKenziesmomma;2995089]I too have this embarrasing problem. I shave although it never gets completely smooth. I hate this and someday hope to get some form of electrolysis.

Has anyone had any experience with permenant removal?

QUOTE]

I love electrolysis! I am a big pain chicken so it took me many years to build up my nerve to try it (helps if you don't actually read the consent form). I went to a place that offered both electrolysis and laser and tried both. For me, the "all at once" pain of laser was just too much, I can take the one bite at a time of the electrolysis much better. Also laser only works on dark hair and I have some light colored bristles mixed in with the rest.

I went every other month for a few years as because another poster described, each hair growing at a different rate and so only the actively growing hair roots are killed at each treatment. Over time the length between appointments stretched out because no new hairs to treat. I'm now down to only a few times a year, as peri-menopause kicks in.

Cost was @$30 per visit, now up to $37 but so worth it to me who shaved and plucked every day.

I got my lip hair waxed once, and it was a BIG mistake. I still had wax and some hair stuck to one side of my lip, and the rest that was gone felt sticky and strange. I've never done it again, but I did find an alternative method that's making me happy. =)

A month ago I started bleaching my lip hair. I've only done it once so far and was very impressed with the results. I see a little bit of the dye has faded, and I have some slightly darker areas again, but I still have a whole tub left of the bleach. LOVE this method. Works wonders. :D

OP, I know it's not advice you asked for but I have to say how much I have loved laser treatments. The cost is going down every year it seems and it has changed my life!