I’ve been reading a lot of these posts and decided to contribute myself.
Brief bio - 40 year old woman who has been dealing with excess facial hair since 16. I have been shaving on a daily basis since then.
After exploring alternative ways to get rid of the hair (waxing, electrolysis) and getting as much information as I could, I decided to have Laser Hair Removal. The deciding factor for me was that I could shave the area while I waited for the treated hairs to fall out.
Luckily, I have fair skin that never tans and the hair is dark, so I’m an ideal candidate for this treatment. My first treatment was last Thursday and it wasn’t too bad (less painful than childbirth!) - the EMLA definitely helped. When the technician was done with my face and gave me a mirror, I looked like a freak with a really bad sunburn and these hairs that had popped out of the follicle. But she immediately applied cold aloe vera gel (the green Banana Boat) to soothe the face & soften those hairs. While she did my bikini area, the redness on my face had diminished considerably. I was able to gently wash my face and apply makeup to the area before I left the office (I looked like I had been working out and was flushed).
I realize that this is a process that will take some time. My husband asks me if it’s worth it. I’m doing this for me, to make me feel better about myself. But it’s good to know that he accepts me for who I am regardless of my condition. Wish me luck!