I’ve just come across this site and feel relieved that I’m not the only one going through the pain of having excess hair. Today I’m having one of my bad days where I feel so depressed about being hairy that I want to hide away from the world and can’t bear anyone to look at me because I feel so self conscious, a worthless, hairy monster! I am blonde and naturally more hairy then average - the biggest mistake I did was thinking shaving my face at 16 was a good idea. I had just finished school and other pupils were writing msgs in my leaving book, when I got home one read ‘SHAVE YOUR FACE’. I was distraught that this boy (who I never really liked or respected but nevertheless)had been so cruel. I became paranoid and began to shave my face. At first it grew back as soft downy hair, now it comes back darker and more coarse and keeps getting worse. I have nothing medically wrong with me and was put off the doctors after getting some courage to see him and being told my only problem was that shaving was an obsession to me - does he really think I’d do it if I didn’t have to?! I’ve tried lasers at Harley Street, London, which didn’t work due to my hair pigment, electrolysis which was horrific - one hour of constant pain, never shave again rip off, and Vaniqa which I am lucky to get on prescription but gave me tons of spots. I have lost hope of ever being ‘normal’ and fed up of spending money of treatments that don’t work. I avoid people looking at me in sunlight as it makes it more noticeable, never let anyone touch my face and feel like a social outcast. I am lucky that I have a wonderful boyfriend of 4 years who knows i shave my face and has even come to Harley Street to give me support but I will never be happy in our relationship until I am happy with myself. I am aware when people notice and stare at my face, it makes me feel worthless. Many people who read this will be annoyed that I feel so sorry for myself but I can’t help it, I’ve even contemplated suicide because of it. Can anyone give me some advice? The one good thing to come out of this is the ability to look beyond peoples appearance - I would never judge anyone and think everyone is beautiful (apart from me).
Hi:
I am sorry for your hair problem. It sounds like it has caused you a lot of anxiety and problems.
I have had a lot of facial hair removal and I too found the
electrolysis painful even though it was also very effective.
The pain level can be reduced however if you do a few things ahead of time.
If you apply a topical anaesthetic ahead of the treatment it helps. Drink plenty of water on the day of the treatment and avoid too much coffee. Take some tylenol ahead of time.
I have found that these things help to kep the pain to a tolerable level if there is any.
Also don’t go for too long a session. The effects of the
topical are only good for about the first hour.
Good Luck!
Alicia
I just wanted to say how much I can appreciate how you feel. As a teenager I was really hairy–on my arms and tummy, and had a lot of peach fuzz on my face.
At 20 though, I became a beast with a tremendous amount of dark hair appearing on my face. I was always self-concious and thanks to my mother was able to get laser hair removal treatments. Unfortunately, they did not work, yet I was stuck shaving my face, only making the problem worse. I was so depressed the day I came away from the office being told it was a waste of my time and money (quite a bit) and realizing I would never be ‘normal’.
No one can really appreciate how it feels to feel like a social outcast and the most hideous freak on the earth, unless you’ve been through it. I struggle with very negative feelings about myself due in large part to my face and the rest of my beastly body.
I don’t know what sort of options I have, but I’d like to keep trying to fix the situation because the way I felt after having treatments made me feel like I was invincible–I felt normal and beautiful.
I just wanted to say that I don’t think you’re belly aching, well a little, but I do the exact same thing. I know how you feel, and it made me feel better to see someone else know exactly what I’ve been through.
Thanks, and good luck.
Just to add my two cents: You did not create this problem. At 16, you were just beginning to develop hair. Shaving doesn’t cause any more hair to grow. You’re only cutting it above the skin’s surface. It would have came in anyways. Have you been to an endocrinologist? How do you know the excessive hair is not caused by an underlying medical condition. It is a possibility and most regular doctors don’t know enough about it to detect it.
Also, your situation could be much worse. Many of us struggle with coarse black hair that is visible even when shaved. I would love to have blond peach fuzz instead! 
There are solutions for you and electrolysis is a real solution. It sounds like you had a bad experience, but it doesn’t have to be like that. Laser is not an option for you. I’m sorry they even took your money at that place. Hopefully others reading this will avoid it. You can start by running a search for “london” on this forum and see other recommendations of electrologists in London who are good. Using numbing cream and other suggestions for reducing pain will help. It doesn’t have to be very painful at all. I’ve done many hours and am very happy with the results.
For temporary methods that last a bit longer, you can try threading. Although a permanent solution if you have some money is best in my opinion. It’s wonderful that your boyfriend is understanding.
Hey guys whats up this is my first time posting I just join Ive read some of the postings in the forum before and was surpried so many people have this problem,I use to think I was the only one with this problem;It all goes back to when I decided to shave evrywhere I had peachfus in, mind you :)I use to think evry one was supposed to just have hair on there head,eyebrows and eyelids kinda dumb I guess; anyways I know evryone says shaving doesn’t make the hair grow back darker and thicker but I can’t help but wonder; as in the meantime I just use nair etc.If you guys now of any temporary things that work better are easy to use and dont make the hair grow back thicker please let me now, thanks in advance.
Sorry to tell you, but Nair has a better chance of making the hairs grow back darker, as it causes chemical burns on the skin, and a more involved healing process than shaving.
Hey James do you know if waxing works better?and do you know if hair inhibitors other than vaniqua in combination with waxing work.