Typical teenage insecurities

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#1

So, I’m here because I’m a hairy mess, and nobody in my life cares.

My body hair isn’t as bad as others on the forum. I have almost no facial hair, though my lip hair is noticeable. My armpits, crotch area, and lower legs are a different story. They’re covered in this extremely thick dark hair (which is bad because I’m asian, so I have light skin) and whenever I shave/pluck I get these horrible ingrowns! My skin is so sensitive I can’t wax or use creams. When I shave, I still see large black dots because my hair is extremely thick. When I pluck, I get horrible ingrowns that don’t go away for weeks :[

I used to scratch at my ingrowns because I didn’t know better and because of that I have dozens of these dark spots marring my ankle and bikini line. And I scar so easily, I don’t even touch my ingrowns now, and they still scar! I’ve been using mederma for a week, but I have a feeling it’s not going to work, nothing ever does.

Also, my dermatologist didn’t help me AT ALL. When I went to him, he’s a useless idiot. He told me things that I had already found online…

There’s basically no option for me except expensive electrolysis or laser, and I can’t pay for those because I’m a teenager without a job, and my mother won’t pay because she doesn’t understand. All my friends complain about stupid problems that I have… but 10x worse. Whenever I complain to them, they think its gross and look away. All my guy friends expect us girls to be like mannequins and it’s so frustrating… they need to f***ing grow up! Life sucks. I wonder if anyone is going to bother to respond to this.

#2

Venting is good.

TO permanently affect hair as you know, there is only electrolysis and/or laser hair reduction. Many teens just have to wait until they can pay for these modalities when they have a job and so it will be for you it appears. I know how difficult this is, but you will have to use temporary methods until you have money to pay for a permanent choice. Learn how to shave correctly and purchase products like TENDSKIN for ingrown hairs. Most importantly, “will” yourself to take on a differnet attitude about your situation until you can move forward with a permanent method so youcan enjoy being a teenager.

That’s my advice for what it is worth.

Dee

#3

Hi,

These are not teenage insecurities imo! Please don’t feel that way. It would be great if body hair wasn’t thought of in the way it is but unfortunately that’s not the case.

I’m really sorry I can’t offer any advice for what you can do now but please take it from someone who’s been there that this time will pass quicker than you think. I’m sure you know Laser is the way to go for underarms/bikini/legs so work towards that - summer jobs or at least deciding that when you’re through school you will save up for this first and foremost.
Also keep working on you mum - she needs to really understand how you feel and that if you Laser is done properly it works and will make huge difference to you both physically and mentally. Wear her down!

And I really hope that as you get through school, you will meet people who aren’t like this. School was horrible in this regard but now I have friends who support me and I’m sure you will too. As you said, it’s about growing up! The guys I now know have been with enough women and for long enough to know that not everyone is blessed with being hairless. To be honest, I’m very open with them about my hair problems and the fact that I’m having Laser.

I spent my teenage years preoccupied with my facial and body hair. I never got that depressed but I was always looking at it; spent so long in front of the mirror all the time! No one told me I could bleach to make my facial hair less noticeable (didn’t start that til I was 19) and my mother made me deathly afraid of shaving. Summer time at school when all the other girls were wearing socks with their skirts, I was still in my tights.
When I first started talking about Laser etc my mum was very wary but I did my research - was reassured myself and even though I am an adult and she wasn’t going to stop me, at least I could speak with confidence that I was doing the right thing.

All I can say is that it won’t be this way forever, try to not give a crap for now… easier said than done, I know. Come on here whenever you feel you need to vent!