Ideas and a chat about permanent and best facial hair removal methods!

The time has come, I will own up, along with every other menopausal woman out there, I also get facial hair (did I just publish that) - yep chin hairs!  It was the most devastating discovery (well maybe devastating is a bit dramatic but you know what I mean) when it started appearing in my mid-40's and I have spent the last ten years trying to either pretend it isn't there, disguise it, remove it or (and this is the worst) realising when I am out that I have failed and I can see every tiny little chin hair in the mirror of the ladies loo which means I am now convinced everyone is looking at me!  A bit like a spot!  Chin hairs, hair on the jawline, moustache - help!  Another one of those embarrassing things that we think everyone else can see but they probably can't!  Or are too polite to say anything because they too have to remember to check the mirror before they go out in public.  We're all in the same boat girls!  So is there a good method for permanent facial hair removal?
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Last week I was on a zoom call with my bestest girlfriends and the conversation came up, my friend was convinced it is even more visible on the screen and was horrified that we were all horrified at her appearance!  We weren't. But she asked us for advice on what to do, and we came up with a few ideas.  But I decided it was time to come clean and talk about it on my blog - the last taboo!  So I messaged Lucie of L&A Evolution in Maidenhead, my trusted beauty therapist who looks after all things hair removal for me - sugar waxing and laser hair removal and ask for some tips.

Ever looked in a mirror when out and spotted a stray chin hair you missed at home!!?

With the beauty salons still closed I have included at home advice for facial hair removal as well as what is available at the salon once we are allowed back for our regular treatments.

Pluck don't shave .... unless you are having laser treatment in which case you need to shave between treatments.  Get a good pair of tweezers and a magnifying mirror plus a good light, and remember to clean the tweezers properly between each use.

Don't bleach, it is not a good idea to use such strong chemicals on our delicate face area.

Best at home option is to use wax strips. the small strips are fairly easy to use, just remember to pull. your skin tight when you remove!  I like the the Veet wax strips for sensitive skin.

I asked Lucie about the at home handheld laser gadgets, they can cost between £300 and £400 and are nowhere near as strong as getting laser done in a salon.  It is a big investment.  I have a Phillips Lumea and I am sad to admit it is now gathering dust under my bed.  I tried really hard to make it.a worthwhile purchase.  But to do my legs takes too long and those pesky course hairs still kept appearing on my face and eventually I gave up and paid for laser at the L&S Evolution.  But another friend on the same zoom call said she has persevered with hers and she feels the hairs on her legs are softer now and more patchy.  There is a big choice in IPL laser devices now - this one is currently £250 on Amazon.

Important point - laser will only work on dark hairs.  It will not work on white or blonde hair, this is because the laser targets the pigment in the hair, so the laser is unable to penetrate light hairs.

Laser at a salon is a popular option as it is fast, possibly less painful, it is certainly over quicker,  It is also quite cost-effective but although it can be permanent, often maintenance appointments are required.   You can see Lucie's price list on her website L&A Evolution here to give you a guide.

An alternative for lighter hair is electrolysis but I tried this many years ago and found it very painful and it needs a lot more sessions than laser.  Interestingly I had a pretty long course of electrolysis but the embarrassing dark hairs still kept appearing.  And yet many women swear by it.  Any type of hair colour and skin tone can be treated with electrolysis but laser is really only for those with light skin and dark hair. 

A lot depends on the area to be treated as well as skin tone and hair colour!  Electrolysis might be good for a small area but I couldn't imagine the time commitment needed for legs!  Or bikini!  I think for those areas, women tend to favour laser.  Or stick with waxing or for me sugar waxing.

I have had threading a few times, mostly for eyebrows but I did try it for facial hair, I didn't feel the results really lasted beyond a few days.

I have had a course of 9+ laser treatments on my chin with Lucie and I am now seeing a reduction in the number of darker hairs reappearing.  It is disappointing that lockdowns have interrupted my visits.  I still get the white hairs.  I think I will need a few more and occasional maintenance.

Outfit details below!

One thing is for sure, women spend a lot of money on hair removal and beauty generally over our lifetime!  It's scary really but not scary enough for me to want to stop.  I enjoy my regular trips to the beauty salon and I'm missing it.  

I am loving the early arrival of some spring days

A few details about my outfit in case you missed it on my previous post, the gathered sleeve jumper is new from Marks and Spencer, the dress is the Kensington shirt dress from Hush (this one is previous season) but they do the style every year.  My silver cross body bag is available along with lots of different straps from either Spirit & Grace Style or Amelia Rose Accessories.  It is the first time I have styled a summery dress with a jumper over the top but I was really pleased with how it looked and it felt comfortable to wear.

Read my other blogs about hair removal, here I tried out the Estrid subscription razor (I am using this whilst I can't get to the salon) and then here is a review of sugar waxing at L&A Evolution in Maidenhead.

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer:  I have used some affiliate links, which means if you follow the link and choose to buy something, I will receive a very small commission that goes towards the cost of running of my blog.  

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