![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on May 13, 2005, at 19:35:43
What's the best way to deal with chin hair?
It's driving me nuts.
The dermatologist says laser hair removal won't work because it's blonde. All the dermatologists offer seem to offer laser hair removal rather than electrolysis, and I don't want to get it done by someone other than a doctor, because there are health risks involved, I understand.
I know what happens to hair when you shave. :(
The Nair made especially for the face is still too strong. I end up with an inflamed red chin that is way too hard to explain.
Plucking will soon be beyond what can be reasonable in one evening. :((
I guess that leaves waxing. Ouch.
Anyone else heard of anything that works?
(Assuming I'm the only one with a disgusting quantity of chin hair.)
Posted by Racer on May 15, 2005, at 13:54:48
In reply to Women of a certain age who may know?, posted by Dinah on May 13, 2005, at 19:35:43
Don't rule out waxing, Dinah. The only part of my face that I wax is my eyebrows, but I've waxed various parts of my body for more than twenty years, and it really ain't so bad!
For one thing, if you have it done at a salon, they're quick and nearly painless.
And if you do it at home -- as I do -- there are some things you can do to reduce the discomfort.
1. Before waxing, put a hot compress on the area to be waxed. This helps relax the follicles, and makes it easier to get the hair out.
2. After the compress, use some cornstarch to dust the area to be waxed -- helps the wax stick better, so it comes out easier.
3. When you get the hot wax on, and the fabric strip, pull FAST and ALL-AT-ONCE. I really makes a difference. If you go slowly, it hurts like a bad word. (Just like a bandaid...)
4. Solarcaine afterwards, especially the Aloe Vera gel kind? That's the best stuff for right after, soothes the heat there.
Personally, Dinah, at the risk of an overshare -- waxing is a hell of a lot easier for me than shaving! A couple of years ago, I bought a razor for an urgent de-hairing, and my legs burned much more than when waxing.
But the real reason I suggest it is that if you do wax regularly, the hair will start to grow back much lighter, finer, and often not at all...
(Mind you, I have thin, fine hair anyway, and big areas of my legs are hair-free from riding. {shrug} But it still helps me...)
Posted by Dinah on May 16, 2005, at 20:48:02
In reply to Re: Women of a certain age who may know? » Dinah, posted by Racer on May 15, 2005, at 13:54:48
Thanks Racer. Armed with those suggestions I'll give it a try. My only try with waxing before involved a wax warmer and little sticks and drippings of wax that I found for years and years. But I do remember that it looks easier now.
As long as I don't have that allergic reaction that makes me look like a redhaired santa claus, I can deal with a bit of pain.
Posted by Sarah T. on May 16, 2005, at 22:36:00
In reply to Women of a certain age who may know?, posted by Dinah on May 13, 2005, at 19:35:43
Dinah,
I've read that there is a new laser that treats blonde and white hair. Apparently it's not quite as effective as the lasers that ablate/eradicate brown and black hair, but it's better than previous lasers were for lighter hair. I think it's made by a company called Syneron. If I find out more about it, I'll let you know. I think that several laser treatments are required. Even if it doesn't get rid of all the hair, it's supposed to substantially slow hair growth.
Posted by Dinah on May 17, 2005, at 13:33:05
In reply to Re: Women of a certain age who may know? » Dinah, posted by Sarah T. on May 16, 2005, at 22:36:00
If I know such a thing is available, I'll know I can call around and see if anyone offers it nearby.
Posted by Sarah T. on May 18, 2005, at 23:04:43
In reply to Thanks Sarah! » Sarah T., posted by Dinah on May 17, 2005, at 13:33:05
Hi Dinah,
I haven't had time to adequately research this, but I did do a very quick search and found something called "Elos" made by Syneron. Apparently it uses a combination of RF (I assume that's radiofrequency) plus light (I think it's laser light, but I'm not sure). It looks as if a series of treatments is required, especially for lighter-colored hair. I've read that it's very important to go to a doctor who is highly trained in the use of lasers and similar equipment rather than an "aesthetician" or other beauty spa employee.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Health | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.