It's a while since I have visited this site - everything had become too much to bare that I took some time to ask myself what I really needed to do to make myself feel more positive about my future. I was only diagnosed with PCOS this year so it was a lot to take onboard.
As I am not ttc the most depressing and restricting thing for me was the increase in facial hair over a three year period. It stopped me going out, dating - even going to the dentist as i was so fearful he would notice and wonder who he was treating!
Anyway - after encouragement from another lady I met with PCOS and getting so annoyed at my loss of confidence I decided to save up for laser treatment. By this stage I was shaving twice a day and figured that although it was expensive, the moeny I was saving by becoming a recluse would cover it.
I considered electolysis and epilight treatments, but as my hormones were out of balance I was advised by my endo that it wouldn't work. I was nervous that of so many things, that I would have to go to a dirty clinic, that they would laugh at me, that I would be scarred, that I would be ripped-off. Any excuse basically.
Anyway, I contacted the laser clinic at the skin unit of Dudley Road hospital in Birmingham. I figured that as they use the lasers for hair removal and skin improvement techniques all the time, that they would be understanding and qualified to use the lasers.
My initial consulatation cost 20 pounds, teh nurse asked about any underlying conditions - and when i mentioned PCOS i was worried that they wouldn't treat me. She advised that it was possible to have laser treament but a course of six sessions would be needed in order to give the dormant hairs time to grow and be zapped away. They took my photograph and explained the procedure. Then they did a small patch test to make sure I would be suitable for the lasers. I am pale with couarse dark stubble, so it was fine. It didn't hurt, mainly because they direct very powerful cold air jets alongside the laser. This just feels a bit windy, but nothing too severs. Afterwards it was a bit read but they gave me lots of products to take away, including Aloe Vera jelly and factor 50 suncream.
My first treatment was very nerve-wracking. As i walked in i was sure everyone would know i was the patient with the beard! But, i was asked to shave before i arrived as the lasers work better that way so it wasn't so bad. Although i had my neck, sideburns and chin done, it only took 20 minutes and din't hurt - although you can smell the hair burning. I was red but this faded quickly once they put on the Aloe Vera gel.
The nest day I didn't see any difference, or the next, or the next. I was convinced it wasn't going to work for me and that i would be alone forever. Then, after about ten days of doing my usual early morning shave i noticed a lot of the hairs had gone. This has continued and the same thing happened after my second treatment.
I still have four more to go, but even after two i feel more human. I only have to shave a tiny area once every two days, and my skin is smooth, is not red raw and has no shaving rash. I feel happy to wear necklaces and tie my hair back. I won't pray for a cold winter to so i can wear trutle-neck outfits for longer. I also feel that a quick kiss would now not be out of the question, if only Prince Charming would arrive!
A course of six treatments has cost less than 250 pounds. I paid in one go to get a discount, but you can pay individually too.
I thought it would cost more to be honest, and considering the results, it is definitely worth every penny. I am only posting this to help anyone out there who is feeling as utterley worthless as i was. If you can afford it, then please consider this treatment. It is so much better than shaving, plucking, using creams, bleaching etc. and all the other methods that have to be done daily. It is fast and works better than the previous electronic and laser systems. I feel like it is a tiny miracle to be honest.
If you want any advice then feel free to PM me. I felt so much better once i had talked to my friend about it. especially as she has had it done too - so we even compared apointments and results!
I hope this helps. Start saving and get it done - reclaim your life!
I'm so glad it has worked well for you and that it has made you feel so much better about yourself. I've been wondering about it myself for a while now, but I've always assumed it would cost a lot more than you say it costs. As I'm not working at the moment it will take me a while to save up, but your success is an insentive to keep saving those pennies!
Right, off I go to find somewhere near me that can treat me!
They have over 16 clinics in the UK. I have only attended the Birmingham one, but found them so professional that I would think they would be similar.
Clinics are located in Glasgow, Newcastle, Middlesborough, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, Leicester, Bristol, Southampton, Solent, Surrey and three in London
The web site gives you info on prices, treatments etc.
Thank you for the information. I'm having a look on their website now. Leeds is only about an hour away from me, so I could go to that clinic. For some reason I'd always presumed there was nowhere near me that did it.
Claire thank you for this! You have really spurred me into getting it done! My hubby and I were discussing the other day my options for hair removal and trying to get hair up top lol He is totally behind me in getting it all seen to no matter what it takes now. (For years he never understood what my problem was). So I am so very pleased to read your experience about it. Am away to look up that site and start making plans on getting the money together.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
__________________ 101.5lbs lost since 10th Nov. 2003
38cm less of my waist. (Next weigh-in 26th May.)
231.5/139.5/140 *reached 9/12/04
139.5/130/133 *reached 3/3/05
Me: 36 DH: 39 - 2 teenage boys
Dx: October '03
Metformin 1500mg. Enalapril 80mg (BP) - Simvastatin 40mg (cholesterol) - all part of treatment for kidney disease.
Good luck with everything. How lucky you are to have a hubbie who you can confide in and is supportive. Just remember that you can make steps to regaining yourself. I often think they are so tiny it won't make any difference, but I've certinly realised that anything is better than just accepting the inevitable demise of confidence.
Good luck finding a clinic. As i said before, I only have experience of one place - i'm sure there are more out there. Go with questions and see how you feel after a consultation.
I was so excited when I read your post, i've been thinking of doing this for a while and I dragged my husband into the sitting room so I could read your post to him
I have a clinic less than 10 minutes by car in East Finchley, am hoping in the new year to have enough dosh to get this done. I think anything under £1,000 for a hair free face is a bargain! I'm so glad its been great for you as well!
Was your hair towards the thick side when you started? Also, do they do your whole face at once or do they do different areas at a time like the chin or upper lip?
Thanks again for the post!
Eloise
__________________ Eloise, 32 and Phil, 41
Dx PCOS 15 yrs ago
Married 6 years
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"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4)
Great to hear that you are so close to a clinic. I had my third treatment on Saturday. They stepped the dose up to a higher level, but it still wasn't painful. They also tested a small area just under my chin for the next level after that so that they can increase the dose next time. So, it's all going well. They said to leave my next appointment for about six weeks to give the hair chance to grow back. It used to be only four so you can tell it is getting better.
Anyway, to answer your questions, my hair was very coarse adn thick and extremely noticeable if i didn't shave twice a day. It was getting worse as my weight increased and my other symptoms got worse. I was afraid that it would be too bad to do anything about. It was getting to the point where it was difficult to shave as the area was so sensitive and i would get terrible rash, even though i was extra careful with my regime.
They have done my neck, sideburns, chin and top lip everytime within about 15 minutes. It really doesn't take long. You can have the laser on legs, chest, back, all over in fact so it doesn't present a problem. They do a patch test to make sure you do not react badly, but either way, you look a bit red afterwards.
Something which i didn't realise is that there are some patients who are going through gender-reassignment from male to female so obviously, their hair coverage and thickness is able to be dealth with, so don't worry. Also a lot of (rich) women have it done for aesthetic reasons too so it's more common than you think.
Good luck, it really is easy and makes such a difference so getting writing to Santa and see what happens.
A Positive light in the hair removal gloom 
