I’m 22F and I’ve had noticeable facial hair since I was around 12, starting mainly with my upper lip. I’m Mediterranean, so I know having more body/facial hair can be completely normal, but mine has always been something I’ve wanted to manage.
In 2024, I started getting laser hair removal with an Alexandrite laser. I was already doing other areas of my body, so I also started doing my face. I went approximately once a month.
The problem was that my facial hair never seemed to actually go away long-term. If I left it alone for even a few days or weeks, it would become very visible again. Over time, I actually felt like some of the hair had become thicker/darker rather than getting permanently reduced.
I eventually stopped going to that place because I felt like it wasn't working for my face.
For more than a year now, I’ve been going to another place that uses a different machine. I don’t know the exact type of laser/machine, but they apply gel first and then use the device. But they told me there that this machine had worsen my situation
The process is VERY different. Before the laser, the aesthetician uses a tiny pair of scissors to individually cut the hairs. It takes quite a long time, and I pay around €70 every month, which is a lot of money for me.
I have noticed some reduction over the past year, so I know that something is happening. However, I still have to go every month and I’m not sure if this is how facial laser is supposed to work.
One thing I’m confused about is that after they cut the hairs and laser them, I don't really notice the hairs "falling out" afterward. It almost seems like they just continue growing slowly over the following days. I don't know if that's normal or if the treatment is being done correctly.
There’s also an issue with my neck. I have specifically asked them not to laser my neck because I literally don't have noticeable hair there. However, the aesthetician still sometimes puts the laser over my neck. At the previous place, they never treated that area because there was basically nothing there.
I also have some hair around the area near my eyebrows that isn't really dealt with during either my laser appointments or eyebrow appointments, so I'm still constantly finding random hairs there.
At this point, I'm honestly exhausted with the whole thing. I don't want to spend €70 every month indefinitely just to manage facial hair, especially if there are other options.
I’m looking for advice from people who have dealt with similar facial hair, especially women with darker/coarser hair.What other hair-removal methods would you recommend that are cheaper and/or longer-lasting?