Facial Hair

I have PCOS and one of the lovely symptoms that I have is hrisutism - its not terrible really, but the one place where it bothers me is on my chin.  I have to shave every day.  Did any of you notice extra hair from PCOS going away after wls?

Mine got better for several reasons... laser hair removal took great care of it...  then my hormones must have been "shocked" for about a year...  then the hormones started going bonkers again and the hair regrew.  I am still struggling but not as bad as it used to be.  Not sure if it is surgery related or not, could just be the laser hair removal.  I would say NO surgery is not a cure and I/ve read of others.  I would be interested in knowing if the docs have followed patients longterm to see if the temporary relief they saw was within the first year because it does shock a persons entire body

my doctor is giving me spironalactone and cabergoline for my hormone issues and hair growth but I cant remember which is for which... lol I think the Cabergoline is for the hair  hope that helps (he said it would take 6 months to see any improvement)

I take Spiro but never heard of the other one you said...  spiro blocks the male hormone which causes hair growth and I think it works really good... although it takes a few months to get into your system and notice a difference.  It is also a diuretic and will help you get rid of fluid.  I also have used Vaniqua cream.  It works pretty well in combination with the spironolactone but I don't use it much anymore.  My skin is sensitive, and if you shave your hair, wowsers! It will surely sting and break you out!

My excess hair on my chin didn't go away...but it did stop getting worse.  I too shave mine to control it.  Eventually I'll get the laser removal...but just don't have the $$ for it right now.

I had RNY and didn't see any hrisutism changes.  I started having laser treatments 2 years ago (I basically had facial hair like a man and shaved daily if not more) and now have no facial hair issues any longer.  The treatments hurt but were well worth the short term pain.  The other side effects of my PCOS were much better after my RNY.   I hope that helps.  If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

I shave every day too... upper lip and chin.  The growth has slowed, but it's still there.  I could probably get away with shaving every other day, but I'm way paranoid about it.  It's definitely not as bad as it was before. Most of my other PCOS symptoms have definitely disappeared.

I have never been diagnosed with PCOS although I suspect I have it.  Anyway, one of my symptoms/nightmares is the hair issue!! (basically sideburns & under chin which I shave or tweeze - omg can't believe I just admitted that!!!)  My dermatologist had told me when I was younger if I just lose weight it would go away.  My sister who does NOT have a weight problem has the same issue.  Love doctors sometimes... Anyway, I'm actually writing to ask a couple questions of the people who get laser treatments.   1) Roughly how much has it cost you (per session or in general) - I've never had the guts to actually go in for a consult so I'd like an idea before I finally do... 2)  how many sessions did you have to have to get it under control (or is it a life thing??)  I've spent the last 12 years w/my boyfriend not allowing him to *ever* touch my face and trying my best to hide this... Frankly, I'm sick of it! ~ AIM 

Aim, I totally understand and can relate to not letting your boyfriend touch your face, I lived without letting ANYONE touch my face from age 16 to 44.  I tried to hide my face a lot, wore a lot of heavy foundation type makeup and wouldn't let anyone see me until I was fully made up.  If anyone looked at me weird I thought it was because of my facial hair and I was VERY self-conscious.  So I feel your pain!!!  As for the price of Laser treatments, it depends on where you go and where you live.  When I lived in San Diego it was going to be like $2500 out of pocket before they would start treatments and then around $200 a session afterwards, unknown how many times I'd have to go.  I now live in North Carolina and have been having treatments for just under 2 years (sounds like a lot I know, but it's soooo worth it!).  The cost here was $50 for the test/consult and I think it was $300 the first treatment and it went down from there every time I had a treatment.  The treatments were every 6 weeks and I had to have my full face/neck/sideburns done.  The treatments hurt (kind of like a rubber band being snapped against my skin) but it was overwith quickly and very worth the pain.  My facility now has some numbing cream available to help with the pain.   Now I feel liberated!!!  I don't cringe every time someone wants to touch my face and even go without make up most of the time.  I do have to wear sunscreen more now than before because I don't wear the makeup.  My boyfriend (actually he's my FIANCE' now...  woo hoo!!!)  Anyway, I hope this helps, if you have ANY more questions please feel free to PM me.  I'm sorry for the delay in response but I don't come to this forum very often...   Have a great day!

I shaved every day from about the age of 16 to 37. Then I had laser surgery. All total, it took a year and $900 but I never have to worry again. The hair is gone. After just one treatment, I was down to shaving once a week.