Hi all, I have a client on Saturday who has PCOS and I'm to wax away her facial hair. This has been arranged for her by her dad and stepmum - she is 19 and on medication from GP to reduce the hair growth.
She has an appt with consultant later this month and she has to have the hair all removed so that they can assess regrowth at the appt.
She has never had all the hair removed before and has become a recluse, dropping out of college to study at home and not socialising any more.
I have read all the advice from other geeks on here and feel a little more confident in myself now.
I will be using PR wax, probably the escential rose with the PR pre-wax and oil and post-wax too.
Her dad has checked with the GP and this medication she is on does not contra-indicate waxing or any other form of hair removal.
I am travelling to her house to do the treatment (I'm mobile but it's way outside my area!) and am really hoping that she will feel happier afterwards and that together with the medication she will start to feel more confident soon!
I have just moved to Warwickshire so this is one of my first clients, and I have been out of action for the last few months due to illness and moving house so I will keep you posted on the results
Sorry this is so long!
Natalya x

Hi I am a PCOS sufferer - I know this may not be a good idea from your business point of view, but I would strongly suggest to her about considering the idea of having electroylsis.

It was the best thing I ever did. I know waxing will instantly make the difference, but it's not a permanent method. It will thin the hair, but in the long run I would opt for the electroylsis. Also if she were to have this done, waxing can distort the follicles.

She can be referred by her GP to having it done on the NHS.

I'm only saying this from the point of view of someone who has been there. Hope you don't mind. x

Good for you and I'm sure she'll be delighted with the result. Apply nice long narrow strips and remove in small pieces (not in one go).

Try it without the oil before or after and see how you go. I think the oil with this condition may cause her to break out and that's the last thing she'll want. If it were me, I'd apply Savlon or similar all over. Check she's ok with that first. xxx

Oh another thing I just thought of. You could mention to her about Vaniqa cream - it reduces the hair growth. Though this is only available on prescription, she could enquire about it with her GP.

hth
x

Hi hun i just wanted to say good luck with your business in Warwickshire im based here too and have a fab client base xxx

Hi,

It is so nice to hear that this lovely girls Family are looking out for her but this does indicate (and from what you say) that she is very much affected by her condition and a full consultation must be given before any service is offered at all.

As therapists there are times we must adviced outside our realms of capability and one of the most effective treatments may well be out of your hands. In PCOS cases and other more severe cases of excessive hair growth, it is sometimes advisable to refer clients to IPL and/or laser specialists.

Of all the hair removal methods, for her sake, this really is the only solution as waxing will be a continual and on going process. With the problems of having to grow the hair to a set length, this is often never an option for women that are suffering and so electrolysis and waxing often causes much distress between appointments.

I would recomend you help her with all her options and help her way up all the solutions out ther.

Good luck and I hope she gets fantastic results and her life back to how it should be.

xx

The problem with laser/IPL is that it offers permanent reduction and not permanent removal such as electrolysis. You only need minimal growth for electrolysis and if you use a machine like Apilus you can complete the treatment much quicker. An option is to combine both if skin type allows however laser/IPL is not good for tanned or darker skin types and may rule it out for this client.... I have a client with pcos and the growth is very heavy and we are getting good results with electrolysis. Unfortunately I have a few ex laser clients seek me out for electrolysis because they experienced more regrowth than they had before.....

If she just needs the hair removed for assessment then i would say fine,but as an ongoing solution to her problem, like some of the other therapists, i also think it is definately no answer to her problem

She definately needs to be advised that continual waxing may result in other permanent hair removal systems being less or even non effective.

I dont think many GPs are familiar with the latest forms of electrolysis it really has come a long way and is so much more gentle and effective.As her therapist you could look into it and advise her how to go about making sure she finds a good electrologist ,using the best equipment as there are huge differences which is why many people say its not that effective it most definately is in the right hands.

Also as well as IPL there are medical grade lasers which although very expensive, if her mental state is being affected she may be entitled to on he NHS.

My daughter suffers from PCOS and she has been offered a 50% reduction in the price to have IPL treatment, but will need a doctor's letter. It's not cheap by any means. Just a thought. xx

Reading this thread with great interest as a PCOS sufferer who waxes her face every 3 weeks and plucks daily in between eyebrows and under brows for stragglers, it really can be such a de-feminising condition - hairyness, propensity for obesity, infertility etc, anything that helps is better than nothing
x

I have to say from my point of view, I was waxing my face every 2 weeks. Along with everything else! Every morning I was getting up an extra 40mins just to pluck before I went out!

Having electroylsis (I did try the laser but never really helped) has given me a new lease of life. I still need to have it now and again, but it's months in between.

I agree with VikkiBP - it is de-feminising. But there is help out there. I hope your client does find a solution that helps her. There are so many women out there with this horrible condition

There are many grades of laser some a lot better than others that beauty therapists can use, and then the medical grade lasers that are used by qualified medical practitioners which will treat all hair and not just pigmented hair.

Which electrolysis machine does your electrologist use Miss Star.

I do electroylsis on myself. I have the Sterex SX-B Blend Epilator.

I was having IPL for 8 months and I had to revert back to electroylsis - it worls best for me. I know everyone is different, different things work for others.

Yes definately and you obviously know what you are doing which is a major factor.Electrolysis looks easy but to do it properly and effectively you have to be skilled and that takes a lot of practice and good teaching.

Very true!