VERY HAIRY

Dear Jellybean,

I have a huge problem: I am possibly one of THE HAIRIEST GIRLS ON THE PLANET!! I have no idea what to do to fix this. I have hair all over me, dark, thick hair and it disgusts me, as well as anyone that accidentally sees me, like other girls in the locker room when we're changing. I understand that a girl is supposed to experience certain bodily changes and all that when she starts maturing, but really this much hair?! Hair on my legs I can handle and even the massive amounts on my arms... but my back and my stomach are just unbearable. I feel so embarrassed by this problem of mine that when I go swimming I'll either where something that covers my stomach and back completely or keep my towel wrapped around me until the last possible second and then throw it off and jump in water, hoping that no one saw me. I know that I'm probably overreacting and that I probably shouldn't be worrying about this anyway because it's what's inside that counts not the outside, but I just can't take this anymore. I know that shaving an area will only make the hair come back thicker and even darker, but I have to admit that I was so desperate I tried it a few times. Unfortunately the hair grew back very fast, a whole lot faster than I expected so I stoppped before I made the problem any worse than it already was. Another method I tried to get rid of the hair was to try Nair. Unfortunately, it turns out that my skin is apparently very sensitive to even the type of Nair for sensitive skin that has the aloe in it. My skin got very red and burned like crazy, leaving me with bright red dots all over me. The only other option I can think of is waxing, and I'm afraid to ask my mom about it... her and I aren't very close and I'm afraid she'll tell me no. I need your help MyJellybean, so if you have any advice whatsoever about this please help me.

Thanks,
Hairy-and-Scary, age 17

Dear Hairy-and-Scary,

So, shaving and depillatory lotion (the Nair) haven't worked for you. There are a couple of other hair removal options that you haven't explored.

Waxing is an option. Basically, a technician applies wax, then places a strip of cotton on top, and rips it off quickly to pull hair out by the roots. Then they apply a lotion, powder or oil to reduce redness. This hair-removal technique leaves you smoother for longer than shaving, and it can take several weeks for hair to grow back. However, it can also be quite painful, so be warned. Using a waxing kit yourself at home is free, but if you have as much body hair as you describe, and in hard-to-reach areas (such as your back), you might need to go to a salon. This can be expensive. Typical fees for salons vary, but you can expect to pay about $15-25 bucks for underarms, $25-40 for arms, $60-70 for full legs (upper and lower), and $40 -$55 for your back.

Another choice for hair-removal is electrolysis. Electrolysis removes hair by killing its roots with an electrical current. It's permanent - once the hair is killed, it never grows back. You may be saying to yourself, "Yeah, that's what I want!" However, electrolysis can be painful, and sometimes leads to scarring. It can also be very expensive - about $75 an hour. And because each hair has to be shocked individually, some areas of the body can take several hours to treat. This can easily run into hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

Laser hair removal is another option, and it is also permanent. Because whole parts of the body can be treated at once, it's much quicker than electrolysis. Pain is minimal, and skin heals quickly. However, treatments are costly - anywhere from $500 on up per session. Most people need 2 to 6 sessions to completely remove hair.

By the way, it's a myth that shaving makes hair grow back thicker and darker. It doesn't. It may seem that way, because stubble can look very dark against your skin, but hair growth isn't affected at all. So shaving is still an option, if you can stand doing it every couple of days (it doesn't keep hair away long, as you've learned for yourself). It is super-cheap, however, and pain-free if you do it carefully and moisturize well both before and after using a razor.

Besides shaving, you probably are going to have to ask your mom about the other options, if one seems right (and affordable) for you. Try to approach her matter-of-factly, and be honest about how your excess hair (show her if she hasn't seen it) makes you feel. You might not be close, but she's a woman too, and she's your mom. Give it a try.