That really sucks, I’m sorry you have to deal with that. I have noticed excess facial hair as I’ve gotten older (and fatter), but not to the extent you describe. I know that the excess facial hair is likely caused (in part on in whole) by being overweight, the excess fat causes hormonal imbalances and I’ve heard it often goes away when the weight is lost.
Have you tried waxing? You’ll have to let it grow out a bit before it is waxed (maybe a weekend of staying in and watching movies?), but it will appear finer when it grows back and should last a bit longer too. A new hair will have a tapered end, while a shaved hair will have a blunt end (if that makes sense.)
Good luck!

I only have a few hairs and I may be imagining things, but I think it's growing in much slower since I went on Metformin. I think it's also helped with the hair loss on my head. Sigh... all this hair where I don't want it, and my hair on my head falling out...

I was just talking to my doctor baout my facial hair last week. I get it bad too. She prescribed me a cream (don't remember the name) to try (which I still don't freaking have because either CVS doesn't know what they're doing, or the doctor's office hasn't sent it!! lol) So hopefully it will at least help!

The cream you're probably talking about is Vaniqa.

Laser hair removal is the best option and generally the most cost-effective. Based on the laws in your state, you might need to travel a bit to get it done at a good price. In Arizona, it can be performed by people who just get certified in Lasering so it's very inexpensive. Some states require a nurse or a doctor to do it and that makes the price go sky high. I just bought a Groupon deal here for unlimited lasering for a year for $999. Considering all I need lasered I'm going to save a small fortune and get a LOT of work done.

I have hair problems everywhere (everywhere!) thanks to the evil PCOS beast. I have been lasering my face for about 8 years, my arms and underarms for almost that long. I'm sure I wouldn't have to still be going back but with my hormones out of whack, new growth is just going to keep coming in. But the lasering makes it VERY manageable. I used to have full-on sideburns, upper lip, chin, etc... even after shaving you could see the dark areas of the hair beneath the skin. Lasering made it so I don't have the dark shadow at all. Sometimes when it's almost time to go in again (4 or 5 weeks after last laser) I will have a few darker patches that only I can see, which I shave off.

My arms and underarms don't need maintenance at all. I just shave the few little hairs away right before my appointment. Sometimes, I have a bad growth cycle where I get some darker visible hairs but since I've been sticking to my diet and exercise, it's improved a GREAT DEAL. Which is a great incentive to stay on the plan!

I do not recommend bleaching your face. It just makes the hair glow in the sun. Depending on your skin tone, bleaching is a good short-term solution for your arms (if you have dark hair there like I did) for special occasions like weddings, job interviews, etc. It lasts a few weeks before the new growth makes the darkness show up again.

I also bought a deal for electrolysis but I haven't gone in for it yet so I have no advice in that area yet. I'm planning on getting my eyebrows done and maybe some of the blonde hairs around my lips that lasering can't touch. The deal I bought is for 60 minutes but I don't know how much can be done in that length of time. Lasering eyebrows is kind of a pain because you can't get very accurate, which is why I'm going for electrolysis in that area.

I'm already on your friends list so please private message me if you have any questions. I've been dealing with hair growth issues for about 10 years now and I've tried almost everything you can think of and I'll be glad to answer any other questions you have.

I only have a few hairs and I may be imagining things, but I think it's growing in much slower since I went on Metformin. I think it's also helped with the hair loss on my head. Sigh... all this hair where I don't want it, and my hair on my head falling out...

I think my body has gotten use to my metformin. I've been on it since I was 12, so for 13 years now. It doesn't slow any hair growth, except the hair on my head. So I've stopped taking it. As for pure shampoos. I like Garnier Fructis Pure and Clean. I have a sensitive scalp and this stuff is awesome and gentle.

I have them just as thick and dark as ever and I'm down a lot, not 100 yet but I'm not seeing any difference. I pluck, I dry shave and I have to do it daily.

I'm in the UK, and my GP prescribed a cream called Vaniqa for the facial hair. It helped me a lot, although I still have hair on my jaw it's a lot finer and less noticeable than the thick black hairs I used to get!

http://www.vaniqa.com/

I was prescribed Spironolactone, which is generic for Aldactone. It has really slowed the growth. It won't take the unwanted hair away, but it will prevent more from coming in. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

I was prescribed Spironolactone, which is generic for Aldactone. It has really slowed the growth. It won't take the unwanted hair away, but it will prevent more from coming in. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Same here. Doesn't solve the problem but slows it. My doctor has assure me alot of these hormonal problems will resolve when I get to my ideal body weight.

In the meantime, I spend far too much on razors a month. Sensitive skin with these issues sucks!

I can't comment on weight loss affecting this condition, though it seems it would since losing weight would affect your hormones (which causes this condition). Ultimately you'll have to discuss this with your gyno as to what you can expect. That said, I have some short term solutions that are personal lifesavers for me:

Sally Hansen hair remover cream for the face & Moom organic sugar waxing has been great for excess hair removal. Also as mentioned if you have the money laser may be an option, but waxing & depilatory creams work best for me and they are cheaper.

Also I would look into Chasteberry/Vitex supplements, not sure if it affects this condition or not, but it did help me with non-stop periods I experienced with PCOS (again going back to hormones being affected may reduce the problem).

Do you use any acne treatments like Accutane or Retin A? Also, before waxing, do you apply baby powder to keep a barrier between the wax and your skin? Acne treatments can make skin very sensitive and delicate. The powder helps the wax grip to the hair better, while keeping a barrier between you and the wax.

Try it again! Seriously! Also, let the wax cool before you use it. Stir the pot of wax around a bit so that you dont have extra hot spots of wax. The outside tends to cool first and the inside of the wax tends to head up the most/fastest when you zap it in the micro.

I've made the mistake of using wax that's too hot, and it ripped my skin off. Ouch. But at least no hair grows there anymore so it wasn't all for nothing lol. Now I have a patch in the middle of my chin that's bald haha. When wax is too hot it technically "cooks" the outer layer of skin, making it easier to come off. I usually know when my wax is ready to use when it's not too runny. Apply it in the direction of the hair growth and then remove it the direction going against the growth. Since you've been shaving, you should def use the hard wax. It grips so much better. With the hard wax you just have to let it cool on your skin for a minute or so until you can pull on an edge without it coming off like Laffy Taffy. Feel free to message me if you have questions. I've been waxing myself for 13 years (i've waxed my *kitten*, face, tummy, thighs, because i'm a hairy beast haha)