Hi there... I don't know of any groups or anything but have you looked into this Epicare product? I'm thinking of getting one myself. People seem to view it as a lifesaver for problem hair. Have a search on the net for it or on this forum and see what you think, it might be helpful.
Don't get too down about this. There are ways of easing the problem, you just have to keep searching for a way that is suitable for you personally. I know its easier said than done not to get down about it and lack of confidence can be very crushing but you can through this and gain your confidence :)

First of all, don't panic. You've done the sensible thing and asked for help.

Secondly, you're not alone. Millions and millions of women have facial hair, but not very many talk about it.

Thirdly, take your time in thinking about this. There are any number of people giving out misleading information and plenty of people ready to take money off you while offering "cures" that don't work or are virtually useless.

This is a problem you've got to divide into two sections -- medical and cosmetic.

To deal with the medical side first of all, if your periods are regular and you've got normal breast development and no obvious physical abnormalities other than facial hair, then there's probably nothing to worry about medically. If you suffer from irregular periods or have anything else out of the ordinary medically (apart from the facial hair), you should definitely have a check-up in case you have something like PCOS.
Beware of a doctor suggesting that you go on to birth control pills -- they do increase your estrogen levels, but they lower your natural production of estrogen which may not rebound quickly or at all when eventually you stop the pill, so your end situation can be worse, rather than better.


Now, as far as the cosmetic side of things is concerned, this is where you've got to go carefully.

If there's not too much facial hair, do you really need to do anything? Most guys are OK about women with, for example, a slight moustache.

If you do decide you have to do something, then there isn't a simple answer.

Facial (and also body) hair on women comes about in the same way as on men because of

1) your body being sensitized, before you were even born, to testosterone -- doesn't happen to all girls, but does to many

2) your body producing high levels of testosterone

The growth rate and coarseness of the hair depends on just how much testosterone is circulating in your bloodstream.

Steer clear of bleaching -- when someone sees you against the light you'll look as if you have a glowing moustache and/or beard.

As far as removing it is concerned it's worth remembering that

* Waxing, plucking, threading, epilating all pull the hair out by the roots and where the growth is hormonally-driven can actually stimulate a dormant follicle into producing more hair quicker. They also distort the root if done repeatedly, leading to hair growing at strange angles. And you've got to let the hair grow to quite a length before you can repeat the exercise. It can also damage the skin and discolor it. Long-term use of waxing also causes bad wrinkles.

* Chemical depilatories strong enough to remove the hair are very likely to burn the skin, cause swelling and cause long-term discoloration of the skin.

* Laser is also liable to cause burning and discoloration and in any case only works effectively on a dark hair/light skin combinantion. Laser can only work long-term if your hormones are within normal female range.

* Electrolysis is very liable to cause scarring and discoloration of the skin. Electrolysis can only work longterm if your hormones are in the normal female range.

Which, like it or not, leaves shaving which does not damage the skin. Best done with a men's-style electric razor, the best of which, for women, are probably those from the men's range of Norelco razors (Philishave outside the US). Most women who try a men's Norelco wonder why nobody ever told them about it before.

Most guys are quite OK about a girl who shaves, as long as she's open about the fact. What they don't like are girls who are in denial about the fact that they've got facial hair.

Hi! Waxing is fine, but i think women should not be shaving their faces. If you feel that you have excess facial hair, then you should see a doctor abt it. And the dr shd be able to determine if your excess facial hair is abnormal and possibly the result of a chemical imbalance. It is very normal for women to have facial hair. As a woman, our hormones are constantly changing and that also affects the amount of facial hair we have. There is no hair removal method that is permanent. Laser only promises permanent reduction and even then, many women said that their hair came back even more after a year or so. Electrolysis works for many women, but the hardest part abt electrolysis is finding a REALLY REALLY GOOD electrolysis tech who will not damage your skin. I would suggest that you continue waxing (just make it part of your beauty routine) or use some other hair removal method where the hair is removed from the roots (like Bellabe). You can email them (facialhairthreading.com) and their customer service is very helpful. Do not shave. If you keep waxing or remove your facial hair from the roots, your hair will eventually grow back finer. Just be patient! Beauty is not just on the outside, it's on the inside too. Many beautiful women that you see are not naturally beautiful (they all have their secrets too!) Take the time to treat yourself to a facial about once every 6 weeks. That will make you feel so much better about yourself. Hope this helps!

I also get EXTREMELY depressed. I can't have anyone over for the night because I'm scared of them seeing me in the morning. I don't talk about it with my girlfriend. Whenever she touches my cheek or my chin I freak out and it hurts her that I won't explain it. This is horrible. I know, it seems like there's no way out and like it's just getting worse and worse. Like you're drowning. It seems like this epicare thing might work out though. Worth a shot.