January 28, 2014

Where IS My Razor These Days?

Can you believe it’s been almost two months since I’ve shaved?

I can’t.

With the holidays being such an awkward and busy time this year--and I wasn't at home with my usual mirror and it's advantageous lighting--it was a great relief to never touch my razor.  Even my legs and underarms are all lush and untamed, which is fairly easy to do when you live in a cold climate where most of your body is covered all of the time.  I’ve even stopped putting my razor and shave gel in the shower.  It was just pleasant to take a holiday from that chore when there was so much else to do, and since then I haven’t seen the need to go back to it.

It is rather unusual to feel the wind in your leg hair when you walk on the treadmill in shorts or capris, however.  Can’t remember the last time I’ve felt that.  Took me a few days to even figure out what the sensation was.

The hair on my face has now evened out, so that the places I used to shave are the same length as the vellum hair that grows on my cheeks.  No more of that “mowed lawn” look on the jaws and chin.  I’m still trying to get used to having hair there at all.  It is hard to remember what is “average” when you spend so much of your life being paranoid about any hair showing at all in those areas. 

I bought a box of Jolen hair bleach for the first time in... oh, ages... just to take care of the hairs on the sides of my face that are a darker sort of blond, but only at certain angles and thus are hard to catch to pluck.  And because I’m bleaching hair that is not too dark or coarse to begin with, I don’t have to keep it on as long or reapply it the next day because the new growth is easy to see.  It seems so strange to go back to that old routine of measuring out one part accelerator powder to two parts cream, mixing it on that tiny palette and spreading it over the hair.  Seeing that thick white concoction sitting there on my face so plainly reminded me of how shocking my beard used to be to me, and how worried I used to be about anyone seeing it or whatever method I was using to hide it. 

And now it’s manageable enough that it feels like it’s gone.  Now when some dude jokes, "I haven't shaved in, like, two days and you can't even tell!" I shout, "Me too!"  I have to keep checking every morning and every night to make sure it’s still real.  And then I apply some miraculous Vaniqa cream (of which I am just starting a new bottle, worth every penny) and go to bed knowing that getting ready in the morning will be so effortless and devoid of emotional agony.

Just goes to show you, you should try everything you safely can to make life that little bit easier for you.  It really does make a difference.



I’ll be crossing the ocean soon, so you likely won’t hear from me for some time... not that that’s anything new these days!  Keep well, my dears.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Never commented before, but have been reading your blog for awhile and take so much inspiration from it--so thank you!! Please don't disappear forever. :) Also, would it be possible for you to post pictures before and after of your thighs? You said that this was an area of great improvement for you with Spiro, and my thighs are one of my WORST areas of hirsutism... Seriously, they're so bad, I can't imagine how I would ever get to a point where I could just wear underwear around the house, etc. I just started on Spiro, so could use some encouragement!

Anyway, you're awesome, hope that you haven't posted in awhile because everything is going well for you.

Anonymous said...

I really wanted to know if you're hirsutism is related to ovarian cysts ? Because I'm also suffering from "hairyness".

anu said...

al ? whr r u these days.
We miss u !!
plz update

Anonymous said...

Hello.
This is off topic but i hope you could answer my question.
First, i would just like to say that your blog has been a great source of inspiration for me.
Now, judging by all the signs I'm certain i have idiopathic hirsutism;
but the doctor to whom i went seemed to know about the subject somewhere between very little to nothing.
I was wondering whether you could tell me from the knowledge you've gained from your personal experience what should i, or rather the doctor, look for in blood tests.
Thank you very much!

Anonymous said...

Hey Al! How are you doing? I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and I have read almost everything! Just wanted to say thank you, it feels good to know that I'm not alone with this issue! Btw, you are very pretty :-)
Elle from Germany

Aarti said...

dearest al,
how are u?I love ur blog,and though haven't written for a awhile I still read th eolder posts.Fellow hirsuite says hi.I have been waxing my face every 6 weeks since 13 yrs.Task it is,but is has allowed me to live my life in a respectable and happy manner I assume.I am currently on diane 35 and aldactone (100 mg daily) since 7 months.How has it been working for u now that u don't write anymore.Also did laser help now also, after a few months .It would be great to hear from u,such a brave and nice lady u are and beautiful too.greetings from India.

Ash said...

Just came down to this last post after reading the rest of you blog and oh my, it was quite the ride. I'm so happy for you and the place you are at right now. A pretty girl like you deserves all the self confidence. Hope the hair isn't causing you any inconvenience now. Take care. :)

BeardedAndBeautiful said...

I just found your blog today, which seems to be a few years too late, but I wanted to thank you for your candor. I too have been living with idiopathic hirsutism since I was about 14 or 15. It has ruled my life, in that all daily activities I consider how my hair will affect the day. When do I need to shave? Will I have a 5 o'clock shadow when I go out? I relate to everything you have posted and it was so nice to know that others are going through this as well. I have tried electrolosis and it was way too painful. I have tried laser, but the hair always grew back, and I have tried some medications with limited effect, if any. So these days I rely on shaving alone. I am trying Vaniqa but I haven't received the tubes yet from my pharmacy. So wish me luck! I am curious how things are going in your journey and if you still continue to blog.

Its Black and White said...

I am hoping to reach you. I have recently been prescribed Spironolactone and I was reading through some of your blog posts to see you are no longer on it? How did it work for you? I am taking only 50mg daily for testosterone levels. I am thinning up top as far as the hair goes. It's so distressing and discouraging. I am 30 and was wondering what you've had success with.

Lauren said...

That is awesome!! A quick question- is this due largely to using Vaniqa?

Unknown said...

I'm new to your blog. What is the treatment you're referring to with such great results ?

Nikki said...

Hey
Ur blogs r truly acting as a saviour for many women like me..it motivates to keep ur fight on with our hair...pls dobt stop writing..its been very long we have had an update from ur side...looking forward to u to return

Nikki said...

Hey
Looking forward for ur latest update..pls come back soon

Unknown said...

So happy for you! Are you still using Vaniqa? I want to try it, but it's so expensive.