More hair on face and arms

[Pr0jection]

Although I've been on 7.5mg for 4 years I've never had any real side effects until recently. Or maybe I just haven't noticed them. In the last 6 months I've developed quite hairy arms and fuzz on my face. I've also noticed milia on both sides of my chin. Has anyone else? Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Seems strange it has taken so long - and hard luck, my years on pred have resulted in me not needing my epilator for legs and arms!! The razor for underarms also went into retirement. Since I got down to 7mg using Actemra hair on my shins is staging a return!!! Though I did have a period on methyl pred where I grew an amazing black beard!!!!! It went when I was switched to prednisone.

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Luckily it's white (or grey) hair! A friend (friend?!) recently gave me a NuYou rechargeable facial hair remover so she was obviously trying to tell me something but I'm loathe to use it in case the hairs come back thicker. Hey ho.....

[TandemTime in reply to Pr0jection]

May be ask a well qualified beautician if you can have electrolysis. It would kill the hair folicical after a couple of goes. However I do not know if it could have any side effects. They only do a few hairs at a time... so you could just try 2 and see if you have any side effects.

[Pr0jection in reply to TandemTime]

Thanks TandemTime. I'll recharge the facial hair remover!

[Judyliz in reply to Pr0jection]

This extra fine hair that grows on our face is commonly known as peach fuzz or vellus hair. It is meant to regulate body temperature and protect the skin. Over the eight years I have been a member of the group this has come up as a problem a few times. For some of us on pred it does seem to go into overdrive and grow in great abundance and become noticeable in a rather "embarrassing" way. My thermo regulation was out of control and caused major problems for me, it improved as I lowered the dose. I have been off pred for 20 months and along with the excessive hair growth has started to go back to normal. In the meantime I think most of us do use some sort of epilator.

It was during lockdown I became aware of mine and

I did ask a friend who is a dermatologist about it, she did say that the growing back thicker is a myth. I bought some dermaplaning tools/wands/sticks from "A", easy to use.

Good luck with it.

[Pr0jection in reply to Judyliz]

Thanks for your reply. I can't really see mine on my face even with my prescription specs but our neighbour who is a very good friend (male) notices my longish stray hairs on my top lip from time to time and mentions it (with my blessing of course). He's even pulled the odd one out for me!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pr0jection]

They won't come back thicker due to epilating, that is an old-wives tale - my epilator was my best friend back then! If you shave the hair it continues to grow but the tip is a sharp so it FEELS thicker but with the epilator things the hair is pulled out and then regrows with the same tapered tip but no stronger. Often it slowly weakens the growth over time but not always. The strength of growth is related to the pred - the hairs were there anyway but the pred is influencing their growth. As you taper the dose they will weaken again.

Electrolysis might be OK for a few very stubbly hairs but not for the all-over peach fuzz. Lasering is also not likely to work for white hair - it needs to be dark for the laser to work on the hair.

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro, very useful advice. I might just give it a go.....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pr0jection]

Bit ouchy probably the first time but you soon get used to it.

[Angelsmummy in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry PMRpro,had to jump in and say once again how you make me howl with laughter when you mention that luxurious black beard,just keep visualising you with a nice outfit on ,nice shoes and that BEARD!!Really brightened up my early morning!!!xx🤣🤣🤣🤣🌼😜xx

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Pr0jection]

It will not come back thicker. If the device tends to pluck out the hairs that will reduce the hair.growth.

[autumnlass]

I pay a visit to have the abundant growth of peach fuzz all over my cheeks chin and neck with a lovely smelling warm wax at the beauty shop next door to me. It doesn’t mitigate the growth though. Grows like the clappers in a month.