SHAVING:  Obviously the hair removal method we are most comfortable 
          with is shaving with a razor or electric razor.  However, it
          is mostly a tool we are comfortable using on our legs, and 
          one that we would be shocked at to think of using anywhere 
          especially on our face.  The hair growth we have looks and 
          feels worse after we start shaving it.  It is, however,
          painless, quick and somewhat conveniant, taking only minutes
          a day.  This conveniance can get tiring, resulting in having
          to be done twice a day after awhile. Razors are easy to find
          in drugstores either disposable or with disposable blades. 
          Electric razors are available also. Many different shaving 
          aids are available, such as creams and foams to soften and 
          moisturize the skin.  

WAXING:   Waxing is the process of applying soft wax onto the skin and 
          using a muslin strip to pull it off, removing the hair with
          it.  It's painful, but quick pain like pulling off a band-aid.
          And the results last anywhere from 1-5 weeks depending on the 
          hair.  If you go to a professional you may hear her tell you 
          that eventually, the hair will stop growing due to the waxing
          process.  Unfortunately, for PCOS sufferers, this is not true 
          unless you are being treated by a doctor with anti-androgens.
          Our hair just gets worse, believe me.  I enjoy waxing now, it 
          actually feels good to get the hair off so it's a good feeling
          to me.  But there are certain areas where waxing is no longer 
          affective.  You may have to deal with red skin, or bumps like 
          small pimples.  Also, many PCOS sufferers are being treated for
          acne; acne prescriptions such as ACCUTANE will make the skin very
          sensitive and waxing is not recommended for people on this or 
          other acne medication.  Nor should you wax anywhere that you 
          know you have sensitive skin.  Also, as a professional in the 
          beauty business myself I know that white hairs should not be 
          waxed.  If the hair you wish to remove is dark, such as the hair
          on the eyebrows, chin, lip, or tummy, or wherever it is you suffer
          from it then waxing is fine.  However, if the hair on your upper
          lip and chin is white waxing will only worsen it.  To me, white
          hair would be a blessing and I wouldn't even bother with it, but
          we all have our tolerance levels.  Ask your professional esthetician
          and let her know you are suffering from PCOS and what affects it
          has on your particular hair growth problem.  Most esthetic 
          professionals will be able to recommend the proper course in 
          removing it.  

DEPILATORIES: Another great invention that to me, sounds better in theory
          than it actually achieves once practised.  I have had mixed results
          with hair removal creams like Neat or Nair.  It is very effective
          on soft hair that hasn't been tampered with for years, (ie: shaved,
          waxed etc..).  It is a chemical that basically destroys the hair
          and it simply wipes away with a wet cloth.  It is obvious the hair 
          no longer has the same properties as a normal hair, looking limp
          and breaking apart.  If you have ever bleached the hair on your
          head too far blonde, you know what mushy hair is like.  As a stylist
          I am familiar with the 'mushy hair' feel.  Depilatories basically
          do this to the hair you wish to remove, just as bleaching too much
          on your head will effectively remove most of that hair also. 
          I had excellant success ironically with Sally Hanson depilatory
          cream in an area that was extremely sensitive to waxing.  However,
          I was blessed with a huge rash when I used it on my inner thighs.
          I am assuming this was more from the friction on our legs from pants
          and pantyhose rather than the cream itself so I would have to say
          it worked well there too.  It left my legs incredibly smooth, (before
          the rash) and I had no problem at all in other areas.  There seems
          to be one drawback and it is this. Some of the hair is broken down
          only to the skin level, and the next day I had some very sharp 
          pointy hairs which I think aided in the rash.  I think if you 
          can start out using the depilatory cream on softer hair, you will
          have no problem.  I wish fervently that I had never shaved my legs but
          started out using this product.  My grandmother naired for years 
          on her legs with great success, but then, she does not suffer from  
          PCOS.  Try it out in an inconspicuous area first, or a small area
          of where you wish to remove the hair.  Wait a day or two.  Oh yes,
          it smells terrible.  

SUGARING: This is basically the same as waxing.  Apparently it is a sugar based
          sticky liquid that is used and not runny wax.  I have seen it remove 
          hair using strips like conventional wax, and I have seen it used alone
          in a 'ball' form just ripping out hairs as the hair remover person
          runs it along your skin.  Quite honestly, I find it easier to work
          with from it's smoother, thinner consistency, and it does not hurt 
          as much as the harder wax.  Mind you, if your local salon changes their
          wax as often as they are supposed to, it too should be clear and thin. 
          Dark brown wax is not a good sign, and I would recommend going to a 
          more concientious place of business. 

LASER 
TREATMENTS: This is the newest thing I've heard about and I was very excited 
          when I saw it advertised for the first time.  Lasers are being used
          to treat everything from age spots to stretch marks and now it is
          being used to remove unwanted hair.  It sounds fabulous.  It is 
          painless during the procedure, although I was told by the lady who 
          answered the phone that there may be a hot or stinging sensation 
          on the skin afterwards.  It takes just a minute.  One beam of the 
          laser on the affected area of your skin and you are done. It is 
          permanent.  Now it is only permanent on the hair that is 'out'
          on your skin.  Hair that is in different stages of the growth 
          phase may not be 'out' until another 6-8 months, when you will have
          to be treated again.  The same phone lady told me that 2 treatments
          is common, 3 treatments needed occasionally and 4 treatments are
          rarely seen occuring.  This sounds like a godsend to me, but the
          catch is that it is expensive.  The local laser hair removal clinic
          in my area has a half price sale on because they have just opened
          their doors.  I'm obviously going to be there very soon, at which 
          point I will update this page on my experience.  I was also told that
          to achieve success in this method, you have to have contrasting 
          hair to skin colours.  Meaning your skin has to be light enough and 
          the hair dark enough for the laser to recognise the hair and 
          damage it enough to fall out.  It works in the cortex on the 
          melanin or pigment of the hair.  However, I have just researched a 
          bit and found that there is a certain laser treatment available 
          for anybody of any skin colour.  So call around. Call around 
          anyway, prices may vary and reputation is important too.  The lady
          who answered my call at the clinic was extremely informative, friendly
          and she even sent me out brochures and price lists by mail.