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It’s an awkward one

(43 Posts)
Victoriaplum Sun 13-Aug-23 23:17:15

Erm.. it’s a bit awkward, but how do I broach the subject with my elderly mum about her chin hairs. She seems oblivious about it- I know it comes across as shallow, but I can’t help but feel embarrassed about it as they’re very obvious. We have an ok relationship but never discuss any personal matters with one another. How would you want to be told you have noticeable facial hair? or wouldn’t you!
Any advice welcome.

Curlywhirly Sun 13-Aug-23 23:25:33

Oh I would definitely want to be told! And my sons/husband would (thankfully) be the first to tell me 🙄

biglouis Sun 13-Aug-23 23:27:14

If they dont bother your mom then why should they bother you? I think you are too invested.

When my mother made personal remarks to me about my appearance I told her to MYOB. She had no more right to do so than any random stranger.

Victoriaplum Sun 13-Aug-23 23:38:03

I’m not sure she knows, she needs glasses( and has them) but never wears them, even though I’m constantly telling her too.

hollysteers Sun 13-Aug-23 23:39:29

I certainly would like to be told and something done about it.
Could you introduce the subject in a gentle joke and go from there?

MiniMoon Sun 13-Aug-23 23:42:26

I pluck and shave mine, but I've often wondered what I would look like if I let them grow. I might try it one day.
How is your mother's eyesight? Does she see them? If she does and isn't bothered by them, I wouldn't say anything.

Georgesgran Sun 13-Aug-23 23:48:54

I’d want to know and I’m sure my DDs would tell me - the same way they’ve started to point out my cobwebs!!
I’d probably have said something to my own DM, but she died at 68, so I never had to.
Telling my MinL would have been a definite no-no!

PamelaJ1 Mon 14-Aug-23 07:01:30

But even if she can’t see them she must feel them. With my working hat on I wax, do electrolysis, epil pro or pluck. Even when I am looking through a strong magnifying glass and I can’t see any that I’ve missed my client will always be able to feel a tiny one I can’t see!
Hairy lips and chins are so common but I’m sure that every woman thinks that they are the only one affected. It’s a tricky situation. Could you perhaps treat her to a facial and have a word with the therapist?
I have been approached in this way and it has worked.

coco12 Mon 14-Aug-23 07:19:36

Agree with pamela treat to a facial idea! Then they could mention it in their line of work would be perfect! And confidential.

nadateturbe Mon 14-Aug-23 07:19:57

I recently bought little 3 pack of razor tools from Superdrug. How about telling your mum you've found this great little tool for keeping your face smooth and would she like one to try.

BlueBelle Mon 14-Aug-23 07:28:50

My daughter has told both her early 20 s children (in a fun way) if I end up in a home or unable for goodness sake whatever else you do make sure I get no facial hairs …. it’s never bothered me as I m very fair haired but she is dark and they would show
I think you should tell her
Yes I get the cobweb message georgesgran

Hetty58 Mon 14-Aug-23 07:37:26

If she's oblivious, then it's only a problem for you. You could be more tolerant or just ask her if she'd like them removed - and if not, then leave it.

A relative trimmed her husband's eyebrows while he slept and hasn't been forgiven!

Allsorts Mon 14-Aug-23 07:41:34

Tell her, who wants to walk round with long whiskers? Apart from a man. They look dreadful but I understand almost everyone gets them about the time their eyesight starts to fail. I haven't any don't know why but constantly on the lookout to see if they have started.

Allsorts Mon 14-Aug-23 07:44:43

Biglouis, you are a rarity if you don't care what you look like, it matters to most people if we didn't bother there wouldn't be any fashion industry or make up, we would all be striding along in loin cloths.

Imarocker Mon 14-Aug-23 07:47:17

My mum couldn’t see the chin hairs but wanted to look her best. I kept a pair of tweezers in my handbag and would just get them out and pull the hairs. She was always grateful. Wouldn’t let me cut her nails though after I also cut her finger.

V3ra Mon 14-Aug-23 08:08:30

Telling my MinL would have been a definite no-no!

My mother-in-law can't see but can feel them, and will ask me to tweezer the odd stray hair out.
She's always been well-groomed and still wears mascara, foundation and her jewellery at 95 😊

nandad Mon 14-Aug-23 09:41:25

I have spent the best part of my life trying to control facial hair, a recent decline in my eyesight means I can’t always see to keep my eyebrows looking tidy, I would want my daughter to tell me and maybe offer to remove them. As it is I don’t have a daughter and my son isn’t likely to notice!

shysal Mon 14-Aug-23 09:47:13

I have a similar dilemma with my 91 year old neighbour. I buy her a newspaper each morning, and when I go into the house she is sitting with the light from the window highlighting a 2cm long hair on her chin! I haven't the heart to mention it! I feel that if she doesn't know she won't worry about it.

I examine my face with a magnifying mirror and lamp, as well as daily shaving, and pluck the stronger hairs which remain. I even have a pair of tweezers packed in my 'in case of emergency' hospital bag.

henetha Mon 14-Aug-23 09:49:24

I've wondered too, MiniMoon, how I would look by now if I hadn't bothered removing them all these years.
I would definitely want to be told. I think my sons might find it difficult, but one of my three granddaughters would probably mention it, hopefully, and help me.

Nannynoodles Mon 14-Aug-23 09:57:32

Ooh yes definitely tell her and help her deal with it.
I have already told my daughters in law that if they leave me sitting in a chair in a nursing home with a hairy chin, chipped nails and smelly, I will come back and haunt them!!
Lucky we all get on really, really well and they know it’s no good telling my sons because they probably wouldn’t notice anyway!

Blondiescot Mon 14-Aug-23 10:01:56

To the OP, I would definitely want to know - in as tactful a way as possible, please. I'm far from vain (don't wear make-up etc) but I am paranoid about my chin hairs and definitely don't want to become that 'hairy old lady', so I get mine threaded regularly and tweeze the awkward little ones in between times. I am very fair, but do get some very dark chin hairs and also very wiry pure white ones. Oh, the joys of getting older!

Squiffy Mon 14-Aug-23 10:31:13

Victoriaplum Is it something that would bother your mother if she knew it was there? Did she remove hairs when she would have been able to deal with them or is it a new phenomenon?

Dottydots Mon 14-Aug-23 10:40:34

My man friend had awful nose hair and hairy ears. Every suggestion I made to trim them for him was rebuffed. He recently changed barbers and the new chap now, after cutting my friend's hair, whizzes away all the hairs in his ears and nose. Wonderful!

Sielha Mon 14-Aug-23 22:52:18

Do you think it would bother her to know she had them? If so, then yes, tell her. If you don’t think that, then leave it.

Callistemon21 Mon 14-Aug-23 23:00:36

It's a dread but I suppose if I can't deal with them then I won't be in a fit state to worry about them.
I did make DIL promise to sort me out if I can't tweezer them myself.

There is a jolly notice in our local hospital: Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body.
That cheered me up no end

I really would want to be told.