Woman, 34, who started growing facial hair at AGE 13 reveals how she finally learned to embrace her beard – after spending $10,000 on treatments to try and get rid of it
A woman who started growing facial hair at the age of 13 has revealed why she finally decided to embrace her beard – after spending $10,000 on laser removal.
Tori Sunshine, from Boston, Massachusetts, first noticed two black long hairs on her chin when she was just a teenager, which became more prominent over time.
In addition to her facial hair, the digital creator, now 34, also struggled with painful and heavy periods before being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a condition that affects the functioning of the ovaries.
From the age of 16, she was forced to shave daily to hide her beard, but has now decided to embrace it, insisting it ‘doesn’t define her’.
Tori Sunshine, from Boston, Massachusetts, who started growing facial hair at the age of 13, has revealed why she finally decided to embrace her beard
When she was just a teenager, she first noticed two black long hairs on her chin, which became more and more prominent over time
Tori struggled with symptoms of PCOS from a young age before being diagnosed at age 13.
‘My mother noticed that my hair on my chin was too black. They were very tall,” she recalled.
‘I was always angry about the facial hair. I always thought, “Do they notice? Can they see it?”
“I’m a girly girl. I don’t think it looks good aesthetically.’
Tori, who also struggled with it gained weight and developed an eating disorder, was given birth control to manage her symptoms.
But she found nothing suitable to stop her facial hair from growing, explaining: ‘I had to shave every day.’
So Tori went to a laser hair specialist at the age of 20, but found her first round not very successful.
However, after receiving a higher salary, she paid for laser hair removal again and even hid her facial hair from husband Matt Sobota, 31, a travel nurse.
Tori, who also struggled with weight gain and developed an eating disorder, was put on birth control to combat her symptoms
Tori went to a laser hair specialist at age 20, but found her first round to be less than successful
She said: ‘I could afford laser hair removal again. There was so much hair.’
Tori noticed that the treatment was working, but felt ‘defeated’ when the disease started to grow back.
‘I couldn’t help it. I told myself to accept it. It’s part of my life. Get started with it.’
Tori started to feel more comfortable with her facial hair and started sharing her story online.
She said: ‘I got so many comments like, ‘I got this’ or ‘Wow, I thought I was the only one.’
“I remembered my fifteen-year-old self crying at her reflection. If I had seen myself then, it would have been life-changing. I had to stand up for myself and all the other girls.”
Tori continued, “I want to normalize girls growing facial hair.
“There are so many other things about me that make me worthy and great. This is not decisive.’
The digital creator, now 34, started feeling more comfortable with her facial hair and started sharing her story online
Although Tori still shaves and removes her facial hair, she is less self-conscious about it and won’t touch it for five to six days.
Although Tori still shaves and removes her facial hair, she is less self-conscious about it and won’t touch it for five to six days.
She said: ‘I know now that there are so many different things about me that are wonderful and wonderful.
“This is just a little thing about me.”
She wants to change public perception about female facial hair, adding: “I just want everyone to know this is normal. You are not alone.
“There are so many amazing things about you. Your condition can be so decisive.
‘Don’t let it rob you of your big beautiful life.’