Facial hair. Arrgh.

[Andrew]

I'm nineteen, have been on testosterone for 7 1/2 months, and haven't developed significant facial hair yet. I mean, I've got more upper-lip-fuzz and some sideburn-y growth that looks promising, but in terms of real beard growth--zip. How long does it usually take before it starts to grow? The guys in my family have all been late bloomers, but my big brother has had full beard growth since he was seventeen or so. Is there a chance I won't get facial hair at all? I don't really fancy a beard but some stubble, maybe some sideburns...anything!

[Melissa]

If it helps, I never was able to grow a full beard and I didn't start hair removal until I was 28.  I didn't even get more than a few hairs until I was in my early 20's.

Melissa

[LostInTime]

For some it can take awhile.  there was one FTM that I met who was actually naming the hairs as they popped up.  Have not seen him in awhile so I do not know if there has been any additions to the family since then.   

[Maud]

I started HRT in the other direction at 18 and I don't need any electro, still I'd have a word with your endo and see if anything's up.

[Dennis]

I've been on T for over 2 years and still only have to shave once a week. Some of us are just slow. Mind you, if my hair wasn't blond, I'd probably have to add another shaving not to look scruffy. It'll come in time. With 2 years on T, metabolically, I'm probably 16 or 17. Not a lot of guys have significant facial hair at that age.

Dennis

[Mario]

I have been on T 9 months now. I always have a five o'clock shadow. Don't like to be cledan shaven. So when it starts to get too thick, I just hav e to trim it back, and shave my neck. But I am older this time. The first time I was on T I was 21, and the growth was much slower. So just give it time.

                                                      Marco

[Dennis]

I have been on T 9 months now. I always have a five o'clock shadow. Don't like to be cledan shaven. So when it starts to get too thick, I just hav e to trim it back, and shave my neck. But I am older this time. The first time I was on T I was 21, and the growth was much slower. So just give it time.

                                                      Marco

Being Italian helps

Dennis

[Dryad]

There are men who don't have to shave until they reach their twenties.. I could grow a full beard at age fourteen. (And I'm blonde-ish)
It comes differently for everyone, so I'd say: Don't fret on it. It's probable that FtM's are even slower developing facial hair, but it'll come, sooner or later. Don't worry about it.

[Mario]

Thats true Dennis

                 Marco

[Cameron]

My friend can barely grow anything, and he's 18 years old. What he can grow he's trying to get into a goatee thing, but it's not working and he refuses to shave it.

Another friend has some upper lip fuzz and sideburns, but that's it, as well, and he's 17.

[Brianna]

According to the last endocrinology study I read on this, I think the average was 1 to 2 years for facial hair to come on T.

Bri

[Andrew]

Thanks, everyone. That endocrinology study sounds interesting--any chance I can get a link? I guess I'll just have to wait it out...and maybe start naming my upper lip hairs 

[Brianna]

Andrew, I don't have a link for that.

Here is a small tip for all transsexuals. Most of the best research about us is in endocrinology journals and dead-tree-format books at the LIBRARY. Not online.

Who even trusts what they read about transsexualism on the Internets? I don't.

Bri

[Wendy]

Andrew,

I am an xy and I never could grow a mustache.  However over time my beard hairs keep getting thicker.

I know there are preparations to help grow hair on the top of the head and I have had some success with them.  I have read that some of these preparations can help grow a beard.  However I would prefer hair on the top of my head and not on my face.  You might be able to ask a dermatologist about them.

Good luck!

[Dennis]

Thanks, everyone. That endocrinology study sounds interesting--any chance I can get a link? I guess I'll just have to wait it out...and maybe start naming my upper lip hairs 

I'm doing that for my two right sideburn hairs. For some reason I have a left sideburn but no right sideburn until a month or so ago, when the two appeared. I'm hoping that Charlie and Bob feel they need more other hairs in their relationship.

*sigh*

Dennis

[Wendy]

Andrew,

By the way the fuzz on my chin did become hair.  I never even got fuzz on my upper lip!

Good luck.

[Jonie]

Say the average guy hits puberty an 11 or 12 then another ten years can go by before he has a really good beard. If the guy has blond hair it's not as noticable and will have to be grown out more to be noticed.
  If you start working out in a gym and get big muscles the facial hair will become less important, especially since the're plenty of body builder types out there that shy away from body and facial hair. If from working out you look strong enough nobody will ever guess that your anything but all man, unless they see you doing something especially feminine.

[Andrew]

If from working out you look strong enough nobody will ever guess that your anything but all man, unless they see you doing something especially feminine.

I'm about to join a gym, so I should be safe...if I can only fight the urge to giggle and coo when I see a toddler trying to climb a flight of stairs...

[Ms Bev]

I'm nineteen, have been on testosterone for 7 1/2 months, and haven't developed significant....

Andrew.....

I didn't grow any decent facial hair until I was 25, and I wanted it too!  Even then, it was sparce.  As I aged, the hair came in, but never could grow a decent beard, or mustache.  Then, in my 30's, chest hair, abdomen hair,hairy arms.....now I'm in my 50's and don't want it! Going completely the other direction, mtf.  All that time growing hair, and now it's all just about gone, except the facial hair.  Wish I could give it to you.......but maybe you would prefer thin facial hair over white and black facial hair! 


Best to you,

Bev