Laser/breakdown

Korra · March 20, 2012, 05:12:44 PM

So Im about a lil over a month on hormones and I had my first moodswing thingy the night before my laser consult and I ended up canceling it in a panic. I had a month waiting list for it and im really really stupid. How bad is it that I still haven't started laser?

Rabbit · March 20, 2012, 05:22:58 PM

I didn't start laser until a few months into hormones... I'm at 1 year into hormones now and have had about 6 or 7 sessions.

It doesn't really matter. It just depends how big of a rush you are in 😛 Some people expect / want transition to happen within a few months time.... and they stress over every delay.

Personally, I expect the transition period to last perhaps 3 or 4 years in total until I'm pretty comfortable. Things like body hair I will be fighting for a while (and even for the face, i will need electrolysis to get the clear hairs)... and I might want to get some type of FFS... and updating clothing... and letting chest grow... and mastering female voice....

Meh, just enjoy the ride 😛 I find trying / discovering new things fun... so everything has been a real hoot.

Stephanie.Izann · March 20, 2012, 05:33:45 PM

I agree with Rabbit on this as well. I've had around 6 tries with the laser and I have gotten most of my thick beard off. I do have some light colored hair that more than likely I'll have to get Eletro'd off. It does wonders for you though. And it's okay to feel awkward or not sure about doing certain things. I've been on here for more than a year and I've seen some girls want everything yesterday...and it may work for them, but I agree with Rabbit that you should give it a good 3 to 4 years to fully transition and see most of the results you may be looking for.

And not to make you feel bad, but you are going to have a few more mood swings. The best thing is to just say "okay, this is part of my transition and I have to let it go". It's tough, I know.

We're all here for you if you need a cyber hug too.

Alainaluvsu · March 20, 2012, 08:05:08 PM

Im with u there... personally i think ill be ready to transition in maybe a yaer and a half. Gotta finish school tho. Thatll be April 2013. My facial hair is the only thing that keeps getting me sir'd. Otherwise im like "this person"d or maamd when i get a really good shave in. My voice is probably about 95% where i want it, i need new clothes, i would like a nose job and maybe some chin work, and an orchiectomy.

But the things really holding me back are facial hair and my current job. Once i get out of cosmetology school i can get a good job in a very accepting field. Then i can buy clothes, afford ffs, have time for hair removal. Cant wait 🙂

luna nyan · March 21, 2012, 03:55:41 AM

I wouldn't feel too bad about it. A slow steady transition is better than rushing through it and finding that you get part way through and get stuck.

rachl · March 21, 2012, 01:52:22 PM

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on March 20, 2012, 08:05:08 PM
Im with u there... personally i think ill be ready to transition in maybe a yaer and a half. Gotta finish school tho. Thatll be April 2013. My facial hair is the only thing that keeps getting me sir'd. Otherwise im like "this person"d or maamd when i get a really good shave in. My voice is probably about 95% where i want it, i need new clothes, i would like a nose job and maybe some chin work, and an orchiectomy.

But the things really holding me back are facial hair and my current job. Once i get out of cosmetology school i can get a good job in a very accepting field. Then i can buy clothes, afford ffs, have time for hair removal. Cant wait

IMO, it's far better to transition BEFORE you finish school. That way, all your letters of recommendation and your records already reflect your proper gender (even though you CAN get these done after the fact -- it's just easier to do them before you graduate). You also hit the job market already having transitioned, which is huge. Plus you go through a lot of the awkward social learning phases while in school, where it doesn't matter much, rather than on the job.

Bird · March 21, 2012, 02:03:03 PM

I think slow is better than fast.

I didn't rush through transition, I went at my own pace, but I was also feeling fairly anxious about it. I strumbled a bit and it was hurtful to people close to me, I think it would have been better if I took a slower pacing.

Alainaluvsu · March 21, 2012, 04:04:35 PM

Quote from: rachl on March 21, 2012, 01:52:22 PM
IMO, it's far better to transition BEFORE you finish school. That way, all your letters of recommendation and your records already reflect your proper gender (even though you CAN get these done after the fact -- it's just easier to do them before you graduate). You also hit the job market already having transitioned, which is huge. Plus you go through a lot of the awkward social learning phases while in school, where it doesn't matter much, rather than on the job.

I would typically agree with you, but transitioning while being a hairstylist (or esthitician), or even owning my own shop with my mom would be far, far easier to transition in than trying to do so while in the field im in. As far as learning the social junk... im good on that, i go to school with a bunch of girls that pretty much see me as a girl even though they do not know im trans. I get enough practice with that. Learning hair, nails, and makeup is just a bonus too!!

Besides, on my current schedule i work 8-5 monday thru friday, go to school 5:30 to 9:30 monday thru thursday, and 8-6 on saturday... i dont have time to do anything whatsoever, including hair removal 🙁 When i am home, im too exhausted to do anything. Its not like i have testosterone powering my engine anymore lol

rachl · March 21, 2012, 08:21:09 PM

Fair enough 🙂

Naturally Blonde · March 22, 2012, 10:01:08 AM

Quote from: Stephanie.Izann on March 20, 2012, 05:33:45 PM
I agree with Rabbit on this as well. I've had around 6 tries with the laser and I have gotten most of my thick beard off. I do have some light colored hair that more than likely I'll have to get Eletro'd off. It does wonders for you though. And it's okay to feel awkward or not sure about doing certain things. I've been on here for more than a year and I've seen some girls want everything yesterday...and it may work for them, but I agree with Rabbit that you should give it a good 3 to 4 years to fully transition and see most of the results you may be looking for.

I've been in transition for 14 years and I'm no where near finished yet. I thought it would only take a couple of years to fully transition but then you realise that HRT doesn't work as well as you thought it would and then you start seeking out surgical intervention.