lasers and smiles

[Alex_K]

Today I had my first laser hair removal session for my face. That's not what I want to share with you, but the fact that before going in I was "hmmm... you sure that's what you want? You sure? You sure? Uh? Really?", and right after going out of the session I found myself walking the streets with a smile that I just couldn't control. The kind of natural happiness that seemed to be scarce until I started to focus on transitioning.

I'm sure I had this feeling of juvenile happiness before, but it's been a while. It's been a very long time indeed.

[suzifrommd]

I had my first session Saturday. I'm already seeing an improvement. I went through pretty much the same progression of reactions you did.

[Gemma_D]

I had the same fears before I went in for the first time. But I'm so glad I started doing *something* now.

Got my 4th IPL session in two weeks and there's been a massive difference so far. There's still a little stubble and shadow but nowhere near what I had before. It's a great feeling to get to the end of the day and still feel relatively smooth, probably at what would pass for a half assed shave before starting. It doesn't even really hurt I find, maybe laser is different..

Plus the woman who does it is lovely, I ended up outing myself to her at the second session! Only her and SO have been told anything.

[Brooke777]

Congrats to all three of you.

[Emily Aster]

I'm actually doing electrolysis instead of laser, but I had the same reaction when I finally built up the nerve to make the appointment. Mine has no clue about the reasoning, but says that she's had several men get a lot more work done that I'll be doing. I have a baby face, so it only comes in in patches.

[Alex_K]

Wo!

I'm glad to read that my chain of reactions is not an isolated case... that means that I'm not the only one experiencing the joy of dealing with something that used to be a source of anxiety, confusion and trouble :-)

Hope you all keep transitioning well, until you feel comfortable with the person at the other side of the mirror!

[EmmaMcAllister]

 I started laser on Thursday. Hurt pretty bad, and smelled AWFUL. I get self conscious going to the spa, the staff are SO beautiful that they remind me how awful I look. But still, I was so happy to make a start.

[sam79]

Had my first laser session about 2 weeks ago. While I shared the smiles after, cant' say I went in with any doubts or questions buzzing around in my head. Just couldn't wait to take that particular first step.

[smooth]

Removing your facial hair is one of the best things you can do to progress your transition. It should be up there at the top of your list (I am a little biased though  ) It's something you can start before anything else, no gatekeepers and no shrink letters required. The sooner you start the sooner you'll be finished, definitely time for a celebration....

[Alex_K]

Yea! The sooner the better :-)

Facial hair is one of the main reasons I still feel uncomfortable going out dressed like a woman (although I do it very often). Even with a thick layer of DermaBlend, I feel like everyone looks at me and sees a man in a costume. Can't wait to have it totally removed!

[smooth]

Being able to go out without any foundation, especially something as heavy as dermaBlend or similar will probably also go some way to helping you pass better and draw less attention. I've heard it said on more than one occasion that "she looks like a bad ->-bleeped-<- with all that make up" on both occasions it was said about genetic women. Less is definitely more and when it's hot who wants all that cak on their faces...

[Stephe]

Removing your facial hair is one of the best things you can do to progress your transition. It should be up there at the top of your list (I am a little biased though  ) It's something you can start before anything else, no gatekeepers and no shrink letters required. The sooner you start the sooner you'll be finished, definitely time for a celebration....

Sorry but voice is THE most important part, that many neglect. You can get away with shaving and a good beard cover. You -can't- get away with a male voice. Nothing is needed for this as far as gatekeepers either and even paying a speech therapist, it's cheaper than any form of hair removal.

[Emily Aster]

Sorry but voice is THE most important part, that many neglect. You can get away with shaving and a good beard cover. You -can't- get away with a male voice. Nothing is needed for this as far as gatekeepers either and even paying a speech therapist, it's cheaper than any form of hair removal.

I think both are equally as important but for different reasons. I think the removal of the facial hair is more important in private because you finally get to see yourself in the mirror without a shadow and without having to work really hard to cover it up. Voice doesn't really come into play when you're checking yourself out in the mirror. For going out into the world, voice is by far the more important.

So really both are good things to do side by side early on and voice really does take a lot of work. You can't just wing it when the time comes. It's like completing a degree on a single subject. Lots of homework and lots of dedication required. I've been trying to work on it alone for about a month now and while I can hit the right base tone, I still sound like Mickey Mouse. Will be seeking professional help shortly.

[Jennygirl]

Alex how are things going? I am almost perfectly lined up with you in terms of starting laser. My second session is tomorrow and I am super excited. After just the first session with the Lightsheer laser half of my neck hair is gone, my cheeks are patchy and my chin hair has been reduced significantly.

Not looking forward to the imminent breakouts that occur a week after a laser session... Here's to hoping I get less breakouts this time around!

Can't wait until that 3rd or 4th session when things really start to look good!

[Alex_K]

Can't wait until that 3rd or 4th session when things really start to look good!

Eps Jenny! Yep, that summarizes how I feel! I'm having the second session next week's friday (seems like we have similar schedules xD), and I'm really really looking forward to making progress. You see, The first session did of course reduce growth, but it's still poping out fast and strong, specially the moustache and chin areas.

But I'm optimistic and, most of all, pacient :-)


Good luck tomorrow!!

[LilDevilOfPrada]

Sorry but voice is THE most important part, that many neglect. You can get away with shaving and a good beard cover. You -can't- get away with a male voice. Nothing is needed for this as far as gatekeepers either and even paying a speech therapist, it's cheaper than any form of hair removal.

I say voice and adams apple must be sorted first. Facial hair is nice when its gone but i have many cis females with faster upper lip growth then me. Just saying

But i am about 8 months from my laser sessions anyways XD glad to see they can make a person smile!

[Jennygirl]

The first session did of course reduce growth, but it's still poping out fast and strong, specially the moustache and chin areas.

But I'm optimistic and, most of all, pacient :-)


Good luck tomorrow!!

Same w/ me for the mustache and chin area. Thanks for the good luck, I think it went really well. He turned up the intensity on the laser and it was still less painful than the first time. My face is a bit more red this time though, probably due to the laser intensity getting notched up.

Dang, forgot how much I hate the 2-3 days after a laser session... I hate having any stubble at all but I must resist shaving at least today, and on top of that it looks really weird with all the patches of missing hair on my neck, cheeks, and below the chin- plus the redness. Last time I shaved the next day and I think that's why I got so many pimples which sucked. Also I don't wanna wear any makeup for the same reason, my skin is super dry and irritable. It's crazy what a difference not being able to shave / wear makeup does to my dysphoria. Been kind of down today, I don't wanna go outside or be seen by anyone not even my friends. I do not feel like myself

I know waaa waaa right?? Lol...

[Alex_K]

Dang, forgot how much I hate the 2-3 days after a laser session...

Yep, I agree... it's amazing how those little things can trigger dysphoria and anxiety. I am a guitar teacher and I haven't come out yet to co-workers... I don't think I will until I start HRT. The thing is that I love nail polish, but it's not like I can teach how to play the guitar as a male with black nails and don't rise suspictions xD So every time I have to remove the nail polish, I feel like those 2 or 3 days after laser.

The thing that helps me the most is to repeat myself that this is only a stage of the transition, and that from that point it's all going to get better. The best of this mantra is that it's the truth :-)

[Beverly]

Dang, forgot how much I hate the 2-3 days after a laser session...

I am having my grey stubble removed at the moment by electrolysis and I hate growing it for the 3 days beforehand so I now do double sessions - 2 hours - so that I only have to grow the stubble once a month. I hide during the stubble period.

[Jennygirl]

How are you doing after your second session, Alex?

All smiles over here