HRT & Facial Hair Reduction

[AudreyH]

Okay, so I have read that a few people under the age of 25 or before so many years after puberty have a chance of significant reduction in facial hair. Is this true? Because after two and a half months, only half of my moustache is growing back and I've been patient because I know growth can slow down measurably. I guess I am really fortunate but I didn't know this could happen. Anyone else experience something similar to this?

[smooth]

There isn't an age where this is more likely to happen. There's more chance of it happening for someone who's part way through puberty where any hair hasn't become terminal yet (fully developed). In this case there is a chance that over time some of the hair Might become weaker and possibly disappear altogether. There are no constants where hair is concerned, you might be lucky you might not. At 24 my own facial hair was not going anywhere without laser or electrolysis. The finer hairs are the ones that wont respond well to laser.

[A]

There's a chance. It can even happen to people older, maybe, who knows.

But keep in mind that beard is the strongest hair, apart from maybe scalp hair, that grows on your body. It's the very last thing likely to go away. So unless you're still so young you still have a peach fuzz-like beard, chances are that it won't go away. Well, you might get lucky, who knows, but even if you do, it's probably going to take time. Do you want to spend your first months or years of HRT as a bearded woman? Probably not.

[AudreyH]

Maybe I should have been more clear. I am 20 years old and started hormones in the last months of being 19. I've been on hormones for approximately two and a half months. My hair on the sides of my face, on the jawline and also my chin hair has lost all pigmentation and many are relatively easy to slide out. Meanwhile, for my moustache are, about 70% is growing back. Half is 'normal' or rather visible, the other half like the other hairs; it has no pigmentation either and is only visible by the shadow it leaves. Like I'm not complaining but I just don't understand. I just didn't expect this.

[smooth]

By your description you may well be lucky and have most of it disappear with a bit more time. You might not be quite so lucky with the moustache area because this normally comes in first it will have had more time to become stronger (terminal) I dare say there's probably a few chin hairs as well that will be at a similar stage of development... I'd say be careful if you're considering laser for what you have left because most of the hair probably isn't suitable for laser in spite of what a lot of so called laser techs will tell you. Laser on your face, based on the description you have given might actually have a negative effect. Electrolysis would be a much better option for what sounds like not a lot of troublesome hairs. Do some research and find a good operator. Ask others in your area who are happy with the treatment that they have received and are now hair free or well on the way to being. Don't be tempted to just visit your local salon in the hope that they will be competent, unfortunately this often isn't the case, look for a specialist and be prepared to travel. Good luck

[Isabelle]

I've been on hrt for nearly 2 years and I have had quite significant reduction in facial hair. It does happen but, I think it has a lot to do with genetics. None of the males in my family (I have 4 brothers) have very much androgenic hair. My oldest brother is nearly 40 and doesn't have much facial hair. I started hrt right after my 30th birthday. I never developed any body hair ( other than armpit and pubic hair) and I could never grow facial hair "properly" to start with. I do have a little around my chin, it's mostly blonde. HRT has made what little I have go lighter and softer.

[A]

I'm jealous. As far as genetics go, no luck for me. My father is sort of a bear, and even my mother had to have some undesirable facial hair electro'd.