18 and HRT desires

[BreezyB]

What kind of skincare regimine? Like what do you reccomend?

It will be different for everyone depending on your skin type, but generally will consist of a cleanser, toner and moisturiser as a start. Also a good eye cream to stop this wrinkles forming (not that you'll be getting them now, but prevention is better than cure). A good website is www.allwomenstalk.com. Has loads of useful information for women.

[kaylagirl0806]

Would you reccomend using a foundation or a powder?

[kaylagirl0806]

And thanks soooo much for that link! I barely looked at it for five seconds really quick and already saw tons of useful things!

[BreezyB]

Personally I only wear makeup when I have too. So if your not presenting as female I wouldn't be wearing foundation or powder. Makeup is not great for your skin so I use it when I need to, like going out. But not if I'm in boy mode. Maybe a dash of concealer to hide a spot but that would be all. Oh and wear sunscreen! I use a moisturiser that has an SPF30 in it. The Suns very damaging to your skin so best to look after it early. Also sunscreen on hands and arms too

[kaylagirl0806]

Great suggestions so far! If anyone else has any I need all the help i can get! I truly do not know where I would be without Susan's

[kaylagirl0806]

I hadn't given much thought to sunscreen. I usually go without tbh

[BreezyB]

I hadn't given much thought to sunscreen. I usually go without tbh

Our male skin is much tougher than female skin. Once you start HRT you will need to wear sunscreen because you may burn so much easier. Your skin will change  and so it needs more protection, and care, thus the skin care regime. I would just get into the routine anyway, even men should really wear sunscreen, they just don't bother though. But male skin is very different to female skin

[Lady_Oracle]

Yep what Breezy said!! Its all about developing good habits as soon as you can since it will make all the little things that much easier once you start hrt. Other than getting on a good skin care routine, make sure you have a good hair routine too, so you can ensure the best growth if you ever plan on growing out your hair. Short or long hair hair, its crucial that you understand your hair type so you can manage it as best you can.

http://hairtype.naturallycurly.com/ <-- check this site out to figure out your hair type!

[BreezyB]

Thanks for the link Lady_Oracle thats really useful. Being a girl with curly hair (grrrr) it's good to know more about it. I think I'm a Type 2B   

[Lady_Oracle]

No problem! 

I have a mix of the 3s (pain in the butt) and suffer from a dry scalp (naturally dry skin) and with the addition of spiro's dry skin side effect, its like I have to stay super proactive else my hair goes to crap. I manage nonetheless and my hair is just past my boobs currently so I'm quite happy but still the longer it gets the more intensive managing it becomes. HOORAY FOR CURLY HAIR LOL 

wanted to add I'm so jealous Breezy! Your hair type is the hair type I wish I had  . Having this kinky hair is great and all but it takes so much maintenance.

[BreezyB]

I struggle to control 2s so I would really struggle with 3s. But I do love the look, and hair past your boobs, ok let's swap hair 

[enfys]

So I'm going to work on my voice for sure. Anyone else have things that were successful for them?

Here's a good place on youtube for voice

https://www.youtube.com/user/candiFLA/videos

[kaylagirl0806]

I don't really have curly hair so I guess I'm a 2a. I'm thinking of ordering some spironolactone right now

[Emily1996]

Kayla I perfectly understand you... For now if you are not financially stable then you can't transition... But you might try to get a part time job. I'm a senior in High school as well, and with that money you might be able to go to a therapist and then an endo. After that, the best thing is to wait until you go to college, and go somewhere you are far away from them. Just transition without telling them maybe? Or something I don't know, but you need to give up something in order to be who you are. I will come out after I graduate so that when I go to college I can be myself. Just try to talk with them,  but at the end, it's your choice. You need to live your life as your truly self, not some act to please them. GOOD LUCK ON EVERYTHING. Keep us update

[kaylagirl0806]

I am financially able, at least initially, its just my parents stopping me. It's gotten to the point of where I don't really bother to hide some aspects of my femininity any more.  My choice is definitely transition.

[Andreja Silvija]

Hmm are you sure you are financially able? You're 18, in high school, and dependent upon your parents. I'm almost 21, currently single, and struggle to actually have money in my savings account (that isn't for transitioning) while I am transitioning. Living is expensive.

[kaylagirl0806]

I mean to buy hormones in the beginning I'll be able to support that. I have like 7000 dollars in a savings account

[kaylagirl0806]

I do work as well

[Andreja Silvija]

Well if you say so. I am just worried about you getting kicked out of your home. Anyway, now that you are 18, I would see a psychologist that specializes in gender/transsexual issues. I am assuming your family has health insurance so when they get a letter informing them of your therapy, which the insurance company will do, just tell them you are stressed out or depressed and that you are paying the co-payments. That would be step one. Starting HRT takes a lot longer than most t-girls and guys think. So be prepared to wait for like 1 to 2 months, after first seeing your therapist, to actually see an endocrinologist and start low doses of estrogen and AAs. Depending on how they deem your readiness and dysphoria.

I would be careful though. It's great to do the things you want to do, but it's a hard trade off for family. If you can gain their support, it will make the world of a difference in your transition.

[kaylagirl0806]

I've already asked them to take me to a therapist and they said no.  How would you reccomend doing it behind their back?