Frustrated with slow pace of facial changes

[Brenda E]

HRT is working well for me in every area but my face.  Boobs are coming along very quickly, hips and thighs are far chubbier than before, etc.  But I honestly can't see one scrap of facial softening or any of those beautiful changes I see on so many other girls here.  The facial changes are the one thing I really wanted, and they seem to be the one thing which is just not happening.

Sure, it's only been about four months low dose (I know, I know, I shouldn't expect any changes this soon, especially when on low dose), but it's truly becoming frustrating.  My before and after face pics look frickin' identical still, and in some of the before and after pics I've seen here, girls are having massive results in just a few months.

When did you start to notice your face really changing?

[Railgun]

You might find >some< answers here: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,176786.0.html
Sadly not everyone posted the time on HRT.

[Eva Marie]

Hi Brenda -

It took about 7-8 months before I began to see changes in my face on HRT.  Skin changes and boob development were the first physical changes for me. I suspect that facial changes are already happening for you but the changes are so subtle that you aren't noticing them yet.

When I look back at some pictures of me taken just a few years ago it's like Whoa - who is that fat dude? 

[23 Skidoo]

I think it probably took around 5 months before I thought my face looked any bit different, and that was a low dose as well(2mg). Give it time(and also perhaps a higher dose). As always though, ymmv depending on how your face originally looked and how it responds to estrogen.

[Brenda E]

Thanks all.  I guess the bottom line is keep waiting.  I just want to see someone else in the mirror...

[Emjay]

This must be a thing right now as I was just about to post on it myself!  I'm at right at 7 months, progressive dose meaning my endo has been stepping me up every visit with the last two-ish months being what he describes as a "transitioning dose" for AA's and about 4 months for Estradiol.

I'm getting pretty significant body changes too but the facial changes have been few and far between.  My lashes grew crazy thick and long about two months in, people say my lips are fuller but I'm not so sure since I look at myself every day in the mirror.  I'm hoping for more but at 42 I know it'll take time so I'm just being patient for now.  I'm hoping in the spring (or even the spring after!) I'll have a WOW story but so far just patience here.

It is frustrating and a very slow process but hang in there!

[Jennygirl]

Time, ladies, time. In the meantime, there are things you can do. Makeup was my saving grace for the first months after going FT.

Makeup is neat because it is instant gratification. Just be smart and don't go too far with the makeup like I did at first

[Jennygirl]

Forgot to mention, not sure if you've gotten rid of all facial hair but it actually adds dimension to the skin and has a feminizing effect once gone

[HelloKitty]

I've noticed just a minor difference in my face after 13 months of hrt. For some I'm guessing it can take quite a while, others much faster. Ymmv?

[Brenda E]

I'm hoping for more but at 42 24 I know it'll take time so I'm just being patient for now.

Fixed your post. 

Forgot to mention, not sure if you've gotten rid of all facial hair but it actually adds dimension to the skin and has a feminizing effect once gone

You're absolutely right.  There's still a blackish shadow under parts of my face which can't be overlooked.  I'll tell the laser girl to burn the hell out of my face next time I'm there.

I've noticed just a minor difference in my face after 13 months of hrt. For some I'm guessing it can take quite a while, others much faster. Ymmv?

Ugh.  Such a long time.  I'm hoping that we find it harder to see changes in our own faces than those who see us on a more occasional basis.  At the very least, I wanted the progress with the face to match the progress with the boobs...

[ImagineKate]

Forgot to mention, not sure if you've gotten rid of all facial hair but it actually adds dimension to the skin and has a feminizing effect once gone

Absolutely this. I did my first electro session and it made a world of difference.

[Jennygirl]

You're absolutely right.  There's still a blackish shadow under parts of my face which can't be overlooked.  I'll tell the laser girl to burn the hell out of my face next time I'm there.

Careful though! My doctor ran me up to the ragged edge on laser intensity (per my request) and I ended up with some hyperpigmentation down the line. Was kinda crappy- had to use this bleaching stuff for a while to get rid of it. Retin-A helped a lot too.

Also WEAR SUNBLOCK! Don't make the same mistake that I did! That contributed to the hyperpigmentation tenfold.

Don't mean to scare you, it wasn't terrible. Just annoying to have to keep wearing the cover makeup past the hair removal

[ImagineKate]

One reason I'm doing electrolysis. I kinda have to due to the darker skin.

[warlockmaker]

It all takes time and varies from person to person. I totally agree that removing facial hairs makes a big difference and with HRT the skin changes and facial fat increases. Plus the long hair.....Looking at the mirror and seeing a new you will come as the mind accepts the changes and then your perception changes. One day, you will look in a mirror and will no longer see the face of a male. For a lucky few it occurs early during HRT. I'm 50/50 these days as I'm in the closet and when I have to present as Alpha male in business, then the male side shows up for days after.

[justpat]

    I have noticed that you can't erase 63 years of male ugly with 10 months of HRT , but I am slowly changing.

[Emjay]

Fixed your post. 

Haha, right!  Thank you, missed that one

You're so right Jenny, I'm pretty sure I'm past the "too much makeup phase", less is definitely more. 

I'm on my way to yet another hour of electro in the morning with many more to come I'm sure but I'm making progress.  I'm working midnights now and my electrologist has floated the idea of four or five hour sessions right after work and I can just sleep through it.  I think I'm going to at least try it anyway and see how it goes.  I usually fall asleep sometime during every session anyway so it shouldn't be too hard after working all night. 

Can't wait for it to be at least mostly gone

[KayXo]

Being on high dose (parenteral, injection) estrogen and oral progesterone has drastically changed my face. I look younger, skin softer, more elastic, rounder...truly amazing! On low dose, saw very little change and face remained pretty much angular but thankfully, my face looks pretty feminine regardless. No facial hair definitely helps, as well. I concur.