Gah! Shaving on estrogen! Any tips?

[zog]

So even though I didn't think it would start bothering me this much, I really can't stand any stubble anymore these days and therefore shave my face very often.

The problem being that my skin has become ridiculously sensitive since starting hormones, so that means that if I don't have stubble, I have shaving bruises in the shape of facial hair, which isn't all that great either. Any suggestions on how to go easier on the skin. I use a manual blade instead of an electric shaver since it gets more of the hair off, but I wonder if I should go back to the machine since it seemed to go easier on my skin.

My first face laser session is on the 20th, so eventually it should get better, but it'll still be awhile.

[Elsa Delyth]

Not that I have any experience on hormones (yet), but my skin is naturally sensitive, and I can't just shave without damaging my skin either. I usually take a shower first, and then apply moisturizer to soften everything up first, and then shaving is a lot less hard on my skin.

[ImagineKate]

Oh not you too. Since my skin has softened up on HRT I have to be extra extra careful, and it's really hard on me because I can't really get a good, close shave and I have this nasty shadow to deal with. Ugh.

[Wynternight]

I have the same issue and it's become even more pronounced the past two times I've shaved. Even a new razor is painful.

[Ms Grace]

Moisturiser in the evening before bed and then after shaving. Make sure the skin is well hydrated before starting. And a sharp blade, don't use a dull one.

[Wynternight]

Moisturiser in the evening before bed and then after shaving. Make sure the skin is well hydrated before starting. And a sharp blade, don't use a dull one.

I shave in the shower with a moisturising gel and use an AM and PM moisturiser but it still feels painful. Last night was a brand new razor.

[Dee Marshall]

Sadly, the only thing I've found that really worked was to be less aggressive in the way I shave. Slow, gentle strokes and just letting the ones that get away get away. Otherwise, the same prep advice everyone else has given you. If I get my skin smooth enough to feel feminine it still shows shadow and I cut myself several times. I've mostly taken to shaving only every other day. Not even going to try to go out en femme until I can, at least get laser.

[ImagineKate]

Moisturiser in the evening before bed and then after shaving. Make sure the skin is well hydrated before starting. And a sharp blade, don't use a dull one.

I shave after a shower and I use disposables. Doesn't seem to help much...

[Wynternight]

I'm only able to shave once a week generally. depending on the area being worked on by my electro tech. Tomorrow is upper lip **cringe** so I was able to shave the rest yesterday and it was painful.

[Lady_Oracle]

setup a small mirror in the shower and shave in steaming hot water with a hydrating shaving cream. After you're done, exfoliate the area gently and presto clean shaven skin! I have very sensitive dry skin so this is what I do to minimize those nasty bumps/break outs. Exfoliating is crucial and so is using a fresh razor. Those cheap disposables aren't going to do the job.

I barely shave now thanks to laser but I still do the same routine regardless

[JLT1]

setup a small mirror in the shower and shave in steaming hot water with a hydrating shaving cream. After you're done, exfoliate the area gently and presto clean shaven skin! I have very sensitive dry skin so this is what I do to minimize those nasty bumps/break outs. Exfoliating is crucial and so is using a fresh razor. Those cheap disposables aren't going to do the job.

I barely shave now thanks to laser but I still do the same routine regardless

This is essentially what I am doing.  However, I kept trying different razors until I found one that worked well.  I ended up with a BIC 4-blade disposable.  About the same price as my Mach 4 but it doesn't hurt as much.

[katiej]

I haven't noticed any additional pain since starting HRT, because shaving has always been uncomfortable for me.  I have a really thick beard, and I have always hated shaving.  But I'm really motivated to do a good job now. 

I was using the more expensive Mach 4 razors, and I actually just went back to a 2 blade Gilette disposable and have been getting much closer shaves.  But I do have to be pretty careful.  And I'm using an Aveeno shave gel, which seems to work better than anything I've used before.

I always start with a hot shower. Then I shave with the grain before going against it.  I use coconut oil after shaving to sooth the skin and hydrate.  And I wait 30 minutes or so before putting makeup on.

I can't wait to get done with laser and be done with this.

[natash]

Two things come to mind. Nair makes a facial hair removal cream. It works...kind of... On my wife it works great, me... Not so much.
Or option b. Get lazer treatments. I know it's expensive, but...say you spend $20.00 on shaving supplies a month, more if you use removal creams. After the initial expense.. no more facial hair and no more buying razors, creams, aftershave...
Just a thought.

[Miss_Bungle1991]

Two things come to mind. Nair makes a facial hair removal cream.

I tried that stuff back in the summer of 06. It broke my face out really bad. I never used it after that.

[Wynternight]

Two things come to mind. Nair makes a facial hair removal cream. It works...kind of... On my wife it works great, me... Not so much.
Or option b. Get lazer treatments. I know it's expensive, but...say you spend $20.00 on shaving supplies a month, more if you use removal creams. After the initial expense.. no more facial hair and no more buying razors, creams, aftershave...
Just a thought.

I do not recommend any kind of delapitory cream on your face as it can burn the hell out of skin. Not everyone is a candidate for laser as it depends on the colour of your hair. Mine is far too light for the laser to work so I have to get old fashioned electrolysis done every week.

[Rachel]

I use a vibrating razor in the shower and shampoo on my face. I just apply the shampoo and do not later.

[JoanneB]

Moisturiser in the evening before bed and then after shaving. Make sure the skin is well hydrated before starting. And a sharp blade, don't use a dull one.

Not only your skin needs hydrating, You Also! My skin is a lot more friable when I am dehydrated. Overall this former camel needs lots of water compared to pre HRT

[Jasper93]

So even though I didn't think it would start bothering me this much, I really can't stand any stubble anymore these days and therefore shave my face very often.

The problem being that my skin has become ridiculously sensitive since starting hormones, so that means that if I don't have stubble, I have shaving bruises in the shape of facial hair, which isn't all that great either. Any suggestions on how to go easier on the skin. I use a manual blade instead of an electric shaver since it gets more of the hair off, but I wonder if I should go back to the machine since it seemed to go easier on my skin.

My first face laser session is on the 20th, so eventually it should get better, but it'll still be awhile.

As for me, I stay away from disposable razors, as they dull way too quickly for me, and then start causing marks/cuts on my face.  I use like a triple blade or something, and it works pretty great.

Moreover, I refrain from using shaving gel or cream, and instead use conditioner, or even soap.  This way, I've even removed the shadow above my upper lip that shaving cream can't seem to remove -- and even better, the shadow doesn't return for almost two days.  In all, each shave takes about half an hour, and people have guessed my age as low as 16 lately, whenever I'm 21, so I think it works pretty well.

[Elsa Delyth]

I can't shave everyday, or the razor burn gets to bad, I shave every other day now (although I used to just electric razor it like once a week, up until a couple of weeks ago, when I decided to take steps to transition), and I have shadow like three hours later! Lol.

I need superman to laser my face.

[katrinaw]

I shave under a hot shower too, moisturize soon after and before bed ( or after later shower and shave too if needed). Been on HRT for a very long time and "generally" no problems.

L Katy