Short-term hair removal for the hirsute girl

[annamagda4christ]

Hey lovelies! So I'm now 4 months on hormones and about 5 months full time. I was going to wait to transition until after I was passable, but then life happened and I just couldn't live as anyone but myself. So now I'm out 24-7, and it's mostly gone okay. I'm 22 years old and even before hormones I started looking pretty feminine just from losing muscle weight. I think I'm passable about 50% of the time.



But the biggest roadblock right now is hair. Regardless of gender, I'm one of the hairiest people I know. I can cover up my beard shadow pretty well with makeup, but I still find people staring down at my hairy arms and suddenly changing their tone toward me. Other than my voice, hair is what outs me on a daily basis.

What do people recommend for immediate hair removal? I have some money for laser, but I'm getting rid of my facial hair first.

I was thinking of shaving my arms. Are there any bad side effects? Will the hair turn dark and prickly if I shave?

[Jessica Merriman]

What do people recommend for immediate hair removal?

Of course laser or Electrolysis, but shaving and epilators (mechanical) are wonderful.

I was thinking of shaving my arms. Are there any bad side effects?

Just the occasional ingrown hair here and there or a nick or cut. Possibly more skin dryness as well. Have to moisturize religiously.  I did mine this way until I bought an epilator. Now I am really happy.

Will the hair turn dark and prickly if I shave?

When it starts to grow it will get prickly so you have to keep up with it. Beauty takes a lot of work anyway.  I have not had a problem at all with the hair darkening, but it is however your body works.

PS- A good secret is to use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream on your legs, arms and body. Trust me, it works well and does not dry the skin.

[Jill F]

I am a fan of Veet wax strips.  Because of HRT, there's less to wax every time.

[Muffinheart]

I tried an epilator once on my legs, couldn't imagine using on my face.
I swear epilator was used during the Spanish Inquisition

[suzifrommd]

Shaving my arms was one of the most wonderful moments of my life. Seeing my bare arms the way they should look touched me profoundly. I believe it was the moment when I realized there was no way I could ever go back. I could never bear to see my arms hairy again.

DO IT!

[Eveline]

Do those arms and legs now!

I started with shaving the legs, but it was too irritating, and graduated to an epilator.

Works great on the arms and pits too. Now my sister uses it instead of shaving, too.

First time is, well, ouch, but it gets easier with each session.

[annamagda4christ]

I tried an epilator once on my legs, couldn't imagine using on my face.
I swear epilator was used during the Spanish Inquisition

Yeah I tried my mom's epilator on my face a few years ago and it was pretty agonizing. Wouldn't recommend.

[Damara]

I shave my arms every few days.. I'm extremely hairy as well.. My legs are too much of a pain to shave, but I'm gonna have to do that soon.. Maybe I'll wax. I use a shave gel that is designed for sensitive skin and it doesn't irritate my skin too much.I'll find the brand soon.

[Lynne]

Sometimes when I don't want to endure the pain of using epilator I just shave my body but otherwise epilator is the only solution which is good for more than a few days. There are some sensitive areas but I pretty much got used to it now, it's a lot better than the first time I tried it, that was hell. I tried waxing a few times but it didn't seem to be any faster or better than epilating and everything was sticky afterwards. I guess if they do it in a saloon it can be better.