Electro or laser?

[supergirl23]

Hey everyone,
I'm really starting to hate shaving my face every few days. I know that I don't have as much hair growth as men my age do so I'm hoping that helps things for when I start HRT. Will it help when I get my hormones. Or will I have to start electro or laser.

[Dena]

My view is you should start facial hair removal as soon as possible. HRT will effect body hair and body hair can be covered up so work with the face first. I don't know enough about laser to know if it works better with HRT but men sometimes use electrolysis when dealing beard ingrown hair.

[Serenation]

Laser is less effective if you are on hrt (so the laser clinic tells me anyway) they said 80% hair reduction, or 70% if you are on hormones.

Generally though electro is expensive, slow and painful. If you are compatible with laser then clear as much as you can with it first, then finish it off with electro if needed.

[Paige33455]

HRT may have some positive affect on body hair but does not affect facial hair, armpits or pubic area.  The beard won't go away without Laser or Electrolysis.  Laser is typically not an option if you have light facial hair and if you have doubts it's best to consult a service provider.  As for electrolysis, it is, in my experience, from generally to VERY uncomfortable.  Some will likely describe it as painful.  There are some topical analgesics that will numb the skin surface and provide some relief (it makes it more bearable for me anyway).  I use a prescription of lidocaine/prilocaine that is custom blended (I'm told) and apparently not available at just any pharmacy.

Some have reported that it's best to start Electrolysis before HRT as the skin sensitivity increase amplifies the discomfort.  I started HRT and Electrolysis at the same time 3 months ago and I haven't noticed any change in the level of discomfort yet but as with many things your individual experience may be different.

Try this website for more detailed info on both laser and electrolysis - www.hairtell.net

My only advice is that  if you want to get rid of the beard, start facial hair removal as soon as you are able....... neither prayer nor procrastination will get you to the goal.

[Lilliana]

Hey everyone,
I'm really starting to hate shaving my face every few days. I know that I don't have as much hair growth as men my age do so I'm hoping that helps things for when I start HRT. Will it help when I get my hormones. Or will I have to start electro or laser.

You should start hair removal as soon as possible.  I have read that folks do not like the laser method as it takes a while as you have to wait four to six weeks between treatments.

I am doing both though.  The laser eliminates entire swaths of hair on your face (if you are fair skinned and your hairs are dark).  The tech I use was amazed at how much progress happened after only two treatments.  Now after five, almost 95% of my dark hair is gone and the light colored ones seem thinner.  I still shave every day but I am amazed at how smooth and feminine my skin feels and I do not see a five o'clock shadow even the next morning these days.

Once I saw how the laser was going to play out, I started electrolysis on the remaining dark hairs and anything she could get out along the way.  This will take a while but it is well worth it.  I also like the fact that it is a milepost you can use to define progress on not to mention that the first treatment is like the first step on a journey.

Both treatments can be painful but I have avoided needing any cream to reduce treatment pain so far although that could change.

I have never had the most masculine beard, so there is less to attack but I want every single bit of stubble I can feel gone by December; I do not know how realistic this is but how realistic are any long term plans?

As far as HRT helping with beard growth, everything I have read, as well as what the Doctor told me and my limited experience (a little over four weeks on spiro and estradial) says that while it may slow it down, that beard is more or less permanent without treatment.  Arm and chest hair is supposed to diminish with HRT but I am going for the laser on chest hair as cleavage with hair is not very alluring.

[Brooke]

I've done a combination of both at the same time. Had excellent results. I had dark hair and patchy, but still decent growth rate. In any case I'm about 25 hours in, with about 5 laser treatment as well. Over the course of 6 months I now have 90% of my facial hair gone (with multiple growth cycles in mind). I still go in once a week, for two hours, but the face only takes about 40 min of that. (Working on surgical site and spotty chest hair that has remained after HRT).

I typically got the laser at the beginning of a new growth cycle, reducing and partially damaging the hair follicles. When the hairs come back in a couple weeks much more of them are the white baby hairs or quickly became white baby hairs that electrolysis takes care of.


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[Jean24]

Hormones and especially blockers will help keep you from developing new hair. What you have will thin out a tiny bit. What most people do is start with laser and finish the stragglers off with electrolysis.

[tgirlamg]

I did a series about 6 two technician, 2-3 day electrolysis marathons in Phoenix with lidocaine injections to help with the pain... They also did my genital clearings to prepare for GRS... I saw about a 60% reduction in density on my face which is actually a lot... I was very dense... Still need to get back to it and finish the job but life keeps getting in the way so I keep a few problem areas well plucked and shave the rest daily...

[ainawa88]

Something I've never seen mentioned in one of these threads ...

For me, electrolysis always triggers MAJOR cold sores, whereas with laser I never once had that happen across 12 sessions.

[tgirlamg]

An RX for an anti-viral will keep cold sores from starting!

A:)

[Lucie]

An RX for an anti-viral will keep cold sores from starting!

Valaciclovir pills.

[ainawa88]

Valaciclovir pills.

Yes, they've been a lifesaver, but in my case do not totally prevent outbreaks just shorten the duration.

[Lucie]

Do you start treatment before each session ?
I take two pills per day, for ten days (2 days before, 8 days after).

[ainawa88]

Do you start treatment before each session ?
I take two pills per day, for ten days (2 days before, 8 days after).

Not before the session, but I start the same day I've had the session, before anything surfaces.
Next time I will try starting two days before! Thank you.

[CaRenaetx]

I use this:
http://www.remingtonproducts.com/womens/ipl/ilight-pro-plus-quartz/i-light-pro-plus-quartz-intense-pulsed-light-hair-removal-system.aspx

75% face clearing, haven't shaved chest, pits or upper lip in months.  It works.   It really really does.