What degree willHRT affect my facial appearance, make me look more feminine

[SamanthaW]

I am 65 yrs old, have only realized my transgender state as a woman for a year now.  I have been taking Estradiol, Finestride, and Spiro for about 5 months now. Anyone have any guidance as to how long it takes the Mones to make me look more feminine?  How much more feminine given that I am 65 yrs old?  I do notice very and I mean very slightly my face is a little softer, not certainly feminine.  A couple of my new Trans friends tell me that I look a little like a lady, but I don't know if they are just being nice.  I am planning on having FFS in 6 months, but how much will that help an old broad like myself?   I so look forward to the day I can really pass and not look like a man in a dress.  Thanks  Samantha

[Deborah]

It changed my face quite a bit and I'm not a whole lot younger than you.  But it effects each of us according to our genetics so the only way to be sure is to wait and see.  This is after about 18 months.

[EmilyMK03]

A couple of my new Trans friends tell me that I look a little like a lady, but I don't know if they are just being nice.

I believe that they are just being nice.  Sorry, but to be completely honest, 65 years of testosterone will not be negated by just 5 months of estrogen.  Not at all.

I am planning on having FFS in 6 months, but how much will that help an old broad like myself?   I so look forward to the day I can really pass and not look like a man in a dress.

FFS will have a dramatic effect, even for a person in their 60's.

[Rhonda Lynn]

I believe that they are just being nice.  Sorry, but to be completely honest, 65 years of testosterone will not be negated by just 5 months of estrogen.  Not at all.

FFS will have a dramatic effect, even for a person in their 60's.

+1

The effects of both male and female hormones are cumulative. Also, once the bones of the face have been altered by T, they don't go back without surgery.

[Michelle_P]

Yup. 62, 15 weeks of hormones, and I still look like a sad old man in the mirror.  With bigger boobs.   I don't SEE the sad old man any more, though.  I can see my potential now.

While you wait for HRT to slowly take the edge off, and contemplate surgery in the future, try playing with makeup and hair.  It's a stopgap measure, to be sure, but the effect can be amazing.  And, even after surgery, makeup skills appear to be vital for the older woman in our culture.

My face comes out of little bottles and tubes, and my hair comes out of a box.

[Paige]

It changed my face quite a bit and I'm not a whole lot younger than you.  But it effects each of us according to our genetics so the only way to be sure is to wait and see.  This is after about 18 months.

I tend to agree with Deborah, it really depends on what you're starting with.  There are many men who don't have dominate masculine features and women that have some masculine facial features.

By the way Deborah, looking good.

Paige

[RobynD]

Indeed Deborah - you look awesome.

It definitely somewhat depends on what you start with. I have not seen any facial change. Fortunately i did not have a super masculine face to begin with. Let's face it though, both genders deal with facial challenges.

[LauraE]

I find this thread much too depressing. Being 65 myself, and about two months away from starting HRT, my greatest fear is never passing. I think several of you inferred that it's a lost cause.

[RobynD]

I find this thread much too depressing. Being 65 myself, and about two months away from starting HRT, my greatest fear is never passing. I think several of you inferred that it's a lost cause.

I would not worry too much. Hairstyle and makeup makes a difference. First things first, and then look at FFS later if you are not happy with the results.

[Dena]

I find this thread much too depressing. Being 65 myself, and about two months away from starting HRT, my greatest fear is never passing. I think several of you inferred that it's a lost cause.

I sure wouldn't infer it's a lost cause. In your avatar picture, you already have somewhat feminine feature that will only improve given time. I am unsure if you were using makeup because of the size of the picture but it appears your aren't. I suspect in about a year if you do side by side pictures, you will notice a number of changes.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I find this thread much too depressing. Being 65 myself, and about two months away from starting HRT, my greatest fear is never passing. I think several of you inferred that it's a lost cause.

I happen to think being a little older actually makes it easier to pass as a lot of post menopausal women do have slightly lower voices and a bit of extra body hair. That's one way of looking at it.

[Virginia Hall]

Also remember, HRT is its own reward. I feel great when I am on it!

[Rhonda Lynn]

The question was "how much will HRT affect facial appearance,..."?

Some seem to think that what I have said means that it is a "lost cause." I don't mean that at all. What I mean is that for a mature person, the change due to HRT will be limited. You should expect to have to work on other aspects of your feminine presentation.

Passing is very complex and I believe that we communicate our gender through body-language, voice, and mannerisms. On top of that we signal our gender through visual cues of clothes, jewelry, make-up, body-shape and , yes, facial features. My strategy has always been to use everything that I can easily change to communicate "I'm a girl!!" because there are things that I can't easily change.

[Harley Quinn]

HRT will produce mild facial changes. However, it's the accumulation of all the subtle changes that people's subconscious mind pick up on to gender a stranger. I would say that it's anything but a lost cause.

Don't lose faith, and trust in how similar men and women actually are. You can get there...