Hair everywhere

[Saira128]

       Hello ladies! I had my second appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday. He asked me about the dysphoria I have been feeling for quite some time now.
     
       I told him, that apart from a general dislike for my body and my genitals, what constantly bugs me is my body hair.

      I thought about it a lot,  and I have decided to start removing my body hair.

      I have always been hairy, and as I haven't yet come out to anyone except my therapist, I have decided to start slow. I don't want anyone of my friends to notice a drastic change.

      Can you suggest some ideas regarding hair removal, so that I can feel feminine and yet nobody notices anything?
     Should I start with my chest, abdomen region? If yes, how should I proceed? I mean, I grow hair very quickly, so, should I start shaving alternate days?

      Will hrt reduce my hair density, hair thickness and regrowth rate?

     And about laser hair removal, is it really permanent after 6-7 sessions? ( I have fair skin and dark black hair)

     Also, is electrolysis practical for large areas? ( And is it really very painful? ) ( When I was 15 yrs old, I had fractured my arm, and I was able to sit through school for 4 hrs without anyone knowing. I think my pain tolerance is pretty high.) So, will I be able to manage the pain?

        I would definitely undergo electrolysis hair removal for my face in the future. Cost is no object. But is it really feasible for the whole body? I mean, the process would take ages right?

     So, on the whole, how does laser removal and electrolysis compare?

[Rachel]

After you are on HRT for a year your body hair will be greatly reduced. Start with laser on your face, the quicker the better.

Laser is much cheaper than electrolysis.

[Madison (kiara jamie)]

i found that with laser its good to get maybe one or two treatments before you start estrogen, the hairs will be darker and easier to get zapped, i found that after being on hormones some hairs just turn white but stay thick so its best to get the most done before the hairs have a chance to whiten

as for permanence, i have had more than ten full body treatments and i never shave my legs and they always look shaved (with exception to a couple here and there) and my arm hair is now just downy soft hair with maybe 1/3rd the amount of follicles producing anything, definitely do the face asap though, i still have about 20 hairs around my mouth that need the electrolysis treatment

and i have heard many fellow trans friends say electo is more pain and others say laser is more pain, it seems to be random, but electro is terrifyingly painful in my experience

good luck

[KathyLauren]

     So, on the whole, how does laser removal and electrolysis compare?

Laser is faster and cheaper.  However, it works best on dark hair and light skin.  If your skin is dark, they will ahve to turn down the wattage on the laser to avoid burning it, making it less effective on the hair.

[Sophia Sage]

Save your money when it comes to body hair -- HRT will drastically reduce it on your body, but not on your face.

[zamber74]

I started with my feet, then the next day I went with my thighs to just above my knee caps, the day after that I just took all of the hair off of my legs, anything on my belly is mostly gone, the belly button was not as hard as I thought it would be.  I would have done my arms by now, but my mother in law is coming to our house for a few days, she is very observant, and critical of lgbt, I don't want that drama in my life, so I will do them after she leaves. 

Doing sections was easier for me, I grew in confidence giving myself the time to become accustomed to each spot shaved.  It is just how I work, I feel very vulnerable in social settings, to the point of anxiety - so it is the only way short of taking some sort of anti anxiety medication for me to proceed.

I think that is how I will proceed with everything as I transition, it is just the way I work.  Everyone is different though, I expect this to take several years for me, because ultimately what is most important is self acceptance (in my mind) and being comfortable with yourself.  That way, if something does happen, if someone is rude to me, I have already become comfortable in my own skin, and will not be as vulnerable in such situations.  It is also important for me, so as I do not have as much to worry about all at once.

Take my own experiences with a grain of salt, because I am new at this, my own views may change as time progresses.  Regardless, I hope this helped and I wish you the best Saira! 

[Saira128]

After you are on HRT for a year your body hair will be greatly reduced. Start with laser on your face, the quicker the better.

Laser is much cheaper than electrolysis.

Thanks..I'll look into some laser centres.

[Saira128]

i found that with laser its good to get maybe one or two treatments before you start estrogen, the hairs will be darker and easier to get zapped, i found that after being on hormones some hairs just turn white but stay thick so its best to get the most done before the hairs have a chance to whiten

as for permanence, i have had more than ten full body treatments and i never shave my legs and they always look shaved (with exception to a couple here and there) and my arm hair is now just downy soft hair with maybe 1/3rd the amount of follicles producing anything, definitely do the face asap though, i still have about 20 hairs around my mouth that need the electrolysis treatment

and i have heard many fellow trans friends say electo is more pain and others say laser is more pain, it seems to be random, but electro is terrifyingly painful in my experience

good luck

Thank you very much!
    Even I heard that electrolysis was painful. Thanks for the heads up.

[jentay1367]

Few things make you feel more feminine than a bubble bath and a sharp razor. Legs are easily hidden under pants and nothing feels better than freshly shaved, silky smooth legs. Cheap, easy and affirming. Go for it, girl!

[Saira128]

Laser is faster and cheaper.  However, it works best on dark hair and light skin.  If your skin is dark, they will ahve to turn down the wattage on the laser to avoid burning it, making it less effective on the hair.

I don't think my skin is dark. I am relatively fair compared to Indian standards.
     I'll check with the laser centre.
     I hope my fair skin is fair enough.

[Saira128]

Save your money when it comes to body hair -- HRT will drastically reduce it on your body, but not on your face.

Thanks. Will hrt not  decrease my facial hair even a little bit? I have a relatively dense beard.
      Testosterone has taken a toll on my body.

[Saira128]

I started with my feet, then the next day I went with my thighs to just above my knee caps, the day after that I just took all of the hair off of my legs, anything on my belly is mostly gone, the belly button was not as hard as I thought it would be.  I would have done my arms by now, but my mother in law is coming to our house for a few days, she is very observant, and critical of lgbt, I don't want that drama in my life, so I will do them after she leaves. 

Doing sections was easier for me, I grew in confidence giving myself the time to become accustomed to each spot shaved.  It is just how I work, I feel very vulnerable in social settings, to the point of anxiety - so it is the only way short of taking some sort of anti anxiety medication for me to proceed.

I think that is how I will proceed with everything as I transition, it is just the way I work.  Everyone is different though, I expect this to take several years for me, because ultimately what is most important is self acceptance (in my mind) and being comfortable with yourself.  That way, if something does happen, if someone is rude to me, I have already become comfortable in my own skin, and will not be as vulnerable in such situations.  It is also important for me, so as I do not have as much to worry about all at once.

Take my own experiences with a grain of salt, because I am new at this, my own views may change as time progresses.  Regardless, I hope this helped and I wish you the best Saira! 

Your reply was very helpful. I'll also try to take this one step at a time.
    Thank you.

[Sophia Sage]

Thanks. Will hrt not  decrease my facial hair even a little bit? I have a relatively dense beard.

I'm sorry, but no.  They are devilishly strong buggers.

However, HRT will help to prevent new beard hairs from being activated, so there's that.