Hair removal, what are my options?

[Sinead]

Hi all! I've just recently came to terms with the fact that I'm trans, MTF. My plan is to learn how to pass as a woman before telling people I am transgender and living full time as a woman (I've been referred to a psychologist by my GP).

One of the many obstacles to passing as a woman is the removal of hair, I'm a pretty hairy person, I have facial hair (beard, moustache, on my neck, sideburns), hair on my arms, legs, stomach and chest.

What are the best options for me to remove my body and facial hair? I need something that is relatively cheap, very effective, I don't mind if it means I have to shave every week or so, I just need it to work. Any ideas would be helpful

[Dena]

You have two options. Laser is fast and relatively inexpensive. There are arguments as to how permanent it but for some people it seems to work well. The down side is it's most effective with pale skin and dark hair.

The other option is electrolysis which require roughly 200 hours of treatment, it's slow, painful and seems to run between $60 and $120 an hour. In addition you need about 3 days growth before treatment. it is permanent, works with any hair and often is required to clean up what laser didn't get.

Laser wasn't around when I had my face cleared so it was all electrolysis and I handled it without pain killer. I would do 2 hours a week and by the time I was up to about 150 hours, I didn't need to shave anymore.

The best advice is to start the process as soon as possible because even laser take about a year to knock out the multiple growth cycle and get all the dormant hairs that keep popping up. 

[Bari Jo]

I second the electrolysis approach at least for the face and for those with non ideal skin/hair.  I've been doing between 5 and 9 hours each week.  It does hurt, and is expensive, but it makes me feel better about myself every step of the removal process.  My experience with both too, is operators are trans friendly.

Bari Jo