Should I be worried?

[Magnolia88]

First off, I wanna say how happy I am to be back on this forum. Most of you probably don't remember me, but I posted here a couple years ago when I first embraced I was trans. At the time, I was in a volatile living situation and facing the reality of having to move back in with my dad. I remember asking for advice here because my dad wanted me to cut my hair which had finally grown out. I ended up moving back in with him and having to cut my hair which was a huge blow to my confidence and progress.

Over the last couple of years,  I got off track. I was so focused on recovering from the chaotic year prior and getting in a stable place that my transition took a backseat. I lost myself. It wasn't long before the old pain and emptiness started to overcome me again. I fell back into bad habits and depression. It was seeing all the brave and beautiful transwomen living their best lives on television and social media that motivated me to continue my journey.

Now to the point of this topic. I turned 29 three months ago. I've been lucky enough not to develop very many masculine features. My bone structure is quite small, but not petite. I have small hands, a soft face, and feminine voice that is passable on the phone. My only masc features would be my brow ridge, chin, and a lot of body hair. I've always been told I look young for my age, but lately I seem to get 24 or 25 instead of 18, 19. I know it is not common for bones to change at this age, but is there still a possibility I could grow more masc features? I am still living with my dad and can't start hrt until I move out. It will take me until next summer to get my own place. I am concerned what waiting that long will do to me. I'm already upset with myself that I waited this long. Is there anything I can do besides being diligent on my skincare and eating habits to slow down my aging? I thought about trying blockers, but I'm not sure of the process of getting them. I haven't been diagnosed yet. I'm starting at square one, but this is the most important thing to me. I will spend all my time and energy to have the best transition possible. Any advice you ladies have would be super helpful and once again, I'm so excited to be back here continuing my journey to becoming my true self.

[Magnolia88]

I hate be a pest, but I really could use some tips to help me pre-hrt. Please, any knowledge you may have to make myself more feminine and increase my chances of a successful transition. I want to be in prime condition when I start hormones so that they are as effective as possible.

[Roll]

(Caveat: This is piecing together what others have said, not personal experience.) Not sure why you haven't had any answers, it's a good question.

My understanding is that, yes you will develop more masculine features, but not quickly. As long as you are subject to a specific hormone, that hormone will shape you. That is a good thing though, because it is exactly why HRT works. If you weren't developing to be more masculine at 29, you couldn't develop to be more feminine at 29 either.

The only thing reasonable I can think of is to get some finasteride, it is an anti-androgen commonly used to prevent male pattern baldness. As such, it is 100% normal for 29 year old males to start it at Propecia levels, and will pull double duty for you just to keep hair intact as well as cut back on the masculinizing.

[AnonyMs]

I'd start the process of getting hrt just in case it takes a while.

[Julia1996]

One thing you could do is start laser hair removal or electrolysis.  That's some thing you will need to do anyway and it takes time.

[Magnolia88]

Thank you for the responses. I think it would be best to go ahead and start the process and take the finasteride so I'll be ready to go when I'm able to take hrt. I was told today that I look 20 years old so I might be over stressing a little bit about my aging. Still, I don't want to take any chances. My good genes will only take me so far.

[Roll]

Thank you for the responses. I think it would be best to go ahead and start the process and take the finasteride so I'll be ready to go when I'm able to take hrt. I was told today that I look 20 years old so I might be over stressing a little bit about my aging. Still, I don't want to take any chances. My good genes will only take me so far.

Protip: You want to ask for proscar or equivalent (I think theres a few names for it), not Propecia. Proscar is 5 times the finasteride for 1/10th the cost and is commonly quartered for an even longer lasting supply. It is highly unlikely insurance will cover it for the reasons you'd have to give (even for the real reasons it is unlikely), so doing it that way can save you thousands. Don't take more than your physician is aware you are taking either. (Ie: Don't say you want it for cheap propecia, then take the full tablet instead of quartering it.)

[Magnolia88]

Protip: You want to ask for proscar or equivalent (I think theres a few names for it), not Propecia. Proscar is 5 times the finasteride for 1/10th the cost and is commonly quartered for an even longer lasting supply. It is highly unlikely insurance will cover it for the reasons you'd have to give (even for the real reasons it is unlikely), so doing it that way can save you thousands. Don't take more than your physician is aware you are taking either. (Ie: Don't say you want it for cheap propecia, then take the full tablet instead of quartering it.)

Thank you. I'm trying to save as much as I can so this is very helpful.

[KathyLauren]

I agree with Julia that starting facial hair removal right now is important.  If you are lucky and have dark hair, you might be able to get away with laser, but even that takes many months of treatment to be effective.  If you have light hair (I left my transition until late in life, so mine was mostly white), you have to do electrolysis.  That can take two years, depending on what kind of treatment schedule you can manage.

The thing with electrolysis is that you need to have a three-day growth of stubble before each treatment.  It is way easier to get away with that while still presenting as male, believe me!  I can't avoid all social contact for three days a week, so I get known as the girl who needs a shave.  Talk about dysphoric!

[Magnolia88]

I didn't know you had to grow your facial hair for electrolysis or that it took so long. I need to get started ASAP. All my body and facial hair is black so hopefully laser will work for me.

[Megan.]

I didn't know you had to grow your facial hair for electrolysis or that it took so long. I need to get started ASAP. All my body and facial hair is black so hopefully laser will work for me.

The electrolysist needs enough to see, and then grab with tweezers after the zap, 1-2mm is usually plenty,  still not fun though [emoji853]

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