Should I Start HRT first or Laser?

[rlacy2018]

So, I'm 18 (and a half..), MTF, and I've been seeing a therapist for a couple months. I'm quite certain I want to transition now (one obvious way I know is that my last relationship was horrible for me because it was so hard not being able to be his girlfriend), and I just found out that all I need to do is schedule an appointment at a Planned Parenthood and get hormones through informed consent (I thought I had to get a letter from a therapist to my doctor, etc).

Now, I heard from someone else that, when they went on HRT, their facial hair got a lot lighter, and they regret not doing laser hair removal first.

I don't really have the money for it at the moment, but I probably will in a few months. Do y'all think it would be better to just start HRT while I'm younger, or wait a few months and get laser? I mean, I know I really, really want to just start HRT now, but I don't know if it would be a bad decision.

P.S.

I've heard laser hurts a bit, but not much. Does anyone know if it hurts less than epilating? I tried that for a while, even on my face lol (it worked, but it wasn't fun).

[SallyChoasAura]

Unfortunately I don't know a lot about this but maybe you should ask a doctor or your therapist? Some online research might be helpful too. Sorry I couldn't be more useful in this situation. 😓

[rlacy2018]

That's okay, thanks for the reply!

[GingerVicki]

I started with lasering first because it take time to get done and I could start it right away without a letter. Start removing the beard ASAP.

Even if you decide not to transition for some unknown reason it is definitely one less hassle to worry about. You really can't go wrong with removing the beard.

From what I understand, the younger you transition the faster it goes. With that being said you can do both at the same time as long as your beard is not 100% full yet. Because of your age the beard maybe easier to remove and not as developed.

[rlacy2018]

I started with lasering first because it take time to get done and I could start it right away without a letter. Start removing the beard ASAP.

Even if you decide not to transition for some unknown reason it is definitely one less hassle to worry about. You really can't go wrong with removing the beard.

That is true! I just don't want to be forced to go through electrolysis or something, that's my main concern.

[AnonyMs]

Start both as soon as you can. Any benefits in changing the order don't outweigh the downsides.

[rlacy2018]

Start both as soon as you can. Any benefits in changing the order don't outweigh the downsides.

That is a good idea. Do you mean at the same time? Laser just seems really expensive, which is why I'm a bit worried about it. Love the name by the way!

[GingerVicki]

That is a good idea. Do you mean at the same time? Laser just seems really expensive, which is why I'm a bit worried about it. Love the name by the way!

Both are going to be more painful the longer you wait. More hair equals more pain. Laser is less painful in my experience., but yes it can be cost prohibited. You gotta do what you can afford

Don't give up. Many of us have been there.

[rlacy2018]

Both are going to be more painful the longer you wait. More hair equals more pain. Laser is less painful in my experience., but yes it can be cost prohibited. You gotta do what you can afford

Don't give up. Many of us have been there.

Thanks. Waxing might be an option for my beard/mustache if I can't afford laser. Honestly it seems like e and Spiro are going to be very cheap (going off GoodRx prices).

[GingerVicki]

Waxing is a good temp solution only because you are young. It even causes the hair to grow back thinner after a while.

Too much waxing the upper lip in older women makes the skin loose, but with your age it isn't going to matter. This is yet another one of those youth perks

[rlacy2018]

Waxing is a good temp solution only because you are young. It even causes the hair to grow back thinner after a while.

Too much waxing the upper lip in older women makes the skin loose, but with your age it isn't going to matter. This is yet another one of those youth perks

Yeah I'm lucky to be so young! Thanks for your support!

[Lisa]

Hair removal can take quite a while, especially if you do end up needing some electrolysis (any stray lighter hairs you already have may need electrolysis or just shaving/waxing/etc. if you're ok with that).  HRT doesn't necessarily affect facial hair the same way for everyone, but thinner, softer skin from the HRT might make laser or electrolysis a little more painful.  Getting the hair removed sooner also reduces any potential time you might spend in a situation where you could have significant changes from the HRT but still have lingering facial hair, which can be socially awkward.  Regardless, the question of 'when is the best time to start facial hair removal?' generally has the same answer: as soon as you can.

Given your age, you'd still be getting masculine development for at least another 5-10 years without HRT, so the sooner you start it, the more of that you can prevent, and you might still have some chance for a small amount of bone structure change.

If I were in your situation, I'd start both as soon as I could.

One other thing to keep in mind with waxing and epilation - while they may give a nicer appearance than shaving, any hairs that have recently been pulled out will eventually grow back, and they can't be treated with laser or electrolysis till they do, so you might need to skip that for a while before any appointments for the more permanent options.  Whoever you see for the hair removal should be able to give you instructions on that.

[maybesoph]

The best advice I received was definitely get laser treatment going asap & I'm so glad I have. Nothing worse than trying to cover beard shadows.
Try Groupon for great deals, there's always laser deals on there
Also from reading on here once on hrt your skin becomes more sensitive so the laser then hurts more.
No denying one fact, Laser hurts!! Especially the top lip bit no pain no gain 

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[AnonyMs]

That is a good idea. Do you mean at the same time? Laser just seems really expensive, which is why I'm a bit worried about it. Love the name by the way!

I mean start whatever you can as soon as you can. You don't want to wait for either one.

If you can't afford it then laser then its a problem for later. Definitely don't wait for HRT though, you'll still be masculinizing significantly at 18.

The problem with facial hair removal takes a very long time, so you could easily still be removing it after socially transitioning.

[DawnOday]

Do you have light colored hair or dark. Is your skin light or dark. If your hair is light you will need electrolysis. I have fairly sparse hair but I have spent over 40 hours so far with maybe 10 more to go. Laser takes less sessions but the hair will grow back for a while. Electrolysis is more painful than laser. It is expensive I spend about $70 a session. I tried IPL laser on it but it did nothing on light hair. Hair removal is a long process and I feel the sooner you start the sooner you start looking femme. It sucks to not shave as it makes putting on makeup impossible but they need a few days of growth to be able to grab the hair and pull it out after zapping. 

[Charlotte F]

I didn't get any lightening of hair from HRT but you might find at your age that your beard is still developing - hopefully the HRT will stop or reduce this further development minimising the hair removal you will need to do in the future

If I were you, I would be thinking more about the benefit of HRT on your mind and your bone structure - the earlier you start the less you will masculinise.  This should lead to better levels of feminisation.  This to me far outweighs the inconvenience of a beard for a while

As @LeafyMeg4589 said, it's best to avoid waxing if you intend to go for permanent hair removal options in the near future

[GingerVicki]

After waxing someone has to wait 5 or 6 weeks before getting lasered.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

At your age HRT FIRST!!! No really, at your age the benefits can be amazing and delay can be such a waste, I know many of us who started young and get the extra benefits like true wider hips etc. Lets be honest here you hair aint going anywhere but your are age is.

For the record my facial hair dropped to 1/5 the speed of growth from HRT so its much easier to deal with. This is just all my opinion of course.

[StacyRenee]

I started hormones 17 months ago and have yet to do laser. I was told that laser is more painful afterwards, because the skin is softer and more sensitive.

The place I'm likely to get my laser work done at has a two year "warranty" period. Free touchups for two years. This warranty is voided if you start hormones while doing your sessions.

[amydane]

I started the laser hair removal first, and it was a good thin that I did, because HRT might lighten the hair color which would make the laser useless. Laser hair removal only really works on dark hair, from what I've been told.

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