All about hair (and lack of)

[EveVT]

Hi,
I have returned to a questioning phase lately, and started contemplating transition again after putting my dysphoria in the closet and mostly ignoring it for a few years. I found out that what scares me the most is that I would need facial hair removal and scalp transplant if I ever transitioned.

I am currently keeping what is left of my hair shaved,  and have a pretty strong beard. I don't think I could afford the procedures, and am afraid of the halfway look I would get with HRT if I don't deal with the hair first.

Is it recommended to do HRT first to see how it affects pilosity?

[Kirsteneklund7]

Hi EveVT,
There isn't too much downside to getting straight into HRT. Fertility is probably the biggest one. 99 percent of the time HRT might give you rosy cheeks and clearer skin but isn't too noticeable to others unless you want it to be. Starting with HRT, doctor's advice and specialist councelling is a good way to kick off. Hair, appearance and demeanor can be worked out in your own time along the way. I would personally go HRT straight up - you can stop if you need to.
Kindest regards, Kirsten.

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[Sonja]

@EveVT
Hi Eve,

One of the things I heard was that getting face hair removed after hrt has taken affect and made your skin softer and slightly more sensitive makes face hair removal more painful.
One of my biggest reasons right now for not starting hrt is because people have recommended to remove face hair first, although I don't want to wait years either so maybe a few long sessions soon is probably the best way forward.

Sonja.

[Kirsteneklund7]

Hi Sonja,
                Kirsten here. I started HRT first to get on top of the gender angst. Then  I started laser. It is every bit as effective after HRT. Feminine skin is more sensitive I agree. The pain is worth it - it removes years off ones appearance and makeup looks so much better. I have 7 sessions done - not much beard left - some mustach e remaining. I know traditional laser works well. Trying to gauge effectiveness of IPL as my beard had much blonde.
Would love to know how you go.
Kindest regards, Kirsten.


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[Quinn]

Usually with facial hair removal your age plays a part that also , older transitioners have a lot more grey and white hair that can only be removed thru electrolysis. Im 52 , I started HRT may 2017  and started laser and electrolysis in October of 2017.

When I first started electrolysis there was virtually no pain whatsoever, the longer I was on HRT and also because facial hair removal can irritate the skin over time it has extremely painful now. I had 5 laser sessions and decided that I needed so much electrolysis that I would just finish everything thru electrolysis. I had very dense facial hair especially chin and upper lip area.
I have been doing 1 hour every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday since October . My entire face has not been cleared all at once yet , Im thinking that maybe in the next month or so I should have my face cleared all in the same week finally. It has taken a lot of money and a lot of time but I also did not want to start going full time and having to walk around with facial hair and makeup so I decided to start HRT and get the hair removal taken care of first.
HRT does make it more painful but HRT also takes a long time so for me I wanted to start both so I was that much farther ahead when the time comes for me to socially transition full time .

If you are young and have dark hair with minimal grey or white I would start the laser asap because it takes time and depending it can take a lot of sessions. Laser places are always having group on deals.

I do not know if you have seen a Gender Therapist but I would start there and see if HRT is something you both decide is something you want to pursue. HRT takes a lot longer for older transitioners in general but not always.

Best of luck with whatever you decide

[KathyLauren]

I started my transition at age 61.  Most of my facial hair was already white, so laser had limited effectiveness.  It still got rid of the dark stuff, but I stopped when I started HRT and discovered that estrogen makes my skin light-sensitive.  I have a nice "burn" (a large group of freckles) from my last laser.  So it is electrolysis only for me from now on.

I have been doing electrolysis for a year and a half, now, one hour every week.  It probably would hurt less if I had started it before HRT, but I couldn't hold my transition back that long.  I am finally starting to see progress: there are areas of my face that I can get away without shaving for a couple of days, and I mostly don't need makeup.  However, the most recent cycle of hair on my upper lip is coming in dark, so I need concealer on it. 

As for the top of my head, it is a lost cause.  At least HRT has slowed the rate of hair loss.  But I have gotten used to wearing wigs.

[b3ckettn3lson]

As for the top of my head, it is a lost cause.  At least HRT has slowed the rate of hair loss.  But I have gotten used to wearing wigs.
[/quote]

Have you tried minoxidil? If there are still hair follicles there, it could help the hair grow in


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[Kirsteneklund7]

I discovered 4 months supply of Minoxidil in a sale bin. I have no noticeable thin areas since HRT. Keen to try it though. I would love to hear anybody's experience with Minoxidil.
Kirsten x

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[Sonja]

I discovered 4 months supply of Minoxidil in a sale bin. I have no noticeable thin areas since HRT. Keen to try it though. I would love to hear anybody's experience with Minoxidil.
Kirsten x

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@Kirsteneklund7
Minoxidil is supposed to work really well the only negative side effect for some people was that it affected their libido/erection/ and associated problems - not really a problem for people on hrt I suspect....
Specialists say minoxidil is far more effective the regaine/rogaine which works in a different way, but you can use both, of course if you are on hrt you will probably need the womens version. I tried rogaine for a while but I hate the way it made my hair look, slightly matted and I found it irritates my skin in places on my scalp. (probably the product actually working but I would rather try minoxidil tbh)

Sonja.

Sonja

[EveVT]

I had already typed a reply, but it seems that it didn't post correctly.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for all the pieces of advice.

-Eve

[EveVT]

I just checked at my local pharmacy,  and the only minoxidil brand they seemed to have is Rogaine. Are there other brands that are said to be more effective?

[Sonja]

@Kirsteneklund7
Minoxidil is supposed to work really well the only negative side effect for some people was that it affected their libido/erection/ and associated problems - not really a problem for people on hrt I suspect....
Specialists say minoxidil is far more effective the regaine/rogaine which works in a different way, but you can use both, of course if you are on hrt you will probably need the womens version. I tried rogaine for a while but I hate the way it made my hair look, slightly matted and I found it irritates my skin in places on my scalp. (probably the product actually working but I would rather try minoxidil tbh)

Sonja.


Sonja

OOPs I meant to actually say Finasteride (propecia) has been said to work better than rogaine/regaine (minoxidil) but  can have various side effects.

Sonja.

[EveVT]

Ah,
This one is prescription only in Canada. It seems that what it does is preventing testosterone from being converted into its active form (DHT).

Wouldn't its effect be similar to the blockers in HRT?

[Kirsteneklund7]

My understanding of mtf HRT is standard spironolactone or cyproterone are effective DHT blockers and finesteride and other DHT blockers are not needed. Minoxidil is a  vasodilator that encourages follicle activity when the DHT is not present
I would love it if anyone else has other threads to investigate.
Important topic when trying to feminize!

Kirsten.

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[Sonja]

Ah,
This one is prescription only in Canada. It seems that what it does is preventing testosterone from being converted into its active form (DHT).

Wouldn't its effect be similar to the blockers in HRT?

The testosterone blocker -yes, which is why..NVM  Kirsten said it right. @Kirsteneklund7.
as above.

Sonja.

[MichelleF82]

Just your friendly neighborhood wiki grabber.
https://www.susans.org/wiki/Finasteride