Eliminating a "salt and pepper" beard

[Pema]

Hello, all. I've done my best to search the forum for something that specifically addresses this topic and ultimately decided to start a new post to consolidate things and bring them to 2025.

I had a "salt and pepper" beard, maybe half black, half white/gray whiskers. It was sparse and patchy to begin with. My skin is light to "olive." So I was a good candidate for laser removal for the black whiskers.

My first treatment was a month ago. I didn't really notice many whiskers falling out. I saw maybe a dozen total, but I figured/hoped many probably emerged when I washed my face, showered, or shaved and I just didn't notice. I did get horrible acne starting several days afterward and lasting nearly 3 weeks. Salicylic acid face wash helped enormously.

I had my second treatment 3 days ago. Despite the technician using a higher power/energy density and my not applying lidocaine in advance, it was much less painful, suggesting that there were fewer dark whiskers to absorb the energy. A good sign. Over the next two days, I saw many whiskers falling out. This was very new and different. And encouraging.

Today, 3 days later, it's very clear that the white whiskers are growing in as expected, but there are extremely few black ones remaining. Just a small patch here and there. I understand that they may all eventually come back, but we're at least knocking out the large majority much more quickly than I'd expected. Oh, and the acne is trying to recur, but only at the dark whiskers, so a much smaller distribution.

Here, finally, is my question: Have any of you taken on removing your beard when it was in this stage of half dark and half light? If so, how did you go about it? Laser first to try to get the dark ones, then electrolysis? That's what I figured I'd do. Or did you do something else?

I would dearly love to be completely rid of this beard. I've literally never wanted hair on my face and also very much dislike shaving. The idea of having neither in my life feels like a fantasy, but it's one I'd love to turn into a reality.

Thank you for any suggestions or experiences you may have to share.

[Lori Dee]

Mine was like that, too. The VA sent me to a dermatology clinic where they performed laser treatment. The technician told me that laser is difficult on facial hair because the roots are deep. So it takes a lot of energy to get it to the root. After one session, she contacted the VA and said that my only option was electrolysis. The VA approved electrolysis, but there are no providers here. That was six years ago. Since then, I have had three electrolysis consults approved, but still no one to do them.

I have tried waxing, IPL, and even plucking  but they just keep coming back.

For body hair, laser and IPL work quite well. I also use an electric epilator on my legs, which works well. But for facial hair, electrolysis is the way to go. Since you have had success with laser, I would continue with that. But know that eventually you will need to get electrolysis to get all of it. My thinking was that if laser won't get 100%, why bother? So, after I move, I will be going for electrolysis.

[Jessica_Rose]

Don't pluck! When the hair grows back, it can become more difficult to zap it properly with electrolysis.

Although some people report good results using laser, I was not one of them. I could have saved some money if I had just used electrolysis for my facial hair. Laser did work great on body hair, but facial hair can be quite stubborn. Electrolysis takes a lot of time, but it is effective. I occasionally have one or two dark hairs appear under my chin, but I haven't shaved in years. Good luck.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[KathyLauren]

I started out doing both laser and electrolysis.  The laser tech found that my skin was too reactive to the light and recommended I discontinue it.  I did one hour of electrolysis per week for three years.  After a break of several months for covid, I did another two years of once a month electro.

It has been effective for most of the hair on my face.  There is still a patch on my neck that is a bit rough, plus the odd stray here and there.  So I still shave every morning.  I don't think that I have any noticeable beard shadow, plus what's left is getting whiter with age, so anything I miss is mostly invisible.

I never worried about body hair.  I didn't have a lot to begin with, and HRT has put an end to what there was.  My last chest hair hung on right by my nipple for a year or so, then disappeared.  My thighs are hairless, and my calves have less hair than many women.  My pubic hair reverted to female pattern on its own.

[Pema]

Thank you all. I guess there's electrolysis in my future no matter what I do. I'm still hopeful that the laser will take out a significant fraction of it.

@KathyLauren, your many, many hours of electrolysis really has me hoping the laser makes a big dent.

Again, thank you. 🙏

[Tills]

Hi Pema,

I spent about 60 hours under electrolysis on my face first which made a big dent.

Now I'm in the middle of laser treatment which seems to be having a great effect.

My electrolysis lady never touched my upper lip. Literally left it but strangely I have very little growth there anyway. The laser lady said she can hardly see any hair left across my face.

I've seen it stated many times that HRT doesn't touch facial hair but I'm not so sure.

Good luck with your treatment. Laser then electrolysis is probably a sensible way to go.

[Maid Marion]

After menopause,which means older women, women grow longer facial hair.  My wife would carry a razor and shave in the ladies room if she was out and decided it was too long.  Many may not notice because older women typically become invisible.

What this means is that a small amount of bead growth is a rather unreliable marker of gender in older people as some women can't be bothered to shave.

While this doesn't affect the gender affirming nature of beard removal, this may be a consideration when it comes to "passing." It may be more cost effective to spend that time and money on voice training as that is a much more common "tell."

I spent a lot of time in the "uncanny valley" between male and female.  Having a full beard did not prevent "male fail" if they formed an overall impression by watching me walk and hearing me speak to them.

Marion