HRT and Body Hair

[Tammy Hope]

I've asked this question in a dozen places and don't seem to get any consistency in the replies, but I've seen enough allusions to the point in other threads that I wanted to ask specifically and put a fine point on it.

First, a couple of caveats:

I'm NOT asking about facial hair. I realize HRT doesn't really impact that  (though I could hope that it would maybe make it less stiff and coarse)

Second - I realize everyone has different results, but anecdotal evidence is better than ignorance.

Now - background.

I am - left unchecked - very VERY hairy (I once got on an elevator with Chewbacca and he said "Dang man, you one hairy dude!" but I digress...)

Anyway, I spend an hour and a half every other day shaving. It's not THAT thick everywhere (jokes aside) but it is virtually everywhere. But it's not fine or unnoticeable - if I could I'd add a pic to show you - it grows to impressive length almost everywhere it grows.

Now - here's the point: how much will HRT actually impact body hair growth for someone like me? Understand, I really don't mind shaving my legs and underarms like a GG, nor to I mind a fine thin "fuzz" that any GG might have.

But is there any hope that my body hair will moderate to a more "female pattern" so that I don't have to do Laser/elctro on my whole friggin body?

[Suzy]

There is no correct answer.  For me, it definitely thinned out body hair,  but others seemed to notice little difference. 

Kristi

[K8]

I'm only two months on HRT but have already noticed a difference.  But then, I wasn't terrifically hairy anyway.

BTW - My daughter, a genetic woman, is quite hairy.  Her mother is Italian but didn't have a lot of body hair.  Still, my daughter got it somewhere.  She's not Chewbaca but pretty hairy for a cis-woman.  She went for years without shaving anywhere other than between her eyebrows (like her mother).  So there's a lot of variation, and there's a lot of variation in what women will do about it.

I think you will find that your body hair will get finer and less dense, but you'll still be hairy.  Try professional laser treatments - they work wonders.

- Kate

[NicholeW.]

Body hair pretty much went away for me. Kris is right in my experience.

Although you can normally expect that shest hair and beard hair will be permanent acquisitions. If you have little to light of both of those then you're very fortunate and your clearing will be minimal.

N~

[taru]

Body hair started to thin and grow slower. The color of most body hair changed from dark to blond.

[ArleneTgirl]

Hi Laura.  I had the same problem.  It looked like I was wearing a sweater when I was shirtless. Actually, androgen blockers (in my experience/spironolactone) have a greater affect on reducing body hair (I think), but probably in conjunction with estra-diol.  Additionally, I did laser on my upper body (among  a few areas), so combined with hormnone therapy, it has pretty much done the trick.  I've heard it may slow the growth of facial hair, but I am about 60 hours into electrolysis, and feel that is the best solution for the male beard. 

[Janet_Girl]

Body hair has become lighter in color, finer in texture. slower growing.  And that is after 14 months.

Janet

[Dawn D.]

Laura,

Sorry girl, but call me one of the lucky ones. I was never that hairy. Pre HRT; no back hair at all, not much on my arms or legs. I think I had maybe three total on my upper chest, dead center. But, where I noticed unequivically hair reduction specifically from HRT, is on the lower abdomin. From my navel to the beginning of the groin area, completely gone now of it's own accord. No more itchy feeling from shaving that area!

I would feel fairly confident that some change in body hair will occur with HRT for you. How much though, is probably more of a genetic question.

I have a TS friend here locally that said she "was a walking rug" before HRT. Especially on her chest and, that she just couldn't wait on HRT to help reduce her hair. So, she had it lasered. So, sometimes more drastic measures are needed.


Dawn

[Lacey Lynne]

Hi, girls.  I very much enjoyed reading all of your comments on this topic.  After just my fourth session with my therapist, about a week-and-a-half ago, she suggested that I should start thinking about hair-removal NOW before she issues the letter to start HRT.  She said, rightly I'm sure, that hair removal will be much more difficult after starting HRT with respect to healing and pain.

God!  To me, hair-removal is the worst part of the whole transition process.  I've got ample body hair, a low pain threshhold and am older.  My therapist suggested waxing, since it is much less expensive than electrolysis.  Hmmm, I don't know ... !

God, I'm freaked out!  What do you recommend as an effective and affordable way to get rid of this God-forsaken hair?  Any suggestions would surely help.  Thanks!

[K8]

Hi LaceyLynne,
I, too, am older.  (I'd tell you how old but have been reluctant to since the hormones kicked in.  What is it with that? ) 

I started hair removal before hormones, mainly because the process takes a long time.  I also wanted her to remove as much chest hair as possible before my growing breasts got tender.  (Too late - they're already tender.) 

I've had good results.  I had laser to remove all the dark hair.  Once progress was made there, I started electolysis to remove the white hair.  That is much slower because it is done hair-by-hair.  I'd guess that I have another 3 months or so of laser, at longer intervals between sessions, and at least that long to go with electrolysis.  (My first laser session was March 18.)

The laser gets easier (less painful) as there is less dark hair.  The electrolysis seems to depend on how the planets are lined up or something.

One thing I read said that hair removal can be the biggest expense of the whole transition.  I don't think that is still true; I don't expect to spend as much as I will on the GRS.  (I'm not doing FFS - too chicken. )  Still, hair-removal can get expensive.  I'm going for it all.  I told the laser gal I want hair on my scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits and pubic area - the rest can be removed.

Even if you don't transition and just crossdress now and then, the hair removal helps with that.

Good luck!

- Kate

[Darlene]

K8, why do you want hairy armpits?

[K8]

Hi Diane,

I've found that hairless armpits, when I used to shave them, were uncomfortable.  They'd itch and generally be unpleasant.  Being an older woman, I rarely expose them to view.  I'm having the hair I used to shave removed (except my arms - still not sure about those).  I just hadn't thought about it.   I can always shave them if I want them hairless - no biggy.

- Kate

[Hannah]

Like Kristi said there isn't a right answer. In general the hair from the neck down is testosterone sensitive and should eventually change to a female pattern. How long can you wait though?

If it's bothering you that much, get it lasered. Believe me I understand. I spent $600 getting rid of a tiny little patch on my...ugh...back...that probably would have eventually fallen out on its own anyway. The laser girl said she felt bad taking my money becuase it was so inconsequential, but it was a big deal to me. Sure it will cost, but it will help relieve your dysphoria and set your mind to ease and that's really the point of this all.

[janine]

My experience is that for the nonelectrolysis part, my facial hair grows more slowly. It takes around three days before I show like I used to in the evening when I shaved my face in the morning. My body hair has thinned out as well. I'm on testosterone blockers (aldactone), estradiol and finestra (propecia).

I have done some home-based electrolysis. It's not fun, but it works.

Enjoy,
Janine

[FairyGirl]

after going on 15 weeks hrt I have noticed a fair change in hair growth and pattern. Also, I have a full head of hair and haven't had a short haircut in over 10 years, but I have definitely noticed less hairs pulling out in the normal course of washing and brushing every day.

conclusion: mtf hrt is good for lessening hair where you don't want it (body) and preserving it where you do (head). Of course everyone is different but I agree with Dawn you will very likely notice some changes.

[Hannah]

Hmm, this kind of got me thinking. The 2nd generation dht inhibitors cause an initial shedding, in that they end the currently active growth cycle. I wonder if they do for body hair too or just head hair. If they do, one could in theory go get them nuked before starting the dutasteride, then go back like two weeks later instead of two months and get a nice head start.

[Tammy Hope]

In another place - a forum with hardly any activity - I was a post which seemed to imply that there was a cream or some such that might have an effect (not depilatory)

But I never got a clarification answer...

[Janet_Girl]

You may be thinking of Aveeno Positively Smooth or Vanique.  I use the Aveeno and it does help some.  Vanique is expensive.

Janet

[Autumn]

Hmm, this kind of got me thinking. The 2nd generation dht inhibitors cause an initial shedding, in that they end the currently active growth cycle. I wonder if they do for body hair too or just head hair. If they do, one could in theory go get them nuked before starting the dutasteride, then go back like two weeks later instead of two months and get a nice head start.

Laser spas literally won't allow this because of concerns for overexposure.

[Krissy_Australia]

I thinking about laser to get rid of the stubborn hairs on my chest. The AA's have done a wonderfull job but there are still some that refuse to go.
Does laser or electrolysis do any damage to the breast tissue that impedes development