@kiera: If the hair was plucked out totally (i.e. it didn't just break off) then for me it takes about two weeks for that hair to return, and when it does it is in the growth cycle (i.e. it is thin, soft, and not as dark).
When I shave I have about 16 hours before I notice the growth, and that is primarily because those mature, stiff hairs create terrible stubble. It is like this, removing the hair makes a sapling come back, that is still flexible, but shaving is like chopping down an adult tree that just grows back, it isn't so flexible.
As far as the HRT thing, I have no experience with that

but I have heard of some people getting less hair growth and others that say it didn't do anything for their androgen driven hairs, so I would lean towards lucky genetics.
@ everyone: as far as the face is concerned, my device doesn't say in the instructions if I should or shouldn't, I did look at an epilady unit that said you could but, it was battery powered, and didn't have variable speeds so I didn't buy it. I haven't used it much on my face I tried it on my neck a bit, and that was
rather painful.
Even though my electrolysis machine does a plenty good job of marking my face up (but, the marks do go away) I figure i'd rather use it on my face than my epilator as the hair really doesn't come back. I hate shaving though, and it would take 1.8 million years to clear my legs and chest with electrolysis so, I am going to look into home laser and see if that actually works (i do have pale skin, and dark hair).