How to get rid of that "beard shadow" even though there's no facial hair there

[Keroppi]

I have had some electrolysis and IPL to remove facial hair, and given the fact that I didn't have much in the first place is now mostly gone which is good. However my upper lip is annoying different colour darker than the surrounding area, which (to me) makes it look like I have a beard there even if not one hair is around. I want to reach the stage after being on HRT long enough where I can go out without makeup and be read as female even if I was wearing typically male clothes. Obviously such a shadow wouldn't help. What can I do to help?

[spacial]

I antipated this very thing in my early 20s when I put my own transision of hold. I allowed my facial hair to grow and kept it short as possiblt, without using a raser to cut it. I initially used a comb and sissors, but later, bought an electric hair trimmer with a comb that keeps it about 3mm or so.

Not a lot of help to you now though. Sorry.

I honestly believe that what you have is colouring from years of shaving. I assume you wet shaved?

In your situation, I would try regular moisturising, perhaps with a skin nourishing cream. It should be noted that these don't get very good reports from dermatologists, not for any harm, but simply because they claims they do nothing. But it's woth a try.

Another thing you might try is a decent foundation. Experiment to find the one that suits you. But also remembr, that it has to be taken off in the evening. I would avoid an solvent cleansers though.

I really wish you luck. Hopfully othes with knowledge of this can advise better.

[Tippe]

However my upper lip is annoying different colour darker than the surrounding area, which (to me) makes it look like I have a beard there even if not one hair is around.

I wonder if you still shave or feel hairs present to the touch when you don't? That could be the case since laser only reduces the number of hairs but not completely eliminates them. In that case you may still require makeup to cover the shadow from the part of the hair, which lies below the surface.

You might however also be fooled by your own perception of yourself! I recently switched to a lighter makeup and asked my class mate how it suited me and whether it would cover enough. She told me, that she couldn't see anything, which was not supposed to be there. I do however see a tiny shade on the upper lip myself.
Another time - after four threatments - I went into a train without makeup and chatted with a girl during my jurney. After a couple of hours I started to do my makeup and told her I am transgender. She would never have known if I hadn't told her, she said. That was a surprise to me because I've used to be really shy for fear of being discovered, when I am not properly made up.
Apparantly we are our own worst critics!



Tippe

[CaitJ]

No idea. If there's no hair or hair roots/stubble on your upper lip, then what's causing the shadow?
Is the skin of your lip pigmented differently to the rest of your face?
Is so, try makeup or bleaching agents.

[Rock_chick]

Laser and electro can cause pigmentation...both are effectively a traumatic experience for your face. it does fade and it's also a lot less noticeable than you probably thing...we tend to high light the bits that we aware of and don't like. A good foundation will cover it in the mean time

[Keroppi]

I know makeup will cover it. The point is I want to get to where I don't need makeup.



Depending on lights and scale / distance, it might not be too noticeable unless you're focusing on that area, but there's definitely a difference.

[CaitJ]

To me it looks like it's the size of the pores that is causing the shadowing effect.
Not sure what you can do about that, except give it time.

[Alyssa M.]

Even a few hairs below the skin will give you a shadow. They are typically darker under the skin than they are after they break through, because the sun tends to bleach them slightly. So keep doing electrolysis, and if you can't, then pluck.

By the way, I don't mean to minimize your concern, but what you describe is pretty normal among cis women, who often have a few dark wiry hairs on their face. They hate it almost as much as you do. And the solution is the same: electrolysis, plucking, make-up, and just getting over it. You probably know a few women with PCOS, and you might ask them what they do. I definitely know several women (including both of my sisters) who have more facial hair than I do.

[pebbles]

It's possible that there is debris in the skin from your treatments I've noticed a similar thing on my own face I use foundation to cover it up.

I was told not to use such a product by my electrologist but you can use an Astringent for closing the pores however if its debris in there you don't want to close them that would make the situation much worse.

[regan]

It's possible that there is debris in the skin from your treatments I've noticed a similar thing on my own face I use foundation to cover it up.

I was told not to use such a product by my electrologist but you can use an Astringent for closing the pores however if its debris in there you don't want to close them that would make the situation much worse.

If that were true, wouldn't an exfoliant clear it?

[Alyssa M.]

Both my electrologist and my laser technician use witch hazel (an astringent) both before and after treatments, and I find it's really good for my skin. I rarely need any moisturizer; my face doesn't usually get too dry, and using it just makes me break out. Keroppi, I think your skin looks similar to mine, so maybe I'd try that. (Though I'm not sure it would do much for the beard shadow problem.)

[spacial]

I have to add, that after looking at the photo, It doesn't seem to be dry as I assumed.

But to back up what's already been said, your pores are very prominant.

These are a few sites with some recommendations you may think about:

http://www.docshop.com/education/dermatology/skin-flaws/large-pores

http://www.beauty-advices.com/makeup-for-enlarged-pores-how-to-hide-enlarged-pores/

http://www.ehow.com/way_5408258_tips-makeup-hide-scars.html

[Constance]

Before I started laser, I could grow a full beard in 6 weeks. So, I took makeup lessons at a local TG/CD boutique to learn to hide the shadow.

1. use a concealer stick
2. Dermablend d-32 (it's a bit red, but it helps)
3. loose face powder
4. cream foundation

With all this, I then need to use lipstick otherwise my lips seem unnaturally pale. But, when the makeup is applied properly, it looks like I don't have a beard shadow at all. And, if I really do it right, the makeup doesn't look caked on.