Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just curious....are there any full timers out there still shaving their faces? 

Some of us (like me) can't afford electro or laser, but have lighter growth that stays 'woman-soft' after a morning shave all day and night.  Also, I've plucked my upper lip clean the last few years, and now hardly anything grows there.
Still......I'd give almost anything to wake up with a perfectly smooth face.  Most of my facial hair is white, so laser is out, anyway.   :(

Bev

I still shave every day or two... I used to wax my face every few weeks. <gods that hurt, specialy the upper lip> But now Im undergoing laser <the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time>  With laser, cant wax anymore so every morning or two... bust out wtih the evil razor...  but 4 treatments in, the blade nolonger shreds my skn to bits because the regrowth is so sparce...

I'm post-op and still must shave my face ...... daily. That is after hundred+ hours of electro and a year or so of laser, hrt, home electro, etc.
Rashelle

I think that it is safe to say that many FtM still shaved somewhat when they went full time.  Of course there are the exceptions, but the average male beard isn't removed overnight, and like you there are many who simply can't afford to start electro or laser.

The big drawback over shaving once one goes full time is the daily reminder of the male vestige that one is often fettered with while trying to live their true life.

Steph

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:00:39 PM
<the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time> 

Wow, is this true?  Haven't heard that.  Now I'm really excited.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

My facial fuzz was primarily blonde, with red, brown, grey and nonpigmented hairs mixed in for good measure...  Ive been having treatments with one of the newer types of laser <aurora for the first 3 treatments and now the E-something or other for the 4th and probably all from here on>  Ive had about a 70% all over reduction... and really, my hair didnt grow in all that dark after so much time on HRT and ripping it out bi weekly.....

It used to take 35-40min to get a good clean shave, now it takes 5.... and I nolonger slice myself open every time. <The hairs were lighter in color not in texture>

I still shave everyday as I didn't finish my electolysis. I have maybe 10 to 15 hours to go. My facial hairs are very fine and they are flesh colored, you can't see them, but you can feel them. I'm not dating or going out so I said why bother with the pain and the money that I would give out. I can shave and it takes it right off and you can't see anything and no 5 oclock shadow. In fact I could go for days without anyone even noticing any hairs. Until something happens on the home front I will leave it as is.
Sheila

My beard was so much like barb wire and dense that if I didn't electro it prior to transition, there's no way I could pass even half a day, even with makeup on.

Rashelle, I'm surprised that your still left with some after that much electro?

My electro used a microscope and is very very efficient considering the incredible strenght of my initial beard. Some don't use high enough voltage or don't hit the bulb properly, or have crappy machines, and many other possible reasons for going slow.

I haven't shaved in ages.  If I had to shave at this stage of the game and after almost 300 hours of electro, I would find my electrologist (I know she is in San Diego somewhere  >:D) and file a law suit against her that would make her head spin!  :icon_twisted: :icon_evil_laugh:

tink :icon_chick:

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:17:57 PM
My facial fuzz was primarily blonde, with red, brown, grey and nonpigmented hairs mixed in for good measure...  Ive been having treatments with one of the newer types of laser <aurora for the first 3 treatments and now the E-something or other for the 4th and probably all from here on>  Ive had about a 70% all over reduction... and really, my hair didnt grow in all that dark after so much time on HRT and ripping it out bi weekly.....

It used to take 35-40min to get a good clean shave, now it takes 5.... and I nolonger slice myself open every time. <The hairs were lighter in color not in texture>

my facial hair was/is blonde and they told me at the salon laser won't be any good on me but it still seemed to work ok. I only had about 7 sessions and it was all mostly gone. I haven't had any laser now for a year or so and it hasn't come back. Anti - androgens also help.

Quote from: Kristi on September 04, 2007, 10:11:57 PM

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:00:39 PM
<the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time> 

Wow, is this true?  Haven't heard that.  Now I'm really excited.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Hmm....me too......iffff someday I can afford it.

Bev

I still shave daily.  When I first started out I spent 1 hour per day shaving.  Now I'm down to 10 minutes.  The way my face is when I start each morning is smoother than the average male has when he's done.

I have lately been using some new shave gel by Noxzema that minimizes hair growth.  It works somewhat and it's cheap too.  I can tell by how much hair grows 5:00.  A little goes a long way.  And it only costs like $2 a can at Target.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Quote from: Kristi on September 05, 2007, 03:38:56 PM
I have lately been using some new shave gel by Noxzema that minimizes hair growth.  It works somewhat and it's cheap too.  I can tell by how much hair grows 5:00.  A little goes a long way.  And it only costs like $2 a can at Target.

I had to look it up.

Review of Noxzema Hair Minimizing Shaving Gel (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/339729/review_of_noxzema_hair_minimizing_shaving.html)

Quote from: Keira on September 05, 2007, 01:33:17 AMRashelle, I'm surprised that your still left with some after that much electro?

We think it's due to hormonal imbalances after her surgery.  She shaves it in the morning, but unfortunately by night time, her face is scratchy again.  Just like she ignores what I have between my legs, I ignore this on her.

As for myself, I have a few hairs here and there and I shave every morning since I am obsessive about having smooth skin.  Even if I went a couple of days without shaving, you probably wouldn't notice without looking for it, but like I said, I'm obsessive.  Shaving only takes under a minute though, since I never use shaving cream (I actually stopped using it several years ago).  I just run it across my skin.  I moisturize too, which keeps my skin smooth. 

I'm finishing up my laser treatments--most likely by the end of the year if that long even (it's free at this point, so I want to get my money's worth)--and the remainder may have to be taken care of with a few hours of electro or less.  I'm debating using my home electro kit, but I'm scared about messing up my nearly flawless skin on my face, so I haven't tried yet.  I'll probably just end up getting that done professionally.

Quote from: Miss Beverly on September 05, 2007, 11:30:31 AM

Quote from: Kristi on September 04, 2007, 10:11:57 PM

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:00:39 PM
<the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time> 

Wow, is this true?  Haven't heard that.  Now I'm really excited.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Hmm....me too......iffff someday I can afford it.

Bev

I pay 182/mo for my laser treatments... total of 2000+the finance charges... for the first 6 treatments and then for the 2 year unlimited touchup warenty on there work  :)   Im po <cant even afford the or> but I manage that <barely>

Quote from: Keira on September 05, 2007, 01:33:17 AM
Rashelle, I'm surprised that your still left with some after that much electro?

I'm not.  It can take up to 300 hours.

Yes, but she got laser too.
I started electro 10 years prior to transition so it was well finished long before transition. Probably took 250 hours for my hellish beard which had been bent  all sort of ways by tweezing (had dozens of ingrown hair). But as I said, they used a microscope and the operators are super efficient (20+ years of experience and they've always have the best equipment anywhere, they are north american distributors of equipment too). They're well known in TS and gay circles in Montreal.

I don't know just how many hours of electro I had overall other then way over 100. I did have lots of laser also which minimized the dark hairs. Since SRS I have had some dark hair regrowth and quite a bit of grey hair come back in. Unfortunately I have spent most of this last year either dealing withb having had my job position eliminated just prior to srs or having been laid off from the next job. So no Dr's and no electro for me for now. For non hrt related issues I can see the VA DR's. Oh well.
Rashelle

Quote from: Lisbeth on September 05, 2007, 03:59:03 PM

Quote from: Kristi on September 05, 2007, 03:38:56 PM
I have lately been using some new shave gel by Noxzema that minimizes hair growth.  It works somewhat and it's cheap too.  I can tell by how much hair grows 5:00.  A little goes a long way.  And it only costs like $2 a can at Target.

I had to look it up.

Review of Noxzema Hair Minimizing Shaving Gel (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/339729/review_of_noxzema_hair_minimizing_shaving.html)

Yes, that review is pretty much what I have experienced as well.  It's not a sudden miracle product, but it really does help.  And it's really not expensive, a rare thing today, though I did pay more than the .98 for it the review paid.  I see it as a no-lose situation.  I'm already buying cream, so why not?

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

I have only ever had laser and LHT.....My friend who went through transition before I did had a lot of electrolisis. She doesn't recommend it and it gave her a lot of scaring afterwards which you can still see which look like small vien like scars..

ive had 5 laser sessions, its mostly gone, we are so lucky these days that laser is available, 300 hours of electrolysis? what a nightmare

I kinda would prefer laser. My facial hairs dark as hell anyways. Hopefully it can work. Its like black.

I did about 7 sessions of laser before giving up on it. The laser had no effect on me other than emptying my wallet. I switched to electrolysis but I wasn't that smart about it. I wasted about 6 months going to a place with no experience removing a male beard. I switched electro places last January, and I'm currently going to the salon that Keira mentioned in her post. This place has been dealing with the trans and gay community here in Montreal for over 40 years. The difference is incredible. They use a microscope rather than a loop. I'm a little insane though and when I started I was going for 6-8 hours a week. I had a very thick corse beard with lots of gray and black hairs. I'm now doing about 90 minutes a week, and if I skip a week it's not the end of the world.

I just had my second laser session and asked  her if I would ned any touchups after my 5th and she said probably not. I have noticed that the sides of my face is smoother and there are areas of open skin. Daily shaving seems easier and the skin appears tighter afterwards. I guess I'll have to wait and see how accurate she is. At least she warns me when she's about to zap my upper lip! That's so I can grasp the arm rails! :laugh: Jolene

I guess that the problem with laser is that the technology is constantly changing, and there r no conclusive facts as to its effectiveness over the long haul. I know of two girls that went thru laser within the past 5-7 years who have recently begun electrolysis because their facial hair is slowly growing back. They told me that it's because the laser doesn't always permanently kill the hair, but rather put it in the dormant state... which simply means that it can reappear in 5 months, 5 years, or 50 years.

I was never comfortable with laser because it feels like anyone with a bank loan who wants to open a business is buying a laser hair removal machine and becomig an "instant" expert on the subject.

I wish there was a way to genetically control it...


...ONE DAY WE WILL MASTER THESE BODIES AS AUTOMOBILES...WITH NO EFFING HAIR IF WE DON'T WANT THE FEATURE FORD!!!! Or whatever company gets involved...

Wow, I comprehend how difficult it is to remove a beard.  I could never grow a beard and yet how can the face have this many hairs! 

My electrologist is very inexpensive but gives me a lot of burns.  I heard at a conference that removing a beard with electrolysis can cost $10 thousand or more.

Beverly if I ever get of of my cocoon (I love your expression) facial hair will not be a concern.

Quote from: Kristi on September 05, 2007, 03:38:56 PM
I have lately been using some new shave gel by Noxzema that minimizes hair growth.  It works somewhat and it's cheap too.  I can tell by how much hair grows 5:00.  A little goes a long way.  And it only costs like $2 a can at Target.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi

Kristi.....This stuff works!!
I've been using this since the day after your post, and like Lisbeth, my face was usually smoother the next day, than the average man just after shaving.  But now......it's been, umm...15 hrs since I shaved, and it's still smooth as can be.  by morning, I will just be able to feel very faint stubble, but I certainly won't see any.

Thanks!

Bev

Hm, that's a really interesting thing [Unlike everyone else who posted, I'm probably the one who's furthest back on transition.] I'll probably look for that shaving cream next time I'm at the store, my mom already knows I shave my legs and use shaving gel.. so why not? I still shave, since I can't really do anything else right now.. [Waxing = OW!] but then again my facial hair isn't all the noticeable due to genetics being in my favor. Probably once I can, I'll start bleaching my beard and mustache, which honestly I have no idea if that works that well, but I guess it might.. maybe it'll work for those that can't really afford electro or laser. [like me, Ms. Ilivewithmyparentsandamtryingtotransition]

Michelle

I had Light/Heat treatments on my face in 2003 and it got almost all of the darker hair after 3 or 4 passes @ $200 each! 

It didn't touch the light-colored hair on my face so I use Vaniqa, a prescription hair retardant creme.  It works only for women, estrogen required, and costs about $130 a month to use.

As I understand it, laser is being refined to the point that someday I might be able to get the rest removed by laser.  I still use a razor but it's on a lot less hair.  Having seen natal women with full facial hair and hirsuteness that looked like fur under the chin and on the throat puts things in perspective for me.

I don't squawk about much anyway.

Hope this helps.

Wing Walker

The hair thing is my worst nightmare, I have gone for electro then switched to laser went for 3 sessions and ran out of savings and couldn't find work. I'm in school now, and working right now will be too much for me. I have never been sired or questioned as anything more than a woman. But I get so worried someone will see the hair, I'm trying to find a way to continue but it's hard being in school. I wish this stuff was covered by healthcare, the pain of having a defect takes it's toll on me sometimes.

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:00:39 PM
I still shave every day or two... I used to wax my face every few weeks. <gods that hurt, specialy the upper lip> But now Im undergoing laser <the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time>  With laser, cant wax anymore so every morning or two... bust out wtih the evil razor...  but 4 treatments in, the blade nolonger shreds my skn to bits because the regrowth is so sparce...

Yes I agree, I have blonde hairs and laser is not supposed to work on those....but it does..

Also anti - androgens reduce any possible shaving greatly..