Susan's Place Transgender Resources

How many have issues with hair in the vagina, how many have checked with a gyno?

A subject that is seldom openly addressed yet seems to be quite common when complaining about surgeons My experience is that I have no hairs inside where scraping was performed. But I had hairs at the lower entrance to the vagina where the non cut skin inverted inwards to the vagina. I successfully removed with laser as it was accessible.

What about those deep inside? What can be done. A lady from another post of mine succwssfully used a depilating cream successfully. But check with your Dr.

Any others with issues or solutions.

I also had strands of hair in the vaginal opening (probably until 2cm inside) I also used depilating cream / hair removal cream for sensitive area and put it around inside my vagina. I let it stay there for like 5minutes and tada! the hair came off easily using my finger and toilet paper! I washed and douched quickly after that and now my vagina is hair free inside!

Now I'm wondering if the hair would grow back again (hopefully not) but lets see.

Quote from: chinee on May 01, 2017, 04:03:00 AM
I also had strands of hair in the vaginal opening (probably until 2cm inside) I also used depilating cream / hair removal cream for sensitive area and put it around inside my vagina. I let it stay there for like 5minutes and tada! the hair came off easily using my finger and toilet paper! I washed and douched quickly after that and now my vagina is hair free inside!

Now I'm wondering if the hair would grow back again (hopefully not) but lets see.

Since the cream does not destroy the follicles you will have to repeat it once in a while. I fear that my result will be similar, it's almost impossible to find a good electrologist that will do also the genitals in my area.

Quote from: Thessa on May 01, 2017, 04:06:24 AM
Since the cream does not destroy the follicles you will have to repeat it once in a while. I fear that my result will be similar, it's almost impossible to find a good electrologist that will do also the genitals in my area.

Sad to say but I think youre right. I also have no other choice than this one. I don't mind repeating it again and again once in a while! I just hope the cream wont react to my vagina for long term use!

Chinee and Thessa,  Can you confirm if it was growing in the non cut skin area, outside the scar area? Did you have any electrolysis or laser in any area below before surgery?

I raised this outside the cut and scar line hair issue with my surgeon and yes you can reach these areas with laser or electrolysis and it does not damage, and also with careful use of dipilatory cream.... be sure to throughly wash it off. This does not apply to those hairs deeper inside say 1 inch or more and inside the scar line. Would love to hear from those who have this issue and confirmed by a gyno.

mine was also on the non cut skin area (the part that were not scraped) and just at the near of the opening. I never had laser prior to the surgery as I thought I wont be needing one.

My surgery will be in July, but he told me during the last consultation that he can't do any scraping in that area, because it would become to weak.

Due to the bad electrolysis coverage at home I need to deal with it at a later stage and somewhere else.

Deep inside there should be no grow, but I can only tell in a few months.

The electrologist who did my genital electro had done some electro on post-op women who rushed like Captain Ahab to get their surgery. He said it needed to be done with a speculum and is very painful and very slow, not the kind of thing I ever wanted to do. One time when I was going for an appointment I met one of the women who was there for hair problems and told me that it made dilating was uncomfortable and she was unsure if she would ever want to be with a man. Again that's not what I considered to be within the margin of success. In the end we all consider our own success by whatever it is that makes us happy. Me personally, I didn't want to live in discomfort years down the road. I was also driven by women who rushed their facial electrolysis and ended up having facial hair growing out a couple of years post-op. Just think of how hard that is going to be to live every day. To each their own I guess. I just wanted to come out the other end and live a normal life afterwards and not worry about hair wherever it would be.

Quote from: Zumbagirl on May 01, 2017, 06:42:09 AM
I was also driven by women who rushed their facial electrolysis and ended up having facial hair growing out a couple of years post-op.

Electrolysis is permanent.  Did you mean laser?

I think it sounds like a serious problem that is underreported. My electrologist, who is very trans experienced and has been doing hair removal for trans women for decades, told me not to believe any doctor who told me that "scraping" was enough to remove all hair follicles. She explained that she has had clients from most of the big-name surgeons and that several of them who were told not to have electrolysis ended up with vaginal hair, which could sometimes be removed and sometimes was too deep for anyone to get at with a probe. Again, this includes patients who went to doctors who "guaranteed" scraping was enough. Apparently it's almost impossible to remove all hair follicles with one pass of anything, and while it doesn't happen to everybody, the risk is enough that she encouraged me to not even consider SRS without a year of genital hair removal first, which I am in the middle of now (which is just as well as my doctor requires genital electrolysis.)

For me, it's a no brainer. The additional 8-12 months of occasional electrolysis treatments to ensure I won't end up with a hairy vaginal interior is a tiny price to pay for a good result. The idea of having to pluck hair from my vaginal interior or douche with Nair is pretty unappealing and would be right up with with "worst case" scenarios in my mind. There are just too many reports from people online, and people I have talked to, involving cases where scraping follicles during surgery did not get all the hair for me to feel comfortable taking a chance like that. For that reason I highly, highly encourage all of my trans friends considering SRS to have the full electrolysis regimen prior to surgery no matter WHAT the surgeon tells you. An additional 1-2K (and some insurances will pay now) is a small price to pay to pay for a result that you will have to live with for a lifetime. Personally I have found the process to be much less painful and unpleasant as many said it would be, though I do use LMX 5% and take Tylenol prior to my sessions.

I did notice that this seemed to be coming up a lot lately for some reason.

I have no hair inside the vagina (and I've been examined with a speculum by a gyno and my GP both). There is one annoying hair about 1/8" outside the entrance that sort of "curls inside" and pokes me in a sensitive spot, so I pluck that  one, but the first time I complained about this, my wife laughed and said she has three of those. Otherwise, there is hair on my vulva in places cis women have hair (outside part of the outer labia, mostly) and that's it. I went to Brassard, did not do hair removal beforehand, and trusted in his follicle scraping technique; it appears I am one of those for whom it actually worked.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on May 01, 2017, 12:03:30 PM
I have no hair inside the vagina (and I've been examined with a speculum by a gyno and my GP both). ...Otherwise, there is hair on my vulva in places cis women have hair (outside part of the outer labia, mostly) and that's it. I went to Brassard, did not do hair removal beforehand, and trusted in his follicle scraping technique; it appears I am one of those for whom it actually worked.

Same.

I have no option than wait and see. I would do it but there is no one I know of who would do it.

I even have troubles finding a good on for the face, based on some statements here in the forum I would say she is a plucker.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on May 01, 2017, 12:03:30 PM
I have no hair inside the vagina (and I've been examined with a speculum by a gyno and my GP both). There is one annoying hair about 1/8" outside the entrance that sort of "curls inside" and pokes me in a sensitive spot, so I pluck that  one, but the first time I complained about this, my wife laughed and said she has three of those. Otherwise, there is hair on my vulva in places cis women have hair (outside part of the outer labia, mostly) and that's it. I went to Brassard, did not do hair removal beforehand, and trusted in his follicle scraping technique; it appears I am one of those for whom it actually worked.

Same here. Dr. Rumer used the scraping technique, I had no other hair removal before surgery. My gyno did a deep exam looking for granulation, so no hair there at 5 months post op. I assume if it isn't growing by now it never will be.

Quote from: Charley on May 01, 2017, 12:31:05 PM
Same here. Dr. Rumer used the scraping technique, I had no other hair removal before surgery. My gyno did a deep exam looking for granulation, so no hair there at 5 months post op. I assume if it isn't growing by now it never will be.

Did he scrap everything, also the area where the skin is bend inside? The beginning of the canal.

Quote from: Thessa on May 01, 2017, 12:34:28 PM
Did he scrap everything, also the area where the skin is bend inside? The beginning of the canal.

I'm not sure if she scraped that area or not, but there is nothing there. I have my 6 month follow up at the end of this month. I will ask her exactly what got scraped.

Quote from: Axolotl on May 01, 2017, 08:57:06 AM
Electrolysis is permanent.  Did you mean laser?

Here is my take on the subject. When I was going through my transition I ran across a few interesting things. One was a woman who was post-op about 5 years and started to develop facial hairs again and had to go back to the electrologist. I can only imagine how tough that would be to live with especially so many years after the fact and she thought she was a done deal. Likewise I have run across a few post-op women who had problems with vaginal hair and the problem didn't pop up 6 months after surgery but a few years later when everything was healed. I took the time to understand the hairs can remain dormant for long periods of time, so they only way to slay the hairs is very slowly over a long period of time. So from my own observations regarding that, and some women who offered some not very flattering advice on laser treatment I decided to take the matter of hair removal seriously. I figure I only get one good shot at this. If I had problems I didn't want to deal with excessive complications afterwards. As it is, the surgery itself has it's own share of complications as well. Why multiply problems? I could have gotten lucky after my surgery and ultimately saved myself $1-2k of money and spent it on something else, but I only have one me and only one good shot.

Taken as an opinion you might be thinking that, eh, it's just a couple of people can't happen to me. I just didn't want to be "that" person who had to say, happened to me. I didn't want to be that person after transition who had to shave or cake on makeup before going outside. I likewise didn't want to see myself putting depilatory cream on my crotch when I'm an old lady. I was thinking about my quality of life afterwards. I just didn't want to leave anything to chance. So I am now 14 years post-op and doing just fine with no hair problems and no need to pick up a razor except to shave my legs.

My surgeon recommends electrolysis with the idea that she could scrape what she finds afterward. The thing is, scrapping takes time, time that you are under anesthesia. Why lengthen that time when it could be harmful to your health?
Moni

I also used to think that I should have done electrolysis prior to SRS as I ended up with lots of hairs deep inside my vagina BUT after Dr. Brassard suggested the use of depilatory cream and now several weeks later after the treatment, remaining totally hair free, I'm glad I didn't do electrolysis prior as that would have been more expensive, very painful and time consuming whereas now, I just apply a little Nair and in 5-10 minutes, the hair is gone and so far, after just one application and several weeks later, there is no hair regrowth. So simple and effective. I regret not thinking of this earlier. That's my only regret.
:(

Moni: That also depends on the doctor; Brassard prefers not to use general anesthesia, and he works with a partner. So my surgery took a little over 2 hours, including scraping, and did not require GA. (I actually chose him in part because of the short surgery time and no GA; I did worry about those risks.)

Quote from: KayXo on May 02, 2017, 09:49:53 AM
I also used to think that I should have done electrolysis prior to SRS as I ended up with lots of hairs deep inside my vagina BUT after Dr. Brassard suggested the use of depilatory cream and now several weeks later after the treatment, remaining totally hair free, I'm glad I didn't do electrolysis prior as that would have been more expensive, very painful and time consuming whereas now, I just apply a little Nair and in 5-10 minutes, the hair is gone and so far, after just one application and several weeks later, there is no hair regrowth. So simple and effective. I regret not thinking of this earlier. That's my only regret.
:(

Bless you honey! I wish mine wouldn't grow back again after getting rid of mine by depilatory cream! Cross Fingers!

Hair grows on an 8 week cycle. That's why you need multiple sessions of laser to remove it all 8-12. The same would apply for plucking and for using a depilatory cream. A depilatory cream is not perm hair removal, it will grow back. But if you can take care of it in 5 minutes for 8 weeks... But as others have said make sure you test a small area first.

You can also figure this would kill your natural vaginal flora by doing this. But it can grow back.

Quote from: Jenna Marie on May 02, 2017, 10:02:54 AM
Moni: That also depends on the doctor; Brassard prefers not to use general anesthesia, and he works with a partner. So my surgery took a little over 2 hours, including scraping, and did not require GA. (I actually chose him in part because of the short surgery time and no GA; I did worry about those risks.)

Back in 2005, I had GA with Dr. Brassard but the surgery was not long, around 2 hours as well. Included tracheal shave as well.

Quote from: Susan on May 02, 2017, 10:39:41 AM
Hair grows on an 8 week cycle.

That depends on the area of the body and the unique predispositions of the individual. Cycles can be much shorter for some areas (i.e. armpits, chin/upper lips, scrotum, genital area) and much longer for others (i.e. scalp).

QuoteThat's why you need multiple sessions of laser to remove it all 8-12.

Hair can regrow with laser, years after the last session. Be careful. It has not been proven to be permanent, in contrast to electrolysis.

QuoteThe same would apply for plucking and for using a depilatory cream. A depilatory cream is not perm hair removal, it will grow back. But if you can take care of it in 5 minutes for 8 weeks...

I plucked my eyebrows over and over again. Some of it never regrew, similar to my mom and other women I know who ended up with thinner eyebrows than they wanted. Plucking, over time, in certain areas can lead to permanent hair removal, interestingly.

The hairs inside my vagina are quite weak so who knows what Nair will do to them...

QuoteYou can also figure this would kill your natural vaginal flora by doing this. But it can grow back.

Only one application and no issues since.

Growth cycle

Hair grows at different speeds and different lengths. Its composition causes different colors and textures, which influence how long the hair strands grow.

The three stages of hair growth are the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Each strand of hair on the human body is at its own stage of development. Once the cycle is complete, it restarts and a new strand of hair begins to form. The rate or speed of hair growth is about 1.25 centimetres or 0.5 inches per month, or about 15 centimetres or 6 inches per year.

Anagen phase

The anagen phase is known as the growth phase. It begins in the papilla and can last from two to six years.[1][2] The span at which the hair remains in this stage of growth is determined by genetics. The longer the hair stays in the anagen phase, the longer it will grow. During this phase, the cells in the papilla divide to produce new hair fibers, and the follicle buries itself into the dermal layer of the skin to nourish the strand. About 85% of the hairs on one's head are in the anagen phase at any given time

Catagen phase

Signals sent out by the body (that only selectively affect 1 percent of all hair of one's body at any given time) determine when the anagen phase ends and the catagen phase begins. The first sign of catagen is the cessation of melanin production in the hair bulb and apoptosis of follicular melanocytes.[3] The catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase, allows the follicle to, in a sense, renew itself. During this time, which lasts about two weeks, the hair follicle shrinks due to disintegration and the papilla detaches and "rests," cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing blood supply. Ultimately, the follicle is 1/6 its original length, causing the hair shaft to be pushed upward. While hair is not growing during this phase, the length of the terminal fibers increase when the follicle pushes them upward.

Telogen phase

During the telogen or resting phase the follicle remains dormant for one to four months. Ten to fifteen percent of the hairs on one's head are in this phase of growth at any given time. In this phase the epidermal cells lining the follicle channel continue to grow as normal and may accumulate around the base of the hair, temporarily anchoring it in place and preserving the hair for its natural purpose without taxing the body's resources needed during the growth phase.

At some point, the follicle will begin to grow again, softening the anchor point of the shaft initially. The hair base will break free from the root and the hair will be shed. Within two weeks the new hair shaft will begin to emerge once the telogen phase is complete. The process results in normal hair loss known as shedding.

From the wiki...

Quote from: SadieBlake on May 02, 2017, 07:28:28 PM
No way in hell. Ever. CaOH and NaOH really do not belong there (not knocking if some can make it work, to each their own.

Applying it there for 5 minutes every 6-8 weeks or even barely ever again is worth it and I think some are making a huge deal out of nothing. I've absolutely had no issues. If I were to apply it every week or so or more frequently, then yea but clearly not the case. To each their own, I guess. I'm just not the type to be overcautious, I take calculated risks and it has always been worthwhile. Stupids risks too and I almost lost my life over it. Never again. I'm wiser today. :)

Interesting discussion. Saving it for future reference!


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I had my my surgery with Dr Brassard 7 months ago and was hair free at my 6 month gyno exam. I chose to have the area cleared by electrolysis to avoid any extra nnecessary maintenance  post op.

I did 6 sessions of electrolysis 6 weeks apart. There was numbing injections which hurt very much but then there was no pain. The level on the machine was set high and there was some bruising, blood and scabs afterwards. I was done electrolysis about 5 or 6 months prior to GCS.

I do not have hair in my vagina but I have two or three below the vaginal canal on the outside. I was thinking about going back to get all the hair above removed down there, which is not much.

About facial hair. I have been going weekly for 2.5 years and an thinking about E3000.

I am stuck with Laser. I cannot find anyone here in Adelaide that does genital Electrolysis. My Surgeon said that laser would do the job pretty well and he would do a follicle scrape  to try and ensure I have no hair issues but of course can make no guarantee's.

Flying to Melbourne is just not viable for it as the cost is prohibitive. My facial electrolysis woman has been unable to locate anyone but I don't know how hard she has tried either. Come next two weeks I am going to have another go and finding someone otherwise I will no doubt be dealing with hair issues....somewhat frustrating!!

If you are lucky enough to live in the Tacoma WA area. Nanci and Kristen do genital electrolysis at ElectraSpa. These ladies have PCOS so they understand hair in the wrong places and are so kind and gentle and caring. I wish Australia were much closer you would love them.

6 years post op, Dr Suporn, scraping. No hair.