Soooo I've been on T for 15 months. My experiences haven't been typical (as far as I know) and haven't been too positive. I complain about that enough and that's not really the whole point of the thread, so I'll do the abridged version. Transitioning for many years, read as male as often now as I did when I started my transition despite making a lot of changes (including recently losing 35 lbs).
I was growing out my facial hair...the tiny bit I had, clinging to it desperately thinking that it helps (although, in practice it didn't do anything). Sunday I had about a month's worth of hair growth with the exception of shaving under the chin/neck area which was getting really itchy. Plus, neckbeards are gross. ANYWAYS! On Sunday I went to the dog park with my puppy, wearing about what's seen in my latest post in the badass thread. I was misgendered multiple times bu multiple strangers. It was not fun. It was really frustrating and just plain not fun. Yesterday (Monday) I decided to get rid of all the long chin and lip hairs...leaving the little bit growing by my sideburns.
Now, I don't go out much for various reasons...anxiety being one of the bigger factors, but today I mustered up all the spoons I could to run some errands. I got my glasses fixed, and went to the bank. The bank usually makes a point to say ma'am/miss, and this time they didn't. The didn't say sir either, which doesn't really mean much but I was happy that I wasn't called "Miss [full legal name]" which is what they often do.
I guess I look more male without facial hair? Or maybe, it really doesn't make a difference. Either way, I'm still frustrated.
I have a pathetic mustache and some chin hair and they are certainly visible, but I feel like I look much more male when I shave. Dunno why that is, but yeah, you're not the only one who's noticed this.
I've been told that until you can grow any significant amount of hair, you should shave it. I don't know if that would play into this or not, though.
Just for Men for beards and moustaches can darken a wimpy stache, but you do need to have more than fuzz. And don't plan on going out right after doing this. And be neat. It does stain the skin.
FWIW after 3.5 years my stache is still not the best, better on the sides and wimpy under my nose. So I use this to darken it up. And it darkens the few hairs under my lower lip. Also, one side of my face has wimpier growth than the other, and my side burns suck.
DO NOT do this if you only have peach fuzz.
Jay
I think it's best to shave it off until you can actually grow something. Immature facial hair isn't expected to be seen on an adult, but many men are clean shaven.
Well, I can't say for sure if people saw me as male or female, or if the shaving helped me enough with my situation. The chin fuzz isn't significant significant but it is visible when grown out. It's just all...frustrating.