Hello Everyone. I hope you all had a Happy Christmas (or whichever occasion you celebrate, or don't).
I was hoping to hear from some others who are either in or have been in my situation and I would be so grateful to hear how you have dealt with it. Let me explain what I mean by 'fulcrum'.
I have been on estrogen for 5 months and progesterone and spiro for 3½ and things are coming along wonderfully! Like, everything that is supposed to be happening is REALLY happening and I couldn't be happier. Literally so. My counselor sent me to a psychiatrist because she thought I was too happy, and he was just like, 'Yep. You're just happy'. It's actually been so effective that it's becoming difficult to pass as my gender of birth, a boy. And here in lies my problem.
I am at that point where going full time becomes a reality. It's the tipping point. The fulcrum.
However I began laser hair removal about 8 months ago (before I had actually decided to transition) and, well basically, I still have facial hair. If I shave with an electric razor it doesn't damage my skin but it only gives me a few hours of passability. If I use a traditional razor, I get a whole day of passability but have to wait 2 or 3 days for my skin to recover before I can shave again.
The laser has been great, like, really effective but not conclusive. Should I wait another 3 weeks for the 6th (and I'm told, final) laser session or quit my losses and rush for electrolysis? How long does it take to electrolyse a face? :)
Sorry. That was a bit longer than I anticipated by my only trans friend is FtM and I don't think that anyone else gets how significant this stage of transition is. And I know, I should have done the beard sooner or held off on transition but once I decided to do this, I just had to do it! You know?
Thanks so much everyone! Love ya!! <3
I never started with Laser as my facial hair is white and grey....
So straight onto Electro, started early November.
So far Electro is working well, slight discomfort felt for first time just before xmas week (oh hope you had a great xmas too xxx)
It is working well, but it will take me over 2 years, well 2.5... But I have been on HRT for a long while... intend fulltime this year, but after my chin and upper lips are cleared... currently my treatments are along the chin line.
You will need at a minimum of 1 hour per week, 2 hours a week or more will reduce the time... I'll be moving to 1.5 ~ 2hrs per week during January and maybe more after.
Good luck
Katy xxxx
Thought it takes up to 9 sessions. Hopefully you are going somewhere with one of the good lasers. I just had my 4th session last week. I was still getting hair under nose and chin but am having a lot of luck with laser. Not sure if this is recommended but a couple days after I used tweezers to pull out the white hairs. They pulled out easy and deep. Maybe the whole follicle came out with it. I also did the same with any regular dark hairs and had the same result.
I was advised that it is not recommended to pluck hairs after laser.
I did 3 laser sessions and about 70 hours of electrolysis so far. I have a lot of gray. I do 2 hour sessions and Motrin before the session helps with the pain. I think I will have another 150 hours left on my face.
Ouch that's a lot of time. I am guessing I would need electrolysis to have every hair gone. Laser is quicker now, last week was about 5 min for the face and chest. Just had some stray hairs there. I went in today and they did a Brazilian, front and back and that was 12min. Just 1st session for that one. Not very fun and embarrassing but I feel it will really be worth it when it is done.