Just sharing some joy... After almost 7 months of HRT, it seems I'm just on the edge of male-fail... I can't describe how much joy comes with this regardless of the occasional awkwardness. 

I was out for lunch with a girlfriend this week, and the waiter introduced himself with "ladies"... While I was in boy mode ( for work ) no less. That was fantastic and brightened my day tremendously. Usually people avoid pronouns with me...

And last night I was out with some other girl friends at a cafe, only presenting slightly girly on account of my red & swollen face from electrolysis. Some of the girls I knew, others I didn't. While I looked a little bit shocking and red, that didn't stop female pronouns from being used with me by everyone. Such a nice night.

There has also been the occasional derogatory comment or chuckle from some, but they're few and far between. I guess they come with territory of appearing a bit confusing, and obviously trans to the right eye.

Next stop, ( once electrolysis is done ), full time     

You go girl! I envy you so much! Can't wait until I can start electrolysis. I have a beard that grown back in 3 days, I hate it so much, can't wait to get rid of it.
Already to that stage though, that's so great. We all have faith in you *hug*
You can do it!

Congrats!  That sounds awesome! 

SammyRose

It seems you are now in that part of things starting to come together and you are letting the crap roll off your shoulders when it happens. I can see full time for you to be full of happiness. If you keep the confidence and positive attitude things will fall into place faster.

I feel you are way past the i can not and in the i can and i will stage. I am so happy for you and keep moving forward. May your electrolysis go smooth.

Safe passage on your path.
Hugs
Izzy

QuoteAfter almost 7 months of HRT, it seems I'm just on the edge of male-fail...

SammyRose, just wondering....about what is your age? (Just a range is adequate). Under 30?

Quote from: Willow on October 11, 2013, 07:01:32 PM
You go girl! I envy you so much! Can't wait until I can start electrolysis. I have a beard that grown back in 3 days, I hate it so much, can't wait to get rid of it.
Already to that stage though, that's so great. We all have faith in you *hug*
You can do it!

Check out laser first. I've been to a few electrolysis places, and only one told me outright to not do E, because I had "too many dark hairs left...I'd be their favorite long-term customer." She (the E tech, owner of the place) has a very strong ethic to do what's best for the customer....the other 2 places I went to said nothing of the sort to me.

Unless you're blond or otherwise not a good candidate for laser.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on October 11, 2013, 09:47:31 PMCheck out laser first. I've been to a few electrolysis places, and only one told me outright to not do E, because I had "too many dark hairs left...I'd be their favorite long-term customer." She (the E tech, owner of the place) has a very strong ethic to do what's best for the customer....the other 2 places I went to said nothing of the sort to me.
Unless you're blond or otherwise not a good candidate for laser.

My hair is a darker blonde, but my beard is really dark. I'll look into laser, but oh god the expense!

Quote from: Willow on October 11, 2013, 09:53:16 PM
My hair is a darker blonde, but my beard is really dark. I'll look into laser, but oh god the expense!

Far less expensive than electrolysis....look around, there are deals out there.

Laser works like a grenade, it zaps an area about the size of a dime with each shot. Electrolysis zaps one hair at a time, so it's much more tedious. Yes, electro costs (in my area) about $30USD for each 15 minutes...and laser costs about $125 for 15 minutes....but laser covers a much larger area with more follicles zapped than with electro.

Anyway, just a thought.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on October 11, 2013, 10:07:50 PMFar less expensive than electrolysis....look around, there are deals out there.
Laser works like a grenade, it zaps an area about the size of a dime with each shot. Electrolysis zaps one hair at a time, so it's much more tedious. Yes, electro costs (in my area) about $30USD for each 15 minutes...and laser costs about $125 for 15 minutes....but laser covers a much larger area with more follicles zapped than with electro.
Anyway, just a thought.

Aha, that's what I read, that electrolysis was usually $25-100 an hour depending on your area, but laser was $100-$350 per hour. No one told me laser was so much more efficient.
In the long run the cost is probably about the same then, I'd assume.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on October 11, 2013, 09:47:31 PM
SammyRose, just wondering....about what is your age? (Just a range is adequate). Under 30?

Hey Beth! I'm 34, though fairly youthful in appearance without any strong masculine features to start with. With HRT and where I was physically when I started, it feels a little like I caught the last express train. I suspect there would have been slower / fewer changes if I'd even waited just a couple of years.

Quote from: Willow on October 11, 2013, 10:12:34 PM
Aha, that's what I read, that electrolysis was usually $25-100 an hour depending on your area, but laser was $100-$350 per hour. No one told me laser was so much more efficient.
In the long run the cost is probably about the same then, I'd assume.

Laser is fantastic and economical... If you don't have blonde or red hair like me.

My sessions are $80 + per hour which is about normal for my area, although that is with multi-needle ( 16-ish hairs at a time ).

Quote from: SammyRose on October 11, 2013, 11:19:43 PMLaser is fantastic and economical... If you don't have blonde or red hair like me.
My sessions are $80 + per hour which is about normal for my area, although that is with multi-needle ( 16-ish hairs at a time ).

Hmm, I'm sort of a medium-dark blonde. That works for laser, right?
Thought I saw something like $100 for the area of the upper lip for my area with laser.
Not sure by "your area" it meant one of the middle sized cities all lined in a row, or the big city at the end of it, though.
Whatever it meant, it'd be at most 2 hour travel time, which is reasonable, but tough without a car.
Definitely something I'm going to look into. And no more cutting myself shaving!

Hi Willow. If you have fair skin, then laser should still be able to hit those hairs. It's melanin that makes them dark, and that's what the laser works with.

Even I had some browny hairs to begin with that I used laser for. After about four sessions, those browny hairs either turned blonde, or evaporated.

By my area, I mean Melbourne, down here in the southern hemisphere

Quote from: SammyRose on October 11, 2013, 11:34:28 PMHi Willow. If you have fair skin, then laser should still be able to hit those hairs. It's melanin that makes them dark, and that's what the laser works with.
Even I had some browny hairs to begin with that I used laser for. After about four sessions, those browny hairs either turned blonde, or evaporated.
By my area, I mean Melbourne, down here in the southern hemisphere

Fair, I wouldn't say. Somehwat tanned, yes. Mediterranian heritage. So then it looks all good for me then
I was talking when I did a Google search, it didn't show a map for some reason. I'm half a world away, about 2 hours from Detroit, which is where I presume most clinics in my area are.

So today I really put my andro-girly look to the test. I needed some somewhat andro women's work-wear since I attract too much attention with male attire. So I called on a girlfriend and we went to a fairly big shopping centre. The place was reasonably packed!

Here I was in my most congruent women's casual wear, no make up, no bling, hair back, and still a nice red face from electrolysis. We went into a few department stores going through their clothes. I managed to actually pick up quite a few great pieces that I'd been wanting in my casual wear wardrobe too, and found two nice pairs of work pants. Now shopping for clothes is one thing. I've done that before ( uncomfortably ) in male mode. Trying to go into the women's fitting rooms after checking off the items with the lady at the fitting area is quite another...

Let me tell you, that was stressful! ( first time for me doing this ). My poor face, seconds after making it to the changing room I went bright red. The fear, the joy, the worry and celebration... Took me quite a few minutes to re-compose myself enough to try on the clothes and head back out.

Apparently from a voice and looks perspective I seemed to somewhat pass as I was . Nobody batted an eye lid while I was shopping, trying on things, or paying. And I only noticed one double-take from an older man through the entire afternoon.

I'm stunned... My friends tell me I've nothing to worry about. Evidence tells me I've nothing to worry about. Yet I still don't believe it.    Well slowly believing it.... 

Quote from: SammyRose on October 13, 2013, 06:04:02 AM
So today I really put my andro-girly look to the test. I needed some somewhat andro women's work-wear since I attract too much attention with male attire. So I called on a girlfriend and we went to a fairly big shopping centre. The place was reasonably packed!

Here I was in my most congruent women's casual wear, no make up, no bling, hair back, and still a nice red face from electrolysis. We went into a few department stores going through their clothes. I managed to actually pick up quite a few great pieces that I'd been wanting in my casual wear wardrobe too, and found two nice pairs of work pants. Now shopping for clothes is one thing. I've done that before ( uncomfortably ) in male mode. Trying to go into the women's fitting rooms after checking off the items with the lady at the fitting area is quite another...

Let me tell you, that was stressful! ( first time for me doing this ). My poor face, seconds after making it to the changing room I went bright red. The fear, the joy, the worry and celebration... Took me quite a few minutes to re-compose myself enough to try on the clothes and head back out.

Apparently from a voice and looks perspective I seemed to somewhat pass as I was . Nobody batted an eye lid while I was shopping, trying on things, or paying. And I only noticed one double-take from an older man through the entire afternoon.

I'm stunned... My friends tell me I've nothing to worry about. Evidence tells me I've nothing to worry about. Yet I still don't believe it.    Well slowly believing it.... 

Congrats Honey.

I remember my first bra fitting. I was rather nervous

She was great. Didn't bat an eye brow and explained all about how to adjust my bra.