I'm making this post because I want to see if maybe i'm just unlucky.

For starters: I havent started hormones yet, but soon i will. However I do present as female full-time; and as you might assume I shave my body hair which is problematic, but the problematic part isnt how much of a pain in the ass it is, its about how certain areas that I shave become PAINFULLY irritated and stay that way until the hair grows back - These areas being my inner thighs, pubic area, back upper thigh, shoulders, collarbone area, and sometimes my butt. My calves, arms, stomach, mid-back, lower thighs and lower back usually never get irritated.

I guess the question im trying to ask is, has this happened to anyone else??? I've been trying everything to try and avoid breaking out into red bumps all over those areas, but it seems like no matter what I do, its inevitable!

For anyone who HAS experienced this, do hormones help with this at all? Or am I doomed to suffer looking hideous in my intimate areas and triangle?! I want to show off my body at the beach and stuff when I'm all filled in, but I wont be able to if it looks like i slept in an ant pile >_<

Things I've tried: Sensitive skin lotion, regular lotion (shave gel OR after-shower lotion) , aveeno soap, aveeno lotion, Salicylic soap, salycylic oil-free acne wash, sugar scrubs, body scrubs, exfoliating scrubs from St. Ives, Dry skin lotions.

NOTHING i do seems to allow me to avoid getting a ridiculous amount of red bumps (and painful ones) in the areas that i wish i could show off... and when my hair grows back its like WIRE and I can feel it literally cutting through the skin.. there's times where I can't even wear pants comfortably because it feels like im covered in QUILLS.

I've tried regular shaving, waxing, and those hair removal creams and its always the same result. I'm dying here -_- if hormones don't help with this, i dont know what im gonna do...

Anyway, sorry for making it so long, i just wanted to make sure i didnt forget to mention anything.

I had the same issue when I first started shaving everything. It took me about a year before the irritation stopped. However, I still get it in my bikini zone. One thing that helped is I started using a shave cream called Coochy. It is amazing, and I use it on my face as well. I tried epilation, and that helped a bit, but was more of a pain in the butt than shaving.

A little HRT and a couple of waxings made me go from bear to bare (to borrow a Susan's Place classic!).

After your T is in the toilet, body hair, when pulled from the root will either grow back finer or not at all.  If you shave, this won't happen as quickly, or at all.  You can do laser successfully if you shave, but not if you wax.

Waxing is much less expensive, so it's my preferred method du jour.  As soon as an orchiectomy and waxings can get me no further, I will likely hit the laser if it is even going to be necessary.

It will take a while for the HRT to really have an effect but it will help to thin the hair and cause it to grow slower. The bad news is though that, in combination with just shaving, it won't have a massive effect, the hair will keep growing. I found waxing helps me but I have finer, lighter hair. Depending on how dark your hair is, laser might be an option. Otherwise, I'm sorry to say, the need to shave will persist...

Quote from: Jill F on January 23, 2014, 08:43:52 PM
A little HRT and a couple of waxings made me go from bear to bare (to borrow a Susan's Place classic!).

After your T is in the toilet, body hair, when pulled from the root will either grow back finer or not at all.  If you shave, this won't happen as quickly, or at all.  You can do laser successfully if you shave, but not if you wax.

Waxing is much less expensive, so it's my preferred method du jour.  As soon as an orchiectomy and waxings can get me no further, I will likely hit the laser if it is even going to be necessary.

Well thats a relief to hear, I'll be happy to be able to get a full body wax without fear that im gonna wake up the next day or 2 days after, COVERED in painful red bumps I guess im just gonna have to bite the bullet and let time do its thing.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 23, 2014, 08:47:02 PM
It will take a while for the HRT to really have an effect but it will help to thin the hair and cause it to grow slower. The bad news is though that, in combination with just shaving, it won't have a massive effect, the hair will keep growing. I found waxing helps me but I have finer, lighter hair. Depending on how dark your hair is, laser might be an option. Otherwise, I'm sorry to say, the need to shave will persist...

Oh no, shaving isnt the issue, i dont mind shaving at all (albeit time consuming), the problem is the RESULT ~ within a day i am covered in red bumps and quill-like hair just stabbing through my skin and creating irritation. I definitely plan on waxing again, but seeing as when I wax I often have an even WORSE result (red bumps i mean) than when i shave regularly.. it would help to know when the right time to wax would be during my HRT process >_<

Yes, HRT does help with hair given time, but it can take a while.

Waxing or otherwise removing entire hairs before HRT won't really have a good impact, as the presence of T will only strengthen hair follicles as they go through more rapid growth cycles. That may be while your hair comes back like 'wire'. Once T is gone however, waxing or epilating can have a good impact though, and hair follicles can weaken instead. Note, this usually doesn't apply to facial or pubic hair.

In term of the irritation, it's likely due to the way you're shaving. I experienced exactly the same thing pre HRT. Shaving to a 'baby smooth' level against the grain will leave the hairs quite sharp. And with soft skin and the natural curve to inner thigh and public hair, it tends to start poking into skin, causing that irritation. And then the skin swells, and the hair is no longer at the surface, and then it all gets much worse.  The only solution I found was to shave with the hair grain, leaving it not quite smooth. That way all of the hair is a little above the surface, and there's no irritation. It's also important to use a clean razor each time.

In terms of my hair changes, I've had my T in the toilet for about 5 months now. I epilate every few days on my arms and legs as needed. Much of the black hair I had on my tummy, chest and shoulders is gone ( with no help from me ). My arm hair has reduced in thickness and color dramatically. Many of the hairs have turned vellus and have nothing to them anymore. My leg hair remains far more stubborn though. Some hair has turned vellus, but a lot is still course and visible. For that reason I've turned to DIY electrolysis with a pro machine on my legs, which is going well so far. In a year, I expect to be hair free on arms and legs, and hopefully face too .

Good luck, hope this helps.

I shave pretty much everywhere at this point since I am am not out or on hrt yet. Takes forever some times but it makes me feel better so I do it. The only areas that get irritated for me our my legs, they get super itchy the day after shaving and stay that way until I shave them again. Yet can't bring myself to allow my legs to get all hairy again...just love them being smooth or...as smooth as I can get them.... 

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on January 23, 2014, 08:50:49 PM
Oh no, shaving isnt the issue, i dont mind shaving at all (albeit time consuming), the problem is the RESULT ~ within a day i am covered in red bumps and quill-like hair just stabbing through my skin and creating irritation. I definitely plan on waxing again, but seeing as when I wax I often have an even WORSE result (red bumps i mean) than when i shave regularly.. it would help to know when the right time to wax would be during my HRT process >_<

Irritation after waxing is a little strange. It could be a reaction to the after-wax lotion you're using, or could be due to bacteria getting in. Do you ever get little whiteheads with the red bumps?

Rarely, and I cannot explain why, after epilating I will get those little red bumps that can last a day or two. Just strange that t only happens rarely though. In fact, it seems to be getting more rare in more recent times. My after-care is always the same, coconut oil ( which is also a anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ). I will let you know if I ever work out what causes it.

Quote from: SammyRose on January 23, 2014, 09:08:42 PM
Yes, HRT does help with hair given time, but it can take a while.

Waxing or otherwise removing entire hairs before HRT won't really have a good impact, as the presence of T will only strengthen hair follicles as they go through more rapid growth cycles. That may be while your hair comes back like 'wire'. Once T is gone however, waxing or epilating can have a good impact though, and hair follicles can weaken instead. Note, this usually doesn't apply to facial or pubic hair.

In term of the irritation, it's likely due to the way you're shaving. I experienced exactly the same thing pre HRT. Shaving to a 'baby smooth' level against the grain will leave the hairs quite sharp. And with soft skin and the natural curve to inner thigh and public hair, it tends to start poking into skin, causing that irritation. And then the skin swells, and the hair is no longer at the surface, and then it all gets much worse.  The only solution I found was to shave with the hair grain, leaving it not quite smooth. That way all of the hair is a little above the surface, and there's no irritation. It's also important to use a clean razor each time.

In terms of my hair changes, I've had my T in the toilet for about 5 months now. I epilate every few days on my arms and legs as needed. Much of the black hair I had on my tummy, chest and shoulders is gone ( with no help from me ). My arm hair has reduced in thickness and color dramatically. Many of the hairs have turned vellus and have nothing to them anymore. My leg hair remains far more stubborn though. Some hair has turned vellus, but a lot is still course and visible. For that reason I've turned to DIY electrolysis with a pro machine on my legs, which is going well so far. In a year, I expect to be hair free on arms and legs, and hopefully face too .

Good luck, hope this helps.

Yes thank you so much! I have no problem waiting for HRT to do its magic, I just get nervous sometimes about whether or not it WILL do magic. Like i said i dont mind shaving my legs at all, its really just my thighs and bikini area that become a problem ~ this has happened to me so much that i have minimal scarring >_< probably gonna invest in some witch hazel or something. I only shave my arms now because my hair is thick and dark, I dont mind not shaving my arms when the hairs become vellus and lighter or thinner... I just wanna be able to shave my ass and upper/inner thighs without worrying about looking like im wearing a red, painted-on bikini >_<

Quote from: SammyRose on January 23, 2014, 09:14:52 PM
Irritation after waxing is a little strange. It could be a reaction to the after-wax lotion you're using, or could be due to bacteria getting in. Do you ever get little whiteheads with the red bumps?

Rarely, and I cannot explain why, after epilating I will get those little red bumps that can last a day or two. Just strange that t only happens rarely though. In fact, it seems to be getting more rare in more recent times. My after-care is always the same, coconut oil ( which is also a anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ). I will let you know if I ever work out what causes it.

YES!!!! Thats exactly what happens in the areas i mentioned >_< its mostly red but often theres white heads too *shoots self* And i dont get the irritation after waxing, i get it a day or day and a half later. I know that I cant use lotion or be in the sun for a good few hours after waxing, and I try my hardest to rush home and take a cold shower so my pores close.

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on January 23, 2014, 09:21:31 PM
YES!!!! Thats exactly what happens in the areas i mentioned >_< its mostly red but often theres white heads too *shoots self* And i dont get the irritation after waxing, i get it a day or day and a half later. I know that I cant use lotion or be in the sun for a good few hours after waxing, and I try my hardest to rush home and take a cold shower so my pores close.

Well, the whiteheads pretty much indicate that bacteria is getting into the open hair shafts. Bacteria is either already present on your skin, or being put there by cleaning mitts or razors etc. To say that it's happening a day after waxing really suggests that it's on your skin ( and razor ).

You need to remove all of the bacteria from your skin, and razors, ex-foliating gloves etc. I'd suggest throwing out all razors, mitts etc, washing towels and bedding in hot hot hot water, and then cleaning your legs.

There are severe cleaners like alcohol, a heap of different disinfectants, and then there are natural things like coconut oil. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend coconut oil, although I do use alcohol when preparing and cleaning skin for electrolysis. I'd rather not have any bacteria get in... And to date, have had no issues. I also use coconut oil after electrolysis on my legs, and on my face ( via a professional ). So far I've not had a single hair shaft become inflamed from bacteria.

The CIS women who shave also have these irratating bumps that is actually inflamation and what they do is dissolve asprin in warm water and apply. This has worked with me before HRT. With HRT the terminal hair on you body will dissappear except on your face and pubic areas. You get vallus hairs which are very fine and in my case blonde colored (body hair used to be dark) on my lower legs, arms, chest - its very fine and get finer over time.Hope this helps.

The more you all respond, the slower my heart rate becomes ~ this issue/situation is (or was) seriously making me hyperventilate. I'm just a upset that my favorite part of my body (my ass), is the area that 1. I cant shave because i cant really see what im doing, 2. gets the WORST reaction and 3. because of past attempts at being smooth back there, and having VERY bad reactions.... it left scarring... T_T the one thing I liked about my MAAB body... and it has battle scars that make even ME want to look away '''''''''''

I used to get pretty bad redness and bumps on my thighs when I shaved prior to HRT.

Now, I only get bumps if I don't shave for more than a week.  My leg hair grows back at like 1/4 the speed it used to, and I was lucky enough to barely have any body hair. 

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on January 23, 2014, 09:51:43 PM
The more you all respond, the slower my heart rate becomes ~ this issue/situation is (or was) seriously making me hyperventilate. I'm just a upset that my favorite part of my body (my ass), is the area that 1. I cant shave because i cant really see what im doing, 2. gets the WORST reaction and 3. because of past attempts at being smooth back there, and having VERY bad reactions.... it left scarring... T_T the one thing I liked about my MAAB body... and it has battle scars that make even ME want to look away '''''''''''

So your two weeks from HRT.  Congratulations.  HRT is a big help, and it'll thin out your hair a whole lot.  Keep shaving for now and see what happens in the next year.  I think you'll be surprised.

After years of stupidly taking various things that worked like AA's my body hair was already thnning.  But I began HRT more than 18 months ago, and the hair that was left has faded and turned very fine.  I still don't think my genital hair is super feminine yet, but I'm planning on surgery next January and genital electrolysis is going to be done for that, so I'll have some shaping done also.

My electrologist said she also spent a fortune on having her back and leg hair removed, then found out the HRT would have solved a lot of her problems if she just waited a little longer.

I am fair-skinned with fair fine hair. My skin irritates easily. Whenever I shave my legs, butt, chest, etc., it inevitably breaks out in red spots. However, after just a few months on HRT this stopped happening. It was a totally unexpected result.

Um... this may sound crazy, but another thing you can do is use electric "buzz cut" clippers without any of the attachments. It will leave only a slight amount of stubble on your legs, which is not ideal but quite acceptable (at least a lot of cis women seem to think so) and it doesn't become irritated. It might not work as well with dark hair, though, as you could get the 5-o'clock shadow look.

As stated in another thread, HT caused my secondary male characteristic thigh hair to shed over time. That's been an awesome HT effect.

Pre-hormones, coconut oil was my best friend. I too had big issues with shaving and getting razor bumps. For me, it was always my inner thighs and my chest that would get them. And coconut oil was the only thing I could find that did indeed help in keeping them at bay. (It didn't eliminate them entirely, but it did help.)

A year into hormones, I NEVER get razor bumps anymore. The hair is maybe 1/3 the density that it used to be, and the little that's left is way softer and finer, so much so that you can't even see it unless you're really close. So when I shave it, even against the grain with no shaving cream whatsoever, it's too thin and weak to irritate the skin while it's growing back. YMMV with this, and I say that with extreme caution, because my body hair pretty much disappeared completely with HRT, while others report very little reduction, but in general HRT does make the hair finer and softer, which will make it much more difficult to irritate the skin with its prickliness. (It's the combination of coarse sharp-edged hair stubble and sensitive skin that causes razor bumps.)

It sounds like you've got some serious fur, but for what it's worth (I have very light body hair) three months HRT and I have female pattern body hair. None on chest or back, light fuzz on arms, none on fingers or toes. My beard got sparser, but laser is fixing that, and I only shave my legs for Doctors appts.
We all know our mileage will vary, so I've just been genetically lucky so far. Boobs growing, but at a positively glacial rate, so there is payback.