I have only ever had laser and LHT.....My friend who went through transition before I did had a lot of electrolisis. She doesn't recommend it and it gave her a lot of scaring afterwards which you can still see which look like small vien like scars..

ive had 5 laser sessions, its mostly gone, we are so lucky these days that laser is available, 300 hours of electrolysis? what a nightmare

I kinda would prefer laser. My facial hairs dark as hell anyways. Hopefully it can work. Its like black.

I did about 7 sessions of laser before giving up on it. The laser had no effect on me other than emptying my wallet. I switched to electrolysis but I wasn't that smart about it. I wasted about 6 months going to a place with no experience removing a male beard. I switched electro places last January, and I'm currently going to the salon that Keira mentioned in her post. This place has been dealing with the trans and gay community here in Montreal for over 40 years. The difference is incredible. They use a microscope rather than a loop. I'm a little insane though and when I started I was going for 6-8 hours a week. I had a very thick corse beard with lots of gray and black hairs. I'm now doing about 90 minutes a week, and if I skip a week it's not the end of the world.

I just had my second laser session and asked  her if I would ned any touchups after my 5th and she said probably not. I have noticed that the sides of my face is smoother and there are areas of open skin. Daily shaving seems easier and the skin appears tighter afterwards. I guess I'll have to wait and see how accurate she is. At least she warns me when she's about to zap my upper lip! That's so I can grasp the arm rails! Jolene

I guess that the problem with laser is that the technology is constantly changing, and there r no conclusive facts as to its effectiveness over the long haul. I know of two girls that went thru laser within the past 5-7 years who have recently begun electrolysis because their facial hair is slowly growing back. They told me that it's because the laser doesn't always permanently kill the hair, but rather put it in the dormant state... which simply means that it can reappear in 5 months, 5 years, or 50 years.

I was never comfortable with laser because it feels like anyone with a bank loan who wants to open a business is buying a laser hair removal machine and becomig an "instant" expert on the subject.

I wish there was a way to genetically control it...


...ONE DAY WE WILL MASTER THESE BODIES AS AUTOMOBILES...WITH NO EFFING HAIR IF WE DON'T WANT THE FEATURE FORD!!!! Or whatever company gets involved...

Wow, I comprehend how difficult it is to remove a beard.  I could never grow a beard and yet how can the face have this many hairs! 

My electrologist is very inexpensive but gives me a lot of burns.  I heard at a conference that removing a beard with electrolysis can cost $10 thousand or more.

Beverly if I ever get of of my cocoon (I love your expression) facial hair will not be a concern.

Quote from: Kristi on September 05, 2007, 03:38:56 PM
I have lately been using some new shave gel by Noxzema that minimizes hair growth.  It works somewhat and it's cheap too.  I can tell by how much hair grows 5:00.  A little goes a long way.  And it only costs like $2 a can at Target.

Kristi

Kristi.....This stuff works!!
I've been using this since the day after your post, and like Lisbeth, my face was usually smoother the next day, than the average man just after shaving.  But now......it's been, umm...15 hrs since I shaved, and it's still smooth as can be.  by morning, I will just be able to feel very faint stubble, but I certainly won't see any.

Thanks!

Bev

Hm, that's a really interesting thing [Unlike everyone else who posted, I'm probably the one who's furthest back on transition.] I'll probably look for that shaving cream next time I'm at the store, my mom already knows I shave my legs and use shaving gel.. so why not? I still shave, since I can't really do anything else right now.. [Waxing = OW!] but then again my facial hair isn't all the noticeable due to genetics being in my favor. Probably once I can, I'll start bleaching my beard and mustache, which honestly I have no idea if that works that well, but I guess it might.. maybe it'll work for those that can't really afford electro or laser. [like me, Ms. Ilivewithmyparentsandamtryingtotransition]

Michelle

I had Light/Heat treatments on my face in 2003 and it got almost all of the darker hair after 3 or 4 passes @ $200 each! 

It didn't touch the light-colored hair on my face so I use Vaniqa, a prescription hair retardant creme.  It works only for women, estrogen required, and costs about $130 a month to use.

As I understand it, laser is being refined to the point that someday I might be able to get the rest removed by laser.  I still use a razor but it's on a lot less hair.  Having seen natal women with full facial hair and hirsuteness that looked like fur under the chin and on the throat puts things in perspective for me.

I don't squawk about much anyway.

Hope this helps.

Wing Walker

The hair thing is my worst nightmare, I have gone for electro then switched to laser went for 3 sessions and ran out of savings and couldn't find work. I'm in school now, and working right now will be too much for me. I have never been sired or questioned as anything more than a woman. But I get so worried someone will see the hair, I'm trying to find a way to continue but it's hard being in school. I wish this stuff was covered by healthcare, the pain of having a defect takes it's toll on me sometimes.

Quote from: LynnER on September 04, 2007, 10:00:39 PM
I still shave every day or two... I used to wax my face every few weeks. <gods that hurt, specialy the upper lip> But now Im undergoing laser <the newer ones do work on white, grey, nonpigment, and red hairs over time>  With laser, cant wax anymore so every morning or two... bust out wtih the evil razor...  but 4 treatments in, the blade nolonger shreds my skn to bits because the regrowth is so sparce...

Yes I agree, I have blonde hairs and laser is not supposed to work on those....but it does..

Also anti - androgens reduce any possible shaving greatly..