Hi everybody. It's been a little while since I posted any updates, mostly since I don't get a lot of responses and I get sort of bummed out checking in daily and seeing that nobody replied...

Anyway, I am 5 weeks on T as of yesterday! Over the last two weeks, my voice has slowly but significantly dropped. It's still not enough that people who see me all the time are noticing, but its there, and it's helping me pass. I also got my hair cut in a men's style. So at work, multiple customers who aren't super familiar with me have called me "sir" So that's awesome.
Other than that, I have a little facial hair coming in. It's very blonde, so it's hard to see, but you can tell the difference in thickness between it and my regular face hair, which is more fuzzy. Question here. A few people suggested that I shave to get it to grow in thicker. I was wondering if anybody had any advice on that? Now that it's there, I don't want to take it away!!!
Lastly, I have had an increase in perspiration and the odor is stronger. Obviously this is normal. I have been trying different men's deodorants to see which ones I like and work the most. So far I've tried a bar, a gel, and a thicker white gel. The bar doesn't seem to get through my body hair, but the gels do. However, I've heard that they can stain your shirts. Any thoughts or suggestions on products?

Thanks, fellas!
-Bear

Dove for men is the only thing that works for me. The white bar. 

Hey, great that you're seeing some changes alread -- congrats .

As far as I know shaving doesn't make a difference in the thickness of facial hair. I think Jay mentioned once that what happens is it grows back a different angle, so it feels different to touch.

Shaving doesn't make hair grow in thicker but it does make the stubble look thicker, because the strands are cut crossways rather than tapering towards the end. And I read somewhere that a clean-shaven face looks more masculine than light fuzz, because the only people who are completely smooth are bearded folks who shave-- most cis women have some fuzz (though much lighter than early-T trans guys and young cis men). So I was figuring on shaving until I had clearly beard-like facial hair.

I was shaving my face even before I started growing facial hair, because "only women" have that peach-fuzz look. And seriously, shaving my face every morning is such a stereotypically "guy" thing to do that for me it sort of helps. Sometimes...

I'm at about a year and a half on T now and I'm still barely getting any facial hair. But that's genetics, nothing really to be done about it but be patient. Not that I want facial hair, I think I just want something significant to shave.

Toms of Maine fragrance-free deodorant has been and still is my preferred, it works without irritating my skin. Guy-smell and sweat can't really be avoided though, I've gotten used to it and... Not smelling like a woman anymore has been one of the big "positive changes" that I've really noticed in the past year. I didn't expect to like it at all, but actually I do.

Yay! Congrats

Re: your deodorant question. If sweating is the bigger issue for you, I'd vote for Maxim. I've always sweated like crazy and I used to have to wear a powder blue uniform shirt over a bulletproof vest, so I'd be sweating from everywhere. That was the only stuff that worked to curb the sweatiness, but it's one of those things where you have to apply it consistently, daily to get the desired effect. If it's combo sweat/odor, I like Mitchum (the white solid kind, not the gel). It seems to take care of my day to day needs now. Never been a fan of any kind of gel, though I do find that I run through the solid sticks faster.

What deodorant I love and stays on for ever is Degree Adrenaline. It's the sports series i think? and I forgot the other one, but it's also degree, but it's a blue case/thing. They both smell pretty awesome and it's very good!

I replied to this but I guess it got eaten
I sweat a TON and the only thing that's worked for me is Old Spice Sweat Defense. Doesn't smell too strongly when I put it on, and it keeps me from sweating through clothes, which was a bad issue even pre-T.

Good news to hear Bear!

Quote from: LittleBoyBear on December 13, 2014, 09:58:43 AM
A few people suggested that I shave to get it to grow in thicker.

Shaving has no effect on facial hair growth. 

As for deodorant these are the only two I can use.  I have super sensitive skin and get a rash using any other.  I use this, then put on my undershirt (I wear white Hanes v-neck tees), then I put on a spray of Old Spice Bearglove or Wolfthorn under each pit (onto the undershirt). 

We really should start a thread for deodorants and antiperspirants...

I haven't found the perfect product, Bear, but I have fewer problems with staining when I wear an undershirt. That is, my top shirt gets a little product on it through the t-shirt, and the t-shirt still gets yellow from sweat and needs periodic bleaching. Gross.

I need to experiment with other products. I used to have MUCH more sensitive skin before T, but I am afraid to use any of those double-barreled antiperspirants because underarms are more sensitive than other parts of the body, and I'm concerned that I'll go through several products and get nothing but a rash for my trouble. Still, I do have a steady job now, so I can afford to try some new products. I use the unscented ones for sensitive skin right now. I would like to keep getting unscented stuff because I do still have fragrance allergies, but the strongest products all seem to be scented. What to do...

Don't shave the facial hair unless you want to start fresh. Shaving doesn't really help it to grow in thicker or faster.

I'm not on t yet, but I have a massive problem with fragrances and other artificial stuff they put into cosmetics. I can't use normal deodorant at all, which is a bit of a bummer. I use something based on coconut oil (and baking powder I think [emoji13] ). It's a cream, coming in a tub. It doesn't stop perspiration, which sucks, but it does stop the smell (you have to give it a week or so for your body to adjust though -- so there may be a smelly period when you switch). It does stain my binder when I pull it over my head, but otherwise I'm good I think. I wear mostly black, so that would probably obscure stains effectively [emoji16] [emoji12]

I've been an Old Spice guy since I was a teenager.  It was the only thing that kept me from smelling bad.  I tried my girlfriend's Secret once.  Hated it.  Smelled weird, and I don't really think it's natural to prevent sweat.  I worry about clogged pores, infections, etc.

Shaving: no, it won't make it grow any faster or thicker.  Patience, young Padawan.  But I'm glad you're feeling more confident.   

before starting t i didn't shave for awhile because i thought it would give me facial hair quicker..lol... the first time i shaved i was surprised at how quickly (and differently) my hair came in. considering yours is blond, i'd say shave it and be amazed.

as for deodorant, i use the blue dove men's. i've also used the green dove men's. i do have to apply more than i did before, but it still works. sometimes i spray cologne under my armpits if i feel the need to

Quote from: palexander on December 15, 2014, 10:01:12 AM
before starting t i didn't shave for awhile because i thought it would give me facial hair quicker..lol... the first time i shaved i was surprised at how quickly (and differently) my hair came in. considering yours is blond, i'd say shave it and be amazed.

As many other have said in this thread, that's not really going to do anything. 

Bram's comment explains why the hair seems different as it first starts growing in. 

Quote from: Bran on December 14, 2014, 01:30:51 PM
Shaving doesn't make hair grow in thicker but it does make the stubble look thicker, because the strands are cut crossways rather than tapering towards the end.

Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on December 15, 2014, 10:17:31 AM
As many other have said in this thread, that's not really going to do anything. 

Bram's comment explains why the hair seems different as it first starts growing in. 

agreed! sorry that i didn't make my point clearly.
i meant that pre t fuzz compared to the real facial hair you grow is pretty cool.
before starting t i had facial hair, but no one could see it. now that i'm on t and people can see it, i find it really amazing.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!
I have been using an Old Spice deodorant that I like the smell of, but I don't like how it does get on my shirts. Since it's cold out, I tend to wear an undershirt, so it's no big deal at this point, but my body temperature has gone up, so the idea of wearing an undershirt (even a short sleeve one) in the summer sounds like too much. The solid/bar stuff doesn't seem to make it through my underarm hair to the skin, so that's not really an option. I'll keep playing with the suggestions and see what works. Thanks again.
-Bear