I am looking to have permanent hair removal on my face, and was wondering which two methods of hair removal show the best results? I have about a light-medium skin tone with dark hairs, i would like to get them removed from my face. I only have hair on the far side of each cheek(next to the ear, where sideburns grow) and on the upper lip, then I have a couple of hair on random place of my cheeks and chin which aren't too noticeable. Any recommendations or reviews on either hair removal would be appreciated !

My experience is that if a laser place uses the latest laser technology they can get rid of dark hairs with about a year of treatment.... but the hair will probably, eventually grow back.

Electrolysis is the only permanent way to get rid of hair. It's very slow, painful, and expensive. I did a year of laser to get rid of facial hair and that worked for about 18 months, but it started growing back. I'm now doing electrolysis.

Laser won't get rid of light colored hair.

Electrolysis is a long, painstaking process. My suggestion is to get laser first and see what that removes. Then let an electrologist go after what's left.

Which one is more permanent? I don't mind the pain much, if it is for more permanent results that is. Which one would you say is cheaper though? In some cases I've heard electrolysis and other laser, I don't have much hair really which is why I was thinking electrolysis. Thank you for the replies by the way!

Electrolysis is permanent. Laser isn't.   I guess laser might give you short term results but you could end up going back for more laser or electro for a longer period of time. I do know some transwomen who have started with laser. I'm just going to dive right in in electro.  What I and nobody knows is what percent of the hair will grow back after laser. You might be a little lucky and most might not grow back.


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My Electrologist does both laser and thermolysis.  I started there within about a month of consulting a therapist.  Soon after I started, I asked about having laser done.  Her response was that, the time line for laser is actually longer than electrolysis.  This is because of the down time between laser sessions (about a month) versus the recovery time from an electrolysis session (not much more than a few days) mean that more hours of electrolysis is possible in a month than with laser treatment.  To top it off, only the electrolysis removes hair permanently.  The net is that the laser takes longer and isn't permanent, while the electrolysis is both permanent, and has a shorter cycle time, so can be accomplished sooner.   

One final item, as you have hair removed, what appears to be new ones will spring up, especially if you are pre-HRT.  Don't be alarmed by these hairs, they're growth cycle will be accelerated by the death of other hair follicles which frees up DHT that was causing the now zapped hairs to grow.  These will be zapped as well, and before you realize it, you'll be hair free.  I heartily recommend skipping laser and going straight to electrolysis as soon as you accept you're transitioning.  However, I must acknowledge that each of us will have different results, and my timeline and you're may not be the same. 

-Alana 

Laser is permanent for black or really dark brown hairs. If you have black hairs, it will only take 5-6 sessions and 99% of them will never ever grow back. The lighter the hair, the less effective laser is...
If you have dark hair, definitely start with laser and see how it goes.

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate it! I think I will drive straight into electrolysis, I've been on HRT already for about 8 months and most hairs aren't as dark anymore but still growing which is why I think it would be the best option. Again, thanks for the help !

Also, what is the estimated cost for electrolysis?

Depends on what kind of deal you find and where you live... about $100 per hour. Some need 50 hours to clear the whole face, some need 150.. some less, some more. It depends on how much hair you start with, and how good skills and speed your practitioner has.

Late in.

I've only had laser, last session about 3 years ago. No regrowth.

BUT, make sure you go to a place that specialises in high power laser (such as a clinic that treats women with POCS). The average beautician with low power laser has nothing that will touch 'male' hair.

I had a full face clearance last night with Laser. It did hurt a little but they were great and you can see the results immediately. I am having 4-5 sessions (10 min each) to reduce the number of dark hairs, and starting electrolysis in January. Hopefully by about the end of February there is not enough dark regrowth to bother with the Laser and I will continue with Electrolysis until done. What it will mean in that the person doing the electrolysis will not be spending time on dark hairs as they will mostly be gone so it should reduce my overall time need to remove my facial hair.

That is the plan anyway...I am happy so far but don't expect to see a real difference until about the 4th visit. Hopefully by then I should have noticed a huge reduction in the overall beard. If you would like more detail about the procedure PM me and I will give you a blow by bow.

Sarah T   

I have been using the electric epilator Karmin and works really well for my