Hi, this is my first post. I'm early in the process, not yet on hormones but probably planning going full time(mtf) at work at the turn of the year. I'd like to get my hair long enough by then to not wear a wig. I'm starting just now with hair that's about 3-4cm.
I'm worried that for much of the next 7 months my hair is going to look messy, and then just girly, forcing me to come out at work before I was really planning. I work in a conservative job (I'm a Surgeon) and long hair will definitely be commented on.
I know there may not be an easy answer, but I'd be grateful for any advice from those that have done it.

Phillipa


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I work in a large IT group in a conservative area and I am only out to two people, none of them at work. I have been letting my hair grow since mid-December and started HRT in late March. No one at work has mentioned anything about my hair. If they ask, I plan to tell them that I have had the same haircut for over 40 years and just wanted to let it grow out and see what it looks like. Three friends have made comments, two said it looked nice and one said it made me look younger. When I started my hair was about 1 - 2cm long, now it is 5 - 6cm long.

Quote from: Phillipa1971 on May 06, 2017, 04:56:42 AM
Hi, this is my first post. I'm early in the process, not yet on hormones but probably planning going full time(mtf) at work at the turn of the year. I'd like to get my hair long enough by then to not wear a wig. I'm starting just now with hair that's about 3-4cm.
I'm worried that for much of the next 7 months my hair is going to look messy, and then just girly, forcing me to come out at work before I was really planning. I work in a conservative job (I'm a Surgeon) and long hair will definitely be commented on.
I know there may not be an easy answer, but I'd be grateful for any advice from those that have done it.

Phillipa


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dear Phillipa

Welcome to Susan's. I hope you enjoy your time here.

There are lots of longer hair styles around for me and in the time you are talking you might put on 10 or 11 inches...I think its about average an inch and a half a month grow rate

So you are able to get the very best from being here there are a couple of links we give to all our new members

Regards

ElizabethK
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My last haircut was July of 2015. Everyone is different, but at 7 months I just looked shaggy, I wasn't able to tie it back until about 10 months, and that was more because it looked "mullety." Just be patient, it can take a long time. If you are thinking of going full time at that point you might want to look into extensions.

I work in a conservative place too.  (On an Army post in the Deep South). I haven't cut my hair since Dec 2014 and it did look pretty messy for the first year.  Lots of people did comment on it and make jokes.  Some said I looked like a girl, LOL, and one told me I looked like Jim Morrison from the Doors.  I just smiled and gave back witty comments. 

It really wasn't that bad and to tell the truth I kind of enjoyed the attention.  You just have to go with the flow.


Conform and be dull. —James Frank Dobie, The Voice of the Coyote

Welcome to Susan's Place. First you need to consider the style you intend  to end up with and then look for intermediate styles that will keep some order in the process. If you are comfortable with bangs, you could first go for a beetle/wedge cut and then to a boob cut. If you want your hair long all over, you will need a style that combs the hair back and might use hair spray to hold the shape. You are at the point where you need somebody who is capable of doing feminine cuts and you will need to come out to them so your cut can be cleaned up without removing an excessive amount of hair. It's not so much the length that looks unkept but the difference in length that occurs naturally.

Hi Phillipa,

  I'm Laurie and I'm a self appointed unofficial greeter here. Allow me to welcome you to Susan's Place. ((hug)) sorry it comes with the welcome. Come in. come on in and grab a beverage. Coffee, tea, or me, oops wrong movie, coffee, tea, soda and fridge are all available in the kitchen. When you return have a seat and get comfy. May I suggest that one over there--->? Yeah that one, it's Cindy's but she hasn't been using it much lately. Oh it's okay she's still recovering from an ailment and has been away a lot and when she is her she's been awfully quiet.
  Have you been lurking in the shadows long? Do you know your way around already or do you need some help still?
Those moderators and admin type will be glad to be of assistance if you do. Please speak up and ask your questions or make comments on other posts if you like.

  I see you're concerned about growing you hair out. Well we have that in common, but alas, the 200 or so hairs I have left on top of my head isn't going to cover the shiny parts for me no matter how long they grow. Yes, I fear my hair problems will only be resolved by buying more. What I'm saying is that from this subject I don't have any help for you myself, but I'm sure other ladies here do.

Well Phillipa, I hope you like it here and wish to stay, You are most welcome to.

  Hugs,
   Laurie

Your industry should be one of the more likely to understand ->-bleeped-<- than most. I suspect if you just outright tell people now most would be very supportive. Anyway, as far as hair growing is concerned, the trick is to keep it as neatly groomed as possible all the time. Your hair doesn't have to look goofy when it's growing out. Use hair products, gadgets and caps to keep it back until the growth direction changes and becomes more manageable.

I am with you there!! I made the fateful decision to give myself a buzz cut a few weeks before starting my transition! My hair has seriously been a big part of my dysphoria and wigs just make me feel worse. I dyed my hair blonde to feminise it a little bit. I'm lucky that as of a week ago my hair is just long enough for me to put up in a top knot ("man bun") but at some moments it feels like my hair is legit shrinking. I guess it's like watching grass grow!

Much love <3