I'm still at a stage where I have not yet begun hormones but I am quite serious at this point about facial hair removal. My understanding is that electrolysis is more accurate than laser but I could be wrong. I have a friend of mine who knows someone who does this for a living so I'm hoping I could get a good deal on it. I have relatively dark facial hair, it comes in quickly, and thick. I have to shave every day if not twice a day if I want no hair showing and even then it's not perfect. For those who have had these procedures done, do you feel laser is wiser, electrolysis, or both?

Also, do you recommend starting hormones before facial hair removal, after, or simultaneously? My understanding is that hormones will reduce hair growth on other parts of the body but have little effect on the face. Thanks for your input.

Laser is not permanent, but it is quick.  Electrolysis is slow, but is permanent.  And you really don't have to be on HRT to begin.

It really depends on your situation.  If you can afford it go with the laser for quick results and then switch to electrolysis for the permanency.

I'll echo janet's post, laser is a good first pass, with electro going after the rest.
(standard laser 101: laser works by heating the hair to the cooking point, hence it works best on dark hair on light skin since the point is to kill the hair and not the skin)

I'm in the same situation as you, pre-everything. From all of my reading and questioning, I came to the conclusion that the best approach is laser first followed up with electro later. So... I went for a laser consultation just last month. I was super excited to begin and thought I was at a place both mentally and financially where I could finally take this step. I was told my pale face and dark hair were a perfect candidate for laser. Unfortunately, I was told that you can really damage your skin if you have any tan at all. The laser center I went to highly recommended I wait until next fall b/c of summer coming up and the inevitable tanning that will take place. She also said she doubted any level of SPF would be sufficient to guarantee no damage. So... That's a bummer. I should have started last fall!! 

Just something for you to think about. I certainly want to get started, especially since I finally took some action, but health is also a concern...

Electrolsis is the only thing that really works and is permanent. I wasted a lot of money on laser treatments.

Pam

I just have to interject here... the "your mileage may vary" principle applies SUPER extra to laser treatments. Some people here tell you it's a waste of money because it didn't work for them. I wouldn't assume that will be your own experience, though it might.

I, for one, am extremely happy I had them. I went from such a heavy shadow I was afraid to try to pass to being able to go out in the daylight with only light makeup after 5-6 treatments. I'm following up with electrolysis to clear the lighter hairs and any dark hairs that grow back, but I find the investment VERY worthwhile.

On the other hand, there seem to be a LOT of variables with laser. For one thing there are lots of kinds of laser. Some more effective than others. For another thing, not all laser techs know what they're doing when it comes to getting rid of M2F facial hair. My personal guideline, if you don't walk out from a treatment whimpering, weak in the knees, and on the verge of tears, it probably wasn't strong enough to do anything (I'm pretty sure there are better technical explanations). And, of course, the main thing is that the contrast between your skin color and hair color needs to be as dramatic as possible for maximum effect.

I started laser in the spring, and went through the summer and fall. I never had any problems due to tanning. Sunblock is your friend. Aveno makes an SPF-30 which is also a moisturizer.

Electrolysis works, but it's a lot slower and I would have wasted a LOT more money going with that alone versus laser followed by electrolysis.

As for the hormone issue... Yeah, it's better to wait to be on HRT if you have the patience. It's not that hormones make the beard go away. It's that they stop making the beard want to grow back after you zap it. But if you can't wait and you have the cash... you don't need HRT to get your whole beard zapped. It might take a bit longer is all.

I am learning lessons when it comes to hair removal. Especially the "your mileage may vary" rule.

I had 6 very long, very painful, two hour electro sessions that showed some overall improvement but, four months later my lip and chin looked like nothing was done at all. I stopped because the pain was incredible for me and the results didn't seem worth it. 

Then I got lucky.  I found a laser tech that was very reasonable priced. She works by herself and has years of experience. At the price of $100.00 for both the mustache and beard area I figured it was worth a shot.  The first treatment had tremendous results. The pain is still high but a lot faster. Instead of hours on a little area, she does everything in about 15 minutes.  I just hang on for dear life.  I have had four more treatments since that first time and it continues to slowly improve now.  The upper lip and chin are the most stubborn and she turned up the power some more again. The grey hair is of course still there but the shadow is quickly becoming a thing of the past for me.  She is also doing a lot of extra work on previous sun damage I have. She's a real sweetheart.

My doctor said laser is "Permanent hair reduction". A lot of the hairs that are fried are gone for good so it is somewhat permanent depending on your luck, I guess. And every laser is not the same. I forgot to ask what kind the Mazzoni Center uses but it gets light hairs as well as dark ones. Does not get the grays, though.

Neutrogena makes a SPF 100 that I use for sun protection on anything exposed.   

I'm hoping to start my laser soon, I'm still shopping around for the best price. It seems only one in my area offers "package" discounts

I had started with electrolysis, but after a couple of sessions my doctor suggested I try the laser. Huge difference and the results have been great. I would say at this point I might go there every 6 mos or so for a touch up. Its minimal. I still get a few grays popping out occasionally but its not a big deal. Besides every gg woman I know has to pluck occasionally so I feel "normal" about my little plucks. But it seems we are all different. I would suggest to get those treatments going as soon as possible, as it is quite time consuming, even with laser. Also, the laser is great for the skin, looks younger, especially with the estrogen doing its thing.

I have been doing a lot of research on laser, as I will be starting the process soon.  I would love to get the benefits some get so quickly.  It does seem that laser technology is changing and getting better.  So know what you are getting into.  Alas, for me, I have light skin with very blonde facial hair.  There is not really a laser that will do much of anything for me as of yet.  So, looks like the old electro chair for me.

Kristi

Thanks for everyone's tips. I will keep you all posted on how I plan to proceed or if I have more questions.

there's nothing wrong with doing laser if you have dark hair / paler type skin.  I tried it a long long time ago but my hair didn't really react to it at all so I'm doing electro now and it's extremely tedious and a long lasting process.  So if laser works, I say do it.  If it doesn't. . . welcome to the electro club :]

Great news! I had my first laser treatment Monday. The pain caught me off guard and it was kind of embarrassing as my entire body started shaking. This clinic does both laser and electrolysis and caters to MTF trans people. Based on the fact that I have light skin and a thick dark beard, she recommended trying 4-6 laser visits to get the bulk of the hair and then electrolysis to get the rest. She said not to expect a difference after the first session but I'm already noticing a good one. Normally my beard comes in so thick and strong that I have to shave 1-3 times per DAY and I still have a shadow. I literally have to shave, put make up on, then in a few hours take the makeup off, shave again, and repeat the process. This is the main thing preventing me from going full time.

I haven't shaved since the treatment which was Monday morning. The sides of my face still feel completely smooth. A shadow does show and the mustache and chin area now have tiny stubs but that is it. Normally, I'd have a full face of hair right now. Even after shaving, my face has never felt completely smooth so this is a real plus.

Well I had my second session today. It was still painful but much more tolerable. Both my clinician and I felt that I had made quite a bit of progress after just the first session. The sides of my face after six weeks only had sparse hairs come through. The chin and lip area has a lot of work to do but there is a definite reduction of hair there. My next session will be in 7 weeks. She said to expect some more hair than currently around that time due to the way the hair grows in cycles. Similar to putting out a fire it should flare up before it goes out. I'm confident that the laser will get the bulk of it making the finishing touches with electrolysis cheaper, easier, and faster. I'll keep everyone posted.