I'm 42 and I started transition at 37. I had heavy, heavy facial hair with high density all over the front of my face.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMI know this information is not the most complete, but I would like your advice regarding what to do and how much to save.
--> I have gotten a total of 300 hours of electrolysis at $80 an hour (Los Angeles) from someone very experienced with trans hair removal from the face. So that's $24,000 which is way on the high side. She uses thermolysis/flash blend and I don't have electro scarring. I got three sessions of laser. I bought 6 sessions for $1800 total and they said they'd let me go back for touch ups if needed. In the second session I received 2nd degree (I think) burns on my face. It left a small area of scarring but only I seem to notice it, I dunno. I did that in 6/07 - 9/07. I started electrolysis in 9/07, the same month I started HRT and exactly 10 months before I got FFS/name change and went full time. I had 220 hours going into FFS and was going to electrolysis like once every three weeks for maybe two hours or so.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMFirst, should I go with laser on the darker areas then electrolysis everywhere, or should I just go with electrolysis everywhere, cost-wise?
--> See above
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMSecond, how many hours a week (in average) will I spend on this?
--> I did four hours per week for the first two months (clearance at 52 hours where it was growing back super thin), then two hours a week for the next year or so.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMThird, how many hours total do you reckon I will require? (I know it's hard to say, but please try.)
--> It REALLY depends on your hair growth, method of removal (you can get less hours of electro and have level turned up super high and not get regrowth but maybe risk scarring), and some other things like maybe how you respond to HRT. I wouldn't count on HRT having much of an effect on your facial hair. If you get something out of HRT, you'll be happy, but don't count on it! Set your expectations low and be surprised by whatever you get. Like I said, I've had 300 hours of electro and go back like maybe for an hour every 5-6 months to get some strays. Remember with laser, you need a good 8-10 weeks BETWEEN sessions and at LEAST 6- 8 sessions. That will take you out to almost two years. You can't rush hair removal. It grows back months and months later and needs to get zapped again a few times sometimes.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMFourth, how long should the whole process last?
--> Laser sessions were 15-20 minutes for me and electro I'd say like 2 years with two - four hours a session.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMFifth, how much, in a percentage, should I expect HRT to reduce my body hair? Should I start saving for hair removal there too? (I am pretty hairy.)
--> I dunno, HRT, after two years, did significantly change my body hair. I've never had hair removal methods on my body. I epilate my arms and legs and have for years. What grows back when I let it is super light and not dense at all. Maybe pick up an epilator.
Quote from: A on June 25, 2011, 10:21:42 AMAnd finally, what should be the final cost, considering I start right after I start HRT?
-> This varies, I mean I'd figure laser + electro depending on how much you are paying, maybe like $2,000 for laser and $50 x 120 hours (?) $7,000 for electro = $9,000? TOTAL guess there! Just giving you one person's thoughts

Me before any hair removal
The link just below this sentence is a fairly graphic photo of my facial burns from my second laser session
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x153/meghanandrews/P1000294-1.jpg?t=1312040975I don't think you can see too clearly here, but this is a recent pic but it's on my cam so the quality and zoom aren't there, but no more facial hair, yeah!