Hi's,

Lately I have been doing a lot of conflicting reading on our beloved internet regarding what HRT will do or change to your face after 25ish.
I'm very early into my journey and am only now starting to see a therapist and will most likely begin HRT at age 34.
I know that bone structure will not change and a lot comes down to genetics, can anyone clarify what I could expect at this age?
I read that there could be some fat redistribution and then elsewhere I read after 25 it won't do much, so I am a lil confused.
Would it have made a difference if I started HRT at age 30 for example?
I guess while I am on this topic of HRT change, would it still have a decent effect on body fat distribution also?

Thanks,
-Miya

25 is the magic number for bone structure, as the bones fuse around age 25. Hormones can still be effective for you at your age however! Skin texture / pigment will almost assuredly change, and fat redistribution is quite likely. There are plenty of women on these forums that started in their 50s and had great results! Sure, you're past "Ideal" because your facial hair will not be affected much, your voice will not be affected, and your bones are now permanently fixed, but that doesn't mean you won't have satisfactory results!!

I think a lot of it has to do with genetics, but make no mistake that hormones can work wonders!  I'm not too far behind you, started 3 days before I turned 33 (and I'll be 34 next month).  To top it off, my first three months on HRT were a waste because my T stayed at 650, so I didn't start functioning HRT until 3 months after 33.  I've been on it for nearly 8 months.  Here are the changes.  Trying to get pictures that show me in about the same position.

September 21, 2010, first day of hormones (that didn't work):




December 17, 2010, five days before starting HRT that worked.  Not much difference from above, see?




August 3, 2011, 7.5 months of functioning HRT:




August 6, 2011 (showing body changes in 7.5 months):




I don't think you should have a problem only being a year older than I was when I started.

While it's true that the earlier you start the better, I've been happy with my results even though I didn't start HRT till I was basically 33.  The first thing is with your face there is a deceptively small margin between appearing male and female.  You may look at before and after pics and not be able to put a finger on the actual differences, but one will read male and the other obviously female.

For me, and many other 30-ish transitioners I know of, the body changes/fat redistribution took a long time to develop, but you just have to be patient because it does happen.

You have a couple years on me but I also started a few years past 25 at age 27(was almost 28, almost 29 now) and so far have been having amazing results. You can see my thread just a couple down about hormones and their effects for full pictures and my transformation thus far.

I AM SO VERY VERY HAPPY FOR YOU ALL STARTING YOUNGER..

i had to spend wayyy too much to erase what T did to me..

your all blessed be well and enjoy life

and be kind and be as cute on the inside as the outside

<3

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on August 14, 2011, 01:45:17 AM
25 is the magic number for bone structure, as the bones fuse around age 25. Hormones can still be effective for you at your age however! Skin texture / pigment will almost assuredly change, and fat redistribution is quite likely. There are plenty of women on these forums that started in their 50s and had great results! Sure, you're past "Ideal" because your facial hair will not be affected much, your voice will not be affected, and your bones are now permanently fixed, but that doesn't mean you won't have satisfactory results!!

What's your source for this information?

HGH is secreted until you're about 25; HOWEVER, HGH is a carrier for T not E.  I haven't found any other evidence to support 25 as anything other then a hypothetical.

Quote from: regan on August 14, 2011, 03:05:05 PM
What's your source for this information?

HGH is secreted until you're about 25; HOWEVER, HGH is a carrier for T not E.  I haven't found any other evidence to support 25 as anything other then a hypothetical.

Testosterone is thought to be what causes the growth of bone structure on the face, leading to a typically "male" face. Alternatively, high levels of estrogen prevent these growths during puberty.  "Testosterone provokes the growth of certain facial features - such as the jaw and cheekbones - so boys' faces grow more than girls'. Female faces remain relatively childlike. High levels of oestrogen in growing girls prevents the growth of facial bone, and leads to increased thickness of lips and fat deposition in the cheek area."
http://www.firstscience.com/site/articles/perception.asp

Hey thank you all for your quick replies
and for posting up the photo's too that really helps and gives me some hope.
Made me happy to see people have had such great responses at my age.
I always think I have left things too late and kinda expect the worst or nothing, but you all look great and hrt has done wonders.
Btw Jen, I did catch your post before it went, that sad place you said you were in before hrt, well that's pretty much me every day, kinda drowning in it, so I totally know where you have been.
I would very much start hrt now if I could, only turned 33 a couple of months ago, but seeing as my therapy is just starting I am guessing its going to be at least 6 months to a year before I get the green light. (Hence my 34 title) I guess not too much will physically change in a year, well I hope..
I am freaking out though, as I feel everyday lost counts now in a big way. I did read the closer you get to 35 the less hrt works, or tapers off.
Thinkin I really should stop reading so much stuff online, stressing myself out majorly.
Wow - sorry went way off topic, but figured its my post so

Thanks again
-Miya

Good.  Those were only ever going to stay up for a couple days.  I was hoping you'd see them before they went .

Also it may not be six months.  How long you have to wait before you get your letter is largely up to your therapist and how you present yourself to them.  I wouldn't stress too much if it does end up taking a while though.  I don't think a few months will make that big of a difference in the long run.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on August 14, 2011, 06:32:42 PM
Testosterone is thought to be what causes the growth of bone structure on the face, leading to a typically "male" face. Alternatively, high levels of estrogen prevent these growths during puberty.  "Testosterone provokes the growth of certain facial features - such as the jaw and cheekbones - so boys' faces grow more than girls'. Female faces remain relatively childlike. High levels of oestrogen in growing girls prevents the growth of facial bone, and leads to increased thickness of lips and fat deposition in the cheek area."
http://www.firstscience.com/site/articles/perception.asp

Fair enough...

Though I think prevailing opinions over what constitutes beauty might suggest that some of the more male facial features such as prominent cheek bones (and some would suggest strong jaw lines as well) are appealing in females.

Either way, 25 shouldn't be held as a hard and fast rule when it comes to passing or not passing.

Quote from: regan on August 15, 2011, 09:56:57 AM
Fair enough...

Though I think prevailing opinions over what constitutes beauty might suggest that some of the more male facial features such as prominent cheek bones (and some would suggest strong jaw lines as well) are appealing in females.

Jaw lines?  DEFINITELY!   Whenever I get concerned about my own strong jawline, I go look at pictures of Siouxsie Sioux, who I think is one of the most beautiful women ever:



See?  Jaw line is not much to worry about!

And I can't wait for my awesome cheekbones to come back on E... 

My only FFS might be botox injections, but we'll wait and see how my cheekbones turn out.

Quote from: regan on August 15, 2011, 09:56:57 AM
Either way, 25 shouldn't be held as a hard and fast rule when it comes to passing or not passing.

Oh! Definitely not!! I'm sorry if that's what it sounded like I was trying to say!! There are plenty of women who start well after 25 and get excellent results. Estrogen, with its ability to move fat around on the face and "resurface" the skin can do remarkable things