I realized recently, that I didn't want to shave, because I viewed as a masculine activity, and I didn't want to take part in it.

So my question is, before laser or electrolysis, did you want to shave, so you didn't have a beard, or not want to shave for one reason or another?

Personally, it was more a case of not wanting facial hair and the male look rather than participating in a male activity. Looking as a woman was/is more important to me than having to shave. What also swayed it for me was the simple fact that ordinary women have to shave too 
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Quote from: castlescout on July 29, 2012, 05:56:17 PM
I realized recently, that I didn't want to shave, because I viewed as a masculine activity, and I didn't want to take part in it.

So my question is, before laser or electrolysis, did you want to shave, so you didn't have a beard, or not want to shave for one reason or another?

Body hair was particularly dysphoric for me at the time.  Had to shave it off.  All off.

I absolutely hateeeee shaving but I would never, ever, step out the house without shaving my face. I even sometimes carry a razor in my bag to bring to work in case I feel a spot I missed & will go in the restroom to take care of it. I hate being close to people, like in line at a store or somethingm because I feel like people will notice any little stubble or anything on my face, even with make up.

I've decided on going somewhere for a consultation about laser, I think I can at least afford my upper lip & maybe my chin. Though I'm terrified of how it will make my skin look in the process because I work in retail where I'm around customers all the time. So if my face is all red & swollen, that will be an issue. 

Quote from: Jamie D on July 29, 2012, 06:29:00 PM
Body hair was particularly dysphoric for me at the time.  Had to shave it off.  All off.

+1, very much so. Get rid of body/facial hair, no matter the cost.

btw, I see having a beard as being a "masculine" activity. A passive one, to be sure...but nearly everyone with a beard will be seen as being male.

@castlescout.  For laser you can shave, just not too close.  Don't want the shaving irritation.  For electrolysis, yes most will want you to not shave for a day  or so.  Talk this over with your electrologist.

I also hate shaving,  Thankfully it is mostly grey so it is manageable.  I need laser for my upper lip still, and then I will begin the electrolysis.

I use a shaving oil with, ether an electric razor (Braun) or the Gillette Fusion and a moisturizing creme, that you whip up with a shaving brush.

Body hair wise, it has mostly faded into non-existence.

Quote from: castlescout on July 29, 2012, 05:56:17 PM
I realized recently, that I didn't want to shave, because I viewed as a masculine activity, and I didn't want to take part in it.

So my question is, before laser or electrolysis, did you want to shave, so you didn't have a beard, or not want to shave for one reason or another?

It doesn't bother me as being a "masculine" activity as it does simply because I don't like it in general.  That being said, I prefer shaving to having the beard and other body hair so I live with it for now (I've got a consultation for laser on my face next week, hopefully that goes well).

Madison

When you do get hair removal I recommend laser over electrolysis because laser is generally less expensive, requires only 3 - 6 15 minute visits, is much less painful, and doesn't require you to grow out your hair for days in advance. I know that it is not technically approved by the FCC or whatever for permanent hair removal (only permanent hair reduction), but I know many people who have done it and none of them have experienced hair growing back.

i only have a little bit of hair left because of got rid of most of it with electroylises but , when i do shave whats left i have to close the door, i wont let anyone see me do it because i dont want anyone to see me doing such a ' mauscline" activity 

Quote from: castlescout on July 29, 2012, 05:56:17 PM
I realized recently, that I didn't want to shave, because I viewed as a masculine activity, and I didn't want to take part in it.

So my question is, before laser or electrolysis, did you want to shave, so you didn't have a beard, or not want to shave for one reason or another?

Shaving irritated my skin and made it look raw and discoloured. I hated the feeling of stubble. I much preferred plucking my top lip and the bits on my chin. But I was lucky that it hadn't developed much by the time I started HRT. An aversion to shaving is completely understandable.

My facial hair grows very thick, and I cannot wait for anything that will reduce/eliminate it. Shaving is ugh, I'm almost tempted to grow a beard again while I'm in limbo.

After years of electrolysis i no longer have to shave.   

 The reason I don't like shaving is because I'm too depressed to take pride in my appearance. This is just around the house, though, and it's not exactly visible - maybe a few hairs here, a few there. I shave if I go out, or if my facial hair is long enough to be noticeable from more than a couple feet away...

  I don't see shaving and facial hair, either of them, as particularly masculine or feminine in any case - it just "is". And they're both very annoying to me.

Quote from: Kelly J. P. on July 30, 2012, 10:51:19 AM
The reason I don't like shaving is because I'm too depressed to take pride in my appearance. This is just around the house, though, and it's not exactly visible - maybe a few hairs here, a few there. I shave if I go out, or if my facial hair is long enough to be noticeable from more than a couple feet away...

  I don't see shaving and facial hair, either of them, as particularly masculine or feminine in any case - it just "is". And they're both very annoying to me.

That sounded so much like me kelly, laser gives the best results from what I have seen and at a fraction of the cost of electrolysis,
Calling shaving a masculine activity might be right in your thoughts, but there are a lot of ladies that are hairier than guys out there before they leave the house, I see women on the trains all the time with darker facial hair as me so I am grateful that I'm not as noticeable as they are,
I always shaved as I liked the look of a nice clean face, but it took years for me to learn how to have a good shave and what moisturisers work best for me at different times of they year.. 

Quote from: dapplepool on July 29, 2012, 11:47:52 PM
When you do get hair removal I recommend laser over electrolysis because laser is generally less expensive, requires only 3 - 6 15 minute visits, is much less painful, and doesn't require you to grow out your hair for days in advance. I know that it is not technically approved by the FCC or whatever for permanent hair removal (only permanent hair reduction), but I know many people who have done it and none of them have experienced hair growing back.

In the interests of providing a reality check, 3-6 15- minute laser visits is unlikely to remove much, even temporarily.  This may apply to a few rare individuals but should not be accepted as the norm.  It seems these people all know each other! If it was this easy, nobody would touch electrolysis because a few laser sessions would do it.  Also, there is so much variation in hair/skin types, one person's experience will almost never match another's.

By all means try laser but expect more than a maximum of 90 minutes in total (!!!!), try not to be too disappointed if it isn't permanent and be prepared for it to not work on some hair types.

I have experience with both.  I have had laser and it thinned parts of my beard but not all.  Where it did work to an extent, it doesn't appear to be too permanent.  My electrolysis is permanent. In hindsight, I should have just bitten the bullet and started with electrolysis .

I hate shaving with a firey passion.  However that being said I have a VERY thick beard and sensitive skin so I keep it down to every other day to save my face. I wish I could get away with 15min laser sessions however my first lasted about an hour.. we'll see how the next few go before I have a real idea of the length of each session.  I'm pretty sure they can vary depending on what type of laser or IPL is used since they have varying light wave lenghts. But I just look at it as mantaince, one way or another it's gotta come of!

I dislike shaving, but what other choice is there for the time being.  Hormones do seem to be slowing down and thinning out the body hair, but still have to shave.  Have had two laser treatments on face, which works for a while on dark hairs, but the red, blonde, and white ones (maybe 80-85% of my facial hair) require electrolysis.  Have had maybe 50 hours of electrolysis and will need probably another 100.  To make it all more pleasant, I focus on the softness and smoothness of the skin that I have at times.  The bad part is having to let facial hair grow for two days every week for electrolysis--uggh!  But, it has to be done.  May smoothness grace your skin.  Leigh

Although I don't really have to shave all the time I do. I have a few hairs I have to get electro on so I freak out if I haven't at least attempted to cut them off, even if there is nothing there!

If there is anything that makes you feel unfeminine,it is certainly facial hair.I made my first trip to Electrology 3000 in Dallas in June, and was very pleased.excellent job, very little pain. An going back in September.Even now my stubble is much thinner than it was. Money well spent, don't waste time with laser.

I use an electric (men's) shaver every two days or so. I had about 25 treatments with a Lightsheer laser but there's still some regrowth in the neck, chin and jaw area. The hair is very thin but...it's black. I guess nobody would notice it with a little make-up applied anyway but I wouldn't feel well until I got rid of it.

Never really thought about this for a long time doing a typical male morning ritual...