Hi Magicka, I'm in the same situation as you (except darker skin and darker hair) so I don't know, but I'm curious to see your replies so posting this  😛
But I'm unsure what you mean exactly by thicker.  

 Shaving used to always be so painful and I'd end up with cuts and rashes but I got me an electric shaver, plus I don't have these small pimples I always had anymore since hrt so that helps too. I stopped pulling them now and the shadow is worsening, it's awful  🙁  Planning laser hoping it works on my skin. Soon.