Facial Hair -arrgh?

[ReneeT]

I am en route to Phoenix for another electrolysis tour de force but, to allow this, i have not shaved since Monday. Going around with 5 days growth sucks! Although I am in male-ish mode, i dont really look male or female. I have ha some interesting glances in the mens rooms! I will be soooooo glad when this damn facial hair is gone. At least it is all grey so it doent show all that much. I couldnt imagine going through this after FFS. I am hell-bent to get it done before then (174 days:))!

[Nicki S]

After your name change, then you can use the ladies room full time. Who care what you look like then, when you have a drivers license that says female. It will happen quick for you now. Good luck with you next mega session of electro.

[ChelseaErtel]

Reminds me I need to start electrolysis now! I'm going to set an appointment today.

[Karinsamatha]

Electrolysis works very well, but be prepared to wear make up to hide the redness afterword. I don't have much left of my mustache now. I can't wait to be rid of the rest of the facial hair:). That day is coming.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

how many hours so far Renee???

if you've done enough you can start doing the math to see how much more... you normally need 6-8 clearings but i found i needed more...:straightface:

if you've got6 months that's 4 more clearings...

[PretzelGirl]

These Phoenix trips will certainly push you along. I think the part of electrolysis that sucks the most is the growth. I just started and probably did the same as everyone else in that I tried to find the best day for treatment based on when I am going out and limiting the growth exposure at work. The day I was left with? There is no such day. Is Phoenix just a day trip at this point?

[GabbiSophia]

My facial hair is a combination of blonde and black/brown. It is fair and light. I am worried that electrolis will not work for me if go that route. Heck I want it on my legs and arms and that hair is really blonde. Do I stand a chance? Also good luck with your trip!!

[ReneeT]

how many hours so far Renee???

if you've done enough you can start doing the math to see how much more... you normally need 6-8 clearings but i found i needed more...:straightface:

if you've got6 months that's 4 more clearings...

I will have a total of 134 hrs this year, about 230 total over 3 yrs. my first full clearing didnt happen until i started coming to Phoenix, and this will be my third clearing in 6 months. I am hoping to be essentially done in May 2013, with 3 more trips out here ( another 10G!)


These Phoenix trips will certainly push you along. I think the part of electrolysis that sucks the most is the growth. I just started and probably did the same as everyone else in that I tried to find the best day for treatment based on when I am going out and limiting the growth exposure at work. The day I was left with? There is no such day. Is Phoenix just a day trip at this point?

Sue, my trips to Phoenix are 3-4 days at a time. Between now and Tuesday afternoon I will get in 34 hrs, plus a consult with Dr Meltzer!


My facial hair is a combination of blonde and black/brown. It is fair and light. I am worried that electrolis will not work for me if go that route. Heck I want it on my legs and arms and that hair is really blonde. Do I stand a chance? Also good luck with your trip!!

Electrolysis is the ONLY thing that will work!

[morgan51]

I know what you mean I'm going about fuzzy right now so my electrologist can work on me . She comes here every 3 months or so for 10 days and I'm trading her work for electro. Sweet deal and a great lady. I have over 3 years into this and no idea how many hours just clear as we can. I'm almost clear now just a few stragglers! Neck and cheeks all white. Have a good trip. Morgan

[Pamela Kay]

If you can get it done before FFS you will be way better off Renee.

I had two complete clearings before I had mine and having to shave and use twice as much makeup as you should to cover the shadow isn't fun when Your full time. You can't go anywhere without makeup for sure. I wanted to have mine cleared prior to FFS but circumstances just didn't work out so I still have at least five more clearings. My facial hair was heavier than most so I'm sure it will take more than the average number of clearings.

I go to E3000 in Dallas which is a 2-3 hour drive for me and I drive down early and drive back late. I have scheduled my next clearing as soon as they could but with Christmas and New Years it won't be until January 23rd. Since I'm full time now I have to take time off of work so as not to be the bearded lady but at least the boss is going to let me work from home a couple days and I'm taking vacation the other two. So all I have to do is stock up on groceries and live like a hermit for four days and hope I don't have to stop anywhere on the way down.

Going back to guy mode after FFS and going full time just isn't an option anymore.

[Badtranny]

I will be soooooo glad when this damn facial hair is gone.

I know. It's awful.

I was ALMOST done with it before I went full time. Just another thing I would do differently if I could. There is no doubt that hair has been my biggest preoccupation. I've spent the last 3 years getting extensions, and taking pills, and using treatments, trying desperately to get more hair on my head while at the same time, getting lasered and electrocuted as often as possible trying desperately to get rid of the hair on my face.

I think growing hair is a good analogy for transition. It happens when it happens. Some day I'll look back on these years and ...start drinking.

[kimdl93]

Letting the facial hair grow for that long must have been terribly annoying.,.but at least ridding yourself of it will be one more thing to put behind you!

[CharleneT]

Just had 5 hours yesterday .... it is sooo long, sooo slow.... in many ways it is the hardest part of late transition !!!



For those starting, we're not kidding here, get it done as early as you can !!

[josee]

I agree hair removal is a pain. Only another 2.5 or 3 years for me!!!

I don't get having to go 5 days with out shaving unless your beard growth has really slowed. I shave the day before going to electrolysis. But then maybe that's because I am a Wookie.

[Saffron]

I'm starting laser this month. I'm currently 24h only at the weekends (I'm not going to come out at work for now), I cannot believe what a pain should be for the girls who have to deal with the beard 24/7.

The funny thing is, in Spain everything is covered by the public healthcare system minus the beard. It's considered a cosmetic procedure.. :straightface: and it was the only thing I wanted to do here (I prefer to do SRS outside).

[Traci Elizabeth]

I hope this session is less painful for you. How you go through so many hours at once is beyond my comprehension. Nevertheless, you are getting closer to the finish line. So good for you girl.

[nicolecdgal]

Where are you going for your treatments here in Phoenix. I just started my research for finding a place here in Phoenix as I live here.

[ReneeT]

I agree hair removal is a pain. Only another 2.5 or 3 years for me!!!

I don't get having to go 5 days with out shaving unless your beard growth has really slowed. I shave the day before going to electrolysis. But then maybe that's because I am a Wookie.

it used to be that i couldnt go 8 hours without some visible growth. if i was en femme longer than that i would have to shave and redo my makeup. My facial hair was as dense as it could be-the hairs were growing on hairs! Southern Comfort 2010 is a case in point. in 6 days i shaved 12 times. My face was hamburger at the end. Fast forward to now, after 200+ hours of electrolysis and 2 yrs hrt. the hair density is much decreased and growth occurs much more slowly. While i don't like to, i can go 24 hrs on the same facial paint job (like when i get stranded in airports). So it really does take 5 days to get it long enough for electrolysis. In fact, we didnt do the upper lip today as it wasnt quite there - tomorrow. We did get in 11.5 total hrs today though (double techs for 5 hrs then one tech for an add'l hour) The same is scheduled for tomorrow


Where are you going for your treatments here in Phoenix. I just started my research for finding a place here in Phoenix as I live here.

Senza Pelo on 19th and Bethany Home. Although I live in Tennessee, I won't go anywhere else now

[SamanthaC]

Thanks to the advice from a few girls, facial hair removal actually came in at #1 priority for me, before looking at any other steps in a transition.

Will be starting ELOS ( laser with RF-burst too ) in just a few days. They estimate ~95% decimation. The rest I'll do electrolysis for. It also helps that I'm constantly getting horrible ingrown hairs on my neck, and want it gone Gone GONE!. Transition or not, the hair is going :)

[tina 1103]

what about olay corse hair removal cream ???? any one ever try it? seems to be for womens facial hair....

[CharleneT]

what about olay corse hair removal cream ???? any one ever try it? seems to be for womens facial hair....

not permanent, which is what most of us want ;)

[Kathryn Martin]

Yup, you'd think two years is enough and before you know it it's another months and another and another and before you know it 4-5 years will have gone down the road. I am at hour 225 my hair is all colorless and I have just gotten everything cleared to the jawline.


Just had 5 hours yesterday .... it is sooo long, sooo slow.... in many ways it is the hardest part of late transition !!!



For those starting, we're not kidding here, get it done as early as you can !!

[tina 1103]

is that the only down side?? it's safe for the whole face? and seems would be closer than the best shave??



not permanent, which is what most of us want ;)

[KellyJameson]

Electrolysis saved me money on therapy.

When I realized I was paying money to people to electrocute me and doing so proved that I must be crazy I became very relaxed about being crazy so needed less therapy because most of being crazy for me was just not accepting that I was and am.

I call it electroshock therapy to my hair instead of my brain.

[Michelle.M]

it used to be that i couldnt go 8 hours without some visible growth . . . My facial hair was as dense as it could be-the hairs were growing on hairs! . . . Fast forward to now, after 200+ hours of electrolysis and 2 yrs hrt. the hair density is much decreased and growth occurs much more slowly.

Wow, you MUST have had a dense beard! I've got about 110 hours of electrolysis so far, total clearings each visit, and even before my last session the growth was thinned to the point where makeup would cover me after I grew it out prepping for electrolysis. Nice! Since I am full time that's a plus, and now traveling there all shaggy is no longer a covert operation. I figure I'm within 30 hours of being complete.

[ReneeT]

another 16 hours down today. 10 more to go Tuesday for this trip. It just so happens that the nurse doing the injection anesthetic is a transwoman herself. We naturally hit it off - I just got back from dinner at a cool Ethiopian place with her. I just cannot imagine going back to the way i used to do electrolysis....

[LeaP]

Electrolysis saved me money on therapy.

When I realized I was paying money to people to electrocute me and doing so proved that I must be crazy I became very relaxed about being crazy so needed less therapy because most of being crazy for me was just not accepting that I was and am.

I call it electroshock therapy to my hair instead of my brain.

OMG, Kelly, this was hilarious!

[Paulette]

Renee tell the girls Paulette said hello for me, they are all so sweet. The injections are what makes this schedule possible. My only problem is that I get swelling even if I use the ice as directed so by the second day I do not want anyone to see me.

[CharleneT]

is that the only down side?? it's safe for the whole face? and seems would be closer than the best shave??

I'm not familiar with that particular product, but having to do your face everyday (or whatever) is a big drawback. Constant use might affect your skin, also bad?? You need the beard gone, not tamed. As it grows back you have a beard ... not very cool at all :( I do wonder about the ability of that, or similar products, to remove male beard hair vs. female velus facial hair. Folks in the CD section probably could tell how well it works in that regard. Also, does this eliminate or just reduce beard shadow ?

[morgan51]

Just finished another 16 hrs. and can't wait for the next time I'll settle for improvement however slow. I can see huge improvement each clearing now! M

[SuzanneBender]

You are a better gal than I am. I don't know how you do those extended sessions, but it would be nice to look in the mirror and see areas that are clear.

[CharleneT]

You are a better gal than I am. I don't know how you do those extended sessions, but it would be nice to look in the mirror and see areas that are clear.

It's easy, if you have to do something, you *will* get thru it. Mind over matter. When I have it done I only use a topical (vs the much better anesthesia they are using on Renee). Towards the end I am always at the almost can't take it point ... hang on a little more, a little more and suddenly it is done.

[Kerigirl2009]

I just had my 6th laser treatment yesterday and I am very happy with my results so far, however now the greys are starting and we are discussing the start of electrolisis however it is spelled, She tod me though that I should see a doctor first about getting some numbing cream. cant wait to be smoooooooth and cute

[SuzanneBender]

It's easy, if you have to do something, you *will* get thru it. Mind over matter. When I have it done I only use a topical (vs the much better anesthesia they are using on Renee). Towards the end I am always at the almost can't take it point ... hang on a little more, a little more and suddenly it is done.
I am impressed Charlene Many can get by with topical in most areas, but they also need a local when the work starts on those sensitive areas like around the lips. Without a local those would certainly be days that you don't want to wear mascara to the electrologist's. I guess it is all about mind over matter.

[robyn1114]

I've had a few sessions with and without a topical cream, I can tell you I left in tears when not using it and when working on the upper lip it hurts no matter what.

[PretzelGirl]

The more I read other's experiences, the more I count my blessings. I went through laser with only ibuprofen for swelling. I did get teary eyed and some of that was from pain around the nose but some was just a reaction to anything under the nose. Kind of like if you get smacked on the bridge of the nose and your eyes water up. I am only 7 hours into electrolysis and doing two hours at a time with only ibuprofen again. I had about 90% of my upper lip cleared in one session and got teary eyed similar to the laser experience. Would have done 100% but ran out of time.

The kicker is I have a friend that gets electrolysis as presents. She falls asleep during her sessions. So I guess we are all across the board.

If I went through a sessions like Renee, I would want to be knocked out as it would be hard to go through it that long regardless of the pain level (and pain adds to it).

[Catherine Hopkins]

I'm another E3000 girl.

Just in a hotel in Addison with appointments booked for tomorrow and Tuesday.

So far, my full clearances have been 34, 24 and 21 hours so hoping tomorrow will be somewhere in the same ballpark in terms of reductions. More than 19 will be a disappointment and 15 would have me smiling broadly.

I'm doing this all in male mode for the sake of the regrowth. I've always said addressing the hair issue should be one of the very first steps.

[Paulette]

Renee all of the ladies at Senza Pelo Med Spa said to say hello and they are looking forward to see you again soon. I just had 34 and 1/2 hours over two days. These ladies rock when it comes to killing hairs. I have had several different people perform electrolysis on me and Maria, Stephanie, Vanesa, and Sofia are the fastest. Mendy and Deena are the sweetest nurses you will ever find doing the injections. God I hate my upper lip the injections hurt so bad but I think what it would feel like with two people working on my lip at the same time, bring on the injections.

[Janelle_C]

OMG I don't know anything! I'm getting a little freaked out. I thought that electrolysis was permanent, that once you killed the hair follicle it didn't come back. Hundreds of hours. I hate my facial hair is laser any faster or better. Janelle