Laser Hair Removal

[Melanie Moxon]

Its approaching that time in my transition plan when I am looking at spending the money on Laser Hair Removal (LHR). I am seven months (give or take a couple of weeks) away from starting my social transition where it will all kick off and I will start living full time as Melissa (incl name change etc.). Naturally I want rid of my facial hair before then, however it could be 12 months (if I go private) or two years (soley NHS) from that date. Am I going to have to budget for a large number of top-ups before I get the anti androgens and the requisite hormones?

Yes I am excited!

[pamela7]

beard removal is a many-year process I believe. it only works properly on very dark hair, not on grey/blond/white. There are many who say laser damages the collagen permanently. I suggest thorough research, and expect a long duration.

[Ashley in Virginia]

While laser wasn't a fun experience, it did work well for me. And it was relatively cheap as well, in America I was able to find deals on packages on Groupon. I did nine sessions in total, my face is 95% clear. I have some grey hair that I have to knock off in the mornings, but I can live with that.

Most will suggest to start laser and let it do as much as it can before electrolysis. It will save you money in the long run.

[KymberlyOct]

I haven't done laser but from reading comments here and researching it sounds like you have a good plan. Laser apparently works on dark hair not blonde or grey. Electro works on all but takes FOREVER .......

I had a mass clearing and I strongly recommend against it. With electro I have switched to traditional one hour appointments.

You have a good plan in my opinion - knock out what you can with laser and then go electro.

You mention hormones. They don't do very much for facial hair. My experience is that my beard grows in more slowly that's about it.

Your plan of transition sounds very similar to mine. I like it. But we all do it differently. I had a plan and executed it - with some unexpected curves in the road. But for me having a plan helped with the nerves and fear of transitioning. For me I was on a mission. Spiro - come out to people - part time - full time - name change - face injections - orchie - estrogen - birth certificate change. All in that order. FFS was supposed to be in there too but alas that's another story.

Good luck and keep moving forward.

[Melanie Moxon]

Thanks for the responses :)

I have dark hair that is why I am going laser :) my facial hair isn't overly dense either so I am hoping the removal will be fairly complete, there are a few grey ones but I can just yank them out/shave them off so that is no real problem.

The reason I mention hormones is because I am concerned about the growth of new hairs rather than the old ones coming back, which the hormone therapy does prevent.

[Dorit]

I can share my experience, which might help. I began laser hair removal on my upper body a year before I began HRT. I began laser beard removal after three months HRT. I am currently 11 months HRT. My upper body hair is gone, after about 7 sessions every two months. I thought my dark beard and mustache hairs were gone after 6 monthly sessions. I had to take a three week break from HRT because of surgery about a month ago. I was very surprised and upset that my dark mustache hair and some beard hairs came back, clearly visible! I had to deal with concealer before I went out, something I had stopped doing months ago. It seems that the HRT had suppressed my face hair growth, so the laser had nothing to zap. So I went back to the laser early this week and had a face session that was just like the first one, lots of pain and burning hair. On the plus side stopping HRT allowed me to discover that I had dormant roots and could attack some of them.

The bottom line of all this is to do laser hair removal as soon as you can, preferably before HRT.

[Melanie Moxon]

Sorry for the late response, Thanks Dorit.

I will be starting it as soon as it is practical to do so :)

[Melanie Moxon]

LHR starts in less than a month :) I have my consultation booked in and a week later my first treatment session.

[Eemz]

:cheer: that's great, good for you and good luck with it. I started electrolysis recently - can't have laser due to my medical history - and that'll be once a week for up to two years. But if you have stray white/gray ones left after the laser then electrolysis would be a good option for those because it targets individual hairs one at a time.

[Devi SM]

Eemz,
So is electrolysis more effective than laser?
Why is going to take you 2 years?

[Jeri Ann]

Electrolysis is more effective than laser on most people. Permanent hair removal takes a long time because each follicle will go through several growth cycles before it finally goes belly up. Also, there are always hair follicles that are dormant and can't be treated. Beginning HRT before completing permanent hair removal makes it even more difficult for several reasons. HRT may retard hair growth making it difficult to treat. Dorit's experience is a perfect example of this. HRT also makes the skin thinner, more fragile and subject to damage from electrolysis.

I completed Electrolysis 38 years ago. As I recall it took about two years of one hour per week treatments. There is a member here who no longer comes to the forum who is into her third year of electrolysis doing 3 - 4 hours per week. She started with laser but it did not work.

To do it right, complete permanent hair removal first, before beginning HRT.

Another thing, if you are considering SRS there is the matter of genital hair removal. In most cases this is necessary to achieve satisfactory results. Unless, of course, you don't mind hair growing in your . . .!

[Anne K]

I was never a "hairy" person. I had Laser on my entire body and had great results. While Laser effectively removed most of the dark facial hair, it left a lot of gray facial hair. I started electrolysis before HRT and had a couple sessions after I started HRT. I am not happy about the scarring. I'm wondering if the technicians are using the wrong techniques.

[KymberlyOct]

I had scarring too. I have not completed electro and may not ever. I have had about 80 hours total and could use at least 80 more. I don't pass well and further electro won't change that much. My beard is not heavy but is noticeable on day 2 but I never leave the house on day 2 without shaving.

Regarding the scarring most of mine was caused by a mass clearing of 8 hours straight with a tech on each side of me and included face numbing injections. It was done in the offices of a well known FFS surgeon but not by his staff.

I strongly recommend against any mass clearing given my experience. Stick with laser for dark hair and iffy permanent results and go with standard one hour appointments of electro for light or grey hair and more permanent results.

[Jeri Ann]

Electricity had just been invented when I did electrolysis. Flash Gordon had a "Ray Gun" but lasers were not an option.I would think that techniques and methods have improved greatly since then.

That being said, I had no scarring. It was horribly painful and I could only stand 30 minutes at a time. But! it was the best thing I have ever done. There is absolutely no way that this girl could stand to scrape hair off my face every morning for the last ~13,870 days. . . not feminine at all!

For me the need has always been to be female, not just look female some or most of the time. Thankfully, curling up every morning in my pajamas with my puppy dog and a cup of coffee without hair on my face is standard operating procedure for me.

[Eemz]

Yes I'm doing the classic one hour a week and a different area each week because you need to give the skin time to recover before hitting it again or you'll get scarring. So I've been told anyway. And each hair needs several rounds to finish it off. One hour on my chest equals an area about the size of my palm. The face will be slower because the hairs are more densely packed and stronger.

I would probably have gone for laser and then electrolysis to mop up the strays, but can't on medical grounds so electro it is.

[jentay1367]

"Regarding the scarring most of mine was caused by a mass clearing of 8 hours straight with a tech on each side of me and included face numbing injections"

I went to the same place as Kym and unfortunately suffered the same results. Clearing sounds good in theory but is quite brutal in practice. I did it 5 times and it left my face relatively hair free which is great for the hours invested, but be forewarned, 18 months after the fact, close examination of my skin shows scarring in areas and "orange peel" in others. At my age (old) its less of a problem because of skin quality in someone older and a tendency for the damage to hide itself. But if I was young with very nice skin, I would exercise caution. On very young skin, those blemishes will stand out in a big way. Just a heads up for those thinking this is a quick fix as I did. It just may not be worth it. Interestingly, I was super pleased 8 months ago. The scarring takes time to show up and it is very disappointing once it does and then to late to do anything other than give a ton of money to a dermatologist.

[Devi SM]

I've been doing hlp, hone light pulse that's a kind of laser but softer. I concentrate the treatment in my legs, arms, chest, for around a year. Now on legs I shave once a month and use de hlp machine. Arms the hair grows again but really fine and slow, no black hair there, is more a eatable. Chest is very low hair that I shave once a month, probably HRT is doing its effect on hair too.
So I'm deciding go for electro in the face.
How much is the average pri e per session, or treatmentm

[Jeri Ann]

In Houston area the cost is $90 per hour on any part of the body except genitals. There it is $150 per hour.

[Eemz]

I'm paying €75 euro an hour, which is about the same.

[Devi SM]

I was overwelmed watching a documentary about the cost of hair extensions that black women use almost without exception. It's part of the life and husbands easily assume that is the life of their women...
We're not far from that, just electro can be more than 10 grands in two years, if you add FFS BA and SRS, we're like that show a 6 million dollars man... it the peace of mind is priceless...

[jentay1367]

"we're like that show a 6 million dollars man"

I think you mean,

"The Bionic Woman" (- ;

[Devi SM]

Jentay, right on! I just translate it from my memory the name that in Spanish they used centuries ago...lol
But remember first was the bionic man, then she showed up.

[KymberlyOct]

Jeri Ann, Happy for you, sad for me. Yeah I'm not too happy still having any beard at all even a light, slow growing one. It increases my GD. But I would also prefer to have FFS, a vaginoplasty instead of my orchie and a BA. Since I make less than half what I used to most likely none of those are in the cards.

Laser sounds great and is cheaper, do it before you have a lot of grey.

Jentay - sounds like you went to Belle at Dr. Z's office. Yeah they do a good job of managing their reviews and it sure sounds good. I have been through a lot of physically painful stuff but that day was horrible. And the scarring is bad. It sounds like we went approximately the same time. I was there in June of 2016.

One day at $2,400 - wish I had the money back. It did kill off a fair amount of my beard but I would have rather spent it on the 1 hour treatments I have done in the last 2 years at $96 per hour. Better results. As in most things in life there is usually no good shortcut.

[April T]

I've been going for my face for 18 months. Just finished a years worth of treatment (13 times) for $275. Next year will cost $375 but am going to continue.

[Nigella]

At my local salon I pay £40 per hour for electrolysis, and that has never changed. How long it takes very much depends on how hair you need removing. I initially had laser on the darker hairs, however, as I am naturally fair, electrolysis now is the answer. On and off, I've been at it for 6 years :)

[jentay1367]

Hi Kym,
Actually, Belle had been sick so Irina and her girls did me. Lovely skilled people, I just think you can't just pound on the skin to that degree and not expect some negative results. By the time I had acquiesced to going this route I had about 120 hours of doing this conventionally ad frankly, it was driving me insane and I was on my last good nerve. I wasn't managing the pain well at all and tbh, I felt like it would have taken me 4 or 500 hours to complete. Unacceptable, so this was my alternative. I realized this was pretty brutal after my first run. My head literally blew up like a pumpkin and I am in no way exaggerating that it took 3 weeks to recover. Ultimately, if you live in a big market like Chicago, I think you're best bet is an hour or two every week till you beat it into submission. But if you live in a fly over as I did, logistics and quality of technicians really leave you frustrated and with little recourse. I think dermabrasion, micro-needling and laser could fix my issues and I may choose to do that at some point, or not. I've yet to decide. I'm pretty fried on any procedures right now as I've had SRS, FFS, Electro, a follow up face lift and a BA all in less than 30 months. I have lost a day of my life under general anesthesia. I am pleased but totally exhausted if you know what I mean. So I want to reiterate that the full clearing option, though it be super difficult is still an option for some and I also want to say they were lovely conscientious people. But all things being equal, given the right circumstance, patience, a good tech and a slow and steady plan is probably the safest way with the most satisfactory result. And as I alluded to in my early post, if you're young with that dewey soft skin and want to keep it, not only is it your only option, you should be very cautious with any tech. because it is my opinion, many in the field of Electrolysis are clueless hacks that have no idea what they're doing and they WILL damage you permanently. Find someone you like and then ask for clients that you can speak with regarding their individual results. If you're unable to get them to allow you to speak to customers for endorsement? then run, don't walk away. You will thank yourself in the end.

[Devi SM]

Wow! Jentay, I like your post for open and sincere, in especial the last advice on asking for references...

[KymberlyOct]

Hi Jentay, Yeah Belle did my left side and Irina did the right. They were both very nice. Irina's side had better results.
I looked like I was in a car accident for weeks. I do think that the reviews are overstated and the negative after effects are understated. Also afterward Belle was very dismissive about the condition of my face.

Enough of that, sorry, anyway I think you and I make a great point. Mass clearing is just too much on the skin at one time. We both had bad results.

With electro stick with one hour appointments.

[Diane Smith]

BTW, Belle passed away a few days ago at age 60 here in her downstate home town of Champaign. She had been splitting her work between Dr. Z's and an office here for a few years. The obituary in the local paper was very brief and I know no details. It's a loss because it leaves our community without any truly competent electrologists (again).

- Diane

[jentay1367]

Oh my god, that's the worst kind of news. She was sweet and funny and she made me laugh. I'm so sorry to hear this. But thank you, Diane, I appreciate your telling us. She's safe on the other side now, I suppose. Just terrible news, heartbreaking.

I found this: )-:


https://www.renner-wikoffchapel.com/notices/Belle-Brine

[Adelaide]

Laser is working well for me....but it's a long process.... Got to be patient Melissa. I've been doing it for 1 1/2 year and despite the great progress I'm still not there yet....

[Katya@]

I just hit 1 year of 1hr/week facial electrolysis (just above 50 hours). I am at the point, where can not shave above the jaw line for several weeks, and we started on my neck about 5-6 hours ago, so I expect at least 50 more hours of similar appointments. I had average density beard. Haven't had any scaring, and healing usually is fast. Within 2-3 days, it is not very noticeable. My electrologist is doing a great work to optimize power, while still have very high hair count which is just as important. On average, on the face, I get 700-800 hairs removed, and had even as much as 1000 hair follicles removed in 1 hour session. It all depends on the area and whether it is new area or re-clearing mostly clean area. So keep it in mind when you compare prices. If all you get in 1 hour is 300-400 hair follicles, it will take you twice as long to clear the face. It is painful, no doubt about it but pain is usually not the same. Some areas are more sensitive than others. The good thing is that since you work on one hair follicle at a time, if it successfully removed, chances are you will never see this hair again.

[jentay1367]

"If all you get in 1 hour is 300-400 hair follicles, it will take you twice as long to clear the face"

Partially true. If your tech is using the wrong size needle or incorrect modality or dont have the needle imbedded in the papilla or that hair is in its dying phase as opposed to its active stage or your tech isn't using enough juice and merely "plucking" your hair out, those hairs will be back. So rather than look for a tech that clears a large volume of hairs quickly, look for regrowth. Ideally, the very best will have a high "kill ratio". This is the amount of complete kills where the hair never returns. I would rather have 400 per hour removed with an 80 percent kill ratio than 1000 removed hourly with a 20 percent kill. In the final analysis, more hair is permanently killed in the former and the dermis is subjected to much less trauma. The best techs understand this is an art and they hone their skilks accordingly. So it's imperative you look at all the variables and ultimately, your permanent results. It's up to you to evaluate. Someone with a comparable amount of hair as another may finish in half the hours as the other with the identical equipment. This is wholly due to technician skill. Finding that person can represent the proverbial needle in a haystack. Many techs want to graze all over your face to lessen trauma. Though this is good, it is also more difficult to assess technician skill. Make your tech clear an inconspicuous area of about one half inch square and keep an eye on that area. How much regrowth are you experiencing? If it all comes back? they are merely plucking out hairs. Somethin you can do at home for free. If however you notice it becomes noticably sparser after every clearing, congratulations, you've found someone who knows what they are doing. This really is the only way to find out who you're dealing with. If my tech wont clear that small area? Then I would look further. Ultimately, these people work for you.

[KymberlyOct]

Thanks Diane for the sad news about Belle. As I said in my post I liked her and Irina they were both nice to me. I wasn't happy with Belle regarding the services but business and personal are two different things and I am sorry to hear of her passing. For the 10 hours I spent with her I got to know her a little bit and she seemed like a good person. We talked a lot trying to get my mind off the pain.

Regarding your comment about the loss to our community of a competent electrologist, while the loss of Belle is certainly sad on a personal note I would like to mention that many people in the cis community that provide these services are happy to work with us.

My experience after my session with Belle is that I simply called an electro salon / clinic in my area and told them why I was calling - stated that I am transgender and asked if they had anyone that would be interested in working with me.

Easy peasey. Really. They connected me with someone and I was her second trans client and now she has 5 total. That's part of the deal for any early or pre-transitioners reading this. Eventually you just have to deal with telling people that you are trans. It's going to come up.... alot. Name change, medical stuff, personal business on and on.

Anyway just call and say I am trans. Most will be fine and if you run into someone who is not well then give your money to someone that deserves it.

[Nikki.]

I’ve had 9 laser sessions and while it doesn’t sound as bad as the electro sessions, my face is wrecked for a couple weeks afterwards. Using an antibacterial ointment helps reduce the breakouts for the first 3 days. then i use sunblock and a sensitive skin moisturizer. both seem to help but i still have some varying pigmentation issues i hope fade once i finish laser. then on to electro for the white hairs.


everyone who says start hair removal early cause it takes forever speaks truth.

[Eemz]

Eventually you just have to deal with telling people that you are trans....
just call and say I am trans. Most will be fine and if you run into someone who is not well then give your money to someone that deserves it.

That's what I did too. I called a local electrolysis place and said hello I'm trans so I'm going to need hair removal. A lot of it. No problem, when do you want to come in. If they hadn't I'd just go somewhere else.

Actually one of the staff told me she loves working with trans customers because she feels like she's really helping someone, rather than just doing a beauty treatment which much of their work is. She also said they get cis-male customers all the time for things like hairy cheeks, ears and "crazy old man eyebrows".

[Aunt Kelly]

What Jentay said about electrolysis and _effective_ rate of removal... Done right, it's an iterative process. The first round is, of course, going to produce the most dramatic results. Shorter sessions are less traumatic and make it easier to gauge progress.

As for the "do I tell..." question, you don't have to volunteer that your trans. I didn't but I also didn't hesitate to answer when my electrologist asked "why" on my second visit. Think of him or her as a caregiver, who can do a better job when they have a more complete picture. Mine, bless her heart, immediately switched pronouns and changed my name on her records then and there. That sounds a like trivial detail, but shows a level of care and understanding that goes beyond the merely technical. You can't have that without the honesty.

[Jeri Ann]

LMAO, Yeah, I had my first session yesterday with Kelly's "caregiver." There was no need for her to ask "why" in my case. The initial consultation last week was all about my purpose. I am preparing for SRS.

As it turns out, she has had a lot of experience with the procedure I was there for. She estimates that it will take about four months at one hour per week to finish the job. Not fun at all. Electrolysis on the face is a piece of cake in comparison.

I will post more about this as I have time, probably a new thread.

[Eemz]

Eeek! I will never complain about facial again.

Best of luck with it Jeri Ann. Another step on the way :)

[AllieSF]

The color of the hair and skin tone are important for laser and not for electrology. Electrolysis on my face has taken several hundred hours so far and about 5 plus years, on a medium thickness beard according to my electrologist who has had and still has many transgender and other male clients. Her normal rate per hour is around $60 and can be reduced lower ($50 for me) if one is going in for the full treatment over a few years. I still go in once every 4 weeks for about 1/2 to 3/4 hour. I had a mixed beard of dark, gray, graying, some red and a few blond hairs. Probably enough for dark hair laser removal. If I had done laser first, I would probably be done a few years back. So, first check with a laser place to get their opinion, actually, get a couple of opinions from different places. The good thing about laser is that they want you to have a close shave, so no special precautions on your part except for the red face after treatment.

I told my electrolysis technician, now a wonderful friend and Broadway play partner, to start of the darker hairs first and to just work all around my face to more or less reach the end at the same time. I did not want to be put in the position where I couldn't or didn't want to shave for a period of time and then have one very odd hairless spot on my face. She first went after the thicker hairs, we have a mix of thick and then hair all over our faces, plus all the potential different colors. My process was slow but very steady, since most hairs require several treatments over several sessions as they go through their growth cycles. I agree with Sarah that skipping a day or two of shaving for work will allow you to go during the week or first thing Saturday morning, also most electrologists, work at least a half day on Saturday. You could also stop shaving after Friday morning and have your standard weekly appointment on early Monday morning.

I have had minimal issues besides the pain of each zap. My skin is so old and skin damaged I doubt that anyone could pick any scars caused by electrolysis.

As most have said here already, start with laser if you can and then go to electrolysis. Over time that will get any dark hairs that grow back. Good luck!

[Tonya Renee]

Thanks, Diane for letting us know about Belle. She was such an asset to our community. She will be missed. It was so nice to have met her. She was one of the best resources for our community and her location in Champaign was near me making it easy for myself and others downstate.

[Diane Smith]

Regarding your comment about the loss to our community of a competent electrologist, while the loss of Belle is certainly sad on a personal note I would like to mention that many people in the cis community that provide these services are happy to work with us.

Sorry, poor choice of words on my part. By "community," I meant this city, or geographical region. Not the "TG community." Other than Belle, there is only one other practicing electrologist within 50 miles or so, and neither her work habits nor technical results are held in very high esteem by the locals (which I can confirm first hand by having been a client for 3-1/2 years). With Belle's passing, there's just no one else to take good care of us within a practical distance.

I'm sure most electrologists have a number of TG clients, whether that is their primary focus or not. As long as they're tolerant, reasonably friendly and very competent, it doesn't really matter to me when choosing one.

- Diane

[KymberlyOct]

Makes sense Diane, thanks for clarifying. I consider this site to be a resource for those that are questioning gender issues or possibly considering transitioning so I just wanted to point out that finding an electrologist isn't very difficult. But I must admit it was a big deal to me making that phone call when I first started, so I just wanted to reassure those that are early on the path that it really isn't something to fear.

Thanks again Diane.

[Eemz]

I must admit it was a big deal to me making that phone call when I first started, so I just wanted to reassure those that are early on the path that it really isn't something to fear.

Yes and I'm one of those and we do appreciate it. I just completed my 3rd session and that's why I mentioned that cis-males have electrolysis for all kinds of reasons, so you're not necessarily outing yourself just by sitting in the waiting room.

[AllieSF]

One thing to consider for anyone considering facial hair removal. It is an expensive and time consuming process that has, in my opinion, only one drawback, if you change your mind partway through or post completion what issue are there except for never having to shave again and not being able to grow a mustache, beard or both. That to me is low risk if you have the money and time, and a good technician doing the work.

[KymberlyOct]

Yes and I'm one of those and we do appreciate it. I just completed my 3rd session and that's why I mentioned that cis-males have electrolysis for all kinds of reasons, so you're not necessarily outing yourself just by sitting in the waiting room.

Thx for the acknowledgment Eemz. I agree that sitting in the waiting room may not out you to those in the waiting room but you do have to have the 'I'm Transgender' talk with the tech so that they know what your goals are. Also if you do fully transition or are non binary you want to know that they are supportive. You are going to see them ALOT. And I do mean ALOT :D

I know some people want to live as stealth as possible ( I have opinions on that but it's not the point here ) anyway there are going to be times in your transition that being stealth is not an option. I believe starting a relationship with a electrologist is one of those. Unless you are going for very few treatments which really isn't realistic.

[Melanie Moxon]

Wow, the thread explodes :eek:

Next week will be an initial consultation (free) and a patch test to check my skin/hair for suitability to Laser removal before going in a week to the day for the first session. The place I am going to has a transgender specialist (and I did book it under that guise), they handle most of the NHS appointments (i'm going in well in advance of even speaking to my GP about getting a referral to the GIC) for this area so I am confident that they know what they are doing.

[AllieSF]

Kym,

My electrologist treats everyone, including a lot of TS and CD folks, And, a lot of gay men who want hair free bodies, and, many straight men that just hate their ape like body hair and sometimes facial hair. So, since electrologists have seen it all if they have been around long enough, there is no need to say why one wants the treatment except for, I want to do it, or I hate that hair. However, that being said, being treated on the face for hundreds of hours over a few years, you definitely get to know one another if you are one who likes to talk a lot (me). Then one way or the other it will probably come out. My only message here is if there is no need to, for whatever reason, the client can keep their mouths shut about who they are and their true reasons for doing it. In my case, I have been going to see annual Broadway show programs (6-7 shows a season) for about 6 years with my electrologist, plus some ballets, a 10 day bike trip around Austria and several other activities. All because I met here under the needle! She knows more about my face, inside of my ears and nose than anyone else. Naturally we are good friends.

[KymberlyOct]

Thx Allie, yeah I guess I'm just saying you are going to get to know this person very well, and they are going to know you are transgender. Just tell them when you are discussing working with them. Just my opinion. I'm certainly not always right. Not sayin, just sayin. :-D

[Eemz]

Yes definitely. And even in my limited experience, any time that I have been completely up front it made things easier both ways. They know exactly what I want and we can talk openly about the best way to achieve it. I don't have to make up weak ass excuses for what I'm doing, and they don't have to pretend to believe me. They can also suggest other services I might like to think about down the line, like shaping my eyebrows or lash tinting.

And aside from that - everyone on this forum already has far too many elephants in the room without adding more.

[Nikki.]

It looks like the shedding is done for the láser i had on 11/8. for the first time, i think i could get away without wearing beard cover to conceal the blue/green tint that always showed through. 9 sessions down,
but the first 3 or so the power was not high enough to kill significant follicles and cause shedding. I have 3 more sessions in this 6 pack, then time to evaluate. i think i might switch to electro to start working on the strays and grays! it will have been around 15 months of laser.

[Joanna50]

Oh my word. Facial hair is just the WORST of everything. And I just pray for a procedure and treatment that will remove this horrible growth forever, and which is not expensive.
Can hormone treatment not cause beard to stop growing and dissappear?
I have inquired about laser hair removal and it is just insanely expensive, and takes forever.
I'm so bummed out. 😔

[KymberlyOct]

Hi Joanna, I hate to bum you out further but... uh yeah it sucks and there is no easy answer. If there were we would be doing it.

Let me answer your questions. I am pretty sure most will agree and believe me if they don't agree they will let us know :D

1. Hormone treatment does not stop your beard growing. At best it will grow more slowly and maybe slightly less dense but even that is iffy. Mine does grow a little more slowly and I have been on hormones 2 1/2 years. Short answer. Hormones will do very little for a beard. Hormones do reduce or diminish body hair.

I have had 80 hours of electro and am on hormones. I still have to shave. My beard is less than before from the combination of electro and hormones.

2. Laser is cheaper than electrolysis and is also faster. Laser only works on dark hair. Laser is less effective than electro but results vary from person to person. Some people can have great results with laser. Laser = expensive and long time. Electro = Very expensive and very long time but it's more lethal to your beard.

3. Those are your only options. SORRY. We all are, for ourselves LOL.

[Melanie Moxon]

Initial consultation done today and a patch test, it did sting a little, I'm going back next week for my first full session.

I'm impressed with the clinic, which is registered as a private hospital and is bound by the same regulations; clean, well maintained and with pleasant, knowledgeable staff.

As far as hormones go they don't stop your current facial hair from growing, nor will they stop any other facial hair from growing, the latter is achieved with the blockers that go hand in hand with hormones. But neither will stop established facial hair from growing, it has to be removed with one of the established methods. But I won't get hormones for at least another 11-14 months unfortunately.

[Melanie Moxon]

Well my first session is over and done with, as predicted not a huge amount appears to have changed but then again tough androgen driven facial hair takes some breaking down. It wasn't excessively painful for the most part, the worst bit was just around the hair line and on my chin when the hair is densest (meaning more heat), I was braced for severe pain on the top lip but barely felt it, I have never been able to grow much of a 'tache anyway. Next one is the first week in January - onwards and upwards.

[Eemz]

Thanks for keeping us up to date Melissa, I think there will be a few people following this thread :)

I had session 5 (6?) of electrolysis today, an hour every Saturday. It still hurts but not as much. I think because (a) I'm getting used to it and (b) I've started taking paracetamol/acetaminophen about half an hour beforehand. I don't know if that actually helps but it makes me feel better to have done whatever I can to take the edge off it. Plus I talk non-stop all the way through the session to distract myself.

[Aunt Kelly]

Well, that's encouraging, Melissa. I mean your account that treating the upper lip area was relatively painless. My electrologist has been saving the circumoral area for last in this first round of clearing, I'm guessing because it will be so much fun. :sad:
Then again, I fall asleep during about half my sessions so maybe it won't be so bad.

[Katya@]

Just had my upper lip re-cleared Nth time yesterday during electrolysis. It is hard to believe where all this hair is growing from. My electrologist says - it will be the last place completely cleared on your face. I can go more than a week without shaving my cheeks and there is zero shadow there.

[Melanie Moxon]

My next appointment is on Friday - yikes it has been a month already!

The clinician told me not to expect much after the first session but to be frank I am rather impressed, I have gone from having a blue shadow to a patchwork, I really should have done a before and after.

[Melanie Moxon]

Due to the image size restrictions (and my phones selfie camera not being that good) it's a little difficult to tell, the first picture is around a year and a half old, but it does show the extent of my facial hair coverage.299956

As you can see it is pretty complete, not massively dense compared to some but it is very dark. The next one was taken a short time ago:
299957

More hair on top of my head (literally a years growth) but less on my face. I have my second session of Laser hair removal on Friday - woop.

[Eemz]

Well here's the lunar landscape that is my chest at the moment, ongoing electrolysis. I shaved it on the 23rd I think and you can see the "normal" regrowth in the bottom half. The treated upper part is a bit red with very attractive spots scattered in, but that'll all fade. The important part is there's very little regrowth on it, and it used to go right up my neck and join the bottom of my beard line, poking out of my shirt. We're getting there. Next round tomorrow.

300087

[Aunt Kelly]

Fun, ain't it?
You're right. The redness is only temporary, and the permanent results so, so worth it.

[Melanie Moxon]

It has been four weeks since my last laser session and I am heading for session number three tomorrow afternoon. This is what my (what's left of it) 5 o'clock shadow looks like after two sessions:
301022

I have found that nothing changes for about two weeks after the laser does its thing, then, BOOM, hairs start to disappear - marvelous.

[Chloe St Clair]

Melissa,

As you have noticed it seems to take a couple weeks after your treatment before hair disappears, that is because it takes that long for your body to expel the treated hair. If you keep up with your sessions, the time for the treated hair to fall out will get shorter.

Keep in mind only a portion, approx 30%, of your hair follicles are active at any one time. Because of this you should ideally wait a minimum of ten weeks between sessions. If your sessions are scheduled too close together, you run the risk of using them up treating just the first 30%.

My skin tone is similar to yours, though my beard was not as heavy. Still it has taken nearly four years to get rid of all of my dark facial hair. Four years sounds like a long time, but in terms of the actual number of sessions, it has only been 20.

I was due to have another session this coming Saturday, but I stopped in after work earlier this week so my tech could evaluate things. It had been 12 hours since I shaved and she could barely find any dark hair. The end result was we decided to postpone working on my face as there isn't enough dark hair left to justify the time or the cost. BTW, this was the third time we have postponed work on my face. The last actual treatment on it was in mid October. Nearly four months ago!

Please don't get discouraged by the thought of how much time it will take, as it will be worth it in the long run. My current avatar photo was taken four days ago. My make up for that photo consists solely of Revlon Photo Ready primer, eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick. No concealer, no foundation, and no powder. It took me all of twenty minutes to do.

Finally, if your tech hasn't mentioned it, to minimize getting ingrown hairs use an exfoliating facial cleanser every night. I use Olay, a tube costs about $6 at the grocery store where I shop and will last about a month. It is money well spent.

Keep going, it will be worth the pain and expense.

[Melanie Moxon]

To be honest it doesn't hurt that much now, it really stung the first time due to the density of the hairs but now, third time around it really didn't hurt too much. There are a few denser patches that nipped a bit but other than that it's not too bad now. I'd say about 3/5 of the hair is still left after two sessions but because it has thinned out there is very little 5 o'clock shadow left, hopefully that will improve after the third has done its job.

I think once this current laser session has done its job the only place I will need the darker concealer is on my top lip as that is slower to clear but that is normal according to the clinician running the sessions, and getting shut of that step (whole beard area) takes about 20 minutes out of the makeup routine and means I can use a cooler coloured foundation :)

I will probably start spacing the sessions out more once the bulk of the hair has gone, I should be on HRT in about 6-8 months so that will slow the rate of growth and stop any new hairs forming (obviously it will not stop the original hairs from growing nor make them drop out).

The time it will take is not discouraging in the slightest, I knew from the off it was going to be a slow process!

[Eemz]

I might as well post a chest update then :)

301228

Not a great picture but you can see the contrast between the treated V in the middle and the untreated bottom corners.
A lot of the hair is gray so it's hard to see how much there is on that part, but you get the idea.

Starting to move up the neck now...

[elizabethamy]

Laser has worked miracles on my face but the white hairs will be there until some scientific entrepreneur invents a laser that can kill light colored hair, or my insurance starts to cover electrolysis, the latter of which is a decade away. A quick shave and a very light coat of foundation and no one can see anything at all - and that's after only 4 laser treatments. it works! and the pain is fleeting....

e.a.

[Devi SM]

Elizabeth canning ask how much is the cost of those sessions? And how much extension of hair has been removed?

[elizabethamy]

Vanessa, They were $80 for a full face session, I had 4 of these, then it's $40 for a touch up session, and it looks like maybe I'll have 3 or so of those....

[Devi SM]

Thanks Elizabeth, for what I understand now, laser treatment reduce the hair to a minimum but needs after a while some maintenance to avoid it regrow. Am I right?

[Macey]

Vanessa, in a nut shell, laser works on hair that is not grey nor red, and limited effect on blonde. If your hair is dark, you would need about 6 sessions and maybe as many as a dozen (everyone is different). Laser can be about 70% effective for permanent hair removal. Ymmv.

Electrolysis is permanent for about 95%. Still about six sessions or more, because hair grows in three stages and not all of your follicles are active at the same time.

Later on, you may need some touch ups with either. There are dormant follicles that can become active years later due to body changes, chemistry changes, or just because those follicle 'feel like it' ;)

[DanaM64]

I'm glad this thread is still alive and replenished from the different members and methods...��

I do have a question in regards of the laser treatments... As in which method or type do you use? Especially now that there are so many types... As listed below:

Popular Types of Laser Hair Removal Machines In The Industry Are:
Ruby Laser. The Ruby laser is the original and first system of laser hair removal. ...
Alexandrite Laser. ...
IPL Laser. ...
Nd YAG Laser. ...
Diode Laser.

I'm waiting on my 2nd 1st appointment and from what I've read IPL seems to be one of the better ones...

Thanks for the input and opinions! :)

[Eemz]

I'm finally reaping the benefit... I was out tonight and didn't have to do anything with my chest, it was just fine as-is :D

301961

Before I started electrolysis it would have looked like I had a V-shaped piece of bear fur in between the leopard print.

[Melanie Moxon]

This is what my face looks like before my fourth laser session (sorry for being able to see up my nose):
301990

As you can see it is nicely thinned out and I think the average estimate of 12 sessions for it to be almost clear is about right.

[Devi SM]

Did they tell you if after finish the treatment additional or later laser sessions will be needed?

[Melanie Moxon]

I was aware of that before I started the treatment, but the clinician did tell me that yes :)

[Melanie Moxon]

I had my fifth laser session today, I took this last night before I shaved.
302930

Its clearing nicely and some of the growth from follicles that weren't on the growth cycle on other sessions have cleared and I am now suitably red faced after having had another session :o

[Gerrijerry]

Electro for me was the only way to go. I saw my doctor who gave me pills to take before I started the removal. I still hurt some but tolerable. Oh yes it did take over two years to complete.

[Melanie Moxon]

Just before session 6:
303663

This was post shave (forgot to take the picture) but as you can see there has been a reduction in the blue patches since the last session and judging by how my face is now there will be a big hit again this time (I hope). The great thing is with a little bit of colour corrector on my top lip and chin and regular (if slightly warm) foundation I can go from 8AM to 11PM without issue.

[Katya@]

Hair removal takes time but results are so worth it! I just had my 100th (!) electro session yesterday (almost 17 month into it) and my cheeks are clear of hair, upper lip has sporadic hair and neck has some. The good things I only shave twice a week after electro session and look just fine the other 5 days of the week. It is so awesome!

[Devi SM]

Katya,
I almost to start the electrolysis and I'd like to, as a reference, to know how much hair did you have in your face before the treatment. Any pic?

[Katya@]

Hi Vanessa,
I am caucasian but not of Mediterranean descend. As such, I had dense hair but it wasn't distorted and not as coarse. I was shaving daily of course to look decent. I could PM some photos. Frequency and consistency is a key to stay on top. Good luck! It hurts first more, and then less and less. It cost a lot and is a time commitment....but so worth it...

[Jeri Ann]

Permanent hair removal varies from person to person.

With most people, it seems, lasered hair eventually returns.

Electrolysis is more painful to some than others.

Electrolysis takes longer for some people than others.

I can't remember exactly, it was almost forty years ago, but it couldn't have been more than 100 hours for me. I could do only 30 minutes at a time because it hurt so much. I think the needle was cast iron.

One of the Houston GNO girls, who is still a member here but seldom checks in, was up to 315 hours at our last GNO a month ago. She is in the touch up phase though. She started with laser but it didn't work for her.

300 hours, at the Houston price of $75 per hour is $22,500.

There are no shortcuts. Permanent hair removal is painful and expensive. However, a smooth, shaved face is a dead giveaway regardless of the makeup job. For quality of life as a woman, not shaving is absolutely essential, IMO.