Basic tips any and all, Pointers and advice?

I'm starting to let down my self-erected barriers and embrace my feminine side. I don't want to live in the dark any more, though I had formerly resigned myself to "just being happy with who I was."

That's not good enough, I want to be me!

Oh but where to start on the questions I would have for other cross dressers.

Ugh body hair. I hate it. And the more I seem to fight it, the more it fights back. Bumps, ingrown hairs, irritated skin, oh my! I seem to have horribly sensitive skin. Dipilation creams (like veet) don't work worth a damn! And more importantly.. -facial hair-... So sick of it.. Any recommendations on inhibiting body hair growth, and on shaving without causing my skin to go deepsix on me?

Hormones. Okay so normally one sees a gender therapist or counselor of some kind before getting these, right? Problem being, I live in a tiny coastal fishing/tourist town, I doubt a gender specialist is among the local Docs, what do I do in that case? I know often for various reasons some girls circumvent this and get their hormones online, or whatever. Is this illegal? Dangerous? Are the reputable vendors for these things?

Which brings me to another point. Between therapists.. counselors.. hormones.. vitamins.. a whole new lifestyle of clothing and makeup and accessories.. how does anyone afford a transition? :X It's more than daunting, even my present bills often have my money tied up, how am I to afford all of this on top of it?

Oh any my voice. Might as well mention that. I know they say practice makes perfect, but are there any particular techniques you'd suggest?

I've heard there are particular exercise regimens to help with having a more feminine shape, to accentuate it.. know of any? Point me at a website or two?

Absolutely anything else you could think of to tell me to help me on my journey is most welcome. Thank you in advance. Even simple words of encouragement would be welcome and appreciated. I have only just begun down this road. It will be a long one, and I would be lying if I told you I wasn't more than a little bit scared... But I don't think I can bring myself to try and hide from who I am any more. One step at a time, I need to walk down this path.

There is only one topical hair inhibitor that has been proven to do anything, Vaniqua, and it is worthless for male facial hair (and largely worthless for GG facial hair for that matter.) Depending on your shaving issues, you can try Tend Skin, it might give you some relief from your hair issues. Long term, you will have to have at least some electrolysis, and even a 10-20% reduction can be very helpful in easing shaving problems by reducing the density.

I don't know if having hormones without a prescription is illegal per se, I have never heard of anyone being "busted" with estrogen without a prescription, like some are busted with OxyContin or Xanax. Self medicating with hormones is still a very very bad idea, and why that discussion is frowned upon here.

Some TS I have known couldn't afford it, and some have gone without food or medication to help pay for their transition expenses. Some of them even turned to various means of desperation to raise money to be able to do it. Some TS end up losing everything in their transition. It is an expensive road to travel, financially and otherwise.

You may have to travel a long distance to see a therapist and doctors for your gender issues (I know, having to burn lots of outrageously expensive gas on top of everything else, just what you need.) Contact the nearest gender group near you, and see if they know of any resources near you.

Luna,
I suggest for now you have so much going on that you need to take stock of what you are doing and where you are going.
Good luck and all the best on your journey through life.

Hi Luna,

I would concentrate on one thing and move slowly through that rather than rush down the path to HRT. Hormones can have some serious side effects if not administered under medical guidance.

Body hair is something we all struggle with to some degree or another. Laser hair removal is one option but is very costly so depending on your financial situation, you may have to stick with standard methods of shaving, waxing and depilation. It was recommended to me that Aloe Vera lotion can take some of the irritation down and if you do some serious exfoliation (loofa) on your body, it might help with the in grown hairs. Voice is another sticking point and while it is possible to train a more feminine voice (softer intonation) it is near impossible to have it pass on close contact. Regarding a more feminine shape, it will really depend on your current body shape. I know some guys who have very effeminate forms just like I know a lot of GGs who are very masculine is shape. In the end, we are guys and a feminine form has to be achieved with a bit of smoke and mirrors (padding, breast forms, playing proper clothing). However, slimming down is a good start and this can be achieved by proper diet and exercise.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Hugs

Isha

> Ugh body hair. I hate it.

I use to shave, or use Nair, then I started using an epilator. Yes, it hurts just as much as they say it does, a couple of motrin before helps though. I get red dots for about a day or two after, and then my legs are good for a few weeks. I still get the occasional ingrown, but not nearly as much irritation as other methods.
Like someone else mentioned, Vaniqua is the only RX hair inhibitor, it barely works for women and is worthless for men, and the amount you would have to use would require a full time job to pay for. It is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. Last I checked it was around $45 for a small tube, about enough to do your legs twice. And you'd have to use it at least twice a day to even expect it to have an effect.

> Hormones.

You'd need to see an endocrinologist, and would likely need a therapist referral to be prescribed the hormones (and hormone inhibitors) you would need, as well as blood tests.

> I know often for various reasons some girls circumvent this and get their hormones online, or whatever. Is this illegal? Dangerous? Are the reputable vendors for these things?

Generally No, Yes and No.

> how does anyone afford a transition?

If you expect to go 'all the way', you could easily be looking at 75k+ in medical expenses. Either start saving or, start saving.

> Oh any my voice.

I have no advice for that other than practice, though I understand there is surgery for that as well.

> I've heard there are particular exercise regimens to help with having a more feminine shape, to accentuate it.. know of any? Point me at a website or two?

The same exercises girls do, squats for your butt, etc.

Thanks for the help and tips everyone. On oh goodness, epilators are aweful things xD but they do work quite well

and virtually every question you may have has been discussed here over the last 30 years. Use the search feature and you will get he answers a lot easier and faster

Not qualified to reply to most of your questions, Luna. Except the one about changing your shape. The only way to obtain a tru female figure is using girdles, corsets, breast forms, and hip/butt pads.

Exercise and diet change can help u keep a slim figure only. From there, add on whatever u need to fill out your outfit of choice that day. Works well for me, anyway.

I can think of lots of tips but my best one is this..... meet up with other girls like yourself. Every one of them will know something you don't or will have already tried something you are considering. Every group of girls will have between them a pool of knowledge, do's and don'ts. One thing though.... until you feel you know them fairly well don't give any personal details and don't ask for theirs.