this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2023
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Starting facial laser hair removal before starting HRT a good idea? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 11 months ago by Tywele@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/mtf@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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Hey girls,

I was wondering if starting facial laser hair removal before starting HRT is a good idea. I know that it will take a long time to finish so from that perspective it's most certainly a good idea. And then there is also the possibility of the facial hair getting lighter with HRT where the laser won't be as effective anymore so that's also a plus for starting before HRT.

But what gives me some hesitation and doubt is that if I start laser hair removal without suppressed T that completely new hair follicles would grow which would ruin the results of previous sessions. Is that possible? Or are all the hair follicles I have in my face now all the hair follicles I will ever get/have and I don't need to worry about that? (I hope you understand what I mean)

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[โ€“] ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 11 months ago

If you've got dark hair, then yes, it's absolutely worth it. It's something you can do to "start the ball rolling" before HRT is accessible, and HRT doesn't really make much of a difference to the long term outcome you'll get from laser.

But what gives me some hesitation and doubt is that if I start laser hair removal without suppressed T that completely new hair follicles would grow which would ruin the results of previous sessions. Is that possible

Nope. Once a follicle is down, it stays down. However, hair grows in a years long cycle, which is why it takes multiple sessions spread over time. Even if you get all of the active follicles (which you won't. Laser will get most of them, but not all of them), new hairs will become active every month.

HRT can turn terminal hair follicles (the thick darker ones) in to vellus hair follicles (the light thin ones), and it can slow down regrowth, but both of those effects are minimal on facial hair

[โ€“] Cassa@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It depends on your hair.

"New" follicoles can show themselves if you take laser (can also happen on t blockers, but not as likely), and that just means it will take more sessions.

laser is the second longest lasting hair removal.

it works best on dark hair on light skin, but there are diodes that should work with dark skin and light hair as well. If you have orange hair or multicoloured hair strands then you're fucked - welcome to my club ๐Ÿฅฒ

Basically if you can, then laser is a great way to reduce dysphoria.

[โ€“] ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 11 months ago

laser is the second longest lasting hair removal.

I wouldn't phrase it quite that way.

Laser hair removal is permanent. The issue is that it's not 100% effective. It doesn't matter how many times you laser, some hairs always survive, and they will keep growing. But the ones it does zap stay zapped.

Electrolysis has a better hit rate for making hair follicles stay down, but if you've got dark hair, it's much slower to receive electrolysis than it is to receive laser.

I've only ever had laser hair removal on my face, the tiny amount of hairs that remain are manageable with tweezers.

[โ€“] violetraven@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 11 months ago

I believe I heard drag queens mentioning they wish they started laser sooner to thin out and lighten hair, but not 100% sure on that. Make note though, orchiectomy did not help with an active reduction in hair nor a higher voice (which I was really hoping it would). I've had several sessions of laser and electrolysis to get to where I am.

[โ€“] Amelia_@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Personally I bought an IPL device. Attempted to use it all over but that wasn't so successful, but it's still good for the face, and taking the money saved to help with laser on my chest and back.

Since we're gonna be shaving anyway you're always in the perfect state to use IPL, pretty easy to fit in to a routine and has a bigger effect the longer you use it, and it'll combine with HRT once you start.

[โ€“] Krrygon@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 11 months ago

That's interesting that you had success with the face and not so much the rest of your body. I've had the opposite experience, where most of my body hair zaps away great, but my facial hair is stubborn. You have given me hope to keep trying at it!

[โ€“] sneezycat@sopuli.xyz 5 points 11 months ago

Uuuh at my clinic they warned me against it and said it wouldn't work 100%, before I told them I was taking hormones.

But maybe you can start and get a couple sessions in before hrt? I would ask the clinic and your doctor to be sure.

[โ€“] feminalpanda@lemmings.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Depending on your financial situation I would recommend places that do a lifetime guarantee. Like Milan laser. I can go as many times as I want but it's expensive. They do have sales and payment plans though.

[โ€“] Tywele@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Please don't assume that everyone is from the US.

[โ€“] feminalpanda@lemmings.world 4 points 11 months ago

Well hopefully other places have laser centers that offer lifetime guarantees, I don't think that's a US only thing.

[โ€“] autoexec@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 11 months ago

There's cis men who do Lazer hair removal, but depending on your body it's not as effective as others t suppressed.

[โ€“] Witchfire@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

It really depends on your hair. But keep in mind that estrogen is known to reduce/thin out body hair. I didn't do it until after and only got a bit on my face because I wanted to.