Facial hair removal

[Mitzidog]

I am just looking into medical interventions and the one that appeals to me in the shorter term is facial hair removal.

I've looked into it a little, but I wonder what experience you've had with either electrolysis or laser treatment.

I am in the UK and it is unlikely (but not impossible) that I would get this funded by the NHS, so I am interested in a vague estimate of cost, on the understanding thta everyone's needs are different.

Any advice on the various options would be gratefully received.

I have read somewhere that it is more effective if you have it done while on HRT - is this right in your experience or knowledge? I don't think I am ready for HRT yet, but I am intending to start presenting as female fairly soon and while I am shaving each day now, I would like not have to again.

[Leena]

No idea on cost in UK. Cost varies quite a bit in the US, and is charged by the hour. It's pretty expensive, so I bought a Tria home laser for about $400 to try to reduce the number of hours needed. It's not recommended for male facial hair, and I don't recommend it for the face. It hurts way too much to use the highest setting on my upper lip or chin. It has reduced the hair on my neck and chest quite a bit, and it's been really effective on my arms though.

From what I understand, it doesn't matter that much for facial hair if you on HRT or not. Body hair generally will thin on HRT, but facial hair will not.

[EchelonHunt]

I had IPL for a few sessions but I couldn't stick to the schedule due to surgery (I needed bed rest so I couldn't come in on scheduled day) and lack of funds at the time. I was paying $180 per session every six weeks for full facial hair area and neck treatment. The results were impressive, had I stuck with it, it would have been really good.

Facial hair is thicker and more coarse than body hair so it is harder to get rid of.

HRT slows the growth of the facial hair follicles but it doesn't stop them entirely. This is where laser hair removal or electrolysis comes in, it zaps the hair follicle so the hair doesn't grow back. Usually it takes multiple sessions to ensure complete removal as hair follicles grow in different cycles at different times.

People don't like to recommend someone who has testosterone in their system to have laser hair removal because testosterone actively stimulates growth in facial hair. It just might mean a few more sessions than usual but it CAN be done!

Some people do laser hair removal or IPL (cheaper but still effective) and use electrolysis (more expensive but 100% reliable) to catch the stray hairs here and there that just refuse to die.