There’s nothing like silky smooth skin to make a girl feel extra feminine!
For crossdressers and transgender women, hair removal plays a big role in creating a feminine appearance. But when you’re dealing with lots of face or body hair, things can easily go wrong.
The secret to a smooth, hair-free chest, soft feminine face, and silky smooth legs lies in avoiding some common mistakes.
Here are 5 MTF hair removal mistakes to avoid – and what to do instead!
Mistake #1: Not Exfoliating
All methods of hair removal can cause ingrown hairs, particularly in the beard, chest, and bikini area. You can reduce ingrown hairs by exfoliating your skin 2-3 times per week. This helps get rid of dead skin cells that can trap the hair.
To exfoliate, gently massage your skin with a washcloth, loofah, or exfoliating scrub. My favorite tool is The Body Shop’s exfoliating Body Polisher washcloth. You can find similar exfoliating clothes on Amazon.
It’s important to note that exfoliating immediately after hair removal can irritate the skin. Instead, it’s best to exfoliate either right before or a few days after the hair removal process.
Mistake #2: Forgetting to Moisturize
Dry skin is another cause of ingrown hairs, so it’s important to keep your skin hydrated. (Besides, you want the added benefit of soft, smooth skin, right?)
Pure aloe vera gel is a great moisturizer to use immediately after hair removal. Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer and skin soother.
Another option is to use an unscented lotion or body oil. Perfumed lotions can irritate freshly shaved, waxed, or lasered skin, so avoid them for the first 24 hours after hair removal.
Mistake #3: Not Treating Ingrown Hairs
Exfoliating and moisturizing your skin can help prevent future ingrown hairs. But what should you do about existing ingrown hair bumps?
First, let’s talk about what NOT to do. Resist the temptation of shaving over the ingrown hairs or attempting to extract them with a needle. These actions can lead to infections and scarring.
Instead, try using a specialized ingrown hair treatment like Tend Skin or PFB Vanish. These products are designed reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
Mistake #4: DIY Hair Removal Gone Wrong
Professional waxing, electrolysis, and laser hair removal treatments are expensive, so it can be tempting to try to do them on your own.
However, be careful as some DIY hair removal techniques can lead to painful side effects if your technique isn’t perfect. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Waxing – Mistakes to avoid
Newbie waxing mistakes – like waxing over the same area twice, pulling the hairs in different directions, or pulling too hard – can lead to rashes, bruises, and torn skin. Ouch!
If you still want to do it yourself, I recommend investing in a professional waxing treatment first, so you can observe and learn the proper techniques.
Laser hair removal – Mistakes to avoid
Home laser hair removal systems can save you a lot of money compared to professional treatments. However, it’s important to understand the risks (including burns, scars, and hyperpigmentation) if the devices are not used correctly.
Proceed with caution, take your time, and carefully follow the provided instructions.
Electrolysis – Mistakes to avoid
While there are some home electrolysis machines available, I do not recommend venturing down this path.
Performing electrolysis hair removal is a complex process, which is why professional electrologists are required to obtain licenses.
Not only are most home electrolysis machines unreliable, but there’s also a considerable risk of burning or scarring yourself. It’s best to consult a professional electrologist for this particular procedure.
Mistake #5: Going for the Biggest Bargain
I’m all for beauty bargains, but don’t let price be your sole criteria when choosing a provider for hair removal treatments.
Opting for an ultra-cheap price tag may result in a waxing service that leaves behind stray hairs or a laser treatment that yields patchy results. In the worst-case scenario, you could even end up with burns or scars.
Check the qualifications of the person treating you and read the reviews on any place you are considering. Yelp is your friend!
Also, keep in mind that upscale places tend to put more emphasis on comfortable treatments. If you’re a waxing or laser wimp like me, it’s worth spending a bit more for a less painful experience.
In conclusion
To achieve silky, soft, feminine skin, it’s crucial to avoid these common MTF hair removal mistakes. This is a major DO for any crossdresser or transgender woman.
Now that you’re aware of the don’ts to steer clear of, here are some articles that delve deeper into the topic of hair removal:
- Transgender Body Hair Removal – Which Method is Best for You?
- MTF Facial Hair Removal: Top 8 Ways To Remove Or Reduce Beard Hair
- Permanent Hair Removal: What Really Works? (Male to Female Transformation Tips)
- Bikini Hair Removal Tips for Your Male to Female Transformation
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your preferred hair removal methods, and do you have any additional tips to share?
Take my hair removal poll below and share your comments below!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
I am so happy to have found these tips! I absolutely love being feminine
and smooth all over. Glad to hear I am not the only one that will shave two times a day. Nothing better than a hot tub at night and shaved smooth all over, moisturize and a sexy teddy to just hang out in until bedtime.
Does epilation hurt? Of course it does!!! So, that’s the perfect excuse for a glass of wine before the “procedure”. The results are awesome ♡ and it lasts way more than shaving. Also, after few sessions with my epilator the pain is not as bad… or I may be getting use to it. I’m lucky that I am not so hairy to begging with. I don’t want to spend $$$ in laser hair removal, so my epilator (I love it!!!) is a pretty good alternative. I have a date with myself every 3 weeks, soft music, wine, my epilator and… voilà silky skin ♡. Give it a try, but get ready to scream…
Berenise, XX
Which brand do you use?
i like to shave butt i dont now must i do it evry day or evry week.
somtimes i wax butt it hurts en come fast back.
I would say that depends on the individual and how fast the hair grows. Fortunately I’m not very hairy (thank goodness not the back) but I still feel I need to shave completely every day. I suppose I could get away with the arms and legs every other day, but I hate the little fuzz that I can see. Face and crotch, twice a day, every night in the shower and with an electric razor in the morning. I’ve been doing this for somewhere around 40 years, I like fresh, fairly new (maybe used only 4-5 times) 5 blade razors. I love feeling smooth all the time, and like another poster has said, even when I wear shorts and tank tops no one has ever seemed to notice, or ever said anything, about my being smooth. Oh, and lotion, lotion, lotion, every morning, every night.
Hi i started shaving my armpits and chest recently and i love how smooth i feel.im nervous about shaving my legs.will my legs be really white as well after shaving for the first time.how many times a week do i need to shave them to keep them smooth
I do home home hair removal using laser. So far I have just done my legs and the hair is permanently gone. I am really happy with the results with laser hair removal. Not sure what’s next.
Hi Jamie, May I ask what home laser you are using?
Hi jamie im curious are ur legs smooth forever after the laser treatment
I would say 90% of the hair is permanently gone and what grows back is very fine. I will continue using my home laser until no hair grows back.
The home laser treatment really works. I had coarse dark hair on my legs and after a few treatments, 80% of the hairs are gone and the rest are much finer. I can laser my legs now and then shave and I will be pretty smooth for at least a week. Maybe the permanance of this option is not for everyone, but I wear shorts all the time in boy mode and no-one has ever commented. I expect that if they even notice, they do not care.
Hello,
I tried nair and then went back to shaving, but after a few years of taking finasteride, the hair on my legs and arms has never grown back. I only have a few hairs on my chest and underarms, could not be happier.
Best,
Wanita
Hi I’m starting to shave my legs and arms again and I wanted to know if they’re are any tips for shaving itself? I’m pretty bad and keep cutting myself and I’m trying to get better.
I would like to add to what Stephanie has said. Yes, the newer the razor the more careful you have to be but the longer you will be smooth. I get the closest shaves with the least cuts using a 4 or 5 blade razor. I’m currently using a mid price mans model from Wal-Mart that came with 2 extra heads for under $10. Try different ones to see what works best for you. I shave in a warm shower to soften the hair but I don’t actually shave under the water. I found shaving gels and certain body washes, currently Old Spice, work well as a lubricant for me. Afterwards I wash all over with lilac scented Olay body wash. I need to be especially careful on the shin and ankle as well as the side and back of the knee as those areas seem to slice easily. After drying off lotioning makes my skin feel creamy soft and feminine.
I wish you the best in your journey.
Hugs,
Jenny D
Thank you both so much! I’m going off to college in about a week and I’m hoping to finally start crossdressing so I’ve been reading a lot more of these. I need to slim down a bit, but otherwise I think I’m on the right track thanks to this site and people like you so thank you!
I always shave in the shower with the water spraying on the area I am shaving. The hair is softer and the hair washes out of the razor automatically. I shave in various directions. Try not to use a brand new blade. Maybe at least least 3-4 facials used. Dont press the razor into your skin to hard or shave over the area more than a few times. Good luck. Stephanie Cates