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
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P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
I shave my face 2-3x a week. Usually don’t need more. I grow hair in my pits, pubes and on my head. That’s about it. No body hair just very soft smooth skin. Thanks hormones! 😀
I have been using the Braun Epil-Silk, but it is not very permanent, as I still have a few stubborn hairs on my upper lip that will just not go away. I have been to professionals that quoted me $500 for hair removal. That certainly gave me a stiff upper lip!
I shave but it always leaves me depressed because I know in less than a week I will be doing it again. I don’t have enough money our courage to get laser treatments they are very expensive where I am because there are only a few places that do them where I live. I was thinking of trying the no-no pro but am not quite sure. I will probably start by getting my eyebrows waxed have not done that yet. Normally I just pluk them. I do exfoliate and use lotions. It makes my skin super soft and the hair seems to grow back slower too. Or that could be my hormones changing also.
Hello: As a post transition person (24 years) and a provider of quality electrolysis work to the trans community for 22 years, I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. No matter where you are, there is no cheap solution to facial hair removal. Home units are a waste of money and laser is NOT permanent. At any given time I am treating 3 clients who have wasted well into 5 figures in hope of a quickie solution, only to come to me with hairs that are welded into the skin. They are not dead and after about 2 years, removing them has become a serious financial loss and a stressful basketful of hours to me. I have successfully cleared over 300 faces and have performed over 200 genital clearings for re-assignment surgery. There IS a reason clients have flown to California to get work done by me from all over the U.S.. and Europe/Scandanavia. Please feel free to write and we can talk, my address is hidden so I would like to post here. soozn93@gmail.com. You can also google my name and a site will come up that will give it to you straight-arrow.
I have some transgender clients that I wax. I tell my clients to try a foil blade shaver like the Hair eRazor or the ES 412 to take care of stubble hair removal. This shaver does not irritate the skin as the hair is cut beneath the foil. It is perfect for the genital area and that pesky beard shadow.
Tina Kolinas
Licensed Aesthetician
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hello Tina!
Just wanted to thank you for the nice hair removal tip! I’ve been looking for a new body hair removal since the “No-No” does nothing for me and my son swiped my Norelco body hair shaver and now they’re $250 to replace! EEK! I’ll be looking up your suggestion and hope I find it affordable.
Have a great day,
Crystal
I usually shave which is the easiest & cheapest home removal system however I’m very interested in hair removal other than shaving waxing, epilators, electrolysis, laser removal, and the NoNosystem I want something that works and doesn’t damage my skin razors cut, lasers can burn, electrolysis I don’t know, waxing sounds painful and is, the NoNo system will be wonderful if it works as promised my question is will it work on crossdresser’s/transgender women’s facial hair
I have been getting my hair removed by sugaring over waxing. I have done it twice now and I am pretty pleased with how my skin feels after it is done.
I always find that depilatory cream the leave me silky smooth
For at least a month
I normally use a Depilatories cream it’s seems
To not give me any sort of rash and leaves me pretty smooth for about a month