Nothing will make you feel more feminine than smooth, hair-free skin. There are lots of options for hair removal, including shaving, waxing, plucking, depilatories, etc.
But the holy grail is permanent hair removal. This is especially true if you’re planning a full transition.
So what’s best? Electrolysis? Laser hair removal? DIY devices? Creams?
In this post, I share what actually works for permanent hair removal – and the pros and cons of each method.
Electrolysis
First and foremost, electrolysis is considered the only TRULY permanent method of hair removal. During electrolysis, a small probe is inserted into hair follicles to damage the follicle with electricity.
Because each hair must be treated individually, electrolysis is very time consuming. It also takes more than one treatment per follicle, so you could be looking at years of weekly or bi-weekly appointments.
PROS:
- It’s the only method approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal.
- It’s effective for all skin and hair colors.
CONS:
- It takes many sessions. For example, transgender facial electrolysis averages 70-90 hours all the way up to 300 hours.
- It can be quite painful, especially in areas like the upper lip.
- There’s a risk of skin discoloration or scarring if not performed properly.
COST:
Licensed electrologists charge from $75-$100+ per hour, so the full treatment can add up to thousands of dollars. However, once the hair is gone, it’s gone.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is the most popular “permanent” hair removal method, but it’s important to know that it’s only approved for permanent hair REDUCTION. It uses lasers to damage hair follicles, reducing growth. It can thin the beard by 70%-85%.
Laser hair removal can inhibit hair growth for several years, but some or all of the hair can grow back – especially in people with fair hair. That means that you may need to have repeat maintenance sessions every 6-12 month.
PROS:
- It can treat large areas at once.
- It’s much faster than electrolysis.
- Most people see a significant reduction in hair growth after 3-8 sessions.
- The hair grows back lighter and finer.
- It’s less painful than electrolysis (though not totally pain-free).
CONS:
- It’s only effective for hair reduction, not 100% hair removal.
- It’s most effective on people with light skin and dark hair. If you have darker skin or fair hair, it will not be as effective.
- There’s a risk of skin discoloration or scarring if not performed properly.
COST:
Laser hair removal costs $50-$400 per area per appointment depending on size. That means it can also add up to thousands of dollars over the course of the treatment.
You can also check Groupon for deals, but be sure to research the facility carefully. Bargains aren’t always the best idea when it comes to your face and body.
At-Home Laser Hair Removal
With the high cost of laser hair removal, there are now some decent options for doing it yourself. DIY devices can indeed work, but they aren’t without drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of at-home laser hair removal:
PROS:
- It offers considerable cost savings over professional treatments.
- It’s more convenient since you don’t have to schedule appointments.
CONS:
- It’s time consuming since at-home devices are smaller than pro devices.
- It’s less effective since at-home devices aren’t as strong.
- It’s hard to treat certain areas (like the back) when you’re treating yourself.
- There’s more risk of side effects since you aren’t a trained pro.
- The devices can be painful to use.
Here are the most popular at-home laser hair removal systems:
- Silk’n Infinity 400,000 – $399
- Tria Hair Removal Laser 4x – $449
Creams and Natural Remedies
Finally, you might be wondering if there are any “natural” ways to remove hair permanently. If you search the internet, you’ll find all kinds of so-called permanent hair removal creams and home remedies involving turmeric, honey, onions, etc.
Unfortunately, these simply do not work. The only way to permanently stop hair regrowth is to destroy the hair follicles, which creams and natural remedies can’t do.
That said, there are some hair inhibitor creams that can be effective. These temporarily slow hair regrowth by blocking hair follicles with enzymes. But keep in mind that they only work for as long as you use them.
Here are a couple options for hair inhibitor creams:
- VANIQA – A prescription cream that reduces facial hair regrowth
Let’s talk hair removal
Now that I’ve covered the options for permanent hair removal and reduction, I’d love to hear what YOU think.
Have you tried any of the procedures or products above? What were your results?
Please take my poll and share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
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While I’m not having bottom surgery, my wife had all of my pubic hair permanently removed. She was feminizing me, and felt that the removal of my pubic hair was an essential and dramatically emasculating step.
She had laser done first. A full year of laser did diminish the hair significantly, but it was only temporary. The following year all of it grew back. After that experience, she arranged for genital electrolysis instead.
A competent technician can clear a square inch in about the same time a laser tech requires for treatment of the entire area. It does take about four times as many sessions as laser, but each visit costs much less, so the total expense is actually very similar. If you go once a week, the entire treatment plan is in fact faster than a full course of laser.
The big difference is that electrolysis is utterly reliable. You don’t get the instant gratification that laser provides, but treated hair does not grow back. My tech had at least a 75% success rate on the first pass, two passes and one clean up got everything.
I didn’t find the process unduly painful and did not require numbing cream. The most sensitive spot was the crease between my scrotum and thighs. The taint and scrotum itself were moderate. The penis and mons were very easy, and as a result, were cleared quickly despite the larger area.
My electrolysis was so successful that I’m still bare. In 10 years, I’ve never had more than half a dozen hairs emerge, which I simply pluck out.
While I had my balls done first, I’d suggest starting the the mons. As the largest and easiest area, it quickly makes the most visible difference and is a good warm up for the more sensitive areas. It is important continue beyond the mons though. A properly feminized male should not have any pubic hair.
I’ve read on many bottom surgery informational posts, that permanent hair removal was no longer believed to be necessary.
Then on the other hand, I’ve heard of uncomfortable inward hair growth after surgery. With the high cost of hair removal and pubic hair being coarse and stubbornly resilient, which should you believe or choose. Not to mention the time it would take to become hair free. One might become very old and very poor before meeting the qualifications.
I’ve done both laser hair removal on the face and underarms. The underarms hair is half gone and the hormones makes me he rest grow really slowly so I don’t have to shave very often. The facial hair has been reduced and what is gone is gone. But seance the estrogen injections and micronized progesterone lower it enough I can’t take a testosterone blocker any more or anything to stop it from absorbing. So my testosterone levels of normal at 14 it used to be around 4 to 8. But the new difference has caused some of the facial hair to come back.
The electrolysis is for the surgery down there and it’s taking time but what is gone is gone and hasn’t come back. And yes it takes time and costs more. I’m paying 70 an hour plus 35 to have it numbed. It’s allot faster in permanency because of the hair being picked out after it is treated.