Nothing will make you feel more feminine than smooth, hair-free skin!
The good news is that there are lots of hair removal options for crossdressers and transgender women, including shaving, waxing, depilatories, etc.
However, the holy grail is permanent hair removal. This is especially true for those planning a full MTF transition.
So, which method is the best option? Should you consider electrolysis, laser hair removal, professional treatments, or DIY devices?
In this blog post, I’ll share what actually works for permanent hair removal – and the pros and cons of each approach.
Electrolysis
First and foremost, electrolysis is considered the only TRULY permanent method of hair removal.
It involves inserting a tiny probe into each hair follicle and using electricity to damage the follicle, preventing hair regrowth.
Because each hair must be treated individually, electrolysis is very time consuming.
It also requires 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 forever.
Laser Hair Removal – Professional
Laser hair removal is the most popular “permanent” hair removal method, but it’s important to know that it’s only FDA approved for hair REDUCTION.
Laser hair removal 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.
This 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. This 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.
Laser Hair Removal – At Home
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.
RECOMMENDED DEVICES:
Many of the products marketed as laser hair removal devices are actually IPL devices (described below).
However, the TRIA Beauty Laser Hair Removal Device 4X ($499) uses the same diode laser technology used in-office by dermatologists.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL is similar to laser hair removal, but it uses a different kind of light. Instead of a concentrated laser beam, IPL uses a broader spectrum of light that isn’t as focused.
Because of this, IPL can cover a larger treatment area, but it takes more sessions since the light is less powerful.
Pros:
- Faster than laser hair removal since it covers a larger area.
- Good availability of at-home devices.
- Usually less painful than laser hair removal.
Cons:
- Requires more sessions compared to laser hair removal.
- More risk of irritation due to the broader light spectrum used.
- Can only be used on lighter skin tones / darker hair tones.
RECOMMENDED DEVICES:
Here are some popular and highly rated at-home IPL hair removal devices:
- Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal System – $303
- Remington iLight Pro Plus Quartz Hair Removal System – $267
- JOVS Venus Pro II Hair Remover – $459
- Silk’n Infinity 400,000 – $399
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? If so, what were your results?
Please take my poll and share in the 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 did laser treatments on my legs, back, stomach and face over a three year period. After 10 years there is still no hair on my legs, chest, back and arms. My face has 80% hair gone. Just the grey ones left. My underarms and private parts are 90% gone. To remove the rest I would have to complete electrolysis which has been very slow and painful even when I use emla cream to numb the skin. I love being smooth and showing off my smooth legs
I’ve been very, lucky as I have little hair on my face and and only a very light fuzz on my legs. To look at my legs they still look bare. I didn’t have much to see on my face until I went into the Air Force and they made me shave. Now after about a week it feels a little rough along the edge of my chin. There is a light shadow on the sides of my face where it tries to grow but a little make up can make it disappear. Still I want those little rough areas to go away.
I have been going for professional laser hair removal on my legs, full leg. I’ve had 7 treatments so far. I go every 4-5 weeks. Each treatment takes 45 – 50 minutes. It makes the hair follicles fall out. I have another apptmt set up, it will probably be my last for full leg, but may need to go back for just my knees. They seem to be more stubborn, the rest of my legs are very soft and smoothe. Cost has been $150 per treatment, plus what I tip.
I didn’t know in advance, but during this process, can’t expose legs to the sun without suntan loation, so can’t tan, also can’t take a hot bath or shower for 48 hrs.
Sometimes she comments on how pretty my colorful, flowery panties are.
On a second course of electrolysis after the first proved rather infective, lightening rather than destroying the hairs and causing them to grow back darker a few months after my “final” session. Now with a second provider who come recommended by NHS so fingers crossed. Supplement this with a handheld epilator pulling weaker hairs out before they have a chance to grow back. Finger crossed
I had considered a gender change after I was divorced in 1990. I used Electrolysis over a four year period and had treatments every other Tuesday until it had removed my entire beard and chest hair. When I met my current wife in 1995 I stopped female hormones and the electrolysis treatments around my genitals. The SRS was abandoned as a future goal so the additional cost and extreme discomfort was avoided. I have used Finasteride for a prostate problem since stopping the hormones and that has caused my breasts to stay as they were, A cup size. So now I am in a gender neutral situation which we found we are happy about.
I’m in total agreement with Kimsey A. One little hair has science baffled. I had electrolysis weekly at $75 for about 15 months until my financial situation could no longer afford it. It helped greatly, reducing the amount and thickness. If you’ve lived many years being able to grow a full beard, getting rid of those little buggers can become so frustrating. I’ve been tweezing them since.
I’ve researched the best at home treatments. I have yet to try but here it is:
IPL + RF is excellent
IPL + carbon dye is excellent
So I’m going to add RF to my quartz IPL and pair that with carbon dye…whenever I have free time to do the mods.
Oh BTW, if anyone tries 1 2 or 3, it’s best to have a wax prior to get at the follicles directly, otherwise you’re wasting energy (and your time) heating hairs.
I have benefitted from laser treatments in the past. I am somewhat lucky in my genetics, in that I never did have much if a beard, just a little around the chin and and my legs have always been hair free! So I think I only had around 30 or laser sessions. I am now free of any hair! I love it since I live now 24/7 as a female. Life is good! Also, I’m 73, so I think any hair growth is also minimal at my age. Here I am the other day out shopping!