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 am doing laser at a klinik at the moment, when the laser has taken all it can, I will switch to Electrolysis to get rid of the last of the air.
it is costly, but I am full time now and I really have to get rid of that damn beard
First I’m known as Jessica . And the only thing I’ve tried was the liquid veet.
Shaving is “Mostly” my method but Veet does a better job however it burns–
yess I’ve tried hair removal creams the one’s i used only work temporary then tried shaving both methods only last for short period of time as for other’s you’ve mentioned no i haven’t cause can’t afford those or know where go i do know when my legs are shaved their sexy looking other part’s of my body i can’t reach or see to shave them
I did it all, and one electrologist knew her stuff, and eliminated the hair in two sessions. She was from the UK, and licensed. She left the area. Bummer! The other one, also licensed, went over my upper lip and chin every week for 26 sessions, and it was still growing back. I had to cancel the ones after that, as they were not working at all. I tried Braun Epil Pro, and that works for about a week, but always grows back. It’s a good idea to be careful with the dipilatory creams, as those can cause allergic reactions, and some have a delayed effect. I looked like I had a bad sunburn on my upper lip and chin for a while, and discontinued those. I know a lot of women use tweezers on the upper lip, and I do these days as well. It keeps it under control. I also used the Silk’n flashie thingie, the one with the 400,000 flashes, and after 3 months the hair is a little bit finer, but still there. That is after DAILY use. So count that as 90 applications without effect. Now, I am blond, but the roots are visibly darker, so that is not a factor. They do absorb the energy, and you can smell burnt hair when using, and the skin is warm afterwards.
So I am still looking for a really, really good electrologist. You wouldn’t think a dozen hairs can be a problem, but when people notice it, it BECOMES a big problem. The other standard excuse is hormone levels, but mine are at a perimenopausal level. Not great, but not bad either. The other women I speak to have the same problem, and they’re in their 40’s and 50’s, so it’s probably age related. I am in south Spain, so if Margo can say where the clinic is located, I would consider going there.
I would like to add the Newest method of permanent epilation that is number one in our area. I’s Elos Epilation as combined technology of lazer and photo epilation. The average price of one session is 60 USD. It takes 8-10 times to every area of the face. This technology is much less painful than electrolysis and uses two types of rays -short and long. Cosmetologist must be a doctor of medicine in this sphere. So in our area it’s only Clinicks from France or Spain who are the Inventor of this method. The specific of this method is hair removal intensive but not complete on the 10-th day after epilation. I had 14 session before I ‘ve got some problems with non-stable heart-beat and had to stop another sessions. But the result I have now allows me to shave the rest of the hair on my face very fast till the condition of the ice of the skate-rink when I touch the face.
Hi Margo, fascinating! It’s great to know about this new technique. Thank you for sharing – it sounds very promising.
I have been on HRT for several years and have noticed my facial hair is very fine now. I still shave every day but it used to take me a little while with taking a stroke and rinsing the razor. Now I can do it in less than a minute and only have to rinse when I am finished.
Although I am blessed with some significant feminine assets, I have a very heavy natural beard. I tried laser hair removal and obtained some very positive results, to a point. I obtained a great deal of facial hair reduction on the sides of the face and the neck. Not 100% even in those regions, but the results seem permanent after a stopping laser for over a year. In the areas above the lip, below, and the chin, the hair is much more stubborn, unfortunately, leaving a kind of telltale male mask. I have started electrolysis and have done 11 treatments thus far. The area above the upper lip is almost clear. Once that has been scorched off the plan is to go for the area below the lower lip. The chin will follow that. With electrolysis it is best to concentrate on an achievable area so the technician can go over the same area to harvest it until it is done. I believe the results are permanent, but that does not mean there is permanent removal of everything the first time through an area. It is hellishly painful, enough to make me cry the first few sessions, although I seem to have gotten inured to it somewhat over time. I also find that it causes redness and swelling, but this is only for a day or so. It helps to put something soothing on it, like aloe vera gel, and to ice it right away. Personally, I think it is worth it.
Hi, Girls. Here are a few of my observations:
I am still doing electrolysis. It’s slow, has to be repeated a few times to be permanent, due to follicles in dormant cycles being missed in initial treatments. But once done, there you are, after years and $.
Some comments have been posted on regular waxing OR sugaring. That could be a reasonable option if you don’t mind regular visits. You might want to view it similarly to manicures or other beauty visits. Of course if you are on an expedition to remote wilds for months, it could get weird…
So, not having completed electrolysis, I still shave some. I want to share something you may not have noticed. My hair is light, so I was puzzled by beard shadow which I shouldn’t have. I finally found that washing or just damp cloth wiping after shaving eliminated it. An electric shaver creates very tiny metal particles that can linger, looking like beard shadow. Such a feeling of power, to be able to wipe it off. Maybe that will work for some of you.
I’ve heard over and over, even voiced it myself, regret that electrolysis wasn’t started YEARS ago. So if it’s somewhere on your horizon, it’s best to start ASAP.
Best wishes for success to you all.