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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I want to buy hormones because i prefer to be a woman. I like to wear only pencil skirts
I like to use ‘Nair’ coupled with shaving but this only works for a few days. I don’t have back hair and very little leg hair so that is not a problem. Chest and abdomen must be shaved daily but this is not really a problem for me. Mostly I just do this for my own femininity. It’s all just part of my personal routine and I like that.
Pale skin, light blue eyes, ash blonde with red-blonde beard, I have not yet discovered any thing, besides a blade razor, that will remove the whispy hairs I have. I have tried laser, electrolysis & dozens of creams.
Waxing gives wonderful results for the longest amount of time between treatments…I love my skin to be silky smooth n creamy with a nice lotion…
I tried ‘Deepline’ Hair removal creme which worked so-so. Then i tried Veet`s silky&fresh. I can only recommend the latter one.My groin area feels so smooth and soft.I am so happy.
Hello,
Yes, I have tried it all over the years. But incredible as it sounds the finasteride I have been taking over the past several years has prevented the hair on my legs and arms from growing back.. smooth as silk.
I take Finasteride so I looked it up on the internet. It seems to retard hair growth ( slowing down balding ) according to what I read. So, I found it interesting that it appears to prevent body hair growth for you. I guess I am conflicted by these contradictory solutions regarding hair growth. Hair growth on my legs seems to have been reduced but not so on my arms. Anyway, what you say is interesting.
Mistake in my comment above:
I take Finasteride so I looked it up on the internet. It seems to prevent male hair loss ( slow down balding ) according to what I read. So, I found it interesting that it appears to prevent body hair growth for you. I guess I am conflicted by these contradictory solutions regarding hair growth. Hair growth on my legs seems to have been reduced but not so on my arms. Anyway, what you say is interesting.
Hello,
Here is what I think may have happened.
When I started finasteride 6 years ago, I still had to shave or use a cream hair remover every few weeks. The hair would grow back more sparsely and finer each time until it was gone. It was also interesting the way the hair disappeared from below the knee gradually upward to the waist. The same thing happened with my arms. It has not grown back now for over 2 years.
The chest and underarm hair is also almost gone now too.
So, the finasteride may have turned off the hair regrowth and/or I was pre-wired to be female 🙂
I can definitely relate to the comments for the “older” ladies out there who have posted. I am also 73. I have always been naturally gifted with very little facial or body hair. However, I did partake a few years ago in some laser treatments for a light stubble in my chin. I find also that as I get older, I hardly ever have to shave my legs now. I hardly ever wear pantyhose or nylons now, unless I’m going to a special event. I just don’t need them that much anymore! Here I am a couple of months ago in some new lingerie I bought.
I have been on an estrogen regimen, a form of HRT cuz I take female hormone supplements (estrogen, progesterone and other female hormones) and a testosterone blocker (spironolactone, aka spiro or spirno). My diet also promotes my estrogen levels and I consume fennel, fenugreek, raw wild red yam and other things to promote my estrogen levels. I do eat chicken and fish for meat and other foods that promote estrogen and avoid beef and other red meats that promote testosterone.
My body and facial hair has not completely gone away but has decreased significantly. I do not mind shaving my armpits, legs and my butt crack cuz those are womanly things to to do. I do shave parts of my pubic area. I do tuck and glue using surgical glue/adhesive to make me look like a woman in the groin and this is an all time thing. I do want to have pubic hair down there but I only shave or wax the parts that will be glued. When I am done doing my tuck down there I do have that female gap at the juncture of my thighs. My tuck lasts for about 5 days before I re-do it and do a little maintenance on that area. My husband likes me going through the efforts of making myself as a feminine woman.
My estrogen regimen does make me feminine and womanly and has also developed my natural hormone induced C cup breasts. I do have boobs that bounce and jiggle as I walk.
I did have one Brazilian wax and OMG! I do not know if I want to do that again or not.
My personal physician has told me that with my diminishing testosterone that estrogen is the main hormone ruling my body. What more can a ‘woman’ ask for.
Shaving is a drag, but it all depends on:
How much bodyhair you have
How much you want it gone
How much money you want to spend
And, last but not least, your age.
As i am in my seventies now, i don’t want to spent my little money on vanity.
( sorry girls) so i stick to using a tondeuse and electric or wet shaving.
I try yo make it part of the fun of dressing up, especially when i want to dress up specially for some event.
Love to you all.