Nothing boosts a feminine look like a smooth, hair-free face.
For crossdressers and transgender women, facial hair removal is often a top priority. From shaving and waxing to depilatories, there are plenty of options to achieve smooth skin.
But when it comes to your face, permanent hair removal is the ultimate goal. This is especially important for those planning a full MTF transition.
So, what’s the best method for removing facial hair permanently? Should you choose electrolysis, laser hair removal, or an a-home device like IPL?
In this blog post, I’ll break down what works for permanent facial 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.
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 ($599) 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 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.
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 🙂
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.
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.