Shaving (face)

[Guest Daisyxx]

So I recently got a job at a workplace where everyone only knows me as female which is pretty great. The downside to full time employment though for me has turned out to be shaving.

Until about a month ago I was studying at university where I also presented as female. I only had a four day week at university and there weren't really any consequences to not showing up for lessons. Shaving was an irritant but because I only had to do it four days a week (and I could even take a day off if I needed to) it wasn't really the end of the world. Now though I'm in five days a week and days off for a sore face aren't really an option. By Wednesday my face is cut to ribbons and by Friday morning I'm just a wreck having to numb my face with ice prior to shaving to get through it.

As well as being painful and time consuming this is pretty much ruining my social life as lots of the hair has grown back by the evenings and I couldn't possibly bring myself to shave again before leaving the house at night. It also means I'm house bound in male-mode over the weekend while I give my damaged face a little recovery time before the cycle starts again.

To be honest I didn't expect this to have as big an impact as it's having and I'm not really sure how I should handle it. Eventually I want to get electrolysis (though I'm concerned as I hear you have to let the hair grow for several days prior to treatment which isn't an option for me at all) but for now I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to stop shaving from hurting me so much. A close shave is still the main concern for me but if you know of a way to get smooth skin without a blood coated razor (or a way to speed up healing) I'll be eternally grateful.

Thanks everyone!

[Guest]

Hi! Lacking certain more specfic information I can only tell what works for me in hopes you glean something.

I have been on HRT for over two years and living female just as long. I so hate to shave daily. Is seems so wrong for a girl to do. Many of my CIS sisters have facial hair problems so we are not really alone. Shaving is a total annoyance none the less. I seldom if ever go out in public with stubble, but may times without make-up. I can tell you that presentation, conversation, mannerisms play a far greater role than detecting facial hair. They see a girl, they talk to a girl, they know she's a girl. Facial hair is only critical without the other girl cues. Now more to the problem. If you can let your face heal for a day or two then maybe try this:

I start in the morning by cleaning my facial hair (yes, it used to be a beard. Giggle.) with rubbing alcohol to strip out as much oils as possible. Then I take a very hot bubble bath, washing my face again with baby shampoo. Next I use a sharp four blade safety razor, gently shaving in four directions. Personally I don't look in a mirror while doing it as that is emotionally painful. I use my sense of touch to clearly know it's smooth and what's not. If I need to be concerned with no five o'clock shadows past fifteen hours, I take a second step and do a facial with a green clay mask, that will really stand up any oil free stubble after it is washed off. Then shave again. Daily life does not require that step just special long engagements. Out of the bath I check for any missed stops which is almost never a problem.

I usually make-up by first using Dermablend concealer. It is designed for people with scars, or other unusual skin pigmentation issues. I just rub it in on problem areas, not all over my face. Next I add streaks of red or orange rouge or lipstick to the concealer and rub it in to give a slight rosatia look. That cures any dark tones. Then I cover my face with foundation to even my facial skin tone. From there I apply whatever usual make-up for what ever effects I want.

For a light summer look, I do the same treatment only on the needed areas and just a light foundation on the lower part of my face. Maybe just a bit of eyeliner, or not and I'm on my way. Shaving in four directions clears the hair without irritation. Cutting capable pressures are not desired or needed. Just enjoy your bubble bath, smooth face and pretty smiles. It works for me. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest April.]

I hate shaving also, im not yet full time so its not quite as bad for me in terms of others perception, although i despise what i see in the mirror, and i have a similair problem but only shave every second day unless really needed, but as i said i am not full time.

Hot water is not at all good for your skin,it will not cleanse better, nor give a closer shave. You should always cleanse, tone, cleanse again, tone. it is a very good idea to exfoliate a few times a week and yes masks are also good too. the importance of cleansing twice is the first lifts away really only whats on the surface, the second helps to clean the pores. hot water is a no no, yes it opens the pores but your only putting crap back in when you rinse. your pores will stretch, leaving them open and making it easier for dirt to get in. The real key though, is exfoliating. it is also a good idea to get a skin analysis done by a beauty therapist, who can tell you your skin type and the best skin care routine for you. it will not so much change from what i have said but will recommend products best suited to your skin type.

propee care of the skin will help with the shave a lot. cool to warm water only, and as little pressure on the razor as possible.

April.

[Guest nomnomnom]

Is it possible to get laser done on your hair type? You don't need to let it grow out except a rule of shaving it 24hrs before treatment

mind you, it does make your face very red afterwards and possibly gives you hives for a few days. Depends how thick the hair is. You can also use antihistamines before and after to reduce the effects.

[Guest Edina]

I use an electric shaver, specifically a Wahl "super close shaver/shaper" with dual heads. This cleans up my face on a par with razor and shave gel without as much irritation. I also found a tip on this, or another, forum and I started to put stick antiperspirant on right after shaving and it has kept me from getting all the red spots of shaving irritation when I started sweating (it got me through the hottest summer days without any sign of those nasties, and it also eases the general feeling of gentle irritation immediately following the shave even on the spots that don't break out) and since I have not had any irritation/skin damage, it's not problem to shave again in the evening. After a little while of letting the skin ease up and the antiperspirant to soak in I then proceed to applying foundation and makeup.

[Guest SJH]

Hi, I was wondering if you could be clean shaven on the day of laser treatment. IE no stubble at all and the treatment still working. Since I'm full-time for just under a year and three quarters growing stubble (no matter how little) is no longer practical

[Guest April.]

Yes, you need to be clean shaven for laser.

[Guest Melissa~]

I use a fusion razor for shaving, it works for me... I have wrapped up laser treatments on my face having seemingly reach very low efficacy.

I'm into pure electrolysis for the remainder of my facial hair. Yes it's brutal to grow my hair, and yes it results in people noticing. It just has to be done...For better or worse I transitioned on the job and everyone there knows me and has at least a gist of some of the treatments happening so going into a couple days growth then rash from electrolysis is something they have seen before. It bothers me much more in public.

I do hope to have the whole facial hair process wrapped up sometime next year. It would be nice to start new employment in a new area without the baggage of ongoing treatment to deal with. If/when it's disclosed that I have a trans history at a future job it'll be just that, a history.