Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Shaving your head or...???


ShawnaLeigh

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, Kate Carter said:


I recommend avoiding the camera...  there’s a lot going against you with the camera...

First, none of us are comfortable seeing an image of ourselves that is not a mirror image.  You can flip the photo in editing to help overcome that. Second, the camera is not an eyeball... it translates a 3d object into 2d images and the distortion that occurs as a result (especially at selfie distances) can often be unflattering to some of your least favorite features. Taking your pictures through a mirror can help due to the longer distance to subject.  Finally, it’s also incredibly harsh with response to light,  so unless you are good at lighting,  you’re likely to be disappointed over and over again with the way light and shadow is highlighting features and textures on your face...

This thread has captivated me. And @Jackie C., this is so true! I took photography and digital photography courses in art school. And one of tje fundamental things I learned is that it doesn't copy the nature of what the eyes see. Rather it is an impression or translation of light onto medium. Kinda like how audio recordings are a linear harmonic rich signal translated from the complex, multi-timbral sources of the sound of origin being recorded. Anyway, I'm nerding out now... It takes me along time to take a selfie I'm content with. Such dysmorphia. 

 

I'm pretty blessed to have a full head of hair (sorry not trting to rub it in), though my hairline was at the start of transitioning and is a bit gentlemenly receeded (it'd be handsome if I was a guy I guess, lol). I'm hopeful hrt will prevent any further balding, I'm pretty confident about it anyway. So take what I have to say with a grain of salt... 

 

As a guy I used to worry of going bald. I developed a habit of occasionally massaging my scalp, and thoroughly when shampooing. Circulation is key. Also being heart healthy ia beneficial to hair health. 

 

Buzzing your hair stimulates the follicles. Sometimes I'd buzz my head to kickstart a growth period. If you are confident your androgens (particularly dihydrotestosterone (the toxic one)) are down, and your hair is already short (like little more than a buzz, like not so long you'd be sad to buzz it), it might be beneficial in the long run to buzz it. Don't do it if you feel like you'll regret it though... 

 

Also, I NEVER have or do wear hats. I always worried it would encourage balding (because circulation and not allowing the hair to breath). I've noticed a lot of guys who are balding or are already bald wear hats and caps, I presune because of being self conscious about it. So by my logic wearing headwear excessively could potentially induce baldness and should therefore be avoided. I can't help but think there's something to this. Anyway, I don't know if wigs fit tight or suffocate one's head like hats, I've never tried wearing one. I guess my advice is find one that's comfortable, doesnt chafe, and breathes... 

 

~Toni

Link to comment
7 hours ago, Kate Carter said:


I recommend avoiding the camera...  there’s a lot going against you with the camera...

First, none of us are comfortable seeing an image of ourselves that is not a mirror image.  You can flip the photo in editing to help overcome that. Second, the camera is not an eyeball... it translates a 3d object into 2d images and the distortion that occurs as a result (especially at selfie distances) can often be unflattering to some of your least favorite features. Taking your pictures through a mirror can help due to the longer distance to subject.  Finally, it’s also incredibly harsh with response to light,  so unless you are good at lighting,  you’re likely to be disappointed over and over again with the way light and shadow is highlighting features and textures on your face. 
 

I used to take pictures all the time and once in a blue moon,  I liked one.  Usually the best was a studio setup and lighting and shooting on a long focal length zoomed in (less distortion).  So laborious though,  but usually they were the best pictures of myself, male or female.  I just walked away from it,  because too often it left me a dysphoric mess.  

Well I admit to not being a photographer.  I own two cameras and they are both in one iPhone. Lol

i have plans to get some makeup training and a photo shoot soon.  Which I am very excited about.  Then we will see what’s what.  

Link to comment

I do know that most of the good selfies are usually angled and above slightly because the full frontal or lower down laptop angle is just so unflattering and no one wants to see up your nostrils ? I think photos other people take are usually better though, I am a fan of natural smiles and movement over posed shots. ?

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Well,  I broke down and shaved my hair today.  Down to 1/2”.  Thought I’d be sad,  but I’m pretty happy with it,  it was a mess and now it looks pretty good.  I’m still a bit flabbergasted about how much hair has returned to an otherwise bald head.  It’s true that thinning hair looks better short than long... my hair looks much fuller at this length than it did at almost combover length.  Might try again later if more hair returns.  The clincher for me was the Oscars,  strangely enough.  I’ve been on HRT for 16 months,  but still present male for the foreseeable future,  just content right now, and Jon’s and family and stuff...  Anyways,  watching the Oscars and Brad Pitt thinking, “That’s the hair I want”, but then the thinning Al Pacino with long hair, looking strangely like a Klingon came onscreen and I thought, “But, that’s the hair I have”.  Cut it off immediately that evening. ?. Settled for a poor man’s Matthew Fox in Lost vibe.

Still hopeful for another attempt later if hair keeps coming back.  Might try microneedling with PRP to see if it helps.

Link to comment

Hey Ladies this thread is amazing..For the longest time I thought I was the only one going through this, dealing with my bald spot. I been on HRt for 15month, my doc start me on finasteride about 6month ago. My hair has really grown but not on my bald spot which is the back of my head...I use wigs but lately I just given up  started wearing a cap or hat....My bald spot just keeps reminding me that I am still a man, it super Depressing and like I mention earlier, I literally though I was the only one. I see some of yr pics and you al have amazing hair and skin and all the TG woman I know have long beautiful hair. I fig I was just one of the unlucky once. I am happy but sadden at the same time. I just wish this transition was easier for all of us. My profile pic is what I look with a cheap wig and cheap make up, However, every girl on this thread has amazing hair or exp wigs and you all are so beautiful...just wish I look more you ladies..

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
5 hours ago, Alex C said:

Hey Ladies this thread is amazing..For the longest time I thought I was the only one going through this, dealing with my bald spot. I been on HRt for 15month, my doc start me on finasteride about 6month ago. My hair has really grown but not on my bald spot which is the back of my head...I use wigs but lately I just given up  started wearing a cap or hat....My bald spot just keeps reminding me that I am still a man, it super Depressing and like I mention earlier, I literally though I was the only one. I see some of yr pics and you al have amazing hair and skin and all the TG woman I know have long beautiful hair. I fig I was just one of the unlucky once. I am happy but sadden at the same time. I just wish this transition was easier for all of us. My profile pic is what I look with a cheap wig and cheap make up, However, every girl on this thread has amazing hair or exp wigs and you all are so beautiful...just wish I look more you ladies..

 

I think we all envy each other. We're our own harshest critics. 

 

Right now I envy any of you girls that can shower. Spend an extra five minutes just enjoying the water today? For me?

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
7 hours ago, Kate Carter said:

It’s true that thinning hair looks better short than long... my hair looks much fuller at this length than it did at almost combover length.  

I totally agree with this so I too have gone back to my typical military length hair cut.  The one my wife likes.  But I do it more now because wearing a wig all day long is not as much of a trail as it was when I was trying to grow it out.

 

5 hours ago, Alex C said:

My bald spot just keeps reminding me that I am still a man, it super Depressing and like I mention earlier, I literally though I was the only one.

I so feel you in this and no hon you are definitely not the only one.  I was trying to go natural with no wig and I felt wrong going that to one at first.  I felt shy and somewhat embarrassed to wear iit around my wife but now see the positives far out weigh the negatives.

I wore my wig every second from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening and I felt so me it was truly amazing. OK not sleeping but you know what I mean.  However I felt a massive loss when I took it off Sunday evening knowing I was going into a full week of guy mode again.

 

5 hours ago, Alex C said:

I see some of yr pics and you al have amazing hair and skin and all the TG woman I know have long beautiful hair. I fig I was just one of the unlucky once.

Don't be fooled by some of these pics.  Makeup and filter and camera angles do a LOT of magic and a wig can make a half way decent looking guy look beautiful.  (Which I feel is my case.  LOL)

Most of my profile pics are from FaceApp though you would be amazed that I am having a hard time getting FaceApp to work for me now.  It swaps me over to an older beared guy pic now.  LOL

I plan to get a full makeover and phote shoot this Friday and then to post the real Shawna very soon. If I look ok that is.

Stay tuned!

Link to comment
34 minutes ago, Jackie C. said:

Right now I envy any of you girls that can shower. Spend an extra five minutes just enjoying the water today? For me?

I will try but really don't want to be thinking of JackieC while in the shower.  LOL

Jk.  Love Ya!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
3 hours ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

I will try but really don't want to be thinking of JackieC while in the shower.  LOL

Jk.  Love Ya!

 

Way to make a girl feel pretty Shawna. ?

 

Of course I look... and smell... like something that washed up from the big about now.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

Lol, my showers are too long already.  I'll be kicked out of the house if they get any longer.    Shawna, always hated the evenings and taking my hair off, but what the heck, I have to take my face off too, might as well go the full distance.

 

I realized at some point that my hair is never going to look as good and styled as some of my nice wigs anyways, so growing it out, thin or not, would have been an appearance downgrade.

 

Certainly not putting any untouched photos of my skin on here, I don't know many women that do though of my cis girlfriends, so seems fair.  My highlight of transition so far is when I regularly fool face app to defaulting that I am a woman.  I use it for skin touch up, if I ever use it... (since I largely avoid the camera now). I find the gender swap features are a bit extreme, changes my actual face structure rather than just removing complexion problems... though it does make me a pretty decent looking guy with facial hair.  ?

Link to comment
4 hours ago, Kate Carter said:

I find the gender swap features are a bit extreme

Agreed.  It does not even come close to looking like me after the swap.  Or didn’t before when I used it.  Now it’s useless as it swaps my pic to a guy photo.  
meh.  It was fun.  
 

Link to comment

Shawna your pic is my one fav. Your MkUp, hair ,everything is on point. I am super jealous. Jackie ..I used to be homeless, so I never really got used to long shower, even now...just dose not feel right. however, just for u I will take 10min shower..Kate ty 4 sharing.. hugs and lv 2 all

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Alex C said:

Shawna your pic is my one fav. Your MkUp, hair ,everything is on point.

Thank you for saying this.  It makes me smile and I appreciate it.  I need more smiles lately.

Love

Shawna

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
Guest Deleted account

I have the same thinning hair problem, and decided long ago that I would be wearing wigs. When I first transitioned, I wanted long hair because I thought it might make me look more feminine, but as you move along in your transition you realize long wigs are simply a pain in the ass and very hot in the summer. I transitioned to shorter wigs about 10 years ago and found that they actually are more flattering on me and are much easier to care for. Mine has an adjustable cap front and back with velcro straps, and once on, even a strong gust of wind will not blow it off.   

Link to comment
  • 3 years later...

I’m bald also and have been wearing wigs for a long time.   A few things I’ve learned.

 

I’m not fully transitioned yet, but when I go fulltime, I want to pass as cis, so I wear top quality human hair.   Human hair lasts 3-4 times as long as synthetic.   Mine are remy hair.   That kind of hair does NOT tangle because it still has the cutical.  It’s also hand tied.  That means the hair will move around naturally.  And you can style like it’s bio hair with curling irons

 

Get a front lace wig.  It looks like a real hairline.   Then I glue the front down with hairpiece adhesive, and use hairpiece tape to adhere the nape and earpieces.   It stays on under all conditions.   Even swimming.   The adhesive needs to cure a day to be waterproof.  You can then take showers, swim, etc.

 

A wig like this can be worn for many days straight.   Just wear it for two weeks, take it off and switch to a duplicate.  Before you switch you need to take care of your scalp.   The first wig can then be cleaned.   


Cis women with alopecia wear their wigs like this.  Google alopecia.

 

Problem is this is real expensive.   I buy mine from wigs.com or wilshire.com.   Regular price for mine is $2,200.  I buy mine when there is a 30% off sale.   For me it’s worth it.   It’d just like I grew bio hair.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

Link to comment

For complexion problems I use retinol and vitamin C serum.   People have commented on my skin and I’m not on hrt.

Link to comment
  • 4 weeks later...
On 12/18/2023 at 3:14 PM, Rishaya said:

Problem is this is real expensive.   I buy mine from wigs.com or wilshire.com.   Regular price for mine is $2,200.  I buy mine when there is a 30% off sale.   For me it’s worth it.   It’d just like I grew bio hair.

Well, exactly. I live on a low income here in the UK and I can really only afford the lowest price ones. Still, they're not so terrible and of course far better than they used to be. There are more pressing aspects of my femininity that I need to work on. I wonder what other low-income MtT people do?

Link to comment

I couldn't afford this either.  My natural hair is shoulder length, but mostly bald on top.  If I wear a hat or something similar it just looks kinda scraggly.  Mostly I wear relatively inexpensive wigs.  I don't really pass well anyway, but they make me feel better when I see myself in a reflection.

I just brush my hair up on top, and put the wig on over it.  They stay on pretty well, but I'm not real active anyway.

The ones I wear I got in a local wig store.  We don't realize how many cis women wear them.

Link to comment

I'm on low income as well. I spent $220 Au on a heat resistant synthetic wig recently. It was worth the extra cost over my previous purchase of $85 Au. Early days but it seems to not get frizzy like the cheaper one - so buy the best you can afford is my go-to. 

 

My natural hair is very fine on top - it might improve with time - I did attempt to scalp myself running under stairs, so it may be too damaged for the miracles of HRT and AA's to restore

 

Hugs

 

MaybeRob

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.4k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,025
    • Most Online
      8,356

    JamesyGreen
    Newest Member
    JamesyGreen
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Anyatimenow
      Anyatimenow
      (23 years old)
    2. Aria00
      Aria00
    3. Ava B.
      Ava B.
      (24 years old)
    4. Claire Heshi
      Claire Heshi
    5. CrystalMatthews0426
      CrystalMatthews0426
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • violet r
      I firmly believe I drank entirely to much for about 25 years. Got drunk every day. This was my coping mechanism to keep hiding deep inside that I was a woman. I miss a lot of signs over the years. Now I drink mabye 1 or 2 beers a day don't even get a buzz anymore. totally accept myself and on regret is that I hide that part of my self which  truly makes me happy being violet 💜. I wasted a lot of time before  being self destructive and had no clue I was just hiding th real me
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Service manager at goes through that here.One was a belt change in a 2019 Kenworth.It was written on the work order including a service done and I seen it.Customer was a complete a-hole.I did it and said he did not want that done.Shown him the original work order and finally said the service manager was right.My boss had to get rid of two customers,always complained about their bill being a little high.Price of parts went up due to inflation and had to explain this to them
    • Tiffany 838
      Well it not morning and I haven’t been on her for a while but it’s nice to be back.  Did some catching up on everyone.  I do have a question, how is Toronto Canada for a get away? Is it a safe and friendly area for us to go.  The wife and I are looking for some where to go to allow me to be my true self.     thanks in advance
    • KymmieL
      Hey, everyone. my life is going down the tubes. at least I think. So, today. A customer called about his car, I told him that the oil change was done. The parts to fix the check engine light are ordered. He can come and get it. For the weekend if he wants. Customer says I didn't want an oil change. it was check the engine light and check for an oil leak. Checking the work order says oil change. The boss wrote the vehicle up. checking with the customer on services wanted.   Being that I wrote down the appointment in the book. and clearly states oil leak. She is complaining because she can't read my small ish writing. It seems she read oil and assumed it as an oil change. It seems like she is blaming me.  She wound up going home because she was too upset. She is stressing about an eye problem she has, she has to get eye surgery it seems she has a tear in her eye.    I feel that I am short for this job. because of the BS they are blaming me on. Plus I am still upset about the trust issue. If either one of the bosses start their Shite tomorrow. I am walking out.    
    • Davie
    • Abigail Genevieve
      "I love you so much,"  Lois said.  They met in the driveway. "I could not live without you." "Neither could I." "What are we going to do?" "Find another counselor?" "No. I think we need to solve this ourselves." "Do you think we can?" "I don't know.  But what I know is that I don't want to go through that again.  I think we have to hope we can find a solution." "Otherwise, despair." "Yeah.   Truce?" "Okay,  truce." And they hugged.   "When we know what we want we can figure out how to get there."   That began six years of angry battles, with Odie insisted he could dress as he pleased and Lois insisting it did not please her at all.  He told her she was not going to control him and she replied that she still had rights as a wife to a husband. Neither was willing to give in, neither was willing to quit, and their heated arguments ended in hugs and more.   They went to a Crossdressers' Club, where they hoped to meet other couples with the same problems, the same conflicts, and the same answers, if anyone had any.  It took them four tries before they settled on a group that they were both willing to participate in.  This was four couples their own age, each with a cross dressing husband and a wife who was dealing with it.  They met monthly.  It was led by a 'mediator' who wanted people to express how they felt about the situation.  Odie and Lois, as newcomers, got the floor, and the meeting was finally dismissed at 1:30 in the morning - it was supposed to be over at 10 - and everyone knew how they felt about the situation.   There was silence in the car on the way home.   "We aren't the only ones dealing with this." Odie finally said.   "Who would have thought that?  You are right."   "Somebody out there has a solution." "I hope you are right."   "I hope in hope, not in despair."   "That's my Odie."    
    • Abigail Genevieve
      The counseling session was heated, if you could call it a counseling session.  Sometimes Lois felt he was on Odie's side, and sometimes on hers.  When he was on her side, Odie got defensive. She found herself being defensive when it seemed they were ganging up on each other.   "This is not working," Lois said angrily, and walked out.  "Never again. I want my husband back. Dr. Smith you are complicit in this."   "What?" said Odie.   The counselor looked at him.  "You will have to learn some listening skills."   "That is it? Listening skills?  You just destroyed my marriage, and you told me I need to learn listening skills?"   Dr. Smith said calmly,"I think you both need to cool off."   Odie looked at him and walked out, saying "And you call yourself a counselor."   "Wait a minute."   "No."
    • Ashley0616
      Just a comfortable gray sweater dress and some sneakers. Nothing special today. 
    • VickySGV
      I do still carry a Swiss Army knife along with my car keys.  
    • Timi
      Jeans and a white sweater. And cute white sneakers. Delivering balloons to a bunch of restaurants supporting our LGBT Community Center fundraiser today!
    • April Marie
      Congratulations to you!!!This is so wonderful!!
    • missyjo
      I've no desire to present androgynous..nothing wrong with it but I am a girl n wish to present as a girl. shrugs, if androgynous works fir others good. always happy someone finds a solution or happiness    today black jeans  black wedges..purple camisole under white n black polka dot blouse half open   soft smile to all 
    • MaeBe
      I have read some of it, mostly in areas specifically targeted at the LGBTQ+ peoples.   You also have to take into account what and who is behind the words, not just the words themselves. Together that creates context, right? Let's take some examples, under the Department of Health & Human Services section:   "Radical actors inside and outside government are promoting harmful identity politics that replaces biological sex with subjective notions of “gender identity” and bases a person’s worth on his or her race, sex, or other identities. This destructive dogma, under the guise of “equity,” threatens American’s fundamental liberties as well as the health and well-being of children and adults alike."   or   "Families comprised of a married mother, father, and their children are the foundation of a well-ordered nation and healthy society. Unfortunately, family policies and programs under President Biden’s HHS are fraught with agenda items focusing on “LGBTQ+ equity,” subsidizing single-motherhood, disincentivizing work, and penalizing marriage. These policies should be repealed and replaced by policies that support the formation of stable, married, nuclear families."   From a wording perspective, who doesn't want to protect the health and well-being of Americans or think that families aren't good for America? But let's take a look at the author, Roger Severino. He's well-quoted to be against LGBTQ+ anything, has standard christian nationalist views, supports conversion therapy, etc.   So when he uses words like "threatens the health and well-being of children and adults alike" it's not about actual health, it's about enforcing cis-gendered ideology because he (and the rest of the Heritage Foundation) believe LGBTQ+ people and communities are harmful. Or when he invokes the family through the lens of, let's just say dog whistles including the "penalization of marriage" (how and where?!), he idealizes families involving marriage of a "biological male to a biological female" and associates LGBTQ+ family equity as something unhealthy.   Who are the radical actors? Who is telling people to be trans, gay, or queer in general? No one. The idea that there can be any sort of equity between LGBTQ+ people and "normal" cis people is abhorrent to the author, so the loaded language of radical/destructive/guise/threaten are used. Families that he believes are "good" are stable/well-ordered/healthy, specifically married/nuclear ones.   Start looking into intersectionality of oppression of non-privileged groups and how that affects the concept of the family and you will understand that these platitudes are thinly veiled wrappers for christian nationalist ideology.   What's wrong with equity for queer families, to allow them full rights as parents, who are bringing up smart and able children? Or single mothers who are working three jobs to get food on plates?
    • Ashley0616
      Well yesterday didn't work like I wanted to. I met a guy and started talking and he was wanting to be in a relationship. I asked my kids on how they thought of me dating a man and they said gross and said no. I guess it's time to look for women. I think that is going to be harder. Oh well I guess.  
    • Ashley0616
      I don't have anything in my dress pocket
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...