Facial hair after FFS

[Dana Michelle]

Does anyone have any idea how difficult it is to continue electrolysis after going full time? I have to grow my stubble out a bit otherwise it would be difficult for the electrologist to remove it. I've had 176 hours of electrolysis. I've heard it takes on average 200 hours to complete, but with the amount of hair I have left, I expect it to take me 350 hours to complete. The reason I'm asking is that I am planning to have facial feminization surgery, but might look like a bearded woman until I complete. I'm not sure if I should postpone FFS, but I'd really rather not. I've already waited so long, and the longer I wait to go full time, the longer I would have to postpone genital surgery (since there is a requirement to live as female for one year prior to genital surgery). Would bleaching my facial stubble help? I believe it is normal for cisgender women to have a small amount of facial hair, in particular in the moustache area.

[SaraAW]

Yes, lots of cis women have varying degrees of facial hair.  Bleaching is definitely an option to reduce the visibility of the ones electrolysis hasn't taken care of yet.  You can also epilate, it hurts like heck.  Don't wax though, can have serious consequences when done on facial hair.

[Maid In Bedlam]

Dana. I could make it soft fluffy and pink fairy dust it. But in reality its a real pain in the backside.

 

I was already stelth and still going to have electrolysis. I had to pick a Monday and let it grow the two days before so i couldnt go anywhere. also could only do it when it was dark as if i had been seen with a large amount of face fuzz. It would have been quite detremental for my stelth. So I use to drive and have a big scarf wrapped around my face until i was out of my area. Granted once i got to the clinic it was all fine. I suppose they have a a few men and women in the same situation. But in reality is the only way for a permanant removal. I tried laser first. It wouldnt even touch it.

 

But there is a bright to Covid-19 for this. You do not look strange anymore if you wear a face mask. So its much less a chore to hide that 3 days growth.

 

As far as female facial hair is concerned. its mainly peach fuzz. Not like a beard that a guy would have. However there are exceptions but thats few and far between.

 

Bleaching the face hair fore the beard you speak off doesnt work. Its stings like hell and could perhaps burn your skin. I tried it. Thats a non starter really.

 

I cant comment on FFS. I never needed it.

 

Good luck and i hope you have a decent bank balance. Because it isnt cheap. But i guess you know that by now.

 

 

[Sally Stone]

We have a pill for everything these days, so why not one for facial hair?  I'd be all over that prescription!

 

Hugs,

 

Sally

[Jani]

8 hours ago, SaraAW said:

You can also epilate, it hurts like heck.  Don't wax though, can have serious consequences when done on facial hair.

Epilation is like waxing in that it pulls the hair our.  Neither is recommended for facial hair as it is different than eyebrow or body hair.  Besides you run the risk of creating ingrown hairs that can become infected.  Not good.  

 

@Dana Michelle the other concern with FFS and restarting electrolysis is you have to wait until your face is fully healed.  When I had my trach shave I was told no electro for 8 weeks.  I can't imagine you restarting sooner with FFS of any type.   Don't bank on 200 hours or 350 hours.  It will take however long it needs, dependent upon frequency and how thick your hair is.  I had a very light beard and I've already gone over 250 hours.  I had hoped to be finished by now but the shutdown has affected that plan.  There is a bleach product you can buy, probably at a beauty supply house or your hairdresser.  And yes hair is a concern for cis gender women too, particularly as they age.

[KayC]

12 hours ago, SaraAW said:

Bleaching is definitely an option to reduce the visibility of the ones electrolysis hasn't taken care of yet.

Sara -- how do you bleach face/body hair.  I would like to do that for my arm hair which is rather dark. 
btw -- I've tried using papaya on my arms as an natural depilatory.  It seems to have worked a little bit, mostly on the backside of my hands, but laser might be the best best.
Thank you for whatever bleaching info you can provide

Kay 

[SaraAW]

@KCraig Sorry, not really sure.  A former girlfriend used to do this, but I don't know the secret.  She had PCOS and was very self-conscious.  Lost touch years ago or i'd ask her.

[CammieT]

I just had my FFS 10 days ago.   I did it before my face was completely clear.   I've had 12 sessions of laser and quite a few hours of electro, but still have a long way to go.   I just did not want to wait for my FFS, especially when I had an opportunity to get the procedure during the pandemic and have my insurance pay for it!

 

I can tell you that the beard growth under the bandages and now the chin strap is very uncomfortable.  I finally was able to shave it at about day 8.   That was really painful.   Obviously, I wish the timing had been different and that electro was complete before surgery.

The reason isn't as much cosmetic as it is comfort during recovery, if you have chin surgery.

 

That said, I do dread having to grow out sections for upcoming electro sessions.   But since the pandemic started, I have not had a session so I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.   My plan is to only grow out the area to be worked on that week.   My electrologist is VERY fast on the initial clearing, so it should not be too bad.   She thinks she can get me to a place where I let it grow out three days before a session but she can clear most of it.

 

In summary, it might be optimal to have all facial hair removed prior to FFS but it really depends on your situation and there is no right answer.

 

I ended up going full time before FFS even though I had intended to wait until after FFS.   But again, that is also a very personal decision.

[SaraAW]

Thanks for the tip. My bank account is a long ways away from FFS, but I file this for later.  Happy you were able to get your procedure done. Hugs!

[KayC]

Thank you for that advice @CammieT.  I will remember that❣️

[Dana Michelle]

On 5/7/2020 at 8:52 AM, Maid In Bedlam said:

 

As far as female facial hair is concerned. its mainly peach fuzz. Not like a beard that a guy would have. However there are exceptions but thats few and far between.

I know that most ciswomen only have peach fuzz and not beard hair. I know that it is rare for ciswomen to grow a full beard, but I think a significant number of ciswomen grow some beard hair due to hormone imbalances. Also, women seem to have more dense facial hair in the moustache area, so I was hoping that even if I have a significant amount stubble left in the moustache area (but have also had a significant amount removed) it would still not cause me to be outed.

On 5/7/2020 at 8:52 AM, Maid In Bedlam said:

Good luck and i hope you have a decent bank balance. Because it isnt cheap. But i guess you know that by now.

My insurance pays for everything: electrolysis, FFS, breast augmentation and genital surgery. For me, these procedures are not cheap--they're free.

I no longer have a full beard because I have already done a lot of electrolysis (I'm up to 191 hours). I was able to resume electrolysis about a month ago. I still have a lot of hair on my chin and moustache area, but have very little on the rest of my face. Away from my chin and moustache area, they are mostly thin white hairs that are only really noticeable when taking a close look. My FFS will be postponed further because of the lockdown. This means I have to wait even longer but also means I can have more electrolysis done before FFS.

[Dana Michelle]

On 10/5/2020 at 9:44 PM, gina-nicole-t said:

I am in the exact same boat you are in. The electrologist I spoke with seemed totally disinterested in helping me with my face before FFS let alone my genitals for gender confirmation surgery. I will probably feel exactly like you did after a few days after surgery needing to shave and everything. My surgeon wants to perform laser on my face a couple months before surgery and I am all for it. I don't know how much difference it will make, but I hope it will help some. Do you have an opinion on that? I would be interested if you do. 

My understanding is that laser can reduce hair growth but will not kill all hair follicles. It is most likely to work on people with light skin and brown or black hair. It is less likely to work on people with darker skin and red, blonde, or grey hair. I have not done any laser (electrolysis only, 210 hours so far) since I have red hair, so it's unlikely it would have worked for me.

 

I don't know what part of the state you are from but my guess is that you are more likely to find an electrologist enthusiastic about helping you in Seattle, or if you live near one of the borders, Portland, OR or Vancouver, BC.

[Dana Michelle]

The resource locator https://www.transgenderpulse.com/resource-locator/ shows several results in Seattle (the database is supposed to only contain trans-friendly providers but they have a disclaimer that they can only take providers at their word).

 

Does your insurance only pay for specific providers? If the electrologist you found is the only one they will pay for, then I'm not sure there is much you can do (unless you can afford to pay for it yourself). Is the electrologist you contacted not interested in scheduling appointments or is it that she is not willing to see you often enough to get electrolysis finished in a reasonable time?