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
  • Who's Online   2 Members, 0 Anonymous, 76 Guests (See full list)

    • Hannah Renee
    • KathyLauren
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      767.2k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,944
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Melissa_J
    Newest Member
    Melissa_J
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Amyjay
      Amyjay
      (58 years old)
    2. bettyjean
      bettyjean
    3. Breanna
      Breanna
      (52 years old)
    4. Emily Ayla
      Emily Ayla
    5. JET182
      JET182
  • Posts

    • Willow
      Good Friday Morning    I will be spending a good portion of my day at church today.  I don’t know how any of my family would have been with me.  They all passed before I figured myself out.  I often think my mother and sister may have figured it out before I did but maybe it was just my depression that they saw.  I don’t know and never will.  My grandfather Young unconditionally loved me but he passed when I was 9.   Same with my wife’s parents, both gone before.  We’ve never had the greatest relationship with my wife’s brother but we do see them occasionally.  They words and actions aren’t always in sink when it comes to me.   Sour kraut or boil cabbage were never big even with my parents so that was something we were never expected to eat.  Nor was anything with mustard.  My mother hated mustard and it turns my stomach. My wife tried to sneak it into things early in our marriage but I could always tell.  She stopped after a while.   well I wave to go get ready to go to church.  I have a committee meeting at 10 and then we have a Good Friday Service at noon.   Willow
    • Mmindy
      Good morning everyone,   @KymmieLI hope you're misreading your bosses communications. As you say keep plugging a long. Don't give them signs that you're slow quitting, just to collect unemployment.   I have a few things to do business wise, and will be driving to the St. Louis, MO area for two family gatherings.   Have a great day,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • KymmieL
      Good morning everyone, TGIFF   It seems like I am the one keeping or shop from being the best. According to the boss. I don't know if my days are numbered or not. But anymore I am waiting for the axe to fall. Time will tell.   I keep plugging a long.   Kymmie
    • KymmieL
      In the warmer weather, Mine is hitting the road on the bike. Just me, the bike, and the road. Other is it music or working on one of my many projects.   Kymmie
    • LC
      That is wonderful. Congratulations!
    • Heather Shay
      What is relaxation to you? Nature? Movie? Reading? Cuddling with a pet? Music?
    • Heather Shay
    • Heather Shay
      Having just a normal emotional day.
    • Heather Shay
      AMUSEMENT The feeling when you encounter something silly, ironic, witty, or absurd, which makes you laugh. You have the urge to be playful and share the joke with others. Similar words: Mirth Amusement is the emotional reaction to humor. This can be something that is intended to be humorous, like when someone tells a good joke or when a friend dresses up in a ridiculous costume. But it can also be something that you find funny that was not intended to be humorous, like when you read a sign with a spelling error that turns it into an ironic pun. For millennia, philosophers and scholars have been attempting to explain what exactly it is that makes something funny. This has led to several different theories. Nowadays, the most widely accepted one is the Incongruity Theory, which states that something is amusing if it violates our standards of how things are supposed to be. For example, Charlie Chaplin-style slapstick is funny because it violates our norms of competence and proper conduct, while Monty Python-style absurdity is funny because it violates reason and logic. However, not every standard or norm violation is necessarily funny. Violations can also evoke confusion, indignation, or shock. An important condition for amusement is that there is a certain psychological distance to the violation. One of the ways to achieve this is captured by the statement ‘comedy is tragedy plus time’. A dreadful mistake today may become a funny story a year from now. But it can also be distant in other ways, for instance, because it happened to someone you do not know, or because it happens in fiction instead of in real life. Amusement also needs a safe and relaxed environment: people who are relaxed and among friends are much more likely to feel amused by something. A violation and sufficient psychological distance are the basic ingredients for amusement, but what any one person find funny will depend on their taste and sense of humor. There are dozens of ‘humor genres’, such as observational comedy, deadpan, toilet humor, and black comedy. Amusement is contagious: in groups, people are more prone to be amused and express their amusement more overtly. People are more likely to share amusement when they are with friends or like-minded people. For these reasons, amusement is often considered a social emotion. It encourages people to engage in social interactions and it promotes social bonding. Many people consider amusement to be good for the body and the soul. By the end of the 20th century, humor and laughter were considered important for mental and physical health, even by psychoneuroimmunology researchers who suggested that emotions influenced immunity. This precipitated the ‘humor and health movement’ among health care providers who believed that humor and laughter help speed recovery, including in patients suffering from cancer1). However, the evidence for health benefits of humor and laughter is less conclusive than commonly believed2. Amusement is a frequent target of regulation: we down-regulate it by shifting our attention to avoid inappropriate laughter, or up-regulate it by focusing on a humorous aspect of a negative situation. Interestingly, amusement that is purposefully up-regulated has been found to have the same beneficial physical and psychological effects as the naturally experienced emotion. Amusement has a few clear expressions that emerge depending on the intensity of the emotion. When people are mildly amused, they tend to smile or chuckle. When amusement intensifies, people laugh out loud and tilt or bob their head. The most extreme bouts of amusement may be accompanied by uncontrollable laughter, tears, and rolling on the floor. Most cultures welcome and endorse amusement. Many people even consider a ‘good sense of humor’ as one of the most desirable characteristics in a partner. At the same time, most cultures have (implicit) rules about what is the right time and place for amusement. For example, displays of amusement may be deemed inappropriate in situations that demand seriousness or solemness, such as at work or during religious rituals.
    • Heather Shay
    • Heather Shay
    • Heather Shay
    • April Marie
      Good morning, everyone!!! Two cups of coffee in the books and I am just feeling so wonderful this morning. Not sure why, but I'm happy and smiling.   Enjoy this beautiful day!!!
    • Heather Shay
      A U.S. dollar bill can be folded approximately 4,000 times in the same place before it will tear. -You cannot snore and dream at the same time. -The average person walks the equivalent of three times around the world in a lifetime. -A hippo’s wide open mouth is big enough to fit a 4-foot-tall child in. -Chewing gum while you cut an onion will help keep you from crying.
    • Susan R
      Love it! This is great news. We need more of this to combat the excessive hate-filled rhetoric and misinformation. 👍
  • 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...