As you’re making your transition, it may be that certain facial or body hair is disturbing and embarrassing. Shaving, waxing, plucking can help in the short term but this will lead to ingrown hair, razor bumps, and the shadow of the beard on the face. What if you could get rid of the unwanted hair permanently? Are you wondering about the best transgender hair removal method? Then laser hair removal, as a popular and effective technique for transgender women to reduce the density of hair, is something you’ve likely looked into.
You might have done many searches of laser hair removal for transgender women or even book several sessions already, so in this article, I’m not going to tell you what is laser hair removal or how it works. I will show what you exactly want to know about MTF laser hair removal, such as how much the laser hurts, laser hair removal side effects, laser hair removal during HRT, etc.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Does laser hair removal hurt? A little but it is still very bearable. Most people find the laser to be significantly more comfortable than electrolysis. They describe the sensation of the laser as similar to a sunburn. But there are always more sensitive areas, such as the groin or upper lips, where you can feel pain. And of course, it also depends on the pain threshold of each patient. To provide more comfort to their clients, the laser hair removal machines in some clinics are equipped with an advanced cooling system.
How long does the procedure take?
A laser hair removal session can be fast to squeeze in on your lunch break. Depending on the size of the area to be treated, the duration of the session can be between 10 to 40 minutes.
How many sessions do you need for trans laser hair removal?
Since the laser light only affects the follicle of the hair that is in the active growth phase, several sessions are necessary. The actual number of treatments depends on the area of the body, the color of the hair, the type of hair (whether it is thin or thick), and how fast the hair grows. Most trans women need 10 to 12 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart, to achieve smooth results—and annual maintenance treatment to keep them. People who have fair skin but dark hairs generally need fewer treatments. People who have light vellus hair (peach fuzz on face) and dark skin usually require more treatments. Another factor to take into account is that if you are carrying out a hormone with testosterone, the hair that will grow will be stronger and more abundant, so you will need a greater number of sessions to make it disappear.
Is laser hair removal permanent for MTF?
Unfortunately, the answer is no, laser devices do not get rid of hair completely, although it is one of the closest treatments. After all of your treatments are done, 90% of your hair will be removed, hair grows after laser in a slower way, and is softer. Such a result can last for at least two years.
How much does laser hair removal cost for trans women?
So how much does laser hair removal cost for trans in New York, San Francisco, Los Angles, Boston? Laser hair removal for transgender women can be expensive and time-consuming. The average cost is $1,125, ranging from $750-$1500.
The laser hair removal cost depends on the size of the treated area, the color of your skin and hair, type of laser, treatment numbers, clinic. Usually smaller areas of the body such as the face and bikini area are less expensive, while larger areas such as the legs, butt, and back are more expensive. The duration of treatment and the number of sessions that differ from one person to another is also important factor in determining the prices. If you can book a series of sessions once a time, you can get package discounts.
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Do you still need laser hair removal on HRT?
Yes. Hormones generally do not have bad effects on laser hair removal treatment. As you are on hormone replacement therapy with your MTF transition, your hair-grown cycles will be changed and you can see your hair thin out. But it will take a long time and is not enough to prevent it from growing. If your unwanted hair is a big source of dysphoria, why don’t combine HRT with laser hair removal to speed up the process? Thus, it’s highly recommended to start facial hair removal early in the transition process and full body hair removal when hormone therapy starts to work.
Laser hair removal side effects
Most people who use it find laser hair removal safe and well-tolerated. There does not appear to be any long-term health risk associated with the procedure. However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal, including:
- Redness and irritation
- Crusting
- Changes in skin color
- Laser hair removal burns and wounds
Usually, these effects do not last longer than two to three days. Anyone experiencing long-lasting side effects should consult their dermatologist.
Are there any Trans-friendly laser hair removal salons or clinics?
Yes, but there are a few laser hair removal clinics that are right for transgender women and they are very expensive. How to choose a trans-friendly laser hair removal center? The main factors to assess are the professionals, the type of center, and the technology offered. In the case of professionals, you have to make sure that the staff is qualified to perform this type of aesthetic treatment. Lasers are tools that must be handled with sufficient experience to avoid health risks and optimize results.
In technology, it is necessary to check in advance if the center has equipment that is adapted to the needs of the different types of hair. In this way, they will be able to offer you what best suits your needs, to increase the guarantees of success. Each skin and each stage of the treatment needs a series of different light intensities for the results to last longer.
In addition, you should choose an easy-to-go laser hair removal salon. First of all, the staff in the salon should have an understanding and respect for transgenders. Secondly, the salon has a one-on-one dermatologist. Thirdly, the treatment can be performed in a private room. So, you can get rid of unwanted hair without stress.
Would you be comfortable at home rather than in a salon?
I have heard a sad story about a girl. She was rejected from being treated for being a trans woman. I am impressed that at this stage of the game there are people so ignorant that they are not able to understand that a trans woman is a woman. But the fact is that sometimes you get to feel like the freak show when you have hair treatment in the salon.
Do you feel embarrassed to be treated by male staff? Is it unpleasant to be stared at by a strange staff? If your answer is yes, you may think about laser hair removal at home.
Try IPL laser hair removal handset at home
There are devices for hair removal at home with pulsed light, also known as IPL hair removal. IPL is a technique that uses light energy, with different wavelengths, to permanently reduce hair growth. Compared to laser hair removal, the IPL hair removal machine is cheaper and easier to use, but it will take much longer to reach the same results as any aesthetic center.
- Read more: laser VS. IPL hair removal
There are countless models and brands of IPL hair removal devices. I recommend MissPeachy, the most cost-effective of all. MissPeachy meets FDA requirements, which is safe to work in sensitive areas or on the face. In just 4 weeks, the results are already noticeable with a 90% hair reduction. It has two modes of use, one manual for use in smaller areas and one automatic for larger areas, and 7 power levels to adapt to each skin type. MissPeachy IPL Hair Removal Handset offers a very original design with a rectangular shape on the head and a long handle that makes it easy to grip for both women and men. Besides, MissPeachy has unlimited flashes, so you have no need to change the epilator or recharge as it can last for 10 years.
Conclusion
No matter where you are in your journey of transition, unwanted hair can often be a stubborn obstacle and a source of great frustration. Fortunately, with the help of advanced laser hair removal, transgender women like you can overcome it. But it’s not easy to find trans-friendly laser hair removal salons. If you worry about the high price and feel anxious during the treatments in the clinic, MissPeachy IPL laser hair removal devices would be your best solution. It’s FDA-compliant and ensures that its use guarantees 95% less hair. With a one-time purchase, you can enjoy unlimited flashes for more than 10 years.