Heya everyone,

My name is Laura and I'm a 23 year old student at a rural University in Australia. I've just started my transition within the last 6 weeks and I've decided to start looking at various hair removal techniques for the facial and scrotal areas. While I'm primarily looking for perminant solutions, I've also been trying to find suitable techniques for areas that I don't won't to remove all of my hair from, such as my eyebrows. Does anyone know of any Australian websites that have contacts and prices for Australian hair removal practitioners?

On the other side of things, I also have a receding hairline along my scalp, which has been causing me absolutely no end of heartache as its been stopping me from growing my hair long. While I know that hormones will have some impact over this, I've heard rumours going around that theres a drug going around that can reverse hair-loss along the scalp if the patient is young enough. Has anyone else heard any similar rumours or have any tips on promoting hair growth along the scalp?

Warm regards,

Synthetic.

A natural thing that would help would be Lavendar and Rosemary and Jojoba oils applied to the scalp regularly.

Electrolysis is the only option for permanent removal of hair around the eyebrows. Many use electro to selectively remove hair to sculpt their eyebrows (it is a common request from GGs.)

I have not heard of a new medicine per se, I have read that Retin-A can somewhat help with a receding hairline and potentially cause some tiny amount of regrowth. I use it for acne, and I tried it on my receding hairline (sigh ) and it didn't seem to do much of anything (but it did do a great job on the acne.)

I don't think rogaine/regaine will do anything for a receding hairline. I bought some but inside the pamphlet said it was intended for baldness on top and not a receding hairline so I never used it. Anyone tried it for a receding hairline?

Maybe the 'new' pill they are talking about is Propecia (finasteride)?

If the scrotal area has dark coarse hair, you need to look into laser. Read the FAQs below to learn about it. There are posters here from Australia who've recommended clinics in the past. Depends on where in Australia you are. You can run a search.

For areas that need precision, you need electrolysis. You also need electrolysis for fine hair and to finish areas after laser when only fine sparse hairs are left.

If the hair is dark and coarse, it's also possible to use laser for the face. However, realize that some patchiness may be a side effect. It's not usually a major issue for TG clients as they switch to electrolysis for the rest anyway.

I haven't heard of anything that actually works on recedent hairlines besides expensive hair transplants. Of course, there are a lot of scams out there, so make sure to research those properly before paying anyone any money.

Retin-A will not induce or help with recedig hairlines-period.
Rogaine(monoxidal) applied topically will promote hair growth but it is a systemic drug and will exponentially cause unwanted hair groth in other areas of the body-exactly the opposite of what you are trying to achieve.
Good luck and God Bless in your transistion.Talk to your physicians about options, I for one am not a doctor, and though I see many transgendered clients,every case is treated individually and inherently have their own issue. It would be irresponsible of me to suggest anything that would or could be potentially harming.

Janet

I don't know details, but I do know that Retin-A is being used more often to treat hair loss. Used alone it helps moderately, but when used in conjunction with Rogaine there is a greater effect. I think the Retin-A allows the Rogaine to penetrate more effectively and/or helps exfoliate the skin allowing the hair to push through.

I remember a warning in the minoxidil box about how retin-a can increase the absorption of the minoxidil into the body in the areas treated by retin-a and that the risk of side effects of minoxidil alone are increased (blood pressure risk headaches and other possible side effects of minoxidil.)

Hi Synthetic:

I think electolysis would be best for removing hair
from the areas you described. Depending on which SRS
surgeon you are planning on going to you may want to
rethink the scrotal hair removal or limit it to a
specific area.
Drs. like Suporn don't like their donor skin damaged by electrolysis. Other doctors say if you must do it then
do it in a defined area which they will tell you about.
Some doctors such as Meltzer want you to get electrolyis
done there prior to their SRS procedure.Some doctors
use a cauterizing technique on any grafted skin prior
to utilizing it as a graft.

As far as scalp hair goes?:
I would recommend an anti androgen such as spirolactone as
well as propecia=finasteride=proscar. If you get a
prescription for proscar it will be covered by
drug plans/health insurance wheras propecia is not.
If you are going to take spiro you should get regular blood tests and avoid potassium supplements such as
vitamins conatining a lot of potassium.
You are best to combine the anti-androgen
with estrogen for full effect.

You may also want to try some good daily multivitamins.

Alicia

Alicia, very informed. Bravo!

Brava!