Hi Tess:

Have you ever considered electrolysis?

I have completed 105 hours of that after first completing 9 laser sessions. I am currently post-op, and on a small doseage of estrogen.

I have to let the hair grow out for at least 5 days before geting electrolysis, just so they have something to work with. What still grows is not readily visible. I can see a time in the near future when I will only need occasional touchups.I can get away with not wearing foundation, and have no more beard shadow.

I am not sure how much vaniqua costs, but it only works as long as you are using it. The hairs will come back, but more slowly. Once killed with electrolysis they are gone forever. How much does vaniqua cost you per month?

Plucking can lead to ingrown hairs, so be careful there.

Alicia

I stopped using Vaniqa about six months ago because of an unrelated skin condition. I wanted to see if I discontinued Vaniqa whether it would go away. It didn't and I had to visit a dermitologist to treat it. I haven't resumed the Vaniqa but basically on the parts of my body where it was most effective, arms and chest, the hair growth remains substantially reduced with no signs of increased regrowth.
Mr face is harder to gauge but beard regrowth is still slower than before I started using Vaniqa. I willl eventually resume using it and I am contemplating laser. I don't know whether it is allowed here but could anyone recommend a laser specialist in No Jersey who works with the TG community?

Hi Abby:

I think if you check the referrals area, you may find someone who does laser in NJ. Also try the transgendered/transsexual area of this board.

Many electrolygists and laser people treat trans patients. I started off as a regular male patient, then when it came time to transition to full time, told my electrolygist the ful story. She was great about the whole thing, and it turns out she has a couple of other trans clients.

Another source to check out for a referral is if you have a local TG club in your area. The laser and electrology people usually advertise through them, especially if they are trans friendly.

Good luck.

Alicia

Hello all! Bit of background before asking my question. I'm mid 20, female and have always had a pretty bad facial hair problem that has gotten worse over time (black and coarse over neck, chin, cheeks and upper lip). For about 10 years I'd been plucking the areas and would spend an hour and usually not completely happy with how it looked (would always leave bumps over the entire area which I would cover with make-up and that never looked great either) so for about a month now I've been shaving and besides loving how fast it is, my skin is smoother and make-up looks nicer on. Recently went to a doctor for the first time in a very long time to discuss this problem and she immediately felt I have PCOS. I'll be seeing a Endocrinologist soon to find out for sure. In the meantime my doctor recommended Vaniqa and I'm excited to see any improvement. My question is should I pluck the areas for better results or will shaving be sufficient? Thanks ahead of time for any feedback!

Vaniqa is a temporary measure. Is this something you are seeking to do forever? You will have to buy the Vaniqa and apply it twice a day for the rest of your life? I hope this works for you, since you have black, coarse hair all over your face.

If you get tired of the Vaniqa and shaving/plucking routine, your next step and best step is find a skilled electrologist and be done with this kind of scene forever. Electrolysis is perfect for someone like you and will relieve you of the tiresome burden and expense of chasing hair forever. (think of a hamster on a wheel)

Just being honest and cutting to the chase about what works. I'm dismayed that your doctor didn't mention something permanent like electrolysis. How little they know.

Dee

i agree. spending money on a product like that in your case is not necessarily the best measure if you can commit to electrolysis and get rid of it permanently, once and for all. once you get on medication to control your PCOS, your body will gradually stop developing new hair and you can start electrolysis to get rid of it permanently. vaniqa only makes the hair grow somewhat slower, so you would need to shave slightly less frequently. however, you would need to spend time applying it twice a day instead.

Has anyone else experienced the hairs becoming tougher and more brittle or changing at all in texture? I have been seeing good results from electrolysis since i started in November 07 but my blonde, fine chin hairs come in so quickly that I'm thinking of using vaniqa again only on that area in conjunction with electrolysis. I am down to only 1 long electrologist visit a month and she lives far away so it would be nice to slow down the growth during the "in between" times.

If you've been going for that long, you shouldn't be seeing that many new hairs until at least 3 weeks after your electrolysis treatment since your hairs should be synchronized now, and that's how long it should take for NEW hairs to grow in (i.e. the hairs that you're seeing could otherwise be badly treated hairs that broke off etc).

Are your appts long enough to clear the entire area you're treating? Are you positive you're getting good electrolysis with no plucking? Is it possible to go in twice a month? You don't want to let the hairs stick around for too long since they need to be treated in the first anagen phase of growth.

You have been going less than a year. The chin is a target area for hormones and hair there can be more resilient. Hair growth cycles for blond fine hair is a lot longer than for thicker hair structures. I see no need to use Vaniqa, alli, for those small blond hairs if you are getting clearance each time you go in. Keep faithful and remember that you are seeing progress.

Dee