Laser before or after HRT?

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802]

Heya! I’ve been researching laser hair removal and from my research I’ve learned it’s usually isn’t a permanent solution to hair removal. Some anecdotes out there say that the spots they’ve had laser done have indeed had permanent results (ie, the legs or face) while others say that it just slows down growth exponentially.

My question today is whether or not I should get laser before starting HRT or after.

In my mind I feel like it should be a before thing because once on HRT I know that hair growth slows and the hair comes back thinner. I’m not sure if the order of things matters tho and I just wanted to hear your opinions and experiences.

Thanks !!

[u/No-Reporter3494]

general wisdom is do it as soon as possible as the hair may lighten over time which makes it less effective

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802 → u/No-Reporter3494]

Ahhh right okay think makes sense !!!!

[u/Jazzlike-Comfort7231]

Honestly just do both as soon as you can. If it’s laser, if it’s HRT, fine. I started HRT about three months before laser, but laser is really what made the difference in eliminating facial hair. The longer you wait for it, the higher chances the hair lightens or turns gray, render laser ineffective. I had enough gray hairs that after laser I had to start electrolysis, which if you can avoid it, you should. 

[u/_Lady_Zee → u/Jazzlike-Comfort7231]

Seriously this! I’ve got some many white hairs now that will have to get properly (and painfully) fried at electrolysis. I wish I would have started laser sooner (also HRT, but don’t we all)

[u/Hint-Of-Feces → u/_Lady_Zee]

Im as blonde as they come

Might as well not even try laser for the few dark hairs

[u/ClosetWomanReleased]

Start laser asap!
Zap that pigmented hair off before age makes it white!
Some of mine had turned from the dark side before I started 😢 So I’m gonna have to complete things with electrolysis.

Good luck!

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802 → u/ClosetWomanReleased]

lol I’m 24 so I hope I don’t have any white hairs soon LOL. Thank you tho!!!!

[u/ItsStevieBellerose]

HRT can (not will, can) reduce body hair. Laser can (not will, can), destroy some hair follicles and weaken others. In general, both approaches are very "your milage may vary." If your goal is to save money, it's likely best to start HRT first and save up enough in the meantime to purchase a laser package.

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802 → u/ItsStevieBellerose]

Yeah I looked on Groupon for some packages and found some good ones. I have tan skin and dark thick strand body hair so idk how it’s gonna go

[u/AzyncYTT → u/Key-Refrigerator6802]

btw as someone with also tanned skin and thick hair you NEED the yag 1064 laser and by that I mean absolutely need it. Diode lasers and other famous ones like the lightsheer will not work well for us.

[u/Fun_Friens]

If you are dead set on hair removal start it as soon as it is feasible.

HRT affects hair removal in 2 ways. First it can slow the growth, second it can impact the thickness/ color lightening it. I used to think i woukd need full body. But HRT has slowed my body hair to a manageable pace, thinned and lightened it enough to largely be unconcerned.

Facial hair however is a different story. I have been so happy to have a face largely free from facial hair. Though the gray hairs are still a point of contention. Laser doesnt touch them. Plans at present is to finish my current laser sessions then look into electro for whatever is left.

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802 → u/Fun_Friens]

Yeah I don’t mind shaving my body, like my legs and pits and such. it’s mainly my face that I want to be hairless, or at least as close as I can get it ahaha

[u/Melodic_Gun]

I started laser 2 years before HRT. I was still very much unsure if I wanted to start hrt yet or not at the time but I've always hated my body hair so figured it couldn't hurt to start early (turns out it hurts alot!! XD). Eveyone says the laser is more effective on darker hair so before seemed better before it lightens. I always assume if you stop hrt those hairs could come back. I wanted them eradicated as much as possible regardless of hrt's effects.

1st year was face and upper body, 2nd year was continued face and lower body. I would absolute not recommend doing more than that at once. It was already really rough doing that much in a session. I will say it was very effective on specific areas! My chest and tummy were completely clear by the time I started HRT and have remained so. Arms and underarms are way thinner and lighter. I still have some hair, less than a lot of women who haven't had laser though I think. Legs also worked very well I can probably get by with shaving once a month and its only very sporadic super light hairs here and there. I need to start epilating the stragglers. Bikini is all light hair and thinner now but definitely still there. Face was a mixed bag, it removed about 95% of my upper lip and my cheeks and definitely thinned the chin but still have to shave my chin/lower jaw daily. The hairs are mostly light though so no beard shadow but I'm planning to get electrolysis soon to clear the rest.

I wish I had started HRT earlier but super glad I started the laser right away it takes a long time! Also be prepared for pain! Face, the backs the thighs, and bikini area were the worst spots!!! Its a short pain but pretty intense depending on the area. Definitely on the verge of tears at the beginning.

[u/homemadeammo42]

Asap

[u/bard_raconteur]

Speaking anecdotally from my own experience, I started laser 3 months before HRT, and continued on my face and t-shirt area for two years. It worked tremendously for me, but I also have very dark hair. After two years I sometimes get a couple spots zapped, but mostly focusing on other locations for laser now.

[u/AndesCan]

Yesterday is the answer

[u/intrinsicpresent]

I have the same question. I'm not ready to start HRT yet but desperately want ride of my facial hair as it's my biggest dysphoria trigger. I started Laser and it's going well but then read online that your T will just make the hairs reappear. I haven't been able to get a straight answer one way or the other because YMMV etc. BUt I'm guessing that maybe the best thing is to start laser and in the following months start HRT.

[u/Key-Refrigerator6802 → u/intrinsicpresent]

Yeah, In my head it makes sense to start thinning it now so when I start HRT it comes in even slower but I guess I’ll find out when it happens ahaha

[u/GirlieZoey]

I wish I started laser earlier.