Laser Hair Removal for Transsexuals

Laser hair removal is a simple technique that has improved the quality of life of thousands of people, especially transsexual individuals disturbed by facial hair growth due to hormonal disturbance.

The excess of body hair that is characteristic of biological males can be very distressing in a transsexual who feels themselves to be correctly a female. Daily or regular shaving which is how men cope with this excess body hair is not a happy solution for transsexuals who are looking for something more permanent and in keeping with the female they feel themselves to be.

Laser removal surgery is a major advance in long-term hair removal over treatment such as electrolysis for transsexuals. But what should you know before you opt for a laser hair removal procedure?

What is laser hair removal?

It is a high intensity laser beam targeted specifically at the hair follicle. This sends heat right into the hair shaft, damaging just the hair - basically burning it off - whilst leaving the surrounding skin unharmed.

How effective laser hair removal treatment is for a transsexual depends on the amount of melanin in your hair. Melanin is what colors your hair.

So - this kind of treatment is most effective on dark or black hair and at the other end of the spectrum, won't work on white, grey or platinum blonde hair.

Preparing for laser hair removal

This can be a difficult thing for trannsexuals, but for laser hair removal to be most effective, you need to put up with some hair growth now for long-term effects ofthis technique over many other hair removal methods. Don't pluck!

As the laser travels along the hair shaft, it must find hair in order for it to work. You shouldn't, therefore, pluck unwanted your hair before laser treatment. Similarly, since laser hair removal works on the melanin level in the skin, dark skin or tanned skin needs special treatment.

What happens during laser hair removal treatment?

Depending on the types of laser beam system and the area to be treated, you may be asked to wear goggles. Laser hair removal treatment can cause stinging or the area that is being treated may tingle.

Each session lasts between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the size of the area to be treated.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

No. The hair will re-grow, but more slowly and thinner than before. However, you may need several laser treatments - monthly treatments for two to eight months - after which time the hair may then take months if not years to re-grow, so it's the next best thing to permanent and is a popular choice for many transsexuals.