Does Body Hair Go Away After HRT

While hormone replacement therapy can reduce and thin body hair over time, it usually doesn’t make body hair go away completely. 

For transgender women seeking more permanent hair removal, IPL, laser hair removal, and electrolysis are excellent options that can be combined with HRT for optimal results.

Let's explore how HRT affects body hair growth, what you can expect during your transition, and additional methods you can use to manage unwanted body hair.

 

How Does HRT Affect Body Hair Growth?

HRT has a significant impact on many aspects of your physical appearance, but its effect on body hair is often more gradual and less pronounced than other changes.

Here’s how HRT typically affects body hair for transgender women:

 

  1. Slows Down Hair Growth

One of the primary ways HRT affects body hair is by slowing down the rate of hair growth.

Testosterone is the hormone responsible for stimulating facial and body hair growth, so when testosterone levels are reduced by anti-androgens, hair growth slows considerably.

 

What to Expect:

  • Body hair will grow back more slowly over time.
  • You may find that you need to shave, wax, or epilate less frequently than before starting HRT.

 

  1. Thins and Lightens Body Hair

In addition to slowing hair growth, HRT can cause body hair to become finer and lighter in color. The hair may become less coarse and more similar to vellus hair, which is the soft, fine hair found on areas of the body with little visible hair growth.

 

What to Expect:

  • Body hair may become less noticeable and softer to the touch.
  • Over time, body hair may thin out, giving the appearance of smoother skin.

 

  1. Reduces Hair Density

For many transgender women, HRT also helps to reduce the overall density of body hair.

As testosterone production decreases, the number of active hair follicles may decline, leading to a reduction in the amount of body hair you have.

 

What to Expect:

  • You may notice less body hair in areas where it used to grow more thickly, such as the chest, back, and legs.
  • Some areas may experience a noticeable reduction in hair density, while other areas may show more subtle changes.

 

Does HRT Make Body Hair Go Away Completely?

While HRT has a noticeable impact on body hair, it’s important to understand that HRT alone is usually not enough to make body hair disappear completely.

Here’s why:

 

  1. Hair Follicles Activated During Puberty

The hair follicles that were activated during puberty (due to testosterone) will not be fully deactivated by HRT.

While HRT can thin, lighten, and reduce the growth of body hair, it doesn’t remove hair follicles that have already been stimulated by testosterone during puberty.

This means that some body hair will continue to grow, albeit more slowly and in a finer texture.

 

  1. Varying Results Based on Genetics

The extent to which HRT affects body hair depends largely on your genetics. Some transgender women experience significant reductions in body hair, while others may see only minor changes.

Genetic factors influence how much body hair you have, how coarse it is, and how it responds to hormonal changes.

 

  1. HRT Is Less Effective on Facial Hair

While HRT can have a noticeable impact on body hair, it tends to be less effective on facial hair.

Facial hair is usually more resistant to the effects of HRT, which is why many trans women choose additional hair removal methods to manage facial hair during their transition.

 

Additional Methods for Reducing Body Hair

For transgender women seeking to remove body hair more permanently or achieve smoother results, HRT can be combined with other hair removal methods.

Here are some of the most effective ways to reduce or eliminate body hair:

 

  1. Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a popular long-term solution for reducing or eliminating body hair. It works by using a concentrated beam of light to target the pigment in hair follicles, damaging them and inhibiting future growth.

 

Why It’s Effective:

  • Long-Term Results: After several sessions, many trans women experience significant hair reduction, with regrowth becoming finer and sparser.
  • Ideal for Larger Areas: Laser hair removal is great for treating large areas like the chest, back, legs, and arms.

 

Considerations:

  • Multiple Sessions Required: Most people need 6-10 sessions for optimal results.
  • Works Best on Dark Hair: Laser hair removal is most effective on dark hair and lighter skin tones.

 

  1. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is another long-term hair reduction method that works similarly to laser hair removal. IPL devices emit broad-spectrum light that targets the pigment in hair follicles, reducing hair growth over time.

 

Why It’s Effective:

  • At-Home Convenience: Many IPL devices can be used at home, offering a convenient solution for managing body hair.
  • Affordable: While IPL devices have an upfront cost, they can save money in the long run by reducing the need for salon treatments.

 

Considerations:

  • Requires Regular Use: IPL treatments must be done consistently (typically once a week) for several months to achieve results.

 

  1. Electrolysis

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method for permanent hair removal. It works by using an electric current to destroy individual hair follicles, preventing them from re-growing.

 

Why It’s Effective:

  • Permanent Results: Once a hair follicle is destroyed by electrolysis, it will not grow back.
  • Works for All Hair Colors: Unlike laser or IPL, electrolysis can target any hair color, making it effective for lighter or finer body hair.

 

Considerations:

  • Time-Consuming: Electrolysis treats each hair follicle individually, so multiple sessions are required, especially for larger areas like the legs or chest.

 

  1. Shaving, Waxing, and Epilation

For those who prefer temporary solutions, traditional hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and epilating are still effective for managing body hair between HRT and permanent hair removal treatments.

  • Shaving: Quick and easy but requires frequent upkeep.
  • Waxing: Removes hair from the root, providing smoother results for up to 4 weeks.
  • Epilation: Similar to waxing, epilators pull hair from the root, offering longer-lasting results than shaving.

 

Conclusion: Does Body Hair Go Away After HRT?

While hormone replacement therapy can reduce and thin body hair over time, it usually doesn’t make body hair go away completely.

HRT slows down hair growth, lightens the texture of the hair, and reduces its density, but additional hair removal methods are often needed to achieve smoother, hair-free skin.

For transgender women seeking more permanent hair removal, laser hair removal, IPL, and electrolysis are excellent options that can be combined with HRT for optimal results.

By incorporating these methods into your hair removal routine, you can manage body hair more effectively and feel more confident in your transition.