The Complete MTF Transgender Shaving Guide

 In the United States, over 1.6 million adults (ages 18 and older) and youth (ages 13 to 17) identify as transgender or 0.6% of the population. [1]

Shaving is an important part of many transgender people's lives. It can help you feel more confident and comfortable in your body.

In this Transgender Shaving Guide, we will discuss the different techniques and products that can help you achieve the perfect shave.

We'll also talk about the importance of aftercare and how to deal with common shaving problems. Let's get started!

If you're looking for a better way to get rid of unwanted facial and body hair at home (permanently) click here to learn more. 

MTF Transgender Facial Hair Shaving Guide

Image: Audacy

Facial hair is a common concern for transgender people. Getting rid of your facial hair can help you look smoother and more feminine.

It is important to remember that body hair removal goes hand in hand with skincare. Shaving won't make you look like a real woman if you don't take care of yourself before and after shaving, such as by moisturizing and exfoliating.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shaving your facial hair:

• Use a sharp razor. A sharp razor will give you a closer shave and help prevent razor burn.
• Wet your skin. Wetting your skin will help soften the hair and make it easier to shave.
• Be careful of your skin type. You'll want to take extra care when shaving your face if you have sensitive skin. Be sure to use a gentle shaving cream or gel, and avoid going over the same area more than once.
• Don't forget to moisturize. Moisturizing your skin after shaving is just as important as preparing it before. Be sure to use a light, unscented moisturizer to soothe your skin and prevent razor burn.

 

Here's a step-by-step guide for shaving your facial hair:

1. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. This will help remove any dirt and oil from your skin.
2. Apply a shaving gel or cream to your face. Choose a shaving cream that says "sensitive skin" on the label if your skin is very dry or sensitive. Your fingers or a shave brush can be used to apply a small amount of the cream to your face in a circular motion. With the help of a shave brush, the hairs can be lifted, and the shaving cream can be applied more evenly.
3. Let the cream sit for two to three minutes. This is especially helpful if you have thicker facial hair because it allows the shaving cream to penetrate the hairs and soften them. Comb your hair or brush your teeth while you wait.
4. Start shaving in the direction of your hair growth. Use small, gentle strokes, and avoid going over the same area more than once.
5. Rinse after each swipe of the razor. This will help remove any hair or cream accumulated on the blade.
6. When you're finished shaving, rinse your face with cool water.
7. Apply a gentle moisturizer to your face. Look for a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or chamomile, which can help soothe your skin.

 

MTF Transgender Leg Hair Shaving Guide

 

Image: Freepik 

Shaving your legs is a personal choice. Some transgender women choose to shave their legs for a more feminine appearance, while others do not.

There are many ways to remove leg hair, including shaving, waxing, and epilating.

If you choose to shave your legs, you should keep a few things in mind.

• Get a good razor: Make sure you don't use the same razor on your legs as your beard. You should also avoid using cheap razors. Beard razors come in different shapes that can cut your legs while you shave. It may seem appealing to use cheap disposable razors, but they tend to cause nicks and irritation to the skin.
• Shave with gel, not soap: Shaving with soap may seem appealing, and many women do it, but it leads to unhappy legs. You should first know that you probably have longer, coarser hair on your legs than most other women. When you use soap to shave, your skin will be considerably more irritated since it doesn't provide much protection from the razor. Hair follicle bumps are irritated when you shave. These little bumps are protected with a good shaving gel, so you get less irritation, ingrown hairs, and so on.

Here's a step-by-step guide to shaving your legs:

1. Make sure the razor is sharp. Replace your razor blade whenever you shave and your skin feels scratchy. You are more likely to get nicked, get razor burn, and become irritated when shaving your legs with a dull blade.
2. Hydrate your leg skin before shaving. If your legs are dehydrated, it will be harder to shave the hair, which raises the possibility of discomfort, scratch, and razor burn. When shaving dry hair, it's possible that your blade will lose sharpness more quickly.
3. Use shaving gel. Apply shaving gel evenly all over the legs once they have been moistened. Your skin will stay hydrated, and the razor blade will go more easily over it if you use shave gel. In order to avoid having to re-shave, you may also see where you need to shave.
4. Shave using lengthy, steady strokes. As long as your blade is clean and sharp, shaving doesn't require much force. Make sure you use lengthy, even strokes when shaving. Be especially careful around places with more bone, such as the knees and ankles. If you're shaving your knees, bend your leg first for a better frontal shave, then straighten it for a better behind shave.
5. Once you have shaved your legs, moisturize them. If you have shaved your legs, rinse them thoroughly, dry them with a towel, and moisturize them afterwards. You will not experience irritation after shaving your legs if they are hydrated.

MTF Transgender Underarm Shaving Guide

Image: Healthline

Now that you know how to shave your legs, let's move on to the transgender underarm hair-shaving guide.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shaving your underarms:

• Use a sharp razor. As with your legs, you'll want to use a sharp razor when shaving your underarms. A dull razor will cause irritation, nicks, and razor burn.
• Be careful of your deodorant. Many commercial deodorants contain aluminum, which can irritate your skin after shaving. If you experience irritation, try switching to a natural deodorant.
• Don't forget to moisturize. As with your legs, you'll want to moisturize your underarms after shaving to prevent irritation.

And now, for the step-by-step guide:

1. Start by wetting your underarms with warm water. This will help to soften the hair and make it easier to shave.
2. Apply shaving gel or cream. As with your legs, you'll want to apply shaving gel or cream to your underarms. This will help the razor blade to glide smoothly over your skin and prevent irritation.
3. Rinse and moisturize. When you're finished shaving, rinse your underarms with warm water and pat them dry. Then, apply a moisturizing lotion or oil to keep your skin hydrated.

Exfoliating your skin between hair removals is important

Exfoliation promotes healthier, smoother skin and prevents irritation and ingrown hairs.

If this is done properly, you will experience fewer nicks, irritations, and redness after shaving, so your face and legs will be much calmer.

 

Is it better to exfoliate before or after shaving?

The most effective time to exfoliate is before shaving, not afterwards. After shaving, exfoliating can irritate the skin, especially sensitive skin. Exfoliating before shaving is always a good idea.

Exfoliate your skin after soaking in a warm bath or shower to soften it. The warm water softens skin and hair.

To remove dirt and dead skin cells from the legs, use a loofah to exfoliate them using circular motions.

Exfoliating creams are better for the face than loofahs. Loofahs can irritate the facial skin because it is more sensitive.

By exfoliating your skin, a razor will glide more easily across the surface of your skin, giving you a closer, less irritating shave.

 

Make sure you moisturize before and after shaving.

Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash

It is important to moisturize your skin before and after shaving. Moisturizing before shaving helps to soften the hair, making it easier to shave.

Moisturizing after shaving helps to soothe the skin and prevent irritation.

There are many different types of moisturizers on the market. Choose one that is right for your skin type.

If you have sensitive skin, look for a moisturizer that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. If you have dry skin, look for an oil-based moisturizer. And if you have normal skin, any type of moisturizer will do.

 

7 Tips for a smooth and long-lasting shave

Image:Freepik

Now that you know how to shave your legs and underarms, here are a few tips to help you get the best possible shave:

1. Make sure you don't shave first thing in the morning. Most people wake up with puffy skin in the morning. As your skin tightens, more of the hair shaft will be exposed, resulting in a closer shave.
2. Prepare your skin. Make sure your beard is softened and the hair follicles are open by bathing or wrapping a hot, moist towel around your face and neck before shaving.
3. Always exfoliate. When you want a close shave, use an exfoliating scrub or washcloth on your face to eliminate dead skin cells and raise hair stubs for easier cutting.
4. Shave with a regrowth-slowing cream. A shaving cream that slows hair regrowth helps you achieve a long-lasting shave. If you have dry skin, avoid shaving creams that contain menthol.
5. Select a great razor. Look for a razor with at least two blades. The first blade lifts the hair while the second cut it. Don't press too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause razor burn. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you.
6. Make sure your blade isn't dull. Never use a blade after more than five shaves. A dull blade will tug at your hair and irritate your skin.
7. Shave in two steps. It is ideal for performing a pre-femme shave in two steps: first, shave in the direction of hair growth, and then shave in the opposite direction. Afterward, apply To get a closer cut, lather and shave against the grain. Keep your strokes small and gentle to avoid irritability.

Following these tips, you should have no problem achieving a smooth and long-lasting shave. Just remember to take your time and be gentle with your skin. With a bit of practice, you'll shave like a pro in no time!

Shaving Alternatives for Transgender Women

If you're not into shaving, a few other hair removal options are available. These include:

• Electrolysis
• Laser hair removal
• Waxing
• Depilating Creams

 

Electrolysis Hair Removal for Transgender Women

The electrolysis procedure is one of the most effective permanent hair removal methods. Although it is a slower process, it is highly efficient. Transgender women can use this method to remove their beards permanently.

It is important to note that electrolysis is not as simple as it sounds. At various stages during the process, small jolts of electricity are sent into the roots of the hair to destroy them permanently. The process is slow and painful and takes a lot of patience.

There are a number of transgender women who need fast results with less painful methods to achieve their goals. It's not popular among them. Many people undergo this process reluctantly because they do not know of better options.

We posted a full breakdown of electrolysis hair removal here: Electrolysis Hair Removal - Everything You Need to Know

Laser Hair Removal For Transgender Women

Image: Collins Cosmetic

There are some transgender women who have had great results with laser therapy, but there are others who have not had such good results.

The FDA has even approved it as a method for reducing hair. 

Laser hair removal is a process in which a professional uses a hand-held device with a laser to send laser energy to the surface of your skin. In your hair follicles, the pigment will absorb the light that passes through the surface of your skin.

Laser hair removal can be a good way to get rid of hair from your face or body that you don't want. Laser hair removal can be used anywhere on the body. It can be used for both chest and bottom surgeries.

The main advantage of laser hair removal is that it is much faster than electrolysis. It can take as little as one session to achieve permanent results. Laser hair removal can be performed on large areas of the body, such as the back, chest, and shoulders.

For more information on MTF laser hair removal:

Transgender Hair Removal

Facial & Body Hair Removal For Transgender Women

MTF Laser Hair Removal Cost

MTF Laser Hair Removal

 

Waxing

Image: Freepik

Waxing can easily remove hair from almost any part of your body. It can be done almost anywhere on your body.

It is important to keep in mind that waxing is not a permanent method of removing hair from the body.

Waxing is a popular method of hair removal among transgender women. It is a fast and a somewhat painful way to remove unwanted hair.

 

There are two types of waxing: hot waxing and cold waxing.

Hot waxing is a process whereby molten wax is applied to the skin and then removed, taking the hair with it. Hot waxing is more effective than cold waxing but can be more painful.

Cold waxing is a process whereby a cold wax is applied to the skin and then removed, taking the hair with it. Cold waxing is less effective than hot waxing but can be less painful.

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams work by dissolving the hair shaft. They are quick and easy to use but can be harsh on the skin.

Read the instructions carefully and perform the allergy test on a small spot first. After you wash them off, put hand and body lotion on right away to keep your skin from drying out.

If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid this method. Depilatory creams can also be used on larger body areas like the back, chest, and shoulders.

There are many different depilatory creams available on the market. You can find them in most supermarkets, pharmacies or here on our website: Hair removal cream.

Related FAQs

What is the best method for transgender shaving?

There is no one "best" method. Different methods work better for different people. You may have to experiment with different methods to find the one that works best for you.

Is laser hair removal safe for transgender women?

Yes, laser hair removal is safe for trans women. The FDA has even approved it as a method for reducing hair.

What is a tracheal shave?

Tracheal shaving is a type of facial feminization surgery. Generally, transgender women and non-binary trans people use it to give their faces a more feminine appearance.

Simply put, tracheal shaving refers to reducing the size of the Adam's apple through a surgical procedure called chondrolaryngoplasty.

What is gender dysphoria?

When a person's biological sex does not match their gender identity, they may feel uncomfortable. This is known as gender dysphoria.

To reduce gender dysphoria, various medical procedures and legal steps, such as changing the name and gender, as well as treatments such as voice therapy and laser hair removal, are used.

What is gender confirmation surgery?

Gender confirmation surgery is the term used for a number of surgical procedures that can be performed on people who feel that their gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

These procedures are sometimes also called sex reassignment surgery or sex change surgery.

 

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