The Transgender Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z MISCELLANEOUS

Hair Removal

Table of Contents

Introduction

Hair removal has been around a long time for various reasons. This resource is in regards to various ways in which the hair removal process may look like.

There are a variety of reasons why people decide to remove hair from their body. I cannot control what anyone decides to do with their body, however I can tell you this - don't shave or wax or whatever because you think that other people want you to. Don't shave because of the personal opinions of others. Do it because you want to. Because you personally enjoy the feeling of it.

General Information

Hair removal is, well, the removal of hair. There are various reasons and methods why someone would want to remove their hair and how. For some people, such as most transgender women, having body and facial hair causes gender dysphoria. For some people, such as some transgender men, being able to shave facial hair causes gender euphoria. Really, it all comes down to the invividual person and why they are trying to remove hair.

Permenant hair removal is typically required for people who pursue surgeries that involve skin grafts, such as vaginoplasty or phalloplasty.

Electrolysis

A medically permenant method of hair removal using electricity.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure where a concentrated beam of light (aka, a laser) is used to remove hair.

Shaving

Shaving is the cheapest and most accessible method of hair removal. It can be done in your own home (unlike other methods) and it can be painful if you do not follow proper protocal. Do not dry shave, or you can sustain minor injuries (nicks, cuts, irritation, burns, etc).

If you have acne, be careful when shaving. Shaving can irritate the skin, making acne worse (never try to shave the acne off). Try experimenting with electric or disposable blade razors to see which work best for you, and always shave lightly to avoid nicking the acne.

If you are going to shave an area that has long hair (such as the pubic area), it is generally speaking a good idea that you trim the hair down first with scissors so that it is easier to manage once you go in with a razor. If you posess testicles and intend to shave them, you are statistically more likely to injure yourself with electric clippers than you are with a 2-blade safety razor.

When shaving it is important that your skin, and the hair you intend to remove, is wet/warm/moist. This helps the razor glide smoothly and avoid bumps/burns/cuts. A good time to shave is (or after) after a bath (or a shower) so that there are no oils or dead skin in the way to clog up the razor blade. This is assuming that you are exfoliating the skin to remove any oils or dead skin.

Apply shaving cream, gel, or foam to the area you intend to shave prior to shaving it to avoid cuts or burns. The lubrication helps prevent you from pressing down too hard with the razor. Lather it up to help moisten the skin and hair. Seek out products meant for sensitive skin if you, well, have sensitive (or dry) skin. Applying moisturizer or aftershave after shaving helps keep your skin comfortable and soft (note, double check the ingredients of products labeled "aftershave" and avoid anything that contains alcohol, unless you enjoy the feeling of being slightly burned, but that is entierly up to your personal preference).

It is generally recommended that you shave "with the grain" (aka, shave your hair in the direction of which it grows), though in places like the face (where the hair grows in various different directions) it is better to simply shave in whatever direction is most comfortable for you personally. For other parts of the body (such as the legs) shave first with the grain, then against it on the second pass. Use light, gentle strokes. Let the razor do the work for you. Do not overshave the same spot, as this can cause irritation.

Rinse your razor blade with water after each swipe. Do not tap the razor against something (like the sink) as this can cause damage. If you are using a disposable razor blade, throw it away after every 5-7 shaves to minimize irritation. Always check your blade to make sure that it is nice and sharp. A dull blade is more likely to nick you. Some brands of razor will have other video indicators to help you tell that they are in need of replacement.

When you are done shaving, rinse off. Pat yourself dry instead of rubbing to avoid irritation.

Store your razor in a dry location to prevent bacteria growth. (Aka. Do not store it in the shower or on a wet sink.) If you are shaving the pubic area, keep a separate razor for the purpose. This helps keep it sharp.

Note that shaving cream should not be used when using an electric razor.

Waxing

Able to be done either at home or by a professional, hair waxing is the process of removing hair from the root via covering the hair with a sticky substance, then ripping it out.