It's been a bit over a year since I last shared my transition progress on here so I thought I want to update you all.

Here is my last post: https://phtn.app/post/lemmy.dbzer0.com/7781431

Forgot to add:

• first pic is 0 laser sessions
• second pic is 6 laser sessions
• third pic is 9 laser sessions

(This is a throwaway alt for my main lemmy account because I don't want to doxx myself. I'm an ally, and my daughter is transfem, but I understand I am not. If I need to remove this post, please let me know.)

Hey all

Early this year I came out as enby. The day I came out, I decided to do something with my mid-back length long hair to feel more femme. As I combed it and actually looked in the mirror for the first time in years, I saw I had thinning hair, looked with an additional mirror/my phone, and sadly came to the realization I had the first few steps of male pattern baldness. I can still 'hide' it by combing my hair back, using a small-tooth comb, etc, but soon I won't be able to hide it.

To my surprise this caused me a massive amount of dysphoria, and I realised that I had only ever been 'clocked' as feminine due to my hair, so I had made the connection between the two. I can't use the hair foams because they are toxic to cats and I would rather die than hurt my cat. I tend to react negatively to a fair number of medicines so the pill options are pretty scary, particularly with 'permanent E.D.' being out there. My doctor said I was a good candidate for microneedling/hair transplants, but those are far, far too expensive for me.

My male friends just told me to buzz it off and be done with it. My female/enby friends told me to keep it long for now and go back to my hairdresser when it becomes harder to hide.

I wanted to reach out to my transfem sisters and siblings to see:

Do if any of you had any advice for someone who feels at least part feminine, but doesn't know what to do to be more femme when shaved headed, or like when to shave their head, etc? Should I just work on my makeup/earring/accessory skills?

Thank you so much <3

Forgot to say I am from Canada if that helps any.

So, uh, hi. I've never posted here before, and I'm not entirely sure how I wound up here to begin with, but, well, details. I'm here for, well, maybe some advice but also to share some positive news when so much is going on in the US and UK.

On some level, I've known I was trans since, god, probably 2006...but for various reasons I never really moved forward with things, instead trying on various personas and occasionally crashing into severe alcoholism, then basically spending 2017-early/mid 2024 as a miserable urban hermit, just autopiloting to and from work. At that point, something in Baldur's Gate 3 of all things tripped something in my head, the drive to Do Better. This led to taking better care of myself, vitamins, better antidepressants, some lion's mane, and...well, it wiped out the fog that had been in my head for so many years. And without that fog, and refusing to drink again, I had to eventually do something about the black hole of dysphoria.

The first people I came out to were my three older sisters, on US election day. Yes, I know, I'm a comedy genius. But, you know what? Fuck US politics, I'm not letting some shits in Florida and Texas scare me into hiding another 15-20 years, and I live five minutes away from the state with the strongest LGBTQ protections in the country, in case things get dumb and shitty.

Since then, I've...actually a friend made a list, one second. "you went from very nervously mumbling that you thought you were maybe kind of trans to me to, what? Shaking off the post-election doom and gloom? Doing a bit of DIY HRT and confirming, 100%, this is what you want? Coming out to basically everyone you know? Starting therapy and getting good things out of it? Reconnecting with lots of friends you'd kind of ignored while you were depressed and dysphoric? Meeting up with IRL and online support groups? Finding an HRT (or GAHT, I guess) specialist, then starting on HRT for real? All in about 30 days?"

And even better, nearly everyone I've told has been nice at worst and incredibly supportive at best. My boss outright laughed at someone trying to out me, my co-workers have said how much more alive I look and seem, and I actually, gasp, have friends now! Socializing and talking to people is fun! I'm the closest I've been to two of my siblings in...ever, probably. I just can't believe how much having the right hormone for my brain has helped me in every way. And whatever challenges lie ahead, actually being ALIVE for the first time is pretty damn amazing, and makes things a lot more manageable!

Oh, and I was texting back and forth with said siblings, and signed off with a "love ya!" at the end. Both of them were stunned: apparently I've NEVER told either one I love them before. Ever. Yeah, this is the real me. Any lingering doubts I had vanished that moment.

I'll stick a question on here. One of the people I've been hoping to bring to...well, maybe not happy, but at least accepting, is my mom. Thanks to shitty right wing TV, she seems to be hung up on all of this being a sex or fetish thing and not much else. Assuming she's willing, would something like the page on biochemical dysphoria (that's the one that's closest to my personal experience) from the Gender Dysphoria Bible be a decent thing to get her to read?

Oh yeah, the image. It's just a couple of pins I stuck on my vest at work. They're so cute that even the couple of chud-types at my job love them, though they probably have no clue what the colors mean.

Heya,

I've been looking into razors and trimmers to take care of facial and body hair, including sensitive areas. Just looking up these products shows that pretty much anything as explicitly male or female marketed, including not just stereotypical elements like colour and such, but also explicitly calling themselves "for men" or "for women".

Is there anything to this label? Does it actually make any difference or are these just arbitrary visual differences?

Also, do people here have good recommendations for what to go for? It'd be nice to have something that maybe makes it a little easier than using disposable normal razors, as that's associated with some major constant effort and has some less fulfilling results in sensitive areas.

Thanks for reading!

i started hrt through planned parenthood almost 3 months ago, i feel like it was one of the best decisions i ever made, i feel so much more like myself. although it can sometimes be a lot harder, i am much happier overall, and now look forward to life and the changes i can make, and astonished at how much i have already changed.

i didnt really feel safe relying on using planned parenthood for getting my hrt, and i had already explored the option of getting it from my doctor, but they wont even give me an appointment for 6 months, so who knows how long that will take. i ended up going for injections, rather than oral or transdermal methods, given it being much cheaper. i ordered from a seller i found through some recommendations of friends, lots of stock issues, cant imagine why lol. the hardest part was getting the crypto, my payment methods just did not want to work for some reason. after i purchased some, i made an order, and waited for it to arrive. shipping took about two weeks, but i bought from an international seller.

i went to a friends house, they are also trans and have done injections on themselves many times, so they walked me through the process. i had seen people inject all sorts of things, so i was familiar with it, but i just wanted somebody experienced there. im glad i did, because i just couldnt do it, it just feels wrong to stab myself, i just was building it up in my head a whole lot. i asked them to do it for me, it was very simple and over quick. i think that now i have experienced it, i know what to expect, i will have a much easier time doing it to myself.

im happy i took this step, knowing i can do this has helped ease my anxiety quite a bit. im also glad to get off the spiro and start monotherapy. now all i need is some more cute outfits (and things that are considerably less exciting than cute outfits, but nonetheless important) and ill be ready to tackle the world.

Looking for a alternative to TikTok right now that has a good wide audience from LGBT people and neurodivergent people. I only ever used TikTok because it always gave me good LGBT and nerodivergent people who can relate to me. Instagram just gives me people who sell things and YouTube shorts just gives me annoying YouTubers.

Anybody have any good suggestions?

Um. So. I've been wearing a lot of tight sweaters recently and starting to show a bit too much nipple, so I bought some bras. Why just now? I guess I felt I didn't really "deserve" one, or I'd be "dressing up", or something, and wanted to wait for a good reason. Or two :3

Anyway, it's super comfortable, the padding really helps with sensitivity, and I looove what it does for my silhouette. BUT. I've been dressing somewhat androgynous up till now to give my hair / face time to catch up, and to me at least this is a big step into "this person is obviously dressing fem (wearing a bra)" territory. Which is kind of scary.

I'm not really sure what I'm asking here, sorry. I like presenting fem; I want to be perceived as fem; but I guess I'm kind of scared I look like a man in drag? Is anybody actually going to notice?

I haven't posted in a bit but I'm now over a year in. Just started injections a month ago, on progesterone since month 6 and been taking spiro of course.

Closed out my social media accounts while I prepare for some pretty major life changes, but I wanted to share my progress again since I haven't for a while. Life has been hard, but I'm happy.

Be strong, friends.

I have recently become involved in the "Trans Housing Network" which was started by xilliah@beehaw.org. I am in the midst of restructuring this into a broader "Trans Solidarity Network", a network of mutual aid communities across the United States. Due in large part to a rapidly evolving political situation in the US trans people are going to have to rely more and more on community to provide aid to them. The government of the US cannot be trusted to provide that aid. Trans people in deep red states may need to escape from them, many of whom do not have the resources to do so on their own. Trans people arriving in blue states will need help finding their feet and accessing care in their communities.

In that vein I am interested in building communities of trans people in localities across the US. You do not have to have anything to be a part of a mutual aid organization. Mutual aid means the community coming together and providing for each other. It means support networks without hierarchy, where your action has a direct impact on the lives of others.

Those with means are important here. Cisgender people can also be part of our mutual aid communities. We need people with a spare room, people with cars, people who can invest a few hours of their week checking in on their community members and giving food and emotional support to those that need it. Don't bother if you're close-minded or you're not open to being corrected on transphobic behavior. We are creating these networks to liberate trans people and protect them from violence. It goes without saying that transphobic people are not welcome, and that a level of scrutiny will be applied to new comers.

This whole thing is an entirely new project that I have been working on since the results of the election were declared. I am following principles of mutual organization and assistance. This is not a charity organization by any means. It is a way for trans people and allies to come together in light of extraordinary circumstances and help each other to be safe and healthy and secure.

The plan I have is (eventually) for communities to be relatively cut off from each other, and to be based around region. Right now in our earliest stages people from all over will be brought together, and as numbers grow will be divided into smaller regional groups. Keeping people geographically close to each other in touch and building networks of communication that extend longer distances. Financial contributions would be person to person, not person to entity to person. If you have money and want to contribute the best way to do so is by joining yourself and becoming a part of this network. I do not have interest in making a formal non-profit or charity organization. This is about private individuals helping each other when the government will not help us (or actively tries to harm us). I am looking for ways that international aid can be provided as well. If you live outside the US you can join the broader mutual aid network but what we need most of all is those who can provide direct assistance.

I am also looking for people who have experience with mutual aid, people who have experience with self-hosted technology, and people who are connected with groups on other social media to promote and spread word about this solidarity network. We need diverse skillsets to provide support to those who need it. Nothing is categorically unhelpful in a mutual aid group.

If you are interested in joining my efforts (which are very early on in terms of development) please message me on Matrix @ladyautumn:chat.blahaj.zone or email me at TransSolidarityNetwork@proton.me.

well i understand because my parents will notice if i'm taking hormone blockers

yay?????

So I started DIY a few months ago using estradiol gel for monotherapy (2.5g 0.06% gel applied scrotally twice a day for a total of 3 mg estradiol / day). I saw plenty of expected effects, including nipple sensitivity and no more spontaneous erections (after a month or so even direct stimulation was starting to get less effective). No blood tests, but I conclude estrogen levels are probably OK-ish and testosterone must be somewhat suppressed.

This month, I get on prescription injections instead at last. The standard course here is monotherapy, 10 or 20 mg estradiol valerate (Progynon) as an IM depot injection every two weeks. Different schedules, progestogens, anti-androgens etc are available but I'm probably going to have to advocate for that myself if necessary. First injection, 10mg; I stopped using gel that day. All seems OK, but a few days in, I start getting erections at night again. Weird, but I assume it could be an occasional thing. By day six, they're happening every night, sometimes getting semi-hard during the day too. Nipple sensitivity has pretty much gone so I conclude the injection has worn off and go back on gel. Everything reverts to "gel normal" as above.

Injection two, two weeks after the first, I get 20mg this time. Stop gel again. After a few hours, boom lots of breast sensitivity / swelling. I'm guessing this is a pretty good indicator of E levels. That's slowly dropped down to gel-like levels over the subsequent few days and what do you know, the erections are back again. I conclude peak levels were a bit higher than gel, but dropping off rapidly again and probably not going to last the full two weeks. (This is consistent with the simulator on transfem science).

I'll be asking for blood tests next time and checking with the doctor, but I'd like to get a straw poll: does anybody see random erections even with T suppressed? Am I overthinking things? I'm not seeing a massive return of BO or anything, so I assume T isn't getting that high, but god damn I hate waking up to that thing.

I was at Epcot the other day and suddenly the globe, the trees, the new little park, and all the Magicbands began to glow pink, silver and blue. The globe was an especially obvious trans flag (sorry if that isn't the correct term). I stopped and paid attention to the song that was playing and it was from their flop "Wish".

Have you ever wondered why you look up at the sky for answers?

Well, you don't have to look too hard
We're here for all your question marks
If you're try'na figure out just who you are
Don't look far

In the sky and your front yard
In your heart and in your scars
If you really wanna know just who you are
You're a star

Nice move Disney. 10/10

Hey y'all, transfemby here. I've yet to start HRT (not sure I want to rn), but I really wish I had thicker hips. Today was a shitty dysphoria day about it, and it made me realize how bad I want this. Do you have any recommendations on how to achieve wider hips (and/or hourglass shape) without HRT?

I'm thinking of taking my dosage of 6mg a day down to 4mg a day so I can stockpile 2mg each day in case of an emergency. Or maybe every other day to stockpile 1mg each day.

I'm worried though about it negatively affecting me mentally, but I also know that if I do run out and don't have a stockpile, it'll be much worse.

Or maybe I could ask my doctor to prescribe me extra so I can stockpile without reducing my dosage?

Anyways, what are your thoughts on doing this? I know Erin Reed recently put out an article which mentioned it being done (which is what inspired me to make this post).

[Requesting Engagement from transfems]

(Blahaj lemmy told me to put this up top, so I did)

I did not expect this to happen. I followed FairyPrincessLucy for a long time, cuz she's real nice and seems cool.

Time passes and I noticed how I would feel very bad when watching her do stuff. I was like

damn, she so generally okay with her situation. Wish I was too lol

So I stopped watching her.

Just now I discovered another channel, Melody Nosurname , and I really, really like her videos! She seems very reasonable and her little character is super cute <3
But here too I noticed how watching the vids made me super uncomfortable.
The representation is nice, for sure, and her videos are of very high quality, I can only recommend them (as in - the videos).

I started by noticing

woah, her tshirt is super cute, I wanna have that too!

Then I continue with

heyo her friend here seems also super cool. Damn wish I had cool friends

And then eventually the classic

damn, I wish I were her

At that point, it's already over. I end up watching another video and, despite my genuine interest in the topic, I stop it in the middle, close the tab and open Lemmy (and here we are).

Finally I end up watching videos by cis men, like Scott the Woz. They are fine, and I end up not comparing myself to them (since I wouldn't necessarily want to be them). I also stopped watching feminine people in general online, as they tend to give me a very similar reaction. Just like

yeah, that's cool that you're mostly fine with yourself, I am genuinely happy for you that you got lucky during random character creation <3

I also watched The Owl House, which is a really good show (unfortunately owned by Disney) and I stopped watching when...

Spoiler for the Owl House

it started getting gay <3 cuz I started feeling way too jealous of them just being fine with themselves and pretty and gay <3 and such

I wanted to see where the show was going, and I'm sure it's real good, but that is not worth risking my wellbeing, I thought.

So anyway...

have you had a period like that before?
How did you deal with it?
Do you watch transfem people? Please share your favs! <3
I also like watching SimplySnaps. Her videos are also really high quality, I just end up not being able to watch them for too long before sad hits :(

additional info about me, if anyone cares

I currently don't take hrt, but I'm on my way. I'm attending psychological therapy with a really nice tharapist here in Germany.
I struggle to find good words to describe how I feel but slowly I find better words for it.
I'm currently 19 and present myself mostly masculine still, while trying to act very nice, generally acceptable and friendly. So kinda in a way which makes both super sweet queer people <3 <3 <3 <3 and hetero cis queerphobes accept me as just another character. (I work at a school with very mixed ideologies, so I kinda have to).
But oh boi do I have social anxiety, even at home with mother...

EDIT: Changed info about SimplySnaps
EDIT2: Added The Owl House example

Like in 2016 a rising tide of conservatives emboldened by the Republican victory are starting to crop up online. Hate speech and random attacks directed at the trans community in online spaces will continue and most likely grow louder in the coming weeks. For our safety and mental health I encourage everyone to avoid online spaces that are not strictly moderated. Avoid social media where transphobia and misogyny are tolerated. The effect of constact exposure to hate speech is profound and horrific. We need to shelter ourselves from it as much as possible. I know it doesn't sound very brave to say that but its the truth. We need to look after each other of course, but first of all we have to look after ourselves.

Like everyone here I've been through a chaotic mess of emotions over the past couple days. I am furious, heartbroken, terrified, and sick with anxiety. I have picked apart everything thats happened in the past few months and tried to make sense of how this could happen. The hows and whys of it dont matter though. This is the reality we are confronted with and we have to exist within it. There is no use in praying for a different world. There is no use in lamenting the reality as it exists.

Trans people have made it through so many eras of open hostility towards us. Our community is built on the foundations laid by those who came before us. We persevere because of our solidarity, our empathy and our unity. We must now turn our attention to how we can fight back against this system. We must move our focus to how we can persist within a new world. Trans people still need hormones. We need ways out of hostile communities. We need protection and we need security. Our focus must change to how we can provide those things without the help of institutions. We need networks of supportive cisgender people throughout deep red states. We need supply chains for bringing hormones to people who cannot access them. We need communities online oriented around supporting our most vulnerable.

I am committed to this community supporting all of those efforts, and am looking to become personally involved in organizing efforts as time goes on. Channel your anger and your fear into action. Process your feelings together, support each other, and remember that youre not alone. We are not alone. Things aren't okay. They won't suddenly be okay tomorrow. But we can look after our community. We can push back. It's our duty to do so, for trans youth and vulnerable trans people who can't advocate for themselves and are subject to the whims of the system.

What are your thoughts on getting your health records wiped? Yay/Nay?

My Therapist asked if I wanted my medical records wiped..... I was asked if I wanted my medical records scrubbed of any mention of being trans or gender dysphoria. She indicated I could ask the same from all of my doctors. It feels disgusting but some part of me says it's a good idea. I could just be a woman on Estrogen which isn't really unusual. I wanted to share with the community, this is a personal choice you should consider. permalink by Shadowfoxx757

I'm leaning more towards that they'll make it legal to "we retain the right to refuse service to", or your boss can fire you because you are trans, rather than poring through medical records to fuck people's lives up.

Notable comments in my opinion:

• Once your trans status has been wiped from medical records (I've not done so, but I'm seriously considering it), you can then tell doctors that you've had a hysterectomy, or that you happen to have a birth defect where your uterus never formed. This covers why certain things like PAP Smears don't apply to you, even though they apply to most women. ⏤ by lirannl
  • My medical record already seems to not say I'm trans, but it does have the line "congenital absent uterine cervix" ⏤ by Xunae
• Look, everyone should absolutely do what they feel is best for their safety, full stop, no questions asked. My own feeling though, is that A) I honestly don’t believe our worst fears are going to come to pass. Why? Do you remember Trump’s first term and what a chaotic mess it was, even from the GOP’s perspective? Remember when the GOP squandered their House majority on infighting? They are going to be so overeager with everyone trying to ram through their pet hate legislation and trying to kiss the ring, it will be like a traffic bottleneck when lanes close on the interstate during rush hour.B) even if our worst fears do come to pass, I have no energy left to hide who I am. I did it for 30+ years of my life, not only with this but with autism/ADHD as well, and I just will not go back. I cannot go back. The future is scary yes, but ultimately we do not know what will happen. I do know, however, what will happen if I go backwards and I am certain that place is as scary for me personally as anything they can do to me. ⏤ by Different-Yam-736

Not Original Poster. But thought that you'd like to learn more about a hair removal device if laser salon visit prices are too high

My Experience as a male using the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL device: what you won’t find in most reviews

by /u/Rantakemisti Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 6:08:50 AM GMT

I’ve been using the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL for over two years now, and as a guy, I've noticed that most of the reviews are written by women, focusing on areas like the face, legs, or bikini line. But what about the areas men want to treat? The pubic region, penis, balls, butt, and armpits. Before I bought the device, I couldn’t find any reviews or other helpful info from men, especially about treating those areas down there. That’s why I want to share my personal experience and everything I wish someone had told me when I first started out.

This isn’t a product review going over the device’s features—you can find that anywhere. This post is about my personal journey toward hairlessness and everything I’ve learned over two and a half years of consistent IPL use, especially in those areas most reviews don’t focus on, like the pubic region, scrotum, penis, and armpits. I’ll talk about the results I’ve seen, how to approach those tricky areas, and what kind of maintenance you’ll need. Along the way, I’ve discovered a few tips, like using powder on darker skin to get better results, and I’ll show you close-up photos of my progress so you can see exactly what’s possible. I hope this helps you avoid the trial and error I went through and gives you realistic expectations based on my experience.

What this review covers:

• Results after two and a half years of use: How long it took to see results, the kind of hair reduction I experienced, and what maintenance looks like now.
• Close-up photos after two years of IPL treatment:: Detailed visual examples of treated areas, including the pubic region and armpits.
• Tips and Tricks for treating male-specific areas: Practical advice on using IPL on the pubic region, the shaft of the penis, the scrotum, and the area around the butt crack.
• Important note for using IPL on genitals: Manufacturer warnings and my personal experience after using the device in sensitive areas for over two years.
• What affects IPL effectiveness? (and why it doesn’t work for everyone): Factors such as hair density, thickness, skin tone, and device settings that influence how well IPL works for different people.
• Are the results permanent?: My thoughts on permanence, regrowth, and how individual factors may influence results.
• Final thoughts and overall value: Was it worth it? My honest conclusion after long-term use, including comparisons to professional treatments.

First off, I want to clarify that I have no connection to Braun or the beauty industry, and I didn’t receive this product for free. I bought it with my own money, and at the time, Braun had a campaign offering a money-back guarantee if the device didn’t deliver results. I’m not sure how difficult it would have been to go through that process, but it made me feel more confident about purchasing. Fortunately, I never had to think about returning it because the results were fantastic.

When I was doing my research, I noticed that many people recommended laser treatments and suggested that IPL devices like this one were scams. Despite those opinions, I chose the Braun IPL, and I’m glad I did. Professional laser treatments in Finland can cost over 450 euros per session for areas like "the bikini line", and multiple sessions are needed. Besides the cost, I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of someone else treating my intimate areas. The Braun IPL cost me around 299 euros on sale (though it’s currently priced closer to 500 euros), but it has been an excellent long-term investment, and the results have been well worth it. The exact model I bought was Braun SilkExpert IPL PRO 5 PL5237, and it came with a normal head, a precision head, a wider head, a Venus razor, and a pouch (there are many model numbers, but the difference is usually in accessories).

Now, I’ve been using the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 for about two and half years. I’ve treated areas like my armpits, the entire pubic region (including the typical "bikini line area"), the base and shaft of the penis, the skin near my butt, and the scrotum. These areas are now almost entirely hairless, except for a small pubic landing strip I left intentionally. The few hairs that grow back are incredibly fine and barely noticeable transparent – I can literally count them on one hand! Even though I’ve achieved great results, I still shave and use the device once a month for maintenance, treating any new fine hairs that come back in that time period.

Results and how long it took

It took about two to three months of weekly treatments before I noticed a significant reduction in hair. My armpits responded quickly, becoming hairless fairly early in the process, while the genital area—especially the pubic region and the base of the penis—took longer due to the dense, thicker and coarser hair in those areas. Additionally, the skin in the genital region is darker, which likely affected the device’s ability to operate at full power in those spots. The area near the butt crack also required more time, but the results have been excellent.

In the beginning, I used the IPL device once a week. After reaching a state of “hairlessness,” I switched to using it about once a month or whenever I noticed hair starting to regrow. The regrowth was much slower, and the few hair that came back was very fine and soft - more like baby hair. Initially, each session took about 15 minutes, but as the hair thinned out, the treatments became much shorter—often less than 5 minutes now. Larger areas, like the legs, could take up to an hour, even though Braun’s marketing suggests faster results. Consistency was key for achieving smooth skin within a few months, and now I only need occasional touch-ups to maintain those results.

In terms of discomfort, the first few treatments were a bit painful, especially due to my dark, thick hair, but the pain decreased significantly as the hair thinned. Now, during my monthly maintenance sessions, there’s no pain at all. I should also note that despite using the device on the genital area, against the manufacturer’s recommendations, I haven’t experienced any burning, irritation, or side effects in over two years of use. That said, every body, skin, and hair type is different. Especially if you have dense and thicker hair and dark skin, I recommend starting at a lower intensity and increasing it gradually as the hair reduces.

While I can’t say for sure if the results will be permanent, the reduction has been significant and long-lasting. It’s possible that the hair may never return to its original state, or if it does, it could take years and come back finer and sparser. If I continue treatments for many more years, I don’t know if I’ll eventually achieve full hairlessness. I want to be open about the fact that I can’t promise anything that I haven't experienced, but so far, I’m very happy with the results and the ease it’s brought to my routine.

Close-up photos after two years of IPL treatment

To give a clearer idea of my progress, I’ve included two close-up images taken today (22. Oct 2024), a month after my last shave and IPL treatment, which was at the end of September. These areas have been treated regularly—first every week and now just once a month for maintenance. The images show the results after two and a half years of consistent use. Remember that these are macro shots, revealing details beyond what the naked eye can see. Even I can't see those hair follicles, but they are clearly visible in a macro image.

Pubic Mound Image: This close-up photo shows the right side of my pubic mound, right next to the landing strip of hair I intentionally left. The upper right corner shows the pubic hair I kept, while the lower right direction is towards my genitals (not visible in the image), and my abdomen is towards the upper left corner. My hip is towards the lower left. In simple terms, the treated area is the lower section of the image that was previously full of hair. It gives a clear contrast between the untreated and treated areas. Remember that this is a macro shot, so you can see more detail than you would with the naked eye. In everyday life, the treated skin looks completely smooth and hair-free. It’s been about a month since I last shaved and treated this area with IPL.

This close-up photo shows the right side of the pubic mound, right next to the landing strip of hair I intentionally left. The treated area is the bottom half of the image, and the photo was taken a month after the last shaving and IPL treatment.

Armpit Image: This close-up of my armpit shows the results after two years of treatment. I’ve been a bit lazier with armpit treatments compared to the pubic area. Again, the image is zoomed in to show the details of the skin, but in reality, my armpit feels smooth and hairless to the touch. Like the pubic area, it’s been about a month since I last shaved and treated this spot with IPL. The armpit is mostly hair-free, with only a few very fine, light hairs that are barely noticeable.

Close-up of the armpit. The photo was taken about a month after last session.

These images help show how far I've come since starting IPL treatments. Even though they’re highly magnified, the areas are almost entirely smooth in real life, and the monthly treatments keep the regrowth minimal.

Tips and Tricks: How I treated male-specific areas

If you’re thinking about using IPL for the pubic region, the base and shaft of the penis, the area around the butt crack, or the scrotum, the device worked really well, but there are a few tips that can help make the process easier and more effective:

Tip 1. Stretch the skin for better contact:

For areas like the scrotum or the base and shaft of the penis, gently stretching the skin can help the device make better contact. This ensures the hair is properly targeted.

Tip 2. Use baby powder or corn starch for darker skin areas:

If you’re treating darker areas, like the skin near the scrotum or the butt crack, applying baby powder or corn starch beforehand helps lighten the skin slightly. Without this trick, I found it required a lot of adjusting and positioning to get the device to even work on the scrotum, as many parts of that area were too dark for the device to activate. The powder allows the device to operate at a higher intensity and makes the process much smoother. Make sure the area is dry before applying the IPL.

Caution: Manufacturers recommend using clean and dry skin without any products. The warning is likely about liability and ensuring the device is used safely. Excessive powder use could affect the device’s cooling fan, so take it easy with the powder and use common sense.

Tip 3. Reduce friction and control moisture with powder

Powder also helps reduce friction, making it easier to drag the IPL device, especially when using the burst fire feature. Additionally, if your skin is damp, moist, or sweaty, the device can struggle to read the skin color correctly, leading to decreased power. Applying powder keeps the skin dry and helps the device maintain its intensity, even for light-skinned users.

Tip 4. Move the testicles aside when treating the scrotum

When treating the scrotum, move the testicles aside to avoid directly zapping them. Focus on the skin around the testicles, and be patient with the process. I don't know if it's unsafe to treat testicles, but my common sense said that it won't be a good idea.

Tip 5. Flexibility helps for hard to reach areas

For difficult-to-reach areas like the butt, back of the thighs, or similar spots, positioning can make a big difference. Use a hand mirror to improve visibility and help with alignment. Elevating one leg on a stool or bathtub edge can stabilize you and improve your reach. For even more control, a low squat can offer stability and better angles. Sometimes lying on your back with knees bent or even twisting slightly can help access awkward spots. Experiment with these positions to ensure full contact and thorough coverage.

Tip 6. Choose a wider head for larger areas

If you’re considering getting this device, I highly recommend purchasing the version that comes with a wider treatment head. It covers larger areas more quickly, saving a lot of time, especially when treating regions like the lower abdomen or general pubic area.

Tip 7. Avoid missing spots with proper IPL head positioning

The flash area of the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 is smaller than the treatment head due to the surrounding borders and sensors. This can lead to missed spots if the device isn’t aligned correctly. To ensure complete coverage, position the flash window directly over the area you want to treat rather than relying on the width of the treatment head. Move in small, overlapping sections to prevent untreated spots, ensuring consistent results, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Tip 8. Evening treatments for reduced redness

I found it helpful to do the treatments in the evening. This allows any potential redness or irritation to calm down overnight, so your skin looks and feels better by the morning.

Tip 9. Let the skin cool between zaps

I’ve found that treating some spots twice, like around the scrotum, helps because the darker skin there causes the device to lower its intensity automatically. However, I always give the skin time to cool down before zapping again to avoid any burning or discomfort.

Tip 10. Shave closely before IPL for better results

Always shave closely before using IPL. This allows the light energy from the IPL device to target the hair root beneath the skin effectively. Remember, don’t wax or pluck, as this removes the root and reduces the effectiveness of IPL. Also, hair in areas like the pubic region can have deeper follicles, so don’t be discouraged if it takes longer to see results in those spots. Consistency and patience are key for getting the best outcomes.

Tip 11. Start small and break it into manageable sessions

Results take time and regular use, so I recommend starting with smaller areas like your armpits or the genital area. When I first started, I tried to treat everything at once—armpits, genitals, butt, and legs—and it quickly became overwhelming. I ended up dropping leg treatments because I didn’t want to spend over an hour each week on shaving and IPL. The process became much more manageable by breaking it down into shorter sessions with smaller goals.

Tip 12. Less is more: Focus on session quality over quantity

Based on my experience, treating once a week has been effective, and I find it hard to say if more frequent sessions would yield better results. Pushing for too many treatments could lead to fatigue or frustration if progress doesn’t meet expectations. Many manufacturers recommend waiting a week or longer between treatments to align with the hair growth cycle. I prefer focusing on the quality of each session, even revisiting tricky areas, rather than increasing the number of sessions. As results improve, consider extending the intervals between treatments.

Tip 13. Treat IPL like a long-term commitment, not a quick fix

Think of IPL as a fitness journey—achieving lasting results can take months or even over a year, depending on factors like hair type, skin tone, and the area being treated. IPL isn’t a quick fix; it's a gradual process that requires patience and consistent effort. Since everyone’s experience can differ, maintaining a regular treatment schedule and realistic expectations is essential. While results can be rewarding, they may vary significantly from person to person.

Important note for using IPL on genitals

Braun advises against using the device on mucosal areas (like the labia minora, vagina, or anus) and recommends avoiding the genital region due to potential discomfort from darker skin and denser hair, which absorb more light. That said, I’ve been using it on the pubic region and scrotum for over two years without any burning, irritation, or side effects. Every body, skin type, and hair type is different, so if you decide to treat sensitive areas, proceed at your own risk with caution and common sense.

What affects IPL effectiveness? (and why it doesn’t work for everyone)

When considering an IPL device, it’s important to understand that its success isn’t just about skin tone and hair color. While the contrast between light skin and dark hair is often highlighted as a key factor, there are many other variables that can influence how effective the treatment is for each individual. From the thickness and density of hair to the depth of the follicles and even the settings on your device, several factors come into play that can impact the overall results.

1. Hair Density, Thickness, and Follicle Depth

Areas with thicker, denser hair or deeper follicles tend to require more treatments. For example, in my own experience, my armpits responded faster than areas like the pubic region or scrotum, where the hair is coarser and more stubborn. Hair thickness can slow down the process, meaning you might need more patience for regions where the hair is stronger or rooted deeper.

2. Device Power and Settings

The power level of the IPL device also makes a difference. Devices like the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 have different intensity levels, and if the device automatically lowers its power due to darker skin, the results might take longer to appear. I found that in certain areas, adjusting the angle of the device or using tricks like applying powder to lighten the skin helped improve contact and deliver stronger results.

3. Skin Tone and Hair Color

IPL works best for those with a clear contrast between their skin and hair—light skin and dark hair give the best results. To help explain, Braun provides a skin tone chart from 1 to 7, which you can also find in the product manual and I attached it after this paragraph. My skin tone falls between 5 and 6, with some areas, particularly down there, reaching a 7—the darkest shade where the device doesn’t work effectively. My pubic hair was the darkest shade on the chart, and it still remains so in untreated areas like the pubic mound. Other visible body hair is closer to the second-darkest shade, while I also have some white or transparent baby hair.

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve experienced difficulty using the device in areas where the skin is darker, like the scrotum. However, by adjusting the angle of the device and applying powder to lighten the skin slightly, I’ve been able to get better results. If you have darker skin in certain areas, this may be a helpful tip to consider.

Braun's skin and hair tone chart.

4. Hormonal and Biological Factors

Other factors like hormones or individual hair growth cycles can influence results. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how hormones affect the process, but I wouldn’t be surprised if things like testosterone levels play a role in regrowth speed. I can only speak from my experience, and I’ve seen varying results even within my own body—some areas clear up quickly, while others need more attention.

5. Variability in Results by Area

Even with the same routine, I’ve noticed that different areas of my body respond differently. For example, my armpits, which I left untreated for months this year, experienced minimal regrowth. On the other hand, areas like the butt needs more consistent treatments to stay hair-free. This shows that IPL results can vary not only between individuals but also across different parts of the same body.

6. IPL Isn’t Suitable for Everyone

While IPL has been highly effective for me, it doesn’t work for everyone. If you have very light hair (blonde, grey, or red) or very dark skin, the device might not work as well or at all. Additionally, IPL doesn’t work on tattoos and can even damage tattooed skin. It’s important to check your skin and hair type against the skin and hair tone chart and be aware that results can vary significantly from person to person.

Are the results permanent?

The question of permanence is a big one when it comes to IPL, and it’s something I’ve reflected on a lot in the comments and I feel it's almost like a philosophical discussion point. What does “permanent” actually mean when it comes to hair removal? For some, it might mean never seeing any hair again after a few months of treatment. For others, it could simply mean significant reduction, where the hair grows back much more slowly, or is so fine and sparse that it’s hardly noticeable. In my experience, the reality lies somewhere in between, and what permanence means depends on each person’s expectations, body and how consistently they maintain treatments.

After two and a half years of regular IPL use, I can say that the areas I’ve treated are almost hairless. Any hair that does grow back is fine, soft, and very sparse—almost like baby hair. But to be honest, I still do monthly touch-ups. This has made me wonder: am I doing this out of necessity, or more out of habit? There’s such minimal regrowth that it’s hard to tell whether I need the treatments to maintain the results, or if I could stop completely and still stay mostly hairless.

For example, I left my armpits untreated for several months earlier this year, and there was very little regrowth during that time. The hair that did come back was fine and sparse, almost unnoticeable unless I looked closely. While I’ve recently started treating my armpits again about once a month, it’s mostly because I’ve gotten back into a routine. In contrast, areas like my scrotum and butt still seem to require more regular maintenance, and I haven’t felt comfortable stopping treatments there yet. These varying results have made me curious about stopping treatments on other areas, like my pubic mound, where the results have been excellent (see the earlier posted photo). I plan to experiment with this and will update my post as I learn more.

However, it’s important to understand that permanence can vary greatly between people. If someone expects to never see a single hair again after a few months, they might be disappointed. I can’t say for sure if all the hair would eventually grow back if I stopped treatments entirely. It’s possible that over time—months, or even years—some of the hair might return. Or maybe it wouldn’t. To be completely transparent, I don’t have enough long-term data to say what will happen if I stop treatments completely. Will my body eventually start growing hair like before, or will the results hold up permanently? I honestly don’t know, and that’s something I think about when considering how I talk about IPL.

While this has been my personal experience, I’ve seen comments and heard from others that their results can vary significantly, with some experiencing near-permanent hair removal and others needing more frequent touch-ups depending on individual factors like hair type, skin tone, and how consistently they follow the treatment schedule.

In summary, while I can’t say for certain that IPL will provide permanent, lifelong results, the reduction I’ve experienced has been significant, and the regrowth minimal. It’s possible that some hair could return over time, but it’s also possible that I might remain nearly hairless in the treated areas for the rest of my life—even if I stop treatments completely. It’s hard to predict with absolute certainty how my body will respond in the long term. For now, I’m satisfied with the ease of quick monthly touch-ups, and I plan to continue experimenting, especially by pausing treatments on my pubic mound to see how well the results hold up. I’ll share more updates as I go, but overall, I’m very happy with the results so far.

Final thoughts: Was it worth it?

In the end, I’m really happy with the results. As a guy, I no longer have to shave regularly or deal with irritation in sensitive areas. The device may have been pricey upfront, but compared to the cost of professional treatments, I feel like it paid for itself relatively quickly. When you shave, you get that smooth, dolphin-like skin for a day or two, but soon after, the hair grows back and the skin becomes prickly, almost like a hedgehog. Now, after owning the Braun for almost two years, I’m completely hairless in the treated areas. It’s enough to shave and use the device about once a month. The feeling of being hair-free and not having to deal with stubble, especially in the genital and butt regions, is truly priceless.

One of the best parts of using IPL is how easy the maintenance has become. After a few months of weekly treatments, I reached a point where I only need to treat the areas once a month. My sessions now last just a few minutes—far from the initial 15 minutes they used to take, and definitely a far cry from the constant shaving I had to do before IPL. It’s been such an easy part of my routine that I hardly even think about it anymore. The occasional fine hair that grows back is so light and soft, it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t feel uncomfortable like before.

Throughout this review, I’ve shared plenty of tips, especially for treating male-specific areas like the scrotum and penis. Especially, using powder to lighten darker areas has been a game-changer for me, especially where the skin is more sensitive. I’ve shared these tips so others can get as much value from the device as I have and avoid the trial-and-error I went through.

I don’t know if my results will be permanent, but the reduction has been significant and long-lasting in my case. It’s possible that with continued use, the remaining hair might stop growing entirely. I can’t say for sure if the hair would ever fully grow back if I stopped using the device, but based on what I’ve experienced so far, it would probably take a long time, and the regrowth would be much finer and sparser. Since I’m writing this review based on my own experiences, I want to be transparent about what I’ve observed and what I haven’t yet encountered.

If you’re a man considering IPL, I hope my experience helps. The reviews out there often focus on areas that women are more concerned about, but for men, this device works really well on the areas we care about. Don’t be discouraged by the lack of male reviews – this device has worked wonderfully for me.

Feel free to ask me any questions if you’re thinking about getting one!

permalink by Rantakemisti (↑ 304/ ↓ 0)

Comments

+1 for powder, it changed the game even for me specially if you're gonna drag the IPL it speeds up the time and lightens the area which results in higher intensity ⏤ by sushigotpussy (↑ 33/ ↓ 0)

├─ It's a great point that it reduces friction and makes it easier to use the burst fire feature simply by dragging the device.  I’ve also learned that when the skin is damp, moist, sweaty, or otherwise reflective, the device struggles to read the skin color correctly, which results in decreased power. Using powder can definitely help in this situation, even for light-skinned users who do not need to hack their skin color  ⏤ by Rantakemisti (↑ 24/ ↓ 0) ├── Using powder is a bit of genius. Thanks for the write-up. ⏤ by MyLastAdventure (↑ 11/ ↓ 0) ├─── Yes, it's definitely one of the greatest tricks. I just wish I had learned it much earlier. It would have saved a lot of time, struggle, and made the process less painful. ⏤ by Rantakemisti (↑ 3/ ↓ 0) └────

I don't know what comes next. I don't know what to expect. It's serious. It's real this time. Prepare for the worst-case scenarios and do not assume anything. A lot has been said about how this administration plans to handle queer rights. It could mean anything. No level of institutional violence against trans people is off the table as of now. Medications can be banned, non-conformity with assigned roles can be criminalized, conversion therapy can be accepted as widespread policy. I don't know. The end result is it's not good. Whatever this change in power means for us, it's not good. I don't want to downplay the seriousness of what's at stake here.

That being said, as escape and resistance efforts materialize, this community will support them. We will persevere as queer people have always had to. When the systems fail us, we rely on each other. Grassroots efforts will come together in the coming weeks and months. I encourage people to do what they think is right and to do what they think will keep themselves and their families safe. We have to stay together and we have to love and protect each other. No matter what happens. Unity and queer power doesn't stop now. Today is a day to mourn the loss of a safe world for so many queer people. Tomorrow, we should begin to steel ourselves for resistance.

I hope the best for everyone. This community is here to support us all as this unfolds. I'm so sorry. I wish there was more I could say or do. The waves of anxiety and fear have been washing over me for the past couple of hours. Let's mourn together, I guess. And get ready for what comes tomorrow.

There's some crisis lines in the sidebar I encourage anyone to make use of if you're unsafe right now. Those are all explicitly trans affirming support lines.

What even becomes of us now? What recourse do we have?

What’s going to happen to us?

Are we going to die?

Long story short, I've known that I was trans long before I had even heard the word. There were signs as early as 4 years old and I knew by the time I was 8. I'm in my late 30's now and I had come to a kind of peace about not transitioning. It's something that I want but because of life, family, and a lot of fear I decided not to.

Recently a very close friend who I've know for decades came out to me as a trans woman.

I want to tell her about myself but I'm worried about planting seeds of doubt about her transition because I've known I was trans for so long and yet haven't started transitioning myself. I'm afraid that if I try and explain why that she might internalize my reasons. If that makes sense. I've never told anyone my truth and I'd so love to have someone to talk to about it. Especially since my friends transition is causing me to second guess myself.

I would appreciate some thoughts on whether I should tell my friend.