tzone

**PurplePrincess** · Advisor Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 2678 Location: Bristol

Herb wrote:

Ok, I have my 2nd IPL test patch scheduled for Monday. Assuming it doesn't show any bad signs, I'll get zapped for the first time properly later next week Smile

That's great news Herb Smile

. I hope it goes really well for you.

Herb wrote:

I guess I was exaggerating a little in terms of what practical steps i can take. I was referring to the "big-ticket" items - permanent body changes, stuff that would be visible in my possessions at home.

Bear in mind here, I am presently living with my mother. She absolutely hates the idea of me doing this, and doesn't want to know the real me. If I brought home anything girly, I have serious doubts about how long it would stay in the house. That said...

I guess it can be easy to think mainly of the big steps and changes with transitioning but I think everything plays it's part and counts, the small things are important too. As you are living with your mum and she hasn't come around yet then the small things that you can do can really help and make you feel you are doing something.

Herb wrote:

For now, a mixture of shaving and depilatory creams, but avoiding chest/arm hair, since mum would scream blue murder at that.

Why would your mum object to that? I know you say she is against you transitioning but there are plenty of guys out there that shave their chest and arm hair. I know a few guys at my work that shave their legs.

Herb wrote:

I have a second interview for a very nice job in a week or three. Right now, most of my hopes are pinned on that. I can't really begin to show real outward signs until I have moved out. This is what's so frustrating for me, especially given my traditional inability to hold down a job.

Good luck with the job opportunity. It does sound like you will be able to do more of the things you want when you have moved out into your own place. As for being able to hold down a job well you have a lot of good reasons to motivate you to try and stay working.

My job isn't a nice job, it's long hours and physical work and at times I have really hated it but I have stuck at it because it isn't too badly paid and it gives me my independence to be able to live how I want to. I never used to be able to hold down a job either and now I have been there about 5 years or so and got to know the people well and I have transitioned there now too.

_________________
Chrissy
Forums Moderator.

Always have faith and believe in yourself.
Never run from the truth.
Have the will to change your fate and your spirit will never die.
Check out the tzone team bios here: http://www.transgenderzone.com/bio.htm

Herb · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject:

Why would she object to that? Because in my mum's mind, the sun rises in the east, and men have hairy chests. Completely idiotic, I know, but I'm not the only nutcase in my family.

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

**Flameboy** · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject:

Herb wrote:

Why would she object to that? Because in my mum's mind, the sun rises in the east, and men have hairy chests. Completely idiotic, I know, but I'm not the only nutcase in my family.

Um, would she need to know? Surely it'd be easy enough to keep your chest covered when you're around her? Or am I missing something here...

Dave

Herb · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:39 pm Post subject:

Night of the Knives
---------------------

In a thankfully bloodless revolution, the chest was reclaimed in the name of womanhood. Not a single hair survived the onslaught.

(More pragmatically, if I were to wear just a single layer up top, she would definitely notice the lack of hair if she bothered to think about it while looking. Thankfully, it's winter now, and in any case, I usually wear 2 layers anyway, even in hot summers (to avoid the wet tee shirt look from sweating - Japanese summers were mega-humid).

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

**Reenie** · Reporter Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 3577 Location: Glasgow

'Tis one thing to rid oneself of the Sturmabteilung but just watch an SS Panzer division come crawling across your Jubblien bent on revenge... Sad

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Herb · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:12 am Post subject:

Yeah, I hear that their revenge can be really itchy Sad

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

SamanthaH · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 130 Location: Merseyside

Quote:

Yeah, I hear that their revenge can be really itchy

You have no idea. Twisted Evil

I have never had any itchyness on my chest when I have shaved it. My stomach, upper legs(I have never shaved my lower legs because somebody would notice) and bum itched like hell. Mad

**Reenie** · Reporter Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 3577 Location: Glasgow

Three days worth right around the nipples, aaargh!

SamanthaH wrote:

...bum itched like hell.

Let 'em grow, wear loose jeans and take up the building trade...

Builders' Bum!

_________________
The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

SamanthaH · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 130 Location: Merseyside

Quote:

Let 'em grow, wear loose jeans and take up the building trade...

This was about a year ago, so no more problem. I couldn't sit down for a week. Embarassed

Damn male hair. Twisted Evil

No more shaving for me until hormones.

Herb · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure either is going to happen soon, but underarms or forearms? Which should be my next priority for clearing?

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Herb · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject:

This is more a reminder for myself when I come back to read this in 20 years time than anything else really. But my first laser session is tomorrow.

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Herb · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:26 am Post subject:

IPL after action review

The actual process took about 20 minutes, and as anyone who has done it knows, it hurts. owwies. or, as a certain marquis would have said, the pain was... exquisite. It was certainly the most pain I have ever sat still for.

I got home, and the first thing i did was soak my face in cold water for a bit, as it was starting to feel very warm by that point. Then I applied aloe vera gel.

I am very happy to report there is no blistering, or any significant swelling. The maternal unit has no idea (unless she happens to be reading this blog, which I doubt).

otoh, I haven't seen any indication of any hair reduction. The nice young lady with the laser cannon said I should see my skin shed the dead hairs over the next week or two, so obviously, one day is a little early to expect to see anything. But I am getting a little paranoid that all I've done is spent a lot of money getting a dose of teh hurtz.

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Stella Maru · Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2248 Location: Brighton

Herb wrote:

I haven't seen any indication of any hair reduction. The nice young lady with the laser cannon said I should see my skin shed the dead hairs over the next week or two, so obviously, one day is a little early to expect to see anything. But I am getting a little paranoid that all I've done is spent a lot of money getting a dose of teh hurtz.

One day is not "a little too early to expect to see anything." It is common to experience:

(a) Immediate ejection of at least some hair, as follicles burst, with further shedding over a week or two.

(b) A burning smell as some roots actually fry.

Laser power levels used in standard female epilation are not adequate for destruction of male facial hair follicles. Inadequate power will result in, at the very least, more sessions being required than would otherwise be necessary.

It may be that they have done the first session on reduced power to see how well it is tolerated, but I would query the power level settings if I were you.

Herb · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:44 am Post subject:

Just to make it clear, this was IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), not an actual laser. Should that make a difference?

_________________
The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Stella Maru · Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2248 Location: Brighton

Herb wrote:

Just to make it clear, this was IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), not an actual laser. Should that make a difference?

I don't have any personal experience of IPL, pet, but can see no reason why there should be any difference at all, the mechanism for destroying the follicles being the same in both cases.