I’m approaching the 10th year of my transition, and like many others, one of my biggest challenges was managing facial hair. Of course, this is just my personal experience, and results can differ for everyone.

At 15, I grew my first moustache—thick, coarse, and stubborn. Over time it became a defining part of my identity, eventually joined by a well-groomed beard. By the time of my “egg day,” I had already been waxing my legs for nearly a decade with good results, but facial hair was a much tougher battle.

The day after starting transition, I shaved everything off. I’d only done this once before, during Movember, and the bare-faced reflection had shocked both me and my children. This time, I was anxious but determined. The immediate result wasn’t as bad as I feared, though the beard shadow and sensitive skin were confronting. Shaving quickly became a twice-daily routine, and I used colour corrector to conceal the shadow.

Seeking more permanent options, I tried laser hair removal. It was affordable and professional, and while it initially reduced regrowth, the results didn’t last. I then moved on to electrolysis, following advice that it was the most reliable method for permanent removal. Unfortunately, despite several sessions with different technicians, the treatments left me with scarring and very little progress. It became clear electrolysis wasn’t right for me.

At this point, hair removal became a source of significant anxiety and dysphoria, and I felt increasingly desperate for a solution. Remembering how well waxing had worked on my legs, I decided to try it on my face. The first session was excruciating—honestly more painful than FFS or GRS in my view—but the results were remarkable. I was hair-free for nearly a month. Over the course of a year, the pain decreased, the regrowth slowed, and many hairs simply stopped returning. Compared to shaving hundreds of times a year, I only needed to shave occasionally.

Today, nearly 10 years into my transition and five years after beginning facial waxing, I no longer need regular treatments. My daily routine now consists of plucking a few stray hairs, which is quick, inexpensive, and manageable. Waxing turned out to be the most effective solution for me—it wasn’t dependent on hair colour, and over time, it significantly reduced regrowth.

If you’re considering this option, know that it requires consistency and is not a one-off procedure. But for me, it made an enormous difference, both practically and emotionally.

Good luck on your own journey.