I used a cheap IPL gun to greatly reduce the hair on my arms, chest, and legs. Takes a lot of time and effort and some upkeep, but I'm so glad I dont really have to shave anymore to keep it that way. The fuzz and colorless hair isn't affected, but that doesn't bother me as much as the thicker strands. I always hated the feeling of things brushing against the hair, even wind, so it was an especially good investment for me. ๐
this post was submitted on 13 May 2026
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Transfem
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The best effort to joy ratio for me has always been painting my nails. Takes very little time (mostly just waiting for it to dry) and makes me feel amazing for days at a time! Takes a couple of tries before you get it down, but if you've never done it I highly recommend!
I have done it, but my depression has not let me do it for awhile.
After bath? Moisturize! Use some leave in conditioner if you have it, body Moisturizer if you have it (or just lotion). Maybe throw in some nail polish too!
Just a bit of a disclaimer, shaving obsession is a thing and i have it ๐. I started out like this, my legs would be so smooth and i loved it. Now its developed to me not being able to stand any body hair on me.
So just relax i guess. If you talk to cis women theyll tell you all about how theyve never met or been with guys( not you obvi) that shave their legs, much less everything else. So youre already breaking the mold!
Proud of you โค๏ธโค๏ธ
I'm having trouble keeping my body hair on me right now.
Gotta resist the urge to shave because I need to have a small amount of length for laser hair removal. Going for the whole body soon. It's going to be painful ๐ฅฒ
I love feeling smooth too!
I really really really want laser, no matter what. Im gonna beg my doctor to make an appt. I hope it isnt too painful for you! I know "go to your happy place" gets thrown around alot but that and focusing on breathing really helps!
Atleast, thats what helped with my tattoo sessions, dunno how that compares to laser ๐
Check with your laser tech! Mine have preferred me to be fully shaved, but some very short stubble is acceptable. The laser works on the follicles, not the hair that's above your skin, so you generally don't need any length.
I'm pretty sure shaving before laser is preferred, whereas you need a bit of growth for electrolysis. I'm not an expert, but I've done a bunch of both.
I've been told by the clinic that I need like 1 or 2 mm.
I don't know maybe something about heat transfer from the hair to the bulb?
Best of luck! Remember to focus on your breathing, that has always helped me with the worst parts.
Iโve got my own appointment this Saturday, so I know the feeling. Not being allowed to shave for 48 hours afterwards is the worst, especially for my face :(
A good skincare routine leaves my face feeling super soft which helps me a bit. Plus it's just a good idea to take care of your skin.
My AdHd and depression won't let me keep up a routine
An interesting way to think about routine my wife brought up to me recently is to take any kind of time component out of it. My morning routine doesn't have any kind of time constraints beyond not leaving for work late. I think of a routine now as a series of steps, regardless of it if I'm consistent day to day, the routine itself doesn't change. Shave, makeup, manage my hair if I need, feed the pets, get dressed. The fact that if I don't do my routine in time my wife is late for work helps me keep to it, but if I do step one, the rest just follow because that's just what I've convinced my brain the thing I do next is. Even on the weekend, if I'm going out and end up shaving, it's very hard not to do the rest of the steps in order, and the clock and calendar straight up do not matter. If there's a task you already do on a mostly daily basis, try to just do a new task after it every time, and when you get used to that, add another, and continue until your routine is built and ordered in a way you like.
Idk if this will make you feel better about yourself, but it will make you feel amazing:
Clean your bedding the day you shave, extra points for timing the bedding to come out of the dryer <1hr before bedtime.
Shower, shave right before bed, use moisturizer if desired but leave time to let it soak in/dry.
Slide into your newly washed, fluffed and warm bed and feel the instant melt as you slip into a deep deep comfortable sleep. The feeling will be there when you wake, feeling as fresh and ready for the day as possible.
It combines self care, texture yumminess, and deep sleep that will be a great foundation to start a new and healthy day โฅ๏ธ Best of luck to you!
Shaving in combination with exfoliating is great, I love the ultra smooth feeling it gives.
I need to exfoliate next time.