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AIBU?

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Original poster

If laser hair removal is available on NHS for transgender, it should also be available for women?

145 replies

Sowhatifisaycunt · 07/05/2018 16:23

I have a problem with facial hair and have had for years. For a long time I tweezed but this became untenable as the volume of hair increased. I now shave my face every morning and on those rare occasions when I go somewhere in the evenings, I need to shave again.

Obviously, DH is aware of my problem but such is my embarrassment it is a completely taboo topic. My professional and social life is also affected as I’m always cautious when talking to others in case they notice breakthrough hairs, pitting from years of tweezing and shaving, or a general 5 o’clock shadow. I fucking hate it!

I tried electrolysis years ago to no avail. I asked a gp about laser treatment about 10 years ago but was told it wasn’t available (Wales). She did prescribe vaniqua cream but my skin became so dry and sore I stopped using it.

A couple of years ago I bought a groupon voucher for laser hair removal but I couldn’t afford to continue the sessions after those covered by the groupon ran out. I simply can’t afford laser treatment.

However, I understand that M2F transgender folk are able to get NHS laser treatment. Is this actually true? If it is it is mightily unfair that a biological male gets access to a treatment to feminise them that isn’t available for women.

I don’t know what I want from this thread. On one hand it feels like a dirty confession but if anyone has any knowledge or experiences that may help I’d be very grateful.

Sorry it was so long. I am a long time lurker and occasional poster and I namechanged for this.

OP posts:
CranberryVodka · 07/05/2018 16:26

I agree, especially for those women who also suffer from PCOS

grasspigeons · 07/05/2018 16:27

I agree - would love lazer hair removal for facial hair

HoldingTheLineWinston · 07/05/2018 16:28

Just wanted to say that I too suffer from facial hair..my jowls, chin and neck. I tweeze, but it's awful. Mostly I live in flat out denial of it because quite frankly I would never go out otherwise. So, I understand, and yes, I agree it should be available to women on the NHS, as it does affect the quality of life very much.

Queenio24 · 07/05/2018 16:29

I was told the same, I couldn't have it for excess facial hair due to pcos, but it is offered for transgender people. I paid on a credit card for a course - best thing I ever did.

NerdyBird · 07/05/2018 16:30

some places do offer free or reduced price removel if you have a pcos diagnosis. I think your gp could refer you on nhs but it would probably be a long wait.

selavy · 07/05/2018 16:31

I suffer with it too (PCOS) and I had no idea that it was available on the NHS for transgender people....the world has gone mad!

NotARegularPenguin · 07/05/2018 16:32

Well if the self ID rules come in you can probably self identify as a man, then self identify as a trans woman and get it.

But yes it’s unfair, you should be able to have it now if TIMs can.

DearMrDilkington · 07/05/2018 16:32

I doubt they'll be able to get it, but if they do, then so should everyone else.

Crikeyisunderused · 07/05/2018 16:33

Why can't transwomen put it on their credit cards? If they wish to identify as a woman, they can identify as a woman with facial hair.

ElizaDontlittle · 07/05/2018 16:34

It's another consequence of gender stereotyping, of course. Really tough OP - I have this internal battle with myself over whether I can "get away without" shaving my legs in the winter and I would find it so hard somewhere obvious like my face. My mum had hair on her top lip post menopause and I'm sure that awaits me. If that's true then it should absolutely be available for natal women also.

formerbabe · 07/05/2018 16:34

Personally I think no one should get it on the NHS.

SardineReturns · 07/05/2018 16:35

This is one area where it feels a bit uneven.

I suppose the breast implants while women with physical issues caused by too large breasts can't get nhs reductions is another.

It's simply a difference between men and women in society I guess, when men say they want something its seen as a need, women are more expected not to ask for stuff, are considered grabby when they do, expected to "get on with it" etc.

I suppose the crap treatment of vagina related post birth issues vs "bottom surgery" could fall into a similar category.

wrenika · 07/05/2018 16:35

It would be nice to be able to get it for anyone who has excessive unwanted hair. I guess it comes down to funds and I certainly don't begrudge it to MTF transgender individuals.
I spend a fair bit of time plucking, trimming and tidying...chin, cheeks, moustache, neck, chest, nipples, belly...hair everywhere. I stopped doing anything to my belly/chest hairs cause nobody but my DP sees them and I can almost embrace the hairy belly look cause I do general swing pretty masculine/genderfluid, but I am not comfortable with embracing my hairy face or neck, so that is an ongoing battle. I don't even have PCOS...I'm just hairy.

Original poster
Sowhatifisaycunt · 07/05/2018 16:35

Grin notaregularpenguin problem solved then

OP posts:
Thehogfather · 07/05/2018 16:36

I don't think as a country we can afford an nhs doing any cosmetic work. However as long as we are, I absolutely agree that women should be entitled. It makes no sense that body dysmorphia qualifies you for free laser treatment but pcos or any other condition doesn't.

mzcracker · 07/05/2018 16:36

I'm not sure if it's true but if it is then I agree 100% it should be available to women.
It affects the quality of life of millions of women, but then again I don't believe women's health and conditions like pcos or endometriosis are taken seriously enough anyway.
That's a different topic but yes I agree with you.

NotSureThisIsWhatIWant · 07/05/2018 16:37

I agree that it should be available to women, but not because transgender people get it, but because you NEED it as it is affecting your quality of life.

Facial hair removal should be the same as wigs for balding women (I’m NOT talking about cancer sufferers, but about women who get them for the same reasons you need a profesional hair removal treatment)

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 07/05/2018 16:38

YANBU, but sadly the NHS can’t afford to treat everyone for everything. I don’t agree that trans should have something that non-trans people can’t access either.

You could try a Philips Lumea or similar at home IPL machine? Cheaper than having it done privately.

Embarrassed89 · 07/05/2018 16:39

I have severe hirsutism and remember skipping lunch to save money for electrolysis as a teen. I’d constantly get bullied in school and it has had a huge effect on my life. I haven’t heard transwomen could get hair removal on the NHS but if it’s true that’s so unfair!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/05/2018 16:40

Tell me about it. I have such bad hair that I have to shave it every day, sometimes twice, on my face. If I ever, god forbid, fell into a coma, my Dh would have one hell of a shock because I would have an actual beard within a week.

Nothing for pcos on the nhs except the pill, which is not proven or licenced for hirstutism. The cream, vaniqa is not given by my pct anymore despite it being solely licenced for the purpose of hirstutism In women. My gp’s first question when I asked about it was ‘do you work?’ (I don’t, but I also don’t get free prescriptions)

I have a Philips Lumea which I’ve been using for 2 years with little effect. I’d almost given up on it but after being told no help from the dr, I sat and was plucking for 20 minutes and removed every hair. Now the regrowth is much finer. I will now continue to do this and still do the Lumea.

It is annoying that if I was a man, wanting to be a woman, who didn’t like my facial hair, I would be able to have treatment. Woman? Nope.

pinyata · 07/05/2018 16:44

I have PCOS and am currently having laser treatment on the NHS.

I was initially told by my GP that they couldn't do anything, however once I was officially diagnosed with PCOS during my fertility treatment a doctor at the hospital asked about my facial hair and told me once the baby was here to go back to the doctor and ask for a referral to the plastic surgery unit.

I did and here we are 2 sessions in

NotCisImaWoman · 07/05/2018 16:45

Yanbu and it's outrageous that despite years of internal gynae problems I'm point blank refused a hysterectomy because, and I quote I " cannot be sure I don't want any more children and it's only done when absolutely necessary" (I'd say constant symptom checking causing mh issues and anxiety are necessary but whatever) yet a person can say they feel the opposite sex one day and voila - they CAN be sure they are the opposite sex?!

Embarrassed89 · 07/05/2018 16:46

Also I’d recommend electrolysis over laser hair removal. Only electrolysis has been proven to provide permanent hair removal (although I’m afraid if you’re as hairy as me it’ll take a year or so to see lasting results)

But it’s best to see someone who is a BIAE member (not just any local salon)
electrolysis.co.uk/member-directory/

bananafish81 · 07/05/2018 16:51

Nothing for pcos on the nhs except the pill, which is not proven or licenced for hirstutism

Is spironolactone an option? Sorry for ignorance - I have lean PCOS and have acne but don't suffer from hirsuitism, but would be interested to know for reference in case that changes at any point!

lifechangesforever · 07/05/2018 16:52

Just FYI, laser hair removal is available on the NHS if you're a PCOS sufferer - in certain areas. I'm under Wakefield and it is offered here, so it's worth you checking this out.

Also agree with OP, I don't have PCOS but do suffer with facial hair - fortunately, I can afford to pay for it myself (£60 every 8 weeks) although I'm pregnant at the moment and so not allowed, it's killing me!