Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Embarrassed89 · 08/05/2018 14:11

Secretisland actually as a hirsute woman with PCOS, waxing/plucking was the worst method for my facial hair. It grew back even thicker and if you ever get electrolysis (the best method I’ve found) you’re only allowed to trim or shave between sessions. My electrolysis practitioner says the areas I hadn’t previously waxed/plucked would be cleared quicker, and were easier for her to remove.

Gacapa · 08/05/2018 14:47

YANBU

My NHS trust will no longer prescribe Vaniqa. My consultant informed me it's too expensive and is now only available on prescription for males who are transitioning.

So, it's ok for women to suffer hirsuitism, but not men who want to look like women. Even though many women have excess facial hair!

How fucked up is that?

And add me to the coma dread list. But our psychological wellbeing is irrelevant.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 08/05/2018 14:51

YANBU.

Dwellerfromunderthesink · 08/05/2018 15:00

Totally agree with you SoWhat. I had virtually male type hair growth on my face from puberty onwards. It totally wrecked my confidence. I had a long course of laser removal in my 30s and had another when peri menopause caused it to start regrowing (though nowhere near as drastically as before). It’s cost a fortune and I’ve gone without holidays for years to fund it. I had full sideburns, tash and beard and neck area grwith and I don’t regret the money I’ve spent but my problem was so severe I feel it should have been funded.

HelenaDove · 08/05/2018 15:04

"So, it's ok for women to suffer hirsuitism, but not men who want to look like women. Even though many women have excess facial hair!

How fucked up is that?"

Angry
girlandboy · 08/05/2018 15:14

And to think that I had to pay privately for my 16 year old SON'S mastectomy, because it's not covered by the NHS anymore.
He didn't have any sense of well-being before the op!

mummymeister · 08/05/2018 15:19

The NHS seems to be falling over itself to be seen as "right on".

I despair really. the hierarchy used to be
Men
Women

so at least we came second. Now its
Men
Men who want to be women
women who want to be men
Women

from second to fourth in the queue.

Original poster
Sowhatifisaycunt · 08/05/2018 18:32

So many other women suffering this too Sad

OP posts:
TheNoseyProject · 08/05/2018 19:11

It’s better now than when I was a teen, no electrolysis or laser for under 18s. Spent about 3 years walking around with my hand covering my chin.

TheNoseyProject · 08/05/2018 19:12

It’s better for me now I’m older I mean.

LassWiADelicateAir · 09/05/2018 00:49

I'm told by friends that this Spring hair removal tool is bizarre but effective for facial hair

It is very effective on dealing with the peach fuzz effect but I'm guessing the posters on here would be overjoyed if that was all they had to deal with. I don't know how it would work on coarser hair.

JoffreyBaratheon · 09/05/2018 00:54

I have PCOS and TBH, would rather this treatment was available for people who are transgender. In an ideal world, for everyone who needs it but if it comes down to prioritising to save money - I think their need is greater than mine.

adviceonthepox · 09/05/2018 01:02

I was told the same! (Also Wales)have thick black hairs on my face and chin and neck. Have had them since I was teen. The hairs got worse in my early 20's and I found out I had pics. Now I am peri menopausal and they are even worse. I have hundreds!! My eyebrows meet and are so thick and black. I can't wax as my skin literally comes off with wax. Tweezers are just unmanageable as there are so many hairs. Bleaching doesn't work. I have to shave the bastards off Angry my moustache looks like a teenage boys after 2 day and I have so many thick black hairs on my neck my 3 year old will say mummy you need shave Envy

adviceonthepox · 09/05/2018 01:03

Pcos not pics

Embarrassed89 · 09/05/2018 01:10

Interesting joffrey I’m guessing you don’t have severe hirsutism? some women with PCOS are just as hairy as men if not hairier than some (i.e. me) so I still find it unfair how trans people are considered a priority

LegallyBrunet · 09/05/2018 01:40

I guess it’s all about budget now though and they need to priortise. I have a HUGE unsightly mole on the side of my face about the size of a pound coin that seems to be growing but they won’t remove it as it’s showing no cancerous symptoms even though it’s affected my confidence for years and even more so now it’s growing. Apparently the NHS used to do mole removals for this reason but won’t anymore.

HelenaDove · 09/05/2018 01:54

The thing is Joffrey there are women who have been left with childbirth injuries and are just being told its normal I think their need is greater.

HoldingTheLineWinston · 09/05/2018 04:55

I can't agree with you Joffrey, sorry. A natal woman with characteristically male type hair growth on her face should be the priority (or at least the equal) for this treatment. Her hair growth is unnatural, and as such an illness, essentially. A man who is transitioning to live as a woman has hair growth that reflects their biology - it's distressing for them, yes (as it is for the natal woman), but it is an expected component of their biology...It's not something that isn't working as it should, but it is for me and every other sufferer.

OtterInDisgrace · 09/05/2018 05:00

I have PCOS and TBH, would rather this treatment was available for people who are transgender. In an ideal world, for everyone who needs it but if it comes down to prioritising to save money - I think their need is greater than mine.

Why is the trans need greater? Where’s the science? Ffs.

OtterInDisgrace · 09/05/2018 05:02

If I peak trans any more I think I’ll need to chuck myself off of Mount Everest.

Ain’t no peak higher.

ferntwist · 09/05/2018 05:15

YANBU. You should be entitled to help. Why on earth should a man get priority?

huha · 09/05/2018 05:41

Sorry, what??!
The NHS funds what??
And we wonder why the NHS is failing...

NatLuc · 09/05/2018 09:12

I think the most important issue here is not that trans women can get electrolysis/laser on the NHS (it comes from a separate pot of dough that is GIC specific so does not affect non-trans patients ability to gain funding - that is my understanding at least).

But rather that natal women suffering from PCOS or Hirsutism are unable to get similar funding. Which is wrong. I completely agree that having facial hair that is coarse or high in volume (or both) and is hormonally induced would cause dysphoric feelings no different to those a trans person would experience.

JoffreyBaratheon · 09/05/2018 18:43

YANBU. You should be entitled to help. Why on earth should a man get priority?

Well if someone is transitioning then they are a woman. So yes - give them priority.

Racecardriver · 09/05/2018 18:52

I think that the you people need to stop using the NHS as a free for all. You are bankrupting the country and pushing out the high earners you have been forcing to pay for it (we are definitely considering moving to a jurisdiction with more reasonable tax rates, so are many people we know). NHS should be for medical necessities for those who cannot reasonably afford to pay only. Nothing involving gender transitioning should be covered by the NHS as it is not medically necessary (quite the opposite actually).