This blog will describe some of the changes estrogen and estrogen-based (E+) medications can create in your hair growth during your gender transition. If you are taking estrogen or E+ medications as a transgender woman, transfeminine person, or nonbinary person, you might experience dramatic or not-so-noticeable changes in your hair growth pattern, hair texture, and even the thickness or natural color of your hair. This blog is a guide to those changes, for people who use hormone therapy as part of their transition.
Did you know that estrogen can change more than your body shape? If you use estrogen as part of your gender-affirming care plan, you will probably notice some changes in your hair growth patterns. Hair is one visual cue that people use to identify gender. This is why many transgender women, transfeminine people, and nonbinary people look forward to the changes in their hair pattern growth when they start estrogen.
For some people, these are dramatic changes. Others see subtle transformations or need more than a year on estrogen before they experience the full effect. Using testosterone blockers may affect how soon you see these changes. In your first 6-12 months on estrogen, people on estrogen may notice changes in their body hair, facial hair, and even scalp hair. While the full effect of hair growth changes may take up to three years to develop, they are a natural part of transitioning with estrogen.
While few scientific studies focus on transgender people, there is some research out there that reflects our lived experience. (All the information you read on our blog is evidence-based and clinically vetted.) If you have additional questions, you can always reach out to your trans-led care team of medical experts at Plume.
Transgender Women, Transfeminine People, and Hair Care
Estrogen is a “feminizing” hormone. It will create physical changes in people who use it, including hair. (To learn more about those physical changes, check out Plume’s Guide to Estrogen and Your Trans Body!) In our culture, femininity is associated with softer facial and body hair. We also think of long, thick, and healthy hair as “feminine.” Obviously, this is a cultural beauty standard that doesn’t reflect most people’s lived experience—bald femmes, women with heavy facial hair, and feminine folks with body hair are beautiful, too. Transfemininity is unique. One of the joys of being trans is having the power to interpret what femininity means to us, personally. Some people choose to leave their facial and body hair, while others want to remove it. Whatever feels right for you is valid—you get to define your own beauty standard, and you deserve to enjoy feeling beautiful in your own skin.
While estrogen usually does not cause body hair or facial hair to go away altogether, your hair patterns may begin to look more “feminine.” You may notice baby hairs growing on your scalp, especially at your hairline. If you had thick, dark, or coarse hair on your face and body before starting estrogen, it will not completely go away. However, many people find that this hair changes. Your facial hair may become softer and more sparse. If you have hair on your chest, back, or shoulders, it may feel softer as well.
As your hair texture, thickness, even natural color transform, your hair care needs may change, too. Hair growth is stimulated by androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They are the key hormones in hair growth. Testosterone tends to change thin, light hairs into larger, darker hairs. People with high testosterone levels, particularly DHT, tend to experience more scalp hair loss. As your testosterone levels decrease and your body adapts to higher levels of estrogen, your body and facial hair should become thinner and grow more slowly.
You might feel like you have more hair on your head because estrogen can also help prevent scalp hair loss. You will likely shed less hair. You might also notice that your hair is less dry and needs less conditioning or oil to feel lustrous and soft. During this time, you might experiment with different shampoos or cleansers to get the most from your hair. The shampoo you used to use might work differently on your new hair, or it might irritate your scalp. Try gentle cleansers instead or even a dry shampoo, which is great for keeping dye colors fresh. Some people take a Vitamin E supplement or even a prenatal vitamin to make sure their new hair growth stays healthy and strong.
You can find a trans-affirming stylist, barber, or hair care tech at Strands for Trans. This global directory includes more than 7,000 discrimination-free barbershops and hair salons. You deserve to feel seen, welcome, safe, and cared for as your hair changes.
How Long Until Estrogen Starts to Change My Hair?
Everyone’s body is different, but most people using estrogen notice hair growth changes within one year of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). This includes body hair and facial hair, which will gradually thin out and grow more slowly. You may notice that you need to shave less often. These changes normally take about 6-12 months to occur, and the maximum effect may take three years or more.
The rate and degree of your hair change will depend on your individual body, the dose of estrogen you are prescribed, and whether you use blockers or other medications. If you are taking a smaller dose of estrogen than someone who wants the more dramatic feminizing effect of the medication, you probably won’t have the same hair growth change side effects as someone who is taking the full dose. Some folks choose to microdose or take smaller doses of estrogen for more subtle physical changes. Typically, really small doses do cause more subtle, less dramatic hair changes than with the full dose.
Will Estrogen Permanently Change My Hair Growth?
Probably not, but as long as you keep using estrogen, you will retain any new changes. Going off GAHT, decreasing your dose, or making other hormonal changes might affect your hair. Hormonal therapy alters hair growth; however, to reach your transition goals, you may have to consider supplemental treatments as well. This can be as minor as vitamins, a new cleansing regimen, or keratin treatments. It can also include hair treatments that can only be done by a doctor or licensed aesthetician.
It is important to realize that estrogen usually does not cause body hair or facial hair to go away altogether. Beard hair that is present when you begin estrogen will not go away on its own. Because of this, many people on estrogen therapy choose to undergo laser treatments or electrolysis for hair removal. Transgender people who work with dermatologists report high rates of satisfaction. Laser therapy can help regrow scalp hair and remove facial, pubic, and other body hair. While laser therapy is considered less painful, electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal option. Electrolysis destroys the hair-growth bulb at the root of each hair follicle and can be used by anyone, regardless of skin tone, hair color, or hair texture.
If you are interested in laser treatments or electrolysis for hair removal, dermatologists are often more familiar with our community’s needs than most general providers. Dermatology clinics have providers who specialize in skin and hair care, such as NPs, PAs, MDs, and DOs. A recent scientific literature review found: “Among participating programs, only dermatology programs offered trainees experience in laser hair removal in transgender patients.” For non-invasive procedures that support your transition goals, you may want to work with a dermatologist who understands hair growth and removal. You can find a transgender-inclusive provider near you in the WPATH directory.
If you’re looking for a non-clinical provider for electrolysis or laser hair removal, expect to pay out of pocket. You can find a reputable non-clinical provider through your community networks—so ask around, read reviews, and do your homework about cost and location. If possible, meet with the non-clinical provider for a consultation so that you can decide whether you feel safe and comfortable in their treatment space. If you aren’t sure where to start, consider reaching out to your local LGBTQ health center to get some recommendations!
Whatever your goals, Plume’s priority is making sure you have the medications you need to thrive. Every transgender person deserves to live in a way that is true to themselves. Estrogen is part of many people’s stories. It can be part of yours, too.
Plume provides gender-affirming care to trans and nonbinary people in 37 states across the United States (and growing). Learn more about our services here.
