Understanding the Importance of Pre-operative Genital Hair Removal for MtF Gender Reassignment Surgery
As a provider who frequently receives questions from clients about the necessity of pre-operative genital hair removal for male-to-female (MtF) sex reassignment surgery, I want to address this topic in a friendly and informative way. Let's dive into the details together and explore why this aspect is significant for your journey.
Why Hair Growth Matters: When it comes to MtF surgery, hair growth in the genital area can be a common concern. You want to achieve the best possible outcomes both in terms of appearance and functionality. That's why we need to consider the importance of hair removal before the surgery.
Exploring Your Options: There are a few options available for hair removal, such as laser hair removal and electrolysis. Laser treatment can reduce hair growth effectively, but it may not completely remove all the hair permanently. On the other hand, electrolysis offers a reliable method for permanent hair removal. We can discuss the pros and cons of each option and decide which one suits you best.
Avoiding Potential Complications: Neglecting hair removal before surgery can lead to unwanted hair growth inside your neo-vagina. This can cause discomfort, impact the desired aesthetic outcome, and even pose potential complications in the long run. It's essential to take this into consideration to ensure a smooth and satisfying result.
Understanding the Depth of Hair Growth: During the surgery, our skilled surgeon will use perineum skin lining from the vaginal entrance to a depth of around 3-4 cm inside the neo-vagina. For deeper parts of the cavity, penile and scrotal skin will be used, and any hair follicles will be carefully removed. So, the possibility of hair growth without pre-operative hair removal is mainly limited to the shallowest part of the vaginal cavity.
Focusing on Hair Electrolysis: To minimize the risk of hair growth in the shallowest part of the vaginal cavity, we recommend having hair electrolysis done around the perineum area before surgery. However, it's important to note that hair can also help cover post-operative scars, so we can consider the balance between hair removal and scar coverage based on your preferences.
Post-operative Hair Removal Considerations: While pre-operative hair removal is recommended, there's still a possibility to have hair removal performed after surgery. However, it may require more time and effort, and there's a chance of hair growth within the neo-vagina. We can discuss the feasibility of post-operative hair removal and weigh the options based on your unique circumstances.
Conclusion: In conclusion, pre-operative hair removal through electrolysis is indeed important for MtF surgery. However, it's not an absolute must. We've seen that a significant number of our clients, around 60%, have undergone surgery without pre-operative hair removal, with only about 10% reporting concerns about post-operative hair growth. It's worth noting that some clients have observed hair falling off naturally in the years following surgery.
*The insights provided in this blog stem from my experiences working at Preecha Aesthetic Institute in Bangkok, Thailand. However, if you plan to have surgery done elsewhere, it’s crucial to remember that recommendations may vary depending on the surgeon’s technique and opinion. Our goal is to provide you with personalized guidance and support throughout your journey, ensuring that you make informed decisions that align with your unique needs and circumstances. Rest assured, we’re here to assist you every step of the way.
What we do Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) Penile Skin Inversion with scrotal skin graft Breast augmentation Labiaplasty (post-op revision) Penile Skin Inversion with abdominal skin graft Facial Feminization Surgery(FFS)