Best products from r/FTMMen

This has been a pretty major concern of mine too. First off, if you start to lose more hair in the shower, don't necessarily start freaking out right away. At about 3-4 months on T, I started to shed a lot of hair, and I was convinced that meant I was losing my hair. Except I wasn't. It was just temporary increased shedding. At 7 months it's back to normal and my hair isn't thinner at all. I can't really tell if my hairline has changed though tbh. It kind of looks the same to me, but since I have longer hair, it might just be harder to tell.

Do you have a hair stylist? One you've been going to for a while, that knows your hair? What helped a lot for me was my hair stylist telling me that she noticed no difference in my hair. I think it's a good idea to have a history with a good stylist so you have a second pair of eyes to tell you whether or not there is actual cause for concern.

In my panic research, I read that Finasteride/Minoxidil is your best bet in halting hair loss, but you can also use DHT blocking shampoo. And apparently peppermint oil helps. There's also dermarolling. I'd do your own research on all of this though.

If you have fine hair like I do (fine...just a lot of it), I've tried two shampoos that have helped my hair overall feel thicker. If you have a higher budget, Reline Biotin Thickening Shampoo worked really well. It's just that it's pretty expensive (along with the conditioner) for the amount you get, though with medium length hair it lasted me almost 3 months (and that was with the shampoo bottle breaking in transit...). If you have short hair I'm sure it will last even longer. It might also be cheaper for you if you live the US; it cost me over $70 CAD when all was said and done including shipping.

I'm now using Andalou Naturals Argan Shampoo which is also pretty nice, and much, much cheaper. I haven't been using it as long as I used the other stuff though, so I can't say whether or not it's as good. But so far, so good.

Good luck man! I know it's stressful. Just try not to freak out quite so much at only 3 months. Easier said than done though, I know.

Whats best for you will depend on your body shape and size. Gc2b is more comfortable with one compression panel in the front, This makes it more stretchy but may not be good if you have a lot to bind. Under works is a rougher and all of its is made of the compression material. Less comfortable but offers stronger compression. Buy them with a gift card.

You can get Underworks on Amazon. They have this which can easily pass as a bra. This is also more comfortable than the udnerworks binders. I found it to bind about as good as gc2b.

https://www.amazon.com/Underworks-MagiCotton-Sports-Binding-Minimizer/dp/B00I54XF3C/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=underworks+magic+bra&qid=1554781647&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr1

I'm looking to pick up Hung Jury and the Lou Sullivan book. Non-transition related, I just picked up a copy of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology and I'm super excited to read it.

I recently read Skylar Kergil's autobiography, Before I Had the Words, which was decent enough but kind of repetitive for another trans guy... I get the idea that he's trying to explain what it's like more for cis people, but in any case, it was relatable.

Currently I'm also making my way through the Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer, it's fantastic! I highly recommend to anyone who likes Enlightenment era philosophy/history and/or sci-fi/fantasy. That's a lot of slashes, but trust me, it's good.

Found a ‘sports bra’ kind of binder in an article about the best kinds of binders:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I54XF3C?ie=UTF8&tag=bustle2997-20&camp=1789&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B00I54XF3C

And here’s the article in which I found it, in case you want to read that person’s opinion/thoughts on it:
https://www.bustle.com/p/11-of-the-best-binders-you-can-buy-according-to-a-trans-person-30921

Hope that helps, and good luck :)

I got this one from Amazon when I needed one quick: https://www.amazon.com/JARAZIN-Tomboy-Elastic-Colors-Binder/dp/B075XSKK4M?keywords=ftm%2Bbinder&qid=1535826679&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3&th=1&psc=1

It's $18 and works, but not nearly as nice as the gc2b binders. Also sizing was super weird but I followed their instructions and got a good size on the first try. Good luck!

Wow I just want to say that both are you are super encouraging. I’m 35, not out to my family as I’m on the opposite coast from them right now and kind of scared shitless. You give me hope.

Also I just downloaded this book not long ago. It might be a good one to pass along https://www.amazon.com/At-Broken-Places-Addressing-Movement-ebook/dp/B01LJKQK76

I can tell you what products I use for mine. I've tried a lot of products. The stuff I like is

Beard Guyz Beard Serum with Grotein 20, 1 ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y4DB3B6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Id6XCb47J3NRR

Cremo Styling Beard Cream,Thickening, 4 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYF6JHY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Te6XCbBQNZJ84

Shea Moisture African Black Soap With Shea Butter 8 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C2N8IC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xn6XCbJRR90Z6

They've both been the best at making my beard look fuller and styling it. I think the beard serum worked best when it was shorter and the cremo works better with my longer beard now. Mine's pretty long so if I don't use product I look bad lol.

Beard shampoo isn't at all necessary and most of them include oils that block dht so they won't help grow your beard either. Waste of money. I just use african black soap. It's good for my face and my beard. Also it doesn't contain any parabens or propylene glycol.

All that being said. You can always pick up a basic beard balm and use the same soap you wash with. Just don't get anything with dht blocking oils such as lavender oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto oil, and emu oil.

If it's muscle-based pain (like a cramp), then yes, magnesium may help. I take it daily for spasticity/chronic pain, and a big dose when I get a migraine.

Many people find magnesium calming (hence products like Natural Calm) and can help make you sleepier at bedtime. It's also helpful for treating constipation, as it relaxes the muscles of your digestive tract (along with all your other ones).

I've taken this one for about a year.

I'm not a big believer in most supplements, but magnesium has good evidence of effectiveness, relatively low cost, and few (if any) unwanted side effects. If you want to try it, you'll know within a day or two if it's helping. Heck, if nothing else, it may help ease the tension of living in pain.

I use this one. It’s not super high quality but it’s cheap and with good quality blades does very well for the price.

I got it on Amazon. I have sensitive skin. This one is only 1% glycolic. I would still apply a little to a small area on the inside of your arm first to test it. If that goes well test it on a small area of your face.

https://www.amazon.com/Andalou-Naturals-Glycolic-Exfoliates-Brighter/dp/B00854KDYQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Glycolic+mask&qid=1558123031&s=gateway&sr=8-3

It says to leave it on for 10-20 minutes. The first time I used it I only left it on for a few. It burned a bit and some reviews said that was normal but others didn't so I think that my vary person to person based on sensitivity and if your skin is dry. I worked my way up to 10 minutes.

Then I apply a lot of moisturizer for a few hours. I use a soap free facial cleanser to remove the moisturizer and apply an oil. Leaving moisturizer on can weigh down the hairs and make them ingrown.