Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal & Hair Transplant

[ChrisGrim]

Hello!

I am just beginning my transition and my research regarding electrolysis, laser hair removal, and hair transplants.  I really appreciate any knowledge and help.

Electrolysis vs Laser Hair Removal
First off I want to ask about the electrolysis vs. laser hair removal debate.  From my knowledge electrolysis is PERMANENT REMOVAL where are laser is PERMANENT REDUCTION.  In addition, to this you need to go in for 'touch ups' every now and then for laser.  I know many individuals go in for laser first and then do electrolysis on whatever is left.  How come individuals do it this way?  I am aware of the fact that laser cover more area and can take less time then electrolysis, but if the purpose is to remove the hair why not go for electrolysis and have it done with, with no need to go in for regular touch ups afterwards?  In addition, as you age your hair will most likely begin to become lighter in colour and potentially turn a grey or white colour.  At this point wouldn't laser touch ups become useless?  At this point would you not need to go through electrolysis to remove the hairs anyway?

I suppose I'm just looking for clear answers regarding this discussion because it is confusing to me in a way.  I'd prefer to learn from a combination or online, lived experience, and professional in-person information... Just because some professionals are only out to make a buck and will only tell you what they want you to hear.  Any resources or information you have is really appreciated.  Even if it's a link to a website that is very reliable and trustworthy so I may learn more.

In addition, I currently live in Canada; Ontario to be specific.  Going further I live in the Southern Ontario region.  If anyone can provide me with the names of locations to begin looking at regarding electrolysis and laser hair removal it would be much appreciated.  Hopefully, I can find a place that is well practiced (knows what they're doing), professional, cost-effective, and trans friendly...

Hair Transplants
I have posted online on another forum before.  Mainly just asking for surgeons within Canada, Ontario that have a good/excellent reputation of doing great work in this field, being professional, and trans friendly.  Cost effectiveness would be great too but I don't think I can expect much from a hair transplant ($$$).  I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or has had any experiences with surgeons in my area or can suggest some to me?  So far it seems like Dr.Rahal (http://www.rahalhairtransplant.com/) and Dr. Paul Cotterill (http://www.drcotterill.com/) have been suggested as good choices.

Does anyone have any other opinions or options?  Thank you!

[Mariah]

Part of the reason we start with laser first and then switch to electro is because not every hair responds to laser and we end up hairs left that are not ones that laser can kill. As much as a huge portion of what I had responded well to laser I also have a descent number that didn't and as a result my moving to electro at this point is necessary. I don't have any help for you in regards to hair transplantation.
Mariah

[CB]

Part of the problem with the Laser vs Electrolysis debate is that Electrolysis has been around for a long long time. It's "proven" be permanent because it's been assessed by the authorities. That doesn't mean Laser is not, it just it's not "proven" All indication are that it is likely to offer permanent hair reduction but they cant say so as such.

Even with electrolysis you need to go back for touch ups because you won't get all the hairs first time around. However, if you are on HRT then the hairs don't tend to regenerate once they are killed off where as without HRT they would eventually form new hairs and thats where the touch ups would come in. People tend to do laser first because it's faster but it only really works on the dark ones. So they get rid of all the dark ones, i.e shadow and then move over to elctrolysis to finish up.

I've had excellent success with laser which I started pre HRT. The result is I've never had a beard shadow problem causing me to get clocked. The light coloured ones I'm now having electrolysis are very annoying in that I can feel them but they are not really visible.
I wish I could get those with laser too,  but.........

[marie]

Hi!
Laser can give good results on black and give nothing on white since it is based on colour contrast of hair and skin. You will not be eligible if your skin is not white, if it is black or mixed then laser would damage it...but in all cases laser is always ramdomly doing the job while electrolysis is very precise, hair by hair, none of them can survive. Some weeks after a six or seven hours session of electro, some hair come back, they are not zombies but growing from follicles that were not ready at electro session day. Another thing, good to know is that electrolysis is a very painful moment, an endless day, every shot to one hair is like the stitch of a wasp, two or three times per second, six or seven hours a day...

[Emily E]

While I can't recommend anything about where to go in Canada I have had some of my hair transplanted about 10 years ago and it worked well giving me coverage on the top of my head (I started getting a friars patch) over time it has started getting thin again so I plan on going back and getting some more done to get full coverage just before I go on HRT to make sure the hair I have transplanted has the greatest opportunity for success because the hormones and hormone blockers will stop the thinning and loss of hairs with in three months of starting them (according to information in the WPATH) and should actually help increase actual thickness of your hairs (one by one... it wont regrow what's already gone) this will help you achieve maximum value for your money...  this is just a suggestion.. regardless of what you end up doing good luck

Hair Transplants
I have posted online on another forum before.  Mainly just asking for surgeons within Canada, Ontario that have a good/excellent reputation of doing great work in this field, being professional, and trans friendly.  Cost effectiveness would be great too but I don't think I can expect much from a hair transplant ($$$).  I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or has had any experiences with surgeons in my area or can suggest some to me?  So far it seems like Dr.Rahal (http://www.rahalhairtransplant.com/) and Dr. Paul Cotterill (http://www.drcotterill.com/) have been suggested as good choices.

Does anyone have any other opinions or options?  Thank you!