Electrolysis

[valyn_faer]

It's been a while since I last visited these forums. I've been very busy lately. I started Estrogen on December 4th!  I've already seen a significant decrease in facial hair. I hadn't pursued the electrolysis yet because of financial limitations--I'm a student and a poor one at that. I had a consultation appointment today for electrolysis. She did a test patch to show me what it feels like and we talked about the process and pricing and whatnot. She said it was actually going very quickly and easily today when she was working on the test patch. It totally wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I kind of want to wait until the summer to start the electrolysis just because I've already seen a substantial decrease in facial hair growth from the HRT and it's not the end of the world if I'm not "passable" at the moment (I have developed a disliking of that word). My university has policies prohibiting discrimination against trans-students. Not that it doesn't still happen but the administration and faculty are very supportive. I wouldn't mind waiting until the summer if it means that it will cost less in the end, even if that means not being "passable." Money is a very big limiter for me. 

[Janet_Girl]

I hear you on so many levels.  I am unemployed and have a tough time paying for electrolysis.  Although I found a place that can do it for $30/hour.  It is by students, but hey it is cheap.

And I also hate the word "passable" , I prefer "blend".

[valyn_faer]

I live in Eugene, OR. It's fairly small and there aren't many electrolysis places here. The place I went to does it for $75/hour.  She's really nice, though. She told me that because my skin is fair and hair color is dark that I'm a good candidate for laser, if I wanted to do that first before following up with electrolysis to get what laser didn't get. She even gave me the name of a doctor in town that does laser and said that sometimes they have specials. I'll probably look into laser before I make my decision.

[Janet_Girl]

Laser is a good option, but bear in mind it may not be permanent.  Followed by electrolysis is a very good way to get yourself clear.

So is Eugene gone nuts yet.  GO DUCKS.

[valyn_faer]

Haha. Yeah, they're going nuts. I don't really follow it all, which is basically heresy in this town. I'm glad I don't have to work or anything tonight. I'm sure the buses will be running late and campus will be crazy.

[Janet_Girl]

Check around and see if there are schools there that teach Electrolysis or Laser.  They do need clients too.  And many times they are cheap.

At least the game isn't there yo would not want to go anywhere.  Especially when they win. 

[Adabelle]

I had a similar experience to you, I went to an electrologist and she said that since I have fair skin and dark hair that I am a good candidate for laser first.

The key with laser is that you have to make sure that the laser is set aggressively! I did laser a few years ago and the settings just weren't high enough to change much. The hair slowly fell out, but it grew back.

Recently I've gone to a new laser place, and they are using much more aggressive settings. I take ice packs along with me so that I can immediately ice my face down (especially my upper lip and chin areas). The hair has responded MUCH better this time, and I feel like I'm actually making progress. The hairs are starting to come back as white now so probably after a few more treatments I'll just move to electrolysis.

If you do laser first, just make sure you have them turn up the machine as high as possible without doing skin damage. Laser places tend to keep the settings low because it means they make more money when you come in for more sessions.

I'm using an Alexandrite laser with 18mm spot size and 16J energy setting, but I'd like to move to 18J.

[valyn_faer]

Oooh! I found another place that does electrolysis for $45 an hour. That's much cheaper. I'm going to try to schedule a consultation there this week and see if she's had experience working with us ladies before.

[Tracy Stevens]

I am finally almost finished electro. It's taken me about 4 yrs. The best advice i can give you is to try to find someone who has been in business for themselves for years. This should prove to you that that person you have chosen is very skilled at what they do. Because electro is such a long process you might not realize the person who is doing your work, is actually not very good. Never go for the cheapest service. Find the most experienced person you can. Find someone that works for themselves, someone who's only source of income is from doing hair removal. Even though i have been poked in the face probably over 40 thousand times,  i have absolutely no scarring what so ever. If you are paying someone only 40 dollars an hour , there is a good chance that person doesn't have the skill to clear your face effectively without pitting. There is also a chance they are not killing those hairs as well as someone who is skilled with decades of experience.

[valyn_faer]

I met with the woman who offers the cheaper service today. She does thermolysis first and then a blend of electrolysis and thermolysis. She said she's been doing it for 6 years. She's also farther away. I feel like the other woman is much more trans friendly and has had much more experience with us. She's also a lot closer. I have virtually no free time this term. I think I'm going to just bite the bullet and opt for the more expensive place. Mondays are really the only days I can squeeze it in, so I'll probably start a week from Monday.

[KillBelle]

I met with the woman who offers the cheaper service today. She does thermolysis first and then a blend of electrolysis and thermolysis. She said she's been doing it for 6 years. She's also farther away. I feel like the other woman is much more trans friendly and has had much more experience with us. She's also a lot closer. I have virtually no free time this term. I think I'm going to just bite the bullet and opt for the more expensive place. Mondays are really the only days I can squeeze it in, so I'll probably start a week from Monday.

Geez that is insane...75 for an hour? how many hours do you need? I'm lucky my mom paid for my laser because i had no idea how much it costs lol. i knew i had to come back for treatments every month or something.

[valyn_faer]

She said it depends. An hour a week for a year, then maybe an hour every two weeks after that. But it largely depends on the individual. I've seen a significant decrease in hair growth from the HRT. So, who knows.

[ClaireA]

On that same point, having experience doesn't necessarily make them a good electrolygist. I'm thinking about switching from my electrolygist, who happens to have over 20 years of experience, because she seems to miss a lot of the hairs that are coming back in lighter (i.e. she only treats the big hairs).

And, IMO, you can do so much better than $75/hr.

[valyn_faer]

And, IMO, you can do so much better than $75/hr.

Not considering I live in a fairly small town and these seem to be the only two places around.
Does it make a difference that the cheaper place does thermolysis first, then a blend of thermolysis and electrolysis?

[valyn_faer]

To answer my own question, apparently it does make a difference. I read that thermolysis is better for finer, thinner, and shallowly rooted hair and not really ideal for thicker, courser, and more deeply rooted hair. I'm biting the bullet and going with the more expensive place. She was nicer, seemed to have had much more experience with us ladies, very supportive and affirming, and much closer and more convenient. I have very, very little free time right now and it's going to be rough squeezing in an hour of electrolysis a week as it is. I start Monday! 

[long.897]

And, IMO, you can do so much better than $75/hr.

Don't forget that you get what you pay for.  Maybe someone will do it for 20, but you want to make sure that your face won't look like hamburger after.