Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Well since hair removal is probably the first step I'll need in my transition, I was wondering how badly does it hurt? I've heard that electrolysis hurts really badly. Does laser hurt less, and if so is it possible to go on just laser instead of electrolysis? I have a very low pain tolerance so this just really scares me a lot... I'm not extremely hairy but have hair in a lot of places that are sensitive.

Also, off-topic but I've been thinking about getting my ears pierced, how bad does that hurt?

Depends on your pain threshold.I found it hurt,I know someone who slept through it!We're all differenet.

Ears no problem just use the cleaning stuff to prevent infection and the big rule 'DON'T TOUCH THEM' a direct quote from my medic when I got an infection!

Laser works well if you are the right skin and hair type, dark hair light skin. You can use numbing creams etc. I reckon each zap felt like firing a rubber band into my skin. Upper lip is often the tear producer.

Some girls use electrolysis to clean up after laser, I didn't need it. Many people say being on HRT and in particular AA increase the effectiveness of laser.

It is often quoted that electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal technique, and the only one that works on light colour hair.

Some girls suggest the hand held Tria type home systems work for them, which if it does is a cheap option. Professional places should offer a test zap to see how it works on your skin/hair type, it also gives you an idea of what it feels like.

In my opinion the pain of having facial hair far outweighed the pain of removal.

Are there any cheaper at-home options for facial hair removal other than laser (which seem a bit expensive)?

I have been to 4 different electrologists, the one I am currently seeing is the one that has worked THE best. The one before that would leave my neck red for a whole week.  >:(  I have never had too much pain, except maybe along the jaw ridge where the bone is right there. Upper lip not too painful either. HRT has made my face really really soft and I don't even feel the needle go in sometimes oddly enough.

Feeling electro was not doing enough for me, I had 4 sessions of laser a few years ago. Even after a 1/2 hour with numbing gel on, it felt like a searing match being dragged along my face. Needless to say I resumed electro after that.

I do plan to be "rebellious" soon and get my ears pierced.  >:-)

I don't consider ear piercing to be rebellious for girls since almost every (cis)girl I know has hers pierced and had it done when she was little.  :P

Hmm, it seems I'm getting a lot of different opinions on this subject. I have a very low pain tolerance so I don't know what would be best. I'll just try what I feel will work and if it doesn't, try going elsewhere or try another method.

I have a low pain tolerance and the laser hurts me.  I've been getting a numbing cream applied since session 2 (I go a hour early and they do it) and that has significantly lessened the pain.  As Cindy says, the upper lip is something special; but my jaw line is almost as bad.  The upper parts of my face and for that matter my neck don't hurt nearly as much. 

That being said, I also concur with the following 100%:

Quote from: Cindy on September 11, 2013, 03:13:08 AM
In my opinion the pain of having facial hair far outweighed the pain of removal.

Lastly, the ear piercing - mine are double pierced.  The first was done a tattoo/piercing studio and they used small captive bead rings, and the second was the more traditional studs at Wal-Mart while I worked there and really neither of those hurt at all; so I guess it is really relative.

I would think the sensation might be similar to getting tattooed, except with far fewer needle sticks?

I know that my tat hurt quite a bit, but I got it in a sensitive area; it felt like a lot of cat scratches. What was bad was my reaction to the endorphins-- they made me sick. And I consider myself a masochist and loves [a certain amount of] pain! But it really depends on how your body reacts to pain. Some people find this sort of sensation relaxing, some irksome but bearable, and then people like me who apparently get lightheaded, sweaty, and nauseous from it (but can tolerate the pain itself). To be honest, I found getting my legs waxed hurt more than getting tattooed. :B

OH! And there are a number of other little things that will affect how your body reacts to the endorphin rush and process the pain. In retrospect, I figured out that being talked to while I got my tattoo didn't help because my mind wanted to relax, so I had to work extra hard to reply as the tattoo artist and my mom kept talking to me to try and "take my mind off it". I'm guessing that's standard procedure for tat artists and clients. For some people, it might help, but for me it just didn't. I don't know if it's typical of hair removal techs, but just know that you might fare better one way or the other.

Ear piercings are a breeze, practically painless. They just feel very warm afterward and sting if you play with the jewelry too much.

Have you ever had blood taken at the doctor's office? (I assume you have if you're on HRT.) That's worse than ear piercings.

Ear piercing didn't hurt.  Just keep the area clean with rubbing alcohol or something similar and twirl the studs to keep the opening open.

Laser for me was a little like getting a light thwack with a rubber band.  I enjoyed my laser gal so much, we would just chat away as she worked and I was distracted so barely felt it.

The same worked for my electrolysis tech - chatting and distracting.  For me, the upper lip and along the jaw line are the worst.  Once I started getting those done, I started using Emla cream to numb the area.  I moved away from the area and had to get a new electrolygist.  She wasn't that bad.  Then she moved.  The third one was easier to take but worked too slowly, so I now have a fourth one.  She is fast, thorough, and hurts less.  Each one of these women had a different machine.  This new gal has the newest of the four.  I don't know how much the lessened pain is due to her technique, the machine, or this stage in my process.  Sometimes the pain is OK and sometimes it is barely bearable. 

But I also found that removing my facial hair did a lot to feminize my face and is well worth the effort (and pain).

All that said, different people experience the pain differently.  Your results may vary.

- Kate

not had ear piercing can't tell you.

It varies some days you feel sensitive and in those ones it really takes you to your limit and it's torture, other days it's okay... not great but okay. it is demoralizing when it regrows and trust me it will, (cycles and all that) Your upper lip ALWAYS hurts, Like begin punched in the face. My chin was the easiest bit for me honestly.

Laser hair removal pain varies depending on how thick your facial hair is, now when I get a laser session I barely even feel it, but back in the day when I started it was So hot and painful... imagine all your facial hair heating upto 60'C and scalding the flesh around it... and you have what it feels like.

completely worth it tho... Facial hair was a major focus for my dysphoria.

i have had laser done at two different places. 

my experience with the first place was that having my full face done was the single most painful experience of my entire life.  seriously, i have never been in more pain.  she was also slow, so it took a long long time.  i went home and my face still hurt for hours afterward.  i woke up the next day not even resembling myself - or any normal human being.  it was 9 days before i was healed enough to show my face in public.  i still have burn scars today, a year later.

my second experience was nearly painless in comparison.  the technology was newer, with a powerful jet of cold air blowing into my face continuously through the treatment - and i was surprised by how much of a difference that made.  the pain subsided immediately after the treatment, and my face remained red for a couple of hours.  by evening you would have never even known that anything happened.

anyway what my point is is that it will hurt, but serious pain is a sign of a serious problem.

Further thoughts: Electrolysis is less painful if you are well hydrated.  It is easier for the tech if you are not using a face cream that tightens the pores, for instance an anti-aging cream. 

In my experience, the tech - both for laser and for electrolysis - can adjust the heat of the machine.  Usually they will turn it down for the areas they know are more sensitive.  I've had them ask me if the level is OK.

Quote from: spooky on September 15, 2013, 07:02:51 PM
anyway what my point is is that it will hurt, but serious pain is a sign of a serious problem.

Yes, absolutely.  The redness should disappear in a few hours.  Both laser and electrolysis can produce scarring if not done right.  Ask around and interview the tech before accepting treatment.  My laser gal offered me short trial run before I signed on.

- Kate

The first couple of laser treatments on my face hurt like hell, they got less painful each time.  Most parts of my face has no pain during it as the hair is gone. We originally started the treatments 5 weeks apart, then moved to 6, 7, then 8, we're at 10 weeks now with very little regrowth between sessions.

Quote from: Qlinik on September 11, 2013, 12:09:29 PM
Are there any cheaper at-home options for facial hair removal other than laser (which seem a bit expensive)?

Not sure I'd want to use it on my face, but I got a "Clean + Easy Deluxe Home Electrolysis" from amazon for $31 and used it on my fingers (so far).  It's the kind that uses a probe with a little wire that goes into the follicle.  It feels cheap and the included tweezers are junk but it does actually work for me.  I can't afford electrolysis or laser so for that price it seemed worth trying.

The zapped follicles turned red and a little swollen but after 2 weeks they were all gone, so I'm pretty happy with the results.  It's been about a month and they haven't come back so far.

If you do use 1 of them, wipe down the area with isopropyl alcohol before and after treatment.  For a lot of areas, you'll need a friend to help out.  I'm scared to try it on  my face, personally.

Depends on person as each person copes with pain different.

It hurts less than having the stuff in the first place.

I have another question: which is more expensive, laser or electrolysis? Or which is more expensive in the long run?

Quote from: Qlinik on September 10, 2013, 11:29:50 PM
Well since hair removal is probably the first step I'll need in my transition, I was wondering how badly does it hurt? I've heard that electrolysis hurts really badly. Does laser hurt less, and if so is it possible to go on just laser instead of electrolysis? I have a very low pain tolerance so this just really scares me a lot... I'm not extremely hairy but have hair in a lot of places that are sensitive.

Also, off-topic but I've been thinking about getting my ears pierced, how bad does that hurt?

Laser is intense pain if your hairs are darker but it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Electrolysis is a slow agonizing pain which takes longer. With electrolysis, talk to your doctor about possibly using lidocaine to help take the edge off.