Hey guys so hi I'm relatively new here and sorry if I'm bothering^^. However, my electrologist just cleared my face and I'm feeling giddier than can be and thought I should just share the joy around:D
More than laser? I'm not looking forward to the pain...
I'm not sure I never tried laser :-\ I'm too dark and i grew so little facial hair that my electrologist got rid of all the hair on my face in the first sitting :laugh: but the thing about electrolysis is that the reward of the smooth skin beats out the pain :D
how long was your electrolysis session?
I've had 10 laser sessions and just went for a test run of electrolysis to finish up some chin and upper lip remaining hairs.
In my experience laser is a whole a lot worse.
I broke down several times in tears and had to break up my first ever laser session in spite of numbing cream and ice.
I was so afraid of electrolysis expecting it to be worse but my 15 minutes trial wasn't that bad at all. I just waited all the time for the pain to become serious but in never happened, even on higher setting. It was the blend method by the way.
I'm a great candidate for laser (black coarse hair on fair skin) but I'm thinking of electrolysis because I can just go in and do it whenever I have time. I know it's more costly, but I've been using a home laser device that's been working very slowly and I have no time to commit to professional laser on a strict schedule. If I could go to electrolysis on any Sunday that a clinic can fit me in, that'd be something I could do.
I think the group opinion has been that electrolysis is the only 'permanent'method. But I have had excellent effects from laser. My last sessions were in November, had a 10 min touch up in March, and I'm clear at the moment.
Yes it hurt like Hell, I could fill the goggles with tears.
Quote from: envie on April 20, 2012, 11:48:37 PM
how long was your electrolysis session?
I've had 10 laser sessions and just went for a test run of electrolysis to finish up some chin and upper lip remaining hairs.
In my experience laser is a whole a lot worse.
I broke down several times in tears and had to break up my first ever laser session in spite of numbing cream and ice.
I was so afraid of electrolysis expecting it to be worse but my 15 minutes trial wasn't that bad at all. I just waited all the time for the pain to become serious but in never happened, even on higher setting. It was the blend method by the way.
The session was one hour on thermolysis (don't want to take the chance of pitting my skin!) and it cleared my face up so now we are working on the eyebrows and maybe the back of the hands since it's so inconvenient to shave there. It's a good thing I got the face hairs early (I'm 17 btw) and I'm starting spiro in a few weeks because for a moment I thought I was actually going to grow beard hairs 0.o.
QuoteThe session was one hour on thermolysis (don't want to take the chance of pitting my skin!)
I thought that thermolysis contains a higher risk of skin scarring? Did i get something wrong?
I'm pretty sure it's galvinic which is the safer option - that's what I have had done.
Thermolysis is quicker, but has a higher rate of pitting.
Personally, the only area I found really uncomfortable to have done was around cupids bow on the upper lip - the other spots I could pretty much just meditate out so to speak.
Incidentally the clinic I used were on good terms with the dentist next door, and some clients used to go over to the dentist for an injection before the electro appointment!
I find it interesting that people are getting good results with laser - I had thought that the general consensus was that laser was "hair reduction" rather than hair removal.
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on April 20, 2012, 11:49:56 PMI have no time to commit to professional laser on a strict schedule.
If you don't have one hour every 6 weeks, I think you should look into your schedule again. Plus, electrolysis takes a huge amount of time. Most people can't get their whole face cleared in a whole afternoon, if I remember well.
Anyway, I just want to tell you that doing electrolysis before being done with laser is a pure loss of time and money. You'll spend a long while eliminating just a few hairs, a lot of which would have been killed in just one laser zap in your one-hour session.
Also, you seem to underestimate the cost difference between laser and electrolysis. For the same amount of (laser-compatible) hair, my estimation is that electrolysis is 10 to 15 times as expensive. As a comparison, people very compatible with laser don't usually pay more than 3000 $ for all of their sessions - usually less. On the other hand, I've read horror stories of people with only blond beard paying over 40 000 $ for electrolysis and still not being done.
luna nyan: The reason for laser being "hair reduction" in the records is that the vast majority of people have at least 10-20 % of their beard that is too pale to be affected by laser. But in most if not all cases, a dead hair stays dead, just as with electrolysis... Only much cheaper.
Laser failed. Electrolysis is painful but works
Laser failed? What do you mean? Did they have a bad machine? Or did they mess up with the evaluation and say your hair was dark enough whilst it wasn't?
Lightsheer laser pwns the ->-bleeped-<- out of any other hair removal device out there. I was told I'd need electro after laser but laser cleared my whole face 100%. Even if I'd need a touch up session every year or so it's only 50 bucks at that point and electro is insanely time consuming and unforgiving on the skin and basically should only be used if you aren't a good candidate for laser.
Quote from: A on April 21, 2012, 10:59:17 AM
If you don't have one hour every 6 weeks, I think you should look into your schedule again. Plus, electrolysis takes a huge amount of time. Most people can't get their whole face cleared in a whole afternoon, if I remember well.
Anyway, I just want to tell you that doing electrolysis before being done with laser is a pure loss of time and money. You'll spend a long while eliminating just a few hairs, a lot of which would have been killed in just one laser zap in your one-hour session.
Also, you seem to underestimate the cost difference between laser and electrolysis. For the same amount of (laser-compatible) hair, my estimation is that electrolysis is 10 to 15 times as expensive. As a comparison, people very compatible with laser don't usually pay more than 3000 $ for all of their sessions - usually less. On the other hand, I've read horror stories of people with only blond beard paying over 40 000 $ for electrolysis and still not being done.
luna nyan: The reason for laser being "hair reduction" in the records is that the vast majority of people have at least 10-20 % of their beard that is too pale to be affected by laser. But in most if not all cases, a dead hair stays dead, just as with electrolysis... Only much cheaper.
I work 8-5 m-f. Go to school 5:30 -10 m-thur, and 8-6 on saturday. Ill be in school til april 2013. My schedule is non negotiable. Im thinking if i can somehow find an electrolysis clinic that can do it every once in a while on a sunday where i dont have errands, thats what ill do.
Different strokes for different folks. My skin is too dark and 90 percent of my face hairs are the baby hair type so I really had no choice but if you are the ideal candidate for laser go for it! :) :)
Quote from: envie on April 20, 2012, 11:48:37 PM
how long was your electrolysis session?
I've had 10 laser sessions and just went for a test run of electrolysis to finish up some chin and upper lip remaining hairs.
In my experience laser is a whole a lot worse.
Interesting... i have the exact opposite effect. electrolysis hurts WAAY more for me... I started laser when I started hormones, and i breezed right through it! I have to say, a year on hormones and my skin is a LOT more sensitive! So laser isn't as pain free as it once was... but at least it's over quickly!! Unfortunately, I have a bunch of gray hair on my chin, so under the needle I go. Yeah, it hurts, but I have to get it done!
School on Saturdays? That's scary.
Anyway, I don't see - at all - how an electrolysis clinic would be more open on Sundays than a laser one. You know, with laser, too, if you can't on the sixth week, you can take an appointment on the seventh, or eight, or basically any Sunday. Waiting longer doesn't hurt any more than the fact you make the final results late by one week.
Also, with the enormously higher amount of money you'll spend on electrolysis, I'd tend to think you'll be working no reason 1/4~1/2 the time. You could almost get a lot less hours and have the same amount of money in the end. I know jobs don't work in such a way that you can just say "give me less hours", but still.
In the end, it's still your choice, but I fail to see the logic behind it. I really, really think that you should do laser. As I said, you can go and do laser "on a Sunday when you don't have errands", too, just like electrolysis. And whilst not all laser clinics are open on Sundays, the very same goes for electrolysis ones, I'd say...
I won't harrass you any more, but I just wanted you to put more thought in the possibility of doing laser. I'm sure it's possible even for such a dreadful schedule as yours.
Quote from: Seyranna on April 21, 2012, 11:10:53 AM
Lightsheer laser pwns the ->-bleeped-<- out of any other hair removal device out there. I was told I'd need electro after laser but laser cleared my whole face 100%. Even if I'd need a touch up session every year or so it's only 50 bucks at that point and electro is insanely time consuming and unforgiving on the skin and basically should only be used if you aren't a good candidate for laser.
My face cleared very well with laser, but unfortunately, it doesn't work on the grays...... soooooooo I have to finish those stupid chin hairs that have turned gray. Luckily, there's not too big of an area.... cuz I really hate that darn needle! >:(
Think about the way the skin feels zoo smooth and great before it was wrecked by testosterone :p that's how I get through it...
QuoteI broke down several times in tears and had to break up my first ever laser session in spite of numbing cream and ice.
:D That couldn't be any more true. I cried like a baby the first six laser appointments, the upper lip is the worse. I just started my body and it doesn't hurt at all compared to the face.
Quote from: A on April 21, 2012, 02:15:43 PM
School on Saturdays? That's scary.
Anyway, I don't see - at all - how an electrolysis clinic would be more open on Sundays than a laser one. You know, with laser, too, if you can't on the sixth week, you can take an appointment on the seventh, or eight, or basically any Sunday. Waiting longer doesn't hurt any more than the fact you make the final results late by one week.
Also, with the enormously higher amount of money you'll spend on electrolysis, I'd tend to think you'll be working no reason 1/4~1/2 the time. You could almost get a lot less hours and have the same amount of money in the end. I know jobs don't work in such a way that you can just say "give me less hours", but still.
In the end, it's still your choice, but I fail to see the logic behind it. I really, really think that you should do laser. As I said, you can go and do laser "on a Sunday when you don't have errands", too, just like electrolysis. And whilst not all laser clinics are open on Sundays, the very same goes for electrolysis ones, I'd say...
I won't harrass you any more, but I just wanted you to put more thought in the possibility of doing laser. I'm sure it's possible even for such a dreadful schedule as yours.
First of all you aren't harassing me at all :)
I thought laser was one of those things you had to keep with it until the follicle is dead. Like if you miss sessions the hair that is not dead would grow back stronger. If not then I should look into laser.
But unfortunately IDK of any clinics open on Sunday. Maybe I should double check, but when I looked last time, none were around here.
Currently I'm salary though, and not only that, but it's really hard to make an appointment because any given day I could go out of town, so it's not like I can say "I'll get this done at lunch" in 2 weeks".
No, no, that's not it at all.
Whilst electrolysis (almost?) always permanently kills affected hairs, laser is unlikely to do so unless the hair is in its anagen phase, and it isn't always in this phase. It's mainly to allow hairs time to change phases that they space sessions about 6 weeks apart. But even if not all hairs are successfully destroyed with a session, those that are don't come back, and one that failed to be killed the first time isn't "weakened", and does not need to be "finished off" with the next treatment within a certain time.
Anyway, I think you'd do well to look into laser again. I'm sure if you're able to get electrolysis, you're able to get laser, too.
Thanks for the info :) Laser it is!! lol!
I plan on getting Electrolysis very soon. What would you relate the pain to? Is it similar to getting a tattoo?
I think it depends on what area is being worked on. Upper lip.....omg some of the worst pain I've ever experienced. I tear up after each hair folical. I just had my hip replaced and still have some good pain meds I take before my 2 hr session.
Quote from: Serena Lynn on April 21, 2012, 09:02:51 PM
I plan on getting Electrolysis very soon. What would you relate the pain to? Is it similar to getting a tattoo?
Well it depends on the area. Upper lip and jawline are worse, but other area are less that bad tattoo spots. There are even places where I feel it hurts less than the least painful tattoo areas.
Sorry this was totally my bad. I was talking laser pain vs tattooing. I'm pretty tired because I was too excited to sleep last night and lying down like this I missed the electrolysis part.
lol, I had told a girl I know that laser didn't hurt that much and she finally went to the place I told her about and last night, she came into the store telling me bs, it did hurt! I just didn't have very much dark hair on my face, so I imagine it wasn't so bad for me. I told her it was still worth it though.
Quote from: Serena Lynn on April 21, 2012, 09:02:51 PM
I plan on getting Electrolysis very soon. What would you relate the pain to? Is it similar to getting a tattoo?
If you've ever had laser, Wikipedia says this:
QuoteA study conducted in 2000 at the ASVAK Laser Center in Ankara, Turkey comparing alexandrite laser and electrolysis for hair removal on 12 patients concluded that laser hair removal was 60 times faster, less painful and more reliable than electrolysis.[7]
So electrolysis hurts more than laser.
If you haven't, I'd say that laser hurts "A LOT", but it's manageable if you're good at grasping your hands and stuff. After all, it's not constant; it's one burst of pain at at time. So I guess it can't really be compared to getting a tattoo, which hurts continuously, right?
So if electrolysis hurts more, it must be very, very painful. In that case, I would suggest maybe trying a numbing cream.
It feels like someone pushing a hot needle into your face over and over again. I have a stupidly high tolerance to pain tho. The problem I face is with my electrologist begin too soft on me these days, as she's frightened to hurt me badly. If I could get her to do it I would go for 6 hour sessions non-stop. but these days she refuses to do more than 1 hour at a time.
I would personally endure it even if it was 10 times as painful as it was, then again I tried to deal with my testicles and there disgusting secretions by injecting them with concentrated ethanol... Now that's real pain.
I did blend where you hold the bar in your hand.. I also had only the fatest hairs done first. I also had double inserts one to sloough off the hair the second to kill the folicle 100% dead.
Thermolysis is too extreme heat for most peoples faces. It uses heat verse making lye in the folicle. Also just getting the fatest hairs allows a scattered effect and it doesn't do any damage because your not inserting every fraction of an inch. I then shaved the smallest hairs and i was done from start to finish in 10 months. I had an auburn colored beard and mustache and sideburns. I have blonde hair. I was 40 yrs old. Also never get too much done around the lips to prevent scarring or wrinkling.
I never did laser.
Personally my 2nd electrolysist was very careful and used magnifying glasses whereas the first didn't and she made it hurt. The second was like getting acupuncture and felt great. She played very peaceful music.
Not only will I work on Sundays I will probe your face for as many hours as you can handle. They both hurt, but electrolysis hurts more since it takes longer. Start with laser finish with electrolysis, they work great together.
Quote from: pebbles on April 22, 2012, 11:25:23 AM
I would personally endure it even if it was 10 times as painful as it was, then again I tried to deal with my testicles and there disgusting secretions by injecting them with concentrated ethanol... Now that's real pain.
You're giving others on this board bad ideas... well, you're giving me a bad idea lol
I'm so looking forward to electro! It'll be worth the pain to me, to be completely honest!
Electro is painful... no question. Much more so than laser. I've had 2 years of full-body laser hair removal... and about 1 full year of electro on my face only.
However, more than the pain, is the problem of letting the your facial hair grow, without shaving. That absolutely is the worst part for me. The cool thing with laser is that you can shave, and it's actually advised and preferred that you shave the morning of your laser appointment. Not so with electro. I generally have to let my facial hair grow-out for at least 5 days prior to my electro appointment, so that the electrologist can see and remove the hair.
And if you have blond facial hair (like me) you have little choice but electro.
One little caveat of advice I'd like to mention is... using Desitin cream afterwards. Yep... diaper rash cream. Cover the treated area on your face with it at night after electrolysis. It does a great job with the redness and any small open puncture wounds. Good stuff.
:)
JennX, it's a little off-topic, but I would really love to have as much details as possible on the costs of all that, from the face to pieces of the body.
Quote from: A on April 22, 2012, 09:59:12 PM
JennX, it's a little off-topic, but I would really love to have as much details as possible on the costs of all that, from the face to pieces of the body.
A lot :( ... full body, over 2 years was close to $10,000 more or less IIRC. For laser, my guy charges per visit:
$400 for full legs upper & lower (both)
$200 for full arms upper & lower (both)
$200 chest
$200 back
$50 full face
This was after a good discount too, as I was having a lot done so he cut me a good deal. Prices, can and do fluctuate wildly. Do shop around, and never, ever pay for any package in-advance or up-front. Most areas were treated every 6 weeks... legs every 8 weeks, and face every 4 weeks as it grows faster and is more resilient than the other areas.
My electrologist charges me $80/hr... which is a lot easier on my bank account. :)
I'm still trying to get the courage up to look for someone to do genital electrolysis, pre SRS later this year. Maybe after a couple of vodkas? Not looking forward to it. :o
Quote from: justmeinoz on April 23, 2012, 01:58:36 AM
I'm still trying to get the courage up to look for someone to do genital electrolysis, pre SRS later this year. Maybe after a couple of vodkas? Not looking forward to it. :o
I'm not sure where to go in Tassie, but Sydney has a few trans friendly clinics. Vodka sounds good, I'm not too sure about local anaesthetic down there *blush* *ouch*
Quote from: justmeinoz on April 23, 2012, 01:58:36 AM
I'm still trying to get the courage up to look for someone to do genital electrolysis, pre SRS later this year. Maybe after a couple of vodkas? Not looking forward to it. :o
Most "modern" surgeons don't require genital electrolysis anymore, as it's a hassle for the patient, and they cannot always trust the aestheticians who do it to do it 100 % reliably, guaranteed of any later regrowth... which would be catastrophic. Also, regardless of the technician's skill, there's always, I think, a slight chance of later regrowth of zapped hairs. So they cut out hair follicles themselves. Easier, faster, more reliable and painless (since it's done whilst you're asleep for the surgery). At least, that's what mine (dr Brassard) will do.
Oh gosh were it not for Laser Hair removal I'd still have a beard! Laser has been a miracle, and the people at the clinic I frequent are none other than angels.
This last vist I had a lovely heart to heart with my tech, and we are becoming real friends.
The best part of laser is about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks after the session when the hair starts to fall out. Some of 'em fall out on their own, but most of them you get when shaving (they come out so easy that the tiny tug of the blade pulls the hair right out rather than cutting it...sometimes I squeeze my skin and the hair comes out just form the pressure!)
I am 12 months into laser, and I am very happy. It is perfect for a busy schedule as it only takes 15 minutes, and then I come back once per month. It's no big deal to push some appointments back, although you must keep up the sessions to avoid regrowth until the hair is eliminated (for example you wouldn't wanna go a year without a session).
YES IT HURTS and IT IS WORTH IT! So far I've spent about $600 and I have practically no beard left! How much better can it get than that? My beard is so thin now that they're going over my face twice, and I am also coming in every 6 wks instead of 4 wks. It's been a true blessing, and I have no doubt that in perhaps 6 months time I will have ZERO beard whatsoever.
Oh, and the less beard you have, the less it hurts, so over time it gets easier and easier! 8)
I pluck my facial hair. If I had $ I would electrolysis until it's all gone.
Quote from: ~~BebeLyss~~ on April 23, 2012, 01:48:06 PM
I pluck my facial hair. If I had $ I would electrolysis until it's all gone.
I bet that takes forever and i bet you have quite a few ingrown hairs
Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 11:59:20 AMalthough you must keep up the sessions to avoid regrowth until the hair is eliminated (for example you wouldn't wanna go a year without a session).
False! Hair that is killed is killed. One hair is either killed or not killed by a session. It can't be "hurt" and need one more session to be "finished off".
Quote from: MiaOhMya! on April 23, 2012, 11:59:20 AMSo far I've spent about $600 and I have practically no beard left!
Oh my. For all 7 sessions? Are they qualified technicians? Where do you live?
I've spent 2576,59 $ for my treatments... Maybe it's just the lack of competition. Where I live, there is only one trustable business that does laser. Since it's an unlegislated procedure, other places just have aestheticians who could basically have no diploma, and are barely trained to doing laser hair removal at all...
Quote from: A on April 23, 2012, 03:44:51 PM
False! Hair that is killed is killed. One hair is either killed or not killed by a session. It can't be "hurt" and need one more session to be "finished off".Oh my. For all 7 sessions? Are they qualified technicians? Where do you live?
I've spent 2576,59 $ for my treatments... Maybe it's just the lack of competition. Where I live, there is only one trustable business that does laser. Since it's an unlegislated procedure, other places just have aestheticians who could basically have no diploma, and are barely trained to doing laser hair removal at all...
that much??!? were you able to grow a full beard before? That sounds really expensive ><
In the US they are required to be associated with a Dr. The laser place I use is affiliated with a Dr in my PCP's group.
I have spent maybe $800 for facial sessions and recently paid $1000 + $200 for four sessions of eyebrows, underarms, forearms, and chest/breast.
Of course the tech gave a generous discount for the bundling and they also had a 25% gift certificate and another 10% off hair removal packages so the "real" quote was $1750 or something like that.
Well, lack of competition + trained professionals does that, I suppose.
Also, I never tried to grow a beard. Though I don't know what the difference is between a normal beard and a "full" one.
But I don't think the nature of my beard does any difference, though... Unless I, say, only had beard in precise areas, like sideburns and chin. After all, the number of zaps for the technician doesn't change.
The price is the same for everyone. Beard combo: Sideburns + upper lips + chin + cheeks + front neck = 3 320 $. Minus discount, plus taxes = 2 576,59 $. However, any subsequent treatment I might need would only cost about 70 $, I think.
What's sad is that if I want to get another part of my body lasered, I don't think they give me a discount since I already had my face done. I haven't asked, but it doesn't look like it. And since they don't even do electrolysis, I can forget about having discounted electrolysis.
Really, living here has its advantages... Though not in laser.
damn that sucks :(. I know a lot of other t girls my age and we sometimes pool our money together to get deals on electrolysis (that way the electrologist gets more funding).
I can't believe these prices of the laser treatment. I was quoted almost 12 grand here in the mid west and it was broke down into certain areas. My hair was to light and now I go for electrolysis every weds @ $50. Per hour.
Quote from: MyKa on April 23, 2012, 04:23:32 PM
I can't believe these prices of the laser treatment. I was quoted almost 12 grand here in the mid west and it was broke down into certain areas. My hair was to light and now I go for electrolysis every weds @ $50. Per hour.
12 grand???? For the whole body or something? Thats ridiculous.
Guess im the oddball here
after 6 laser treatments still had full facial hair. To me the laser hurt like hell and was very painful especially on upper lip. Cost $794.
i have well over 100+ of electroylsys and let me tell that is working wonders my entire right check is cleared and 50% of my
chin. The electroysys is basically pain free compared to the laser and i far prefer it. Though the $65/hr is steep.
One last though the electrolysys on brows and peranium area made me realize i dont need voice lessons (i can get really high).
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on April 24, 2012, 10:13:05 AM
12 grand???? For the whole body or something? Thats ridiculous.
12 grand for just the face!
Forgive my ignorance, but what is "12 grand"?
Oh its no big deal. 12 grand is another way of saying 12 large.
...haha I'm so sorry! Ok so a grand is $1000, so it means $12,000! Holy poop thats lots of dollars! :o
That's sad!
12 thousand?! :(
And you had to finance it or pay for it up front. I pay by the hour now. I agree it is sad, make it where everyone can afford it
Girl for that kind of money you better be getting lasered so hard that your neighbors become hairless.
In Australia, there are currently no regulations regarding hair removal using laser. Same with electrolysis iirc.
Given the potential for damage with either, it's a rather shocking state of affairs imho.
Sometimes, even where there's no regulation, there are - facultative - diplomas in these domains, or some sort of in-industry norm. It's less trustable and more of a hassle than real regulation, but perhaps you can look for something like this.
Quote from: A on April 23, 2012, 03:44:51 PM
False! Hair that is killed is killed. One hair is either killed or not killed by a session. It can't be "hurt" and need one more session to be "finished off".Oh my. For all 7 sessions? Are they qualified technicians? Where do you live?
Apologies on the misinformation...the clinic say I must return until all hair is gone, and have occasional touch-ups...I must have misunderstood!
...but oh yes they are qualified and have a beautiful office with a doctor (though I only met him once). I purchased a discounted gift certificate online for $125, good for 5 sessions. They met me and we really hit it off, I explained my situation, and they said they do my entire face and neck rather than the limited area on the gift terms. After the second time they said I could just keep coming, once per month, until the hair is gone. I pay $25 for the session and opt for the $15 numbing cream. This session passed was my twelfth, so one full year!
I currently live in the States in Florida, and really its not too bad here as far as transition goes (though I'd like to make it out west, maybe even to Hawaii). There are laser deals EVERYWHERE especially on these local discount websites they have here(I use "doubletakedeals.com")
As for Aussie clinics, I didn't know they aren't regulated. That seems weird huh? I've seen a clinic in Melbourne and it was quite nice. Laser is simply popping up everywhere...I mean there was (is?) even a laser clinic in Geelong a good 45 minutes out of the city centre! If you price a laser they are maybe $30000-$40000, so its a great business oppourtunity.
It's a growing industry, great for us trans women, but I would be very careful on who I let touch my face!