I've been doing internet research on electrologists in the vicinity of Sacramento;

http://www.google.com/local?num=100&hl=en&lr=&q=electrolysis&near=Sacramento,+CA&sa=X&oi=localr
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Electrolysis+Treatments/S-CA/T-Sacramento/
http://local.sacramento.com/sacramento/Electrology.zp.html

That's a lot of stuff to wade through, even though there's quite a bit of overlap between the three lists.

Anybody have first-hand experience, either good or bad, with an electrologist in the area?

How about the Bay Area?  If 'quick', skilled beard removal is to be had from an every-other-week commute to the Bay Area, then that's an option I'd consider.

Other than that, my plan for the first round is to draft a letter and send it out to likely electrologists asking about their training, methods, pain relief, working with sucessfully transitioned TS women, etc.  After that, I'll do interviews and then try each of the top 3 to 5 candidates.

If you have any advice on what should be asked in the letter (and what should be left out!), please post them!

Interesting Hazumu, I posted a new thread about electro  a couple of hours ago and mentioned A local eelctrogist here in the Sac area Just of Sunset Blvd on sunrise Dr. for those here in the Sac area that needed a  good individual tech and indlucluded her address for those interested.

She is Lisa Hitomi a CPE Baoard certified and california licenced Electro Tech named Lisa and the office is on 7529 Sunset Ave.  Its an office building and she is in Suite F in fair oaks.  If coming from Hwy 50 area go north on sunrise toward madison till you get to Sunset Ave, turn left and down sunset to 7529.  It will be an office building on your right.  Suite F will be on the north end and has a wood glass door. If coming from north of madison then just go south on sunrise to Sunset and turn right and go to the address but that way it will be on your right.   If you are interested, PM me and I'll give you her phone number to call about an appointment.  She will work on weekdays and on saturday.  In fact qe might meet and shake hands if you manage to come in on saturdays, thats when all my appointments are generally scheduled.  Tell her you are a transitioning Transsexual and Terri sent you and she will totally understand with no problerms and agive you the best of work.  Her fee is $60 qn hour and will do 2 hours at a time for $90 as an incentive, now thats only $45 an hour.

Terri

HAHAHAHAHAHA!  So much for 'stealth'!  Terri, we probably will meet some day soon.

Thanks for the recommendation.  That counts for 'way more than going through that god-awful list hoping to get lucky finding someone competent enough to give my hard-earned money to.

The other reason I'd like to meet up with you is that one of my other goals is to network with other local TS people for support (re: my other threads on what to focus on and what is unimportant (an aside -- I can't find a 'wink' smiley on this board... ;-) ) )

Well, if you start electro with the tech I recommended, we will probably meet at some time there.  I just pm'd you the phone number, call during business hours monday through friday to catch her direct.  You won't be sorry.

It's great to meet with others and I'm always willing to have coffee and discuss issues with people who are serious and not looking for a bunch of "fun and adventue".  My psychologist often  gives new Transsexual Patients (with my permission) my wireless phone number.  he says I can learn some "style" from some, he has never seen me in heavy makeup or a dress or skirt since I don't dress like that, and they can learn confidence in dealing with the public and coping with the issues from me, so it works at times both ways for both me and the "newbie and I know by the fact that my psych referred them to me that he considers them serious individuals needing help'.  Like I always tell them though if we meet somewhere in person, don't get to involved with dressing up, cause i'll just be in a top, jeans and shoes and you don't want to look strange :-[  When you call Lisa, the electro tech ask her for a 30 min session, tell her she was referred to you by Terr, that you are a transsexual needing a complete beard removed and she will explain to you what it's all about and during the actual lectro for 30min (about $45)  Take cash as she does not have an atm machine. you will see how your personal reactions to the needle are.

Terri

Thank you , Terri, for the recommendation (and great to meet you F2F!)

I'll vouch for Terri's recommendation, and at the end of the introductory session booked a 2 hour session with Lisa.

As she said during her introductory spiel, she feels she doesn't sell herself well.  But what sells her is that she is conscientious as she goes about her business of removing and killing hairs (which is what electrology is all about!)

She appreciated that I had done my homework about what 'blend' electrology is and how it works -- she said it actually made her job easier when the client understood how Electrology works.  We kicked the power up pretty high on the first session.  It hurt, but not bad.  That might change if and when I get to start HRT -- but for now the high power translates to more hairs removed per session, lowering the price-per-hair.

For those in the vicinity of Sacramento, you can add her to the list of recommended Electrologists.  For those in other regions, you can use this as a guide as to some good things to look for in an Electrologist.

If anybody has additional input, please post it!

No problem Hasumu.  I took you for a very likable person who really understands what she is doing.  We'll get together sometime and talk about your plans and getting through them.  I expect you will do well without a lot of unnessesary stress.

Terri