Hi everyone,

I've read the forum the years, and I finally decide it was time to take the plunge and create an account. I won't go into my life story, but after years of hesitating and making excuses, I'm finally moving forward with my transition at the age of 28.

Tomorrow morning, I'll have my first session of electrolysis. I'm excited to both get started on removing my beard, but also the symbolic step and the progress it represents. Is there anything I should do tonight to prepare? Anything I should be aware of?

Hello I just thought I'd say something so I too looked into electrolysis I'm "24" I found out its pretty painful and it takes hundreds of hours to do just the face in my opinion I went with laser only had one treatment I'm doing my whole body and I can say I'm very impressed with the results I hade patches not grow back in my face legs and arms I've been told I need to do about 6 sessions for it to be gone so I find it more cost effective and less painful to do laser just my 2 cent hope all goes great with you

I find it not that bad, others have fallen asleep, so everyone is different. Pain has been manageable with only a few hurting.
One thing not to do is shave.
Don't wear a black shirt as my girl loves to flick the white hairs all over me and makes a mess.

Afterwards it is pretty ugly and face gets swollen a fair bit.
Ice pack is helpful to reduce swelling.

Don't worry.
I found that laser had much more of a yowie effect.

Laser is not effective in all circumstances and I'll presume you've looked into whether that was a viable option for you. It wasn't for me (too many light hairs) so electrolysis it is .

Do you know what method you are having? There is single needle and multi-probe galvanic. Multi-probe can have up to 32 probes inserted into 32 follicles at once, and is meant to be more effective at permanent hair removal than single needle. It's also quicker, total of about 100-150 hours depending on beard thickness (which is still quicker than the hundreds required with single needle). Just back from a six hour session myself. Yeah, I'm insane! But I just want the damned beard gone and the only way to deal with it is to power through.

I agree with Jen's advice, don't shave for a few days after treatment. If you're not presenting full time this will make it easier to deal with the swelling, spots and whiskers during the recovery process - and don't put any make up on the area for a few days, you'll want to give it plenty of opportunity to heal and avoid infection.

take an anti-inflammatory like brufen or diclofenac beforehand and an antihistamine too, a couple of hours before ( I like fexofenadine). Keep your face cool with a very cold cold cloth or icepack for a half hour or so after. Apply zinc oxide cream lightly to the skin (used in nappy cream so buy that), when that is absorbed, moisturise well with aloe and it should be normal several hours or by the day after I have found. Without  that little regime, it takes about 1 day for the redness to go and about 3 days for the bumpiness to go with me.

Agree with Grace et al but recommend Fri for treatment so your face will be good by Monday.   The longer the session the better as the set up time is included in your session.  Some electrologists are better than others so speak to former clients.   Also as you are likely to be spending a lot of time together find one who is an interesting conversationalist!

Oh and don't forget to apply emla cream or xylocaine to numb the skin prior to treatment.   It may still sting but should only be uncomfortable in the more sensitive areas such as upper and lower lips

Enjoy and remember that this is positive pain.  No pain no gain!

Aisla