2-3mm seems like a lot.  It just needs to be enough so that the tweezers can grab it.  For me that is 2.5 days.  There are a few things that I found help to tolerate the pain better.  No Alcohol the night before.  No Caffeine the day of the session (after is fine).  Drink lots of water.  Take Advil 45 minutes before. 

I have heard many people recommend Senza Pelo in Arizona.  People go there for marathon sessions of 10-12 hours per day for 2-3 day weekends to get their entire face cleared, until the next growth cycle.  I imagine, it is not cheap, but it may be worth calling for anyone who is interested.

I have had six laser sessions on my face, but I have some gray and blonde hairs to tackle sometime soon, and I have been thinking this may be one way to knock it out quicker.

Here is their website:

http://senzapelo.com/

Best,
Cate

Make sure the person who is doing your electro is experienced with trans patients IMO. I heard some bad stories about people who got it done by electrologists used to just zapping a few hairs on menopausal women.


During upper lip electrolysis:

Me: "Stop a minute can I have a tissue please"
Her: "Here you go, you need a break?"
Me: "No, I just need the tears out of my eyes, please keep going."

I did a 4 hour session in my first electrolysis appointment in November last year. Did my whole upper lip and goatee area. It hurt like hell but I am pretty good with pain, I paid good money and I hate having to shave (it wrecks my skin) so I sucked it up. I strongly suggest investing in one of those stress balls. FYI I looked like Desperate Dan afterwards. Oh also don't worry too much about not being able to shave the area if your electrologist does it right all the hairs will be plucked out, you wont need to shave for a week or two in a cleared area. It was worth the pain.

Quote from: Ms Grace on December 13, 2014, 06:04:57 PM
Even though I have gone full time I still go to the electrologists in guy mode, no way is my face presentable as female after that treatment.

I hate having to do it but it is the more preferable option. The real kicker is that you shouldn't shave for a few days afterwards to allow the skin to heal and avoid kicking off micro scabs and causing scars or infections. That's why starting before transition is a much better strategy, really difficult to juggle once transitioned.

Yikes... I have not started, been on HRT for long time... getting nervous (got fair hair and pale skin), very nervous

L Katy

Being out without shaving I still got gendered appropriately all day, but I did see some people staring when passing me on the sidewalk... I seem to notice a lot more than other people. I think it's because it feels different than what people can see since i have blondish hair.

As promised here are before pics. I have not shaved since Monday morning before leaving for work. It is now Wednesday morning at the time I would usually shave. I may add pics from right before the treatment later if there is much difference.



***EDIT**
Here are the after pics. It has been about 30 minutes since I finished my session.