That pretty much is the question...I have a consult with a clinic tomorrow afternoon and was wondering if there is anything I should know or look out for when it comes to the actual treatments? As a complete novice I don't really have any idea a what I should be looking for...any tips would be most appreciated.

Regards

Sarah T

How experienced are they - not in terms of years they've been doing it, but how often per week do they do it? How many hours per week? Is their experience limited to genetic women only or do they also have experience with trans women? if so, how much? How frequent? A lot of electrolysis operators only ever dust off the machine once a month for a ten minute session on old Mrs Brown's chin hairs. The fact they've done that for three years doesn't give them three years experience.

Do they use thermolysis or galvanic electrolysis? The later seems, to me anyway, much more effective at permanent removal (less need for reclearing). But maybe I feel a bit biased since I've been getting galvanic and it has been very effective.

Presumably they follow proper sterilisation techniques.

They should walk you through the full process before starting. You should expect it to hurt but you shouldn't expect burning or scarring.

Thanks Ms Grace, there are now a number of things I will now be looking at and asking questions about, Thankyou so much

I had been going to a salon with a beautician that offers electrolysis (using a Sterex system) for several months.  I thought "so, this is electrolysis".   

But recently I went to a different person who only does electrolysis.  It's a completely different world, and seems much more effective and thorough.  Here are some possible "warning signs" from my experience:

Is a bright light and magnification used during treatment?  The electrologist should be using a high power magnification lens or special glasses, not just regular eyeglasses.

Is the electrolysis machine "muted" so that it doesn't beep during treatment?  This is the feedback the electrologist is supposed to have to know if the machine is actually working, so be suspicious if it's muted.

Are there only "commercial" qualifications (e.g. "Sterex Company Certified"), instead of an independent association?  In the UK the person should be a qualified and listed by the British Institute & Association of Electrolysis.

Is the treatment fast?

Do you feel hairs being pulled-on much of the time?  They should slide out easily without any tugging sensation, and if they don't, the electrologist should be treating them again. 

Is the electrolysist recovering each hair and inspecting it, or just brushing it away?  They should be looking at the hairs and keeping them on their glove or a tissue to know how deep they are rooted and how effective the settings are.

Are they treating each hair while moving the needle up and down the follicle, or just "stab and treat"?  Maybe this is just a technique  with "Flash" electrolysis, but it seems more effective.

Does the electrolysist work with doctors and health insurance/government health bodies?  If not, they probably don't see many trans clients.   Insurance companies and doctors only refer to electrolysists that have the right qualifications.

This is just my experience and I'm not an expert.

So I had my consult with the clinic and the lady I dealt with was lovely. She has a large base of transwomen as part of her overall client base and was able to easily talk with me about hormone meds, current Dr's, transitioning, Dysphoria and where the various professionals are working, she personally does a number of sessions each week and so do her colleagues along with regular laser treatments.

She has suggested to me that I would benefit from treatments from a Fraxel Laser she doesn't have one but has a lady come in for certain periods of the year with her own. She will be back in February. This laser will treat the sun damage and even out the pigment as well as zapping the hairs. She was also really concerned that some of the meds I am on could make me photosensitive...which they don't however she would like something in writing from the Dr to indicate this.

Her other big concern is my implanted pain pump which is located in my lower abdomen. I checked out the site for the pump and the only thing I can find is some mention that if using laser near the pump you have to ensure the beam is kept 15 cm away from the pump and considering it is my stomach it will not be an issue. I have written to the pump manufacturer and asked the specific question. So once I have that and my note from the Dr, who I am seeing on Tuesday I will contact the clinic back and make a another appointment for assessment.

I figured I would try them out as I have never had waxing done before. Once I showed the tech the area she went and "Sugared" in stead of using wax, my full legs, stomach, Chest and Eyebrows(which look so much better). She did a great job and happily chatted about the clinic and her qualifications. She told me what she also did apart waxing/sugaring and it involved not only Electrolysis but laser as well. She did an excellent job and I can now appreciate why you wax instead of shaving. The place was spotless and I enjoyed the experience immensely. Some areas were a little more sensitive but overall I love the end result.

Once I have the things I need I will go back and speak with them again I should be good to go to begin treatment.

Sarah T