Well I finished My 4 sessions of laser on My face and neck about 1 1/2 months ago. So Today I went for a consultation regarding electrolysis. She was very nice and she was very informative about the subject. Even though I knew most about the subject but not all. She told Me about the whole process and it would take about a year or so. depending on schedule etc...

The consultation was Free but to do a sample area would take 15min at a cost of $30.00. I didn't think that was bad and so I went ahead with the sample areas. She also worked as dermatologist before so she would only apply as much current as necessary to remove the hair without leaving scars etc..  I had a little redness but after an hr everything was back to normal.

As she applied the current to the needle I was like that's it. It hurt more doing laser. There was a little discomfort to the upper lip and to the jowl area but not to much at all. She only applied alcohol to clean the are and I didn't put on any lidocaine prior to this. I can see how lidocaine can help with long session though. Guess I have a high tolerance. YMMV!!

So next Friday it starts! For Me it will be ever 2 weeks between sessions depending on cash and time. I talked to My Mom about her and she is thinking of going also. LOL 

She doesn't at this point know that I am Trans but in time she will!!

She is in the NW suburbs of Illinois. 

Hi, Christine1. Algonquin, Crystal Lake area by any change?

Hi Christine,

  Congrats of getting started with the hair removal. I really must look into it for myself. Cost I am sure is also going to be a factor  for me as well.

Hugs,
    Jeanette

Charley LZ! Lake Zurich girl. 

Congratulations on getting it started.  Since I am planning to go full-time in a couple of months, I can look forward to the dubious pleasure of going unshaved for several days at a time in girl mode.

I did my first hour-long session without any pain relief.  Now I slap on lots of lidocaine and it still hurts.  My doc told me to use over-the-counter pain meds as well.  I bring a portable CD player, phones, and a couple of disks.  I find that music that I can get my head into, such as songs with poetic lyrics that you have to think about, allows me to focus on something other than the needle.

That's funny. I was thinking the same Kathy for extended hair removal but she likes to talk.

Jeanette You need to look into it.

Quote from: Christine1 on March 18, 2017, 05:34:38 PM
Jeanette You need to look into it.

   Yes, yes I do.

Christine and Jeanette, you may want to look into having your medical provider decide if electrolysis is medically necessary (if you have a beard, and male physicality triggers discomfort, it may very well be medically necessary).  If so, insurance may be able to pick up some of the cost.  Yes, there are some mays and ifs in there, but electrolysis can be a significant part of transition costs, and may be worth exploring.

Some providers, like Kaiser Northern California, place some limitations on medically necessary electrolysis.  Kaiser required me to be on HRT at least 6 months before they would consider it.  I started electrolysis well before I started HRT, because I couldn't stand the beard any longer, and because I had heard that would be a good idea as estradiol would increase skin sensitivity (it did!).

This is something to consider exploring.

Electrologists are all Satan's Hand Maiden's.  

Michelle,

  I am with the VA, they consider it cosmetic and therefore not covered. I do have medicare and hearing you talk about Kaiser makes enrolling with them tempting. Their senior plan is under $50/mo more than medicare costs. Not sure what the ramifications would be having Kaiser and VA coverage or what copays might amount to.

   Jen, Are they really that bad?

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

Quote from: JeanetteLW on March 18, 2017, 09:47:33 PM
   Jen, Are they really that bad?

That is something very personal. I did my entire treatment without any painkiller other than putting my mind in the right place. I don't regret a minute of it as I haven't put a blade to my face in over 30 years. Today with creams, injections and over the counter pain medication you should be able to find treatment at least tolerable.

I'm kidding Jeanette......no, really. I am kidding. I am.....l.o.l.  The gal I go to has turned into one of my dearest friends! But the process is no fun at all.  Since you're already on E, you'll never know how easy it would have been when you were sporting t. Lucky girl!!....ignorance is bliss. It is a trial for me. I'm not as tough as Dena.

Good on you Christine for getting started,

Electrolysis has got to be one of the most arduous parts for many of us, I know it has been for me

I am using facial injections which leaves bruises for up to two weeks in some cases. However each time I have this done a large complete section is cleared with high current and I feel very little...I can see the finish line for the first full clearance where all the heavy beard is gone...I have such minimal regrowth that I am hoping to be clear by the end of this year...I have been slowed up with my laser but am back on track and have another one in three weeks, probably the last for awhile as I don't have huge amounts left, each time I have an area cleared I ensure my Electrologist takes everything greys and blacks because the less area the tech has to laser the less it costs. I am down to 1/2 the original cost.

My Electrolgist said she is going to be able to drop the current at the needle by 4 points so from 30 to 26 because the secondary growth is much finer and easier to remove...I don't know what that equates to painwise but I am really hoping I don't have to worry about injections anymore...I will find out Wednesday

LIz

Quote from: ElizabethK on March 19, 2017, 02:53:03 AM


My Electrolgist said she is going to be able to drop the current at the needle by 4 points so from 30 to 26 because the secondary growth is much finer and easier to remove...I don't know what that equates to painwise but I am really hoping I don't have to worry about injections anymore...I will find out Wednesday

LIz

When my electrologist lowers the setting on her machine, I can feel the hair being pulled, which hurts more than the zap. I usually have her raise the setting to the point where I feel no pain when the hair is pulled. She says that my settings are much higher than any of her other customers. Topical Lidocaine helps lower the pain for both the zap and hair pull.

Quote from: Dani on March 19, 2017, 05:40:55 PM
When my electrologist lowers the setting on her machine, I can feel the hair being pulled, which hurts more than the zap. I usually have her raise the setting to the point where I feel no pain when the hair is pulled. She says that my settings are much higher than any of her other customers. Topical Lidocaine helps lower the pain for both the zap and hair pull.

With galvanic or the blend that's normally an indication your operator may not be spending enough time to the hair before attempting to remove it. The test is to give a very light tug and if it doesn't come out, give it more time. My operator very rarely had a hair that I felt being removed and I was treated without pain medication.