Tipping for Facial Hair Removal

[Lacy]

Is tipping for hair removal the standard practice? I have always tipped my hairdresser well since she has the power to make me look beautiful or horrible!

I realize that a laser technician isn't the same thing and costs so much more for a single session. I was curious to see what the general consensus was on whether or not to tip them.

Lacy

[Jessica]

When I started electrolysis I wondered the same thing.  I asked my girlfriends what they did.  They give a nice tip at the holidays, which I did.  But I've now accelerated my treatments (about 20 a month) and am now considering a monthly one.  If I give $5 per session, it could come out to about $100.  I only pay a co-pay of $20 per day worth and if I have 2 sessions in one day, that comes out to only $10 each treatment.

[Linde]

I tip at my skin care place who does the laser and everything about 10% of the bill.

[Jaime320]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've been hitting the 15% button or leaving $30 sessions are usually 1-2 hrs

[Kate.claire]

I typically tip around $20 for an hour long session.  Makes up for my wife,  who never tips. 

[KathyLauren]

I give my electrocutioner a gift at Christmas.

[heather3791]

I don't tip my electrolysis person. She is the owner of the business and has made a $hit-ton of money off me. $85 bucks per hour and now 75 hours completed just on my chin...and we are still on my chin! Anyway, you can do the math on that. I did give her a Christmas gift though. Now for something like a business owner cutting my hair every 4 weeks (not every single week at 2-hour sessions) and charging a much lower $15 bucks I absolutely tip. But the way I see it she is doing just fine with her normal hourly charge which is terribly expensive for me. Just sayin!

[AnneK]

My understanding is you tip employees, not the owner or manager.  When I went for laser, it was the owner who worked on me, not an employee.  Also, given the cost, I think it would be like tipping at the dentist.  I don't tip the dentist or hygienist.  On the other hand, I tip for hair cuts and manicure/pedicure, unless the owner works on me.

[KathyLauren]

Also, given the cost, I think it would be like tipping at the dentist.  I don't tip the dentist or hygienist.

This year, I did give my dentist a gift.  She was extra nice to me during the year, giving me dental blocks to numb my lips for electrolysis several times at no charge.  She deserved something.

[AshleyP]

I was curious to see what the general consensus was on whether or not to tip them.

My electrologist has a blurb on her website that tips will not be accepted.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[Anne Blake]

My electrologist is an employee and works for a wage. I tip her $20 per session which for me is a 2 to 4 hour total clearing of both above and below every month and a half.

[Lacy]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. It definitely seems to differ between whether the process is Laser or Electrolysis. I cannot find any licensed electrolysis in Iowa. I decided to start with laser since that is really my only choice at the moment.

I have my first session on Wednesday. I have been to 2 consultations at 2 separate places. They both said about 6 to 8 sessions would be needed. At $200 a session that is $1600. I can see tipping more on that if their policy applies.

When I talked to an electrolysis technician in Illinois about 2 hours away they quoted a heck of a lot of time at a steep price for a session. The overall cost would be several thousands of dollars more. That would be super expensive even without tipping.

I do feel much more prepared going into the session. Having this beard gone is going to be so huge!

[DawnOday]

Lacy... Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal. Laser will only retard regrowth but it will come back for quite a while before giving up, if ever.  It's not cheap. I'm lucky to have one of the best in the Seattle Tacoma area and she charge a dollar a minute. So far I have had in the neighborhood of 65 one hour sessions and just under $4000. Nanci removes between 300 and 400 hairs an hour depending if I used my lidocaine / prilocaine numbing cream. It also matter how sensitive your skin is and prone to redness. For me the redness goes away in about a half hour. I have only my mustache area left and it will be painful no matter what. The really great thing is that I have made a friend for life. Nanci has in the neighborhood of 80 transgender friends. I don't know where you live in Iowa but here is one I found in Davenport,  Kiddoo-Halanson, Susan L.
Precision Electrolysis
2715 W 63rd Street, Suite 1
Davenport, IA 52806
Phone: (563) 349-0567
Email: jshakanson@Juno.com
Treats Transgendered persons.

[Jaime320]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. It definitely seems to differ between whether the process is Laser or Electrolysis. I cannot find any licensed electrolysis in Iowa. I decided to start with laser since that is really my only choice at the moment.

I have my first session on Wednesday. I have been to 2 consultations at 2 separate places. They both said about 6 to 8 sessions would be needed. At $200 a session that is $1600. I can see tipping more on that if their policy applies.

When I talked to an electrolysis technician in Illinois about 2 hours away they quoted a heck of a lot of time at a steep price for a session. The overall cost would be several thousands of dollars more. That would be super expensive even without tipping.

I do feel much more prepared going into the session. Having this beard gone is going to be so huge!

Not sure where in IL is 2 hour away. It may be worth the drive towards Chicago. There are several electrolysis places in the burbs. Anywhere from full clearings to half hour session, $3500-$30. Laser so far in my experience runs $60 a session.

Also check with insurance as they may cover electrolysis. They want medically licensed places, but waive it in states where licensing not required.

[Lacy]

Not sure where in IL is 2 hour away. It may be worth the drive towards Chicago. There are several electrolysis places in the burbs. Anywhere from full clearings to half hour session, $3500-$30. Laser so far in my experience runs $60 a session.

Also check with insurance as they may cover electrolysis. They want medically licensed places, but waive it in states where licensing not required.

A trip to Chicago for a full face clearing would definitely be something I would consider!
Do you by chance know a reputable place there that provides a full clearing? How long do they take to do that? I would love to be able to just get the whole thing done at once!

[Lacy]

Lacy... Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal. Laser will only retard regrowth but it will come back for quite a while before giving up, if ever.  It's not cheap. I'm lucky to have one of the best in the Seattle Tacoma area and she charge a dollar a minute. So far I have had in the neighborhood of 65 one hour sessions and just under $4000. Nanci removes between 300 and 400 hairs an hour depending if I used my lidocaine / prilocaine numbing cream. It also matter how sensitive your skin is and prone to redness. For me the redness goes away in about a half hour. I have only my mustache area left and it will be painful no matter what. The really great thing is that I have made a friend for life. Nanci has in the neighborhood of 80 transgender friends. I don't know where you live in Iowa but here is one I found in Davenport,  Kiddoo-Halanson, Susan L.
Precision Electrolysis
2715 W 63rd Street, Suite 1
Davenport, IA 52806
Phone: (563) 349-0567
Email: jshakanson@Juno.com
Treats Transgendered persons.

Wow! Thank you so much Dawn! I have no idea why she never showed up in my searches for electrolysis in Iowa. I will definitely be giving her a call!

Thanks!
Lacy

[Jaime320]

A trip to Chicago for a full face clearing would definitely be something I would consider!
Do you by chance know a reputable place there that provides a full clearing? How long do they take to do that? I would love to be able to just get the whole thing done at once!

Dr Z has two places on site that do full clearings. Kelly's will do it also. There's a few recent threads around I'll try to findlink. Takes 1-2 days depending on coverage.

[Jaime320]

@reallacy I don't think we can post links to businesses directly, but hope this helps.

Others experience at dr z and Kelly's.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,235494.20.html

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,244247.0.html

[Wendi]

When I started electrolysis I wondered the same thing.  I asked my girlfriends what they did.  They give a nice tip at the holidays, which I did.  But I've now accelerated my treatments (about 20 a month) and am now considering a monthly one.  If I give $5 per session, it could come out to about $100.  I only pay a co-pay of $20 per day worth and if I have 2 sessions in one day, that comes out to only $10 each treatment.

Jessica, Did you need something from your Dr to get insurance to pay?