So Disappointed

[Guest kelise]

Just came home from a consultation for electrolysis, which turned into a sales pitch for laser.

I've already had 48 laser sessions on my face, 24 on my bikini, from 2 different companies. The last place I went to was American Laser Centers, who claim to be the national leader and developer of laser hair removal machines.

In preparation for this consult, I let my facial hair grow for 3 days, which meant pretty much staying in my whole weekend. The first thing she said was it was too short for her to grab so she wouldn't be able to do any electrolysis on me today. Holy Cow? It was long enough for me to grab with a tweezer two days ago! How frickin long does it have to be? The she starts dissing the last two places I went for laser, saying they use light-based methods, and we use the Alexandrite laser (insert angel choir) For one thing, I'm not sure, but I could've sworn ALC used the Alexandrite, and for another, so far the reviews I've read on the Alexandrite give it a C-!

They charge $35 for a 15 min Electrolysis session, which apparently you need a Santa Claus length beard to partake in, and despite what I think to be a relatively small amount of hair, she seemed to think I have a lot and electrolysis would take forever on me.

They charge $175 per session with their precious Alexandrite. $75 just for the test spot! I couldn't afford that today, nor will I be able to for a while.

I don't know what to do. I can't grow my hair for weeks to go through electrolysis, and I don't want to be duped by the laser garbage again. I've wasted $4981 so far trying to get rid of this hair! I'm not wasting another dime on temporary or ineffective treatments!

[Guest kelise]

Another thing that peed me off was she made reference to a "guy" who had come to them after going to ALC. I can't be sure, but I don't know of many men who get their beards permanently removed. I think she was referring to this so-called "guy" the way she might refer to me as a "guy" to another patient.

[Guest JaniceW]

Sounds like regardless of what you choose to persue that place is not a good choice.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Another thing that peed me off was she made reference to a "guy" who had come to them after going to ALC. I can't be sure, but I don't know of many men who get their beards permanently removed. I think she was referring to this so-called "guy" the way she might refer to me as a "guy" to another patient.

Yeah, that would tick me off, too!

I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time with this....

You live in a big area....when I was doing my electrolysis, I found a lady that did it in her home (registered nurse)and she was fabulous!

Cheap, too....

I'd rather give my hard earned dough to the "Little people" than the big guys....

Why don't you Google for a local (cheap) electrologist?

Good luck, Hon!

Dee Jay

[Guest Julie T]

Another thing that peed me off was she made reference to a "guy" who had come to them after going to ALC. I can't be sure, but I don't know of many men who get their beards permanently removed. I think she was referring to this so-called "guy" the way she might refer to me as a "guy" to another patient.

Kairi

I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. Sometimes there seems to not be a good solution for us, doesn't it? For me? I will only use electrolysis, but my facial hair has been white for a while.

When I went to my electrologist she said she had never worked with a transgendered person before she met me, but she had worked on several men who wanted their beard removed. I didn't ask many questions? but I thought at the time these men were either very fastidious or they were holding back something. They might have been CD and had money available, or they were TS and not admitting it. So I assumed at the time men do have beard removal. Perhaps your person may have been innocent?

Julie

[Guest Julie T]

Yeah, that would tick me off, too!

I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time with this....

You live in a big area....when I was doing my electrolysis, I found a lady that did it in her home (registered nurse)and she was fabulous!

Cheap, too....

I'd rather give my hard earned dough to the "Little people" than the big guys....

Why don't you Google for a local (cheap) electrologist?

Good luck, Hon!

Dee Jay

Oh good point. My electrologist was also a retired registered nurse. She did her work out of a small rented office.

Julie

[Guest kelise]

Perhaps your person may have been innocent?

You're right. I may just be looking for things to complain about because I'm so frustrated.

[Guest Risu]

Before I started transition again I did more research into laser treatments because I had them done previously about 5 years ago and it did not work on me. It was only temporary at best and because of that it essentially ruined my original attempt at transition. What I found out is...

LASER IS NOT FDA APPROVED FOR PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL. Only electrolysis is, and upon further investigationI found forum threads full of women complaining because it didn't work on them either.

I only had 7 treatments with little to no results. I am glad to see you won't buy into the laser again and I am sorry that company tried to con you into another session of expensive and useless laser treatments. Please try to find a professional electrologist. It is well worth it.

I know there are people out there laser has worked for, and it is good for them they were able to take the fast track successfully. As for me I will continue to see my electrologist whom I love dearly, and patiently await the day I am beard free. The thought of being able to touch my face and feel my skin... it almost brings tears to my eyes.

Again, I am sorry this happened. *Hugs* I hope you have better luck with the next place.

[Guest kelise]

AARG! I want to go shave so bad! I can feel this scratchyness everytime I touch my chin and it's driving me up a wall! But at the same time I want to get something started with electrolysis and I know if I shave I'll have to wait several more days.

[Guest Miss_Construe]

[Guest kelise]

Sigh. Alas, called around to the few other electrolysis establishments in Orlando, all of which charge the same and are full-blown businesses, with laser services so i'm sure they'd try and push those on me too. I made an appointment for Tues for electrolysis at the place I went to this morning. Now I get to go to work in a pink blouse and floral skirt the next 4 days and hope no one notices the goatee.

[Guest Julie T]

Kairi

I should have mentioned something that may help you. My electrologist allowed me to shave everywhere I was not having treated. So say if she was to work on my mustache area? she would allow me to shave my cheeks and under my chin all week. So you may want to ask about that.

Julie

[Paula ult]

Three days growth should have been enough if the tech doing the electrolysis is experienced, of course it depends on how fast your beard grows, i let mine grow a few days then use a trimmer, it keeps it at a length my tech can work with and is not very noticeable to others as most of what is left is white/gray hair, my tech charges $80.00 an hour.

Paula

[Guest Emily Ray]

That is sooooooo frustrating!

Huggs

Emily

[Guest kelise]

Well....canceled the appointment after a knock-down, drag-out screaming match with my SO, and after all the stress of it I shaved my face clean. She thinks my job will send me home if I have too much growth. Maybe she's right, maybe not. She suggests that I schedule for Thurs evening, as that way I can shave tomorrow morning and have a better chance of making it through Monday without being sent home, yet she also wants to agree with the technician that a 15 min session is somehow pointless because she will only be able to do a few hairs. Correct me if I'm wrong but is killing a few hairs not better than killing no hairs? She also, like the technician keeps going back to the argument that laser will save me money in the long run because it will take fewer sessions and "kill" more hairs at once [sic], and then wonders why I have another mental meltdown and accuses ME of not thinking logically.

Logic?

Laser - 6 sessions - $175/session - 0 hairs killed per session = $1050 spent/0 hairs killed

Electrolysis - 25 sessions - $35/session - approx. 10 hairs killed per session = $875 spent/250 hairs killed

Sorry, electro wins every time.

So anyway, I feel like dirt now and just wanna go cry myself to sleep.

[JJ]

Kairi-I'm so sorry! Some days the world just marches crooked.

HUG!

And a hope and wish that tomorrow everything will be better.

Hugs

Johnny

[Guest Julie T]

Kairi

Honey, I was paying $55 per hour. I timed the electrologist and she was doing one hair every 12 to 15 seconds - say 4.5 hairs a minute when she hit her stride. I did double sessions to make it more efficient because that eliminated a start and down time. Assuming 5 minutes starting and 5 minutes ending = 110 minutes x 4.5 = 495 hairs a double session. It was about 80% efficient or better on no grow back hair. If I remember correctly I had about four single sessions and six double. So the single sessions were 50 minutes x 4.5 = 225 hairs. So that is 2970 plus 900 = 3870 hairs x .8 = 3096 - say 3100, at $880 = 28 cents per hair permanently removed. This was for work for the eyebrows, mustache and under the lips. I have not had any work elsewhere but I don't have a real beard I guess. I think that I am over 75% done? Maybe I can get it all done for under $1400 including the work I have already completed. That would be a blessing.

Julie

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Kairi:

Girl, this IS a big bummer!

Everybody is right about going to the small-time, EXPERIENCED electrologists who work for themselves rather than a salon or a big-box corporate outfit.

After much research, I've decided against laser treatments myself which I originally had intended to have. To me, THIS is the worst part of MTF transition. You're postop,right? Sigh ... electrolysis. Necessary evil we must endure.

The GOOD news is that some really good electrologists ARE out there, are reasonably priced and do great work. Just gotta find 'em. Takes time but it's worth it.

Good luck, babes. Heck, I'm doin' this same thing myself. Hugs.

Lacey

[Guest Donna Jean]

Logic?

Laser - 6 sessions - $175/session - 0 hairs killed per session = $1050 spent/0 hairs killed

Electrolysis - 25 sessions - $35/session - approx. 10 hairs killed per session = $875 spent/250 hairs killed

Sorry, electro wins every time.

So anyway, I feel like dirt now and just wanna go cry myself to sleep.

HONEY....HONEY....HONEY.......

My Ele was charging me $45 hour or $105 for a 3hour session.....

(She lives in Amish country in Ohio...yes, Amish girls get it, too....)

One session I counted seconds between hairs and came up with about 15 seconds....

So, in a three hour session I lost 780 hairs on the high side and 600 on the low...

Dear Heart.....we're TRANS! We find a way to get what we need done...

Sigh. Alas, called around to the few other electrolysis establishments in Orlando, all of which charge the same and are full-blown businesses, with laser services so i'm sure they'd try and push those on me too.

Google.....your 'ole friend.....

You may need to drive a bit further from the population areas....

But you actually save more money and get MORE hairs done!

Do it....ok?

Love

Dee Jay

[Guest Alexandra89]

I found one woman through my group about a month ago who does a great job for $60 an hour, which is nothing in NYC. I still have a lot of hairs to go, but I don't get that black shadow after shaving anymore.

There's gotta be someone around there! I'm sorry the hunt is so difficult, though.

-Alex

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

The place I've considered (and just need to make an appointment once I get my hands on some EMLA cream) is on the gulf side of FL in Seminole. She runs her own shop and does laser and electrolysis. However, the savings would probably be offset by the cost in gas from Orlando to Seminole.

[Guest kelise]

That's probably one of the places I called today.

[JenniferB]

The cost of living must be really expensive in Orlando. The going rate here in Tucson is $50/hour. I can't believe you are being played like this. Do they want your business? Find one who is willing to cater more to you.

I could find an electrologist closer to home that charges $45/hr for transsexuals, but only works hours that I do, and gossips way too much. The one I choose is 17 miles away (instead of 5), charges $50/hr, but works late at night and weekends, and has many trans clients. I won't have to change my schedule at work which is important.

Good Luck Kairi!

I hope you find someone you can respect, values you as a customer, and gives you your money's worth.

Jenny

[Guest (Lightsider)]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Kairi, you appear to have light to blonde hair? No? I had laser over 10 years ago and had very little regrowth. But that could be that my hair is darn near black in color. Before people pan laser they should consider hair color. In my case it worked with 8 sessions. If I need to I go in once every 5 to 7 years for a touch up.

Also too, there a ton of men out there who have chosen to have their beards and other body hair removed. So she may not have been referring to a trans person as a guy after all. For many men shaving every day it is a pain in the arse especially if they are never going to grow a beard. So it does happen.

[Guest kelise]

I thought that too. I know laser doesn't work very well on blonde hair. My natural color is dark blonde but still blonde. Nonetheless, the laser pushers kept telling me, no it's dark enough, it's dark enough. American Laser Center even went so far as to advertise a particular laser they SWORE worked on light blonde, even white hair! And I, like a sucker, fell for it, twice

I have another appointment to speak to someone this thurs. This place is laser-centric as well, but they offered me this deal. I pay for one laser session. If after 21 days, there is not a significant loss of hair, I get another session free on a different setting, THEN, after another 21 days, if there's STILL not a significant hair loss, I get the equivalent amount of electrolysis free.