No laser for me

[Guest SusanB]

Seems i'm not a good candidate for laser hair removal, too much gray in the beard.

Asked about the carbon dye and she said it wouldn't get down the hair shaft far enough to help much.

Guess i had better start shopping for electrolisis

[Guest kelise]

electrolysis is more permanantly effective anyway. If I could go back in time, I'd tell myself to forget laser and just do all electro. Then again, if I could go back in time....

[Guest Ney'ite]

Electrolysis is considered the "Gold Standard" and laser is considered the "Silver Standard." And Kelise is right, electrolysis is permanent for most of one's hair follicles . . . very few survive being zapped. It may trigger other follicles now and then, but eventually, it pretty much stops.

[Guest SusanB]

Mostly laser would have just been handier for me 5 min drive versus 1 hour for electrolysis

Looks like i'm going to be doing a lot of driving for my transition

That means i better start doing some car shopping, my old Jeep does not like the interstate

At least my GT is close

[Charlize]

I'll be doing electrolysis after a period of HRT. Can't wait to not have to shave!

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest SusanB]

Must remember not to rush things, this is gonna be a long ride

Saw another post to wait and see what effect HRT had on facial hair

Guess it thins it out for some

[Guest Ney'ite]

...

Saw another post to wait and see what effect HRT had on facial hair

Guess it thins it out for some

Actually, HRT will not diminish facial hair, only body hair and how much of that depends on many factors, the biggest one being one's genetics. HRT may soften facial hair, which is why some electrologists suggest a few months on HRT before starting electrolysis, but that is about it. Skin softening has also caused some members to experience more ingrown facial hairs as they have been softened to the point of being unable to get through the skin to the surface.

[Guest SusanB]

You're full of good news LOL

[Guest zippityzap]

Could someone explain this a bit more? Specifically, why is laser not an option if you have too much grey? I've been looking at laser and electrolysis info, and I'd never seen that before.

[Guest SusanB]

Could someone explain this a bit more? Specifically, why is laser not an option if you have too much grey? I've been looking at laser and electrolysis info, and I'd never seen that before.

Seems to work best with black or brown hair

Doesn't work with gray blonde or red hair

Laser goes after the dark pigmented hair

Lighter hair the laser thinks it's skin

I'm sure it's much more technical than that but that's how i took it

[Guest Ney'ite]

You're full of good news LOL

Hehe - I think it may come from a "been there done that?"

But in all seriousness, I do try my best to make sure I do not steer our members astray and if a member has an idea that may need a little tweaking, I offer what I know.

[Guest kelise]

Ever wear black on a bright sunny day? That's the basic principle. Ideal candidates for laser are light-skin, dark hair. The result of this is that the laser light will be reflected by the white skin, but absorbed by the black hair. Once the light energy is absorbed by the hair, it converts to heat, causing the hair to suddenly heat WAAAY up, essentially becoming it's own electrolysis probe. The hair itself burns the roots and cauterizes the blood supply, "permanently" killing the hair. Problem with that is you're relying a lot on chance that each and every hair will heat to just the right temperature, for just the right amount of time, to do the job to a degree it cannot repair itself. Probability low, even in ideal conditions.

If the hair is light, blonde or white, it will reflect too much light energy to get hot enough, and thus won't work. Conversely, those with dark skin are at risk of burns when the skin itself absorbs too much laser energy.

Electrolysis uses a metal probe to go in and get the job done first hand. It relys on experience and skill of the technician doing the work to make sure it's set to the right temp and that it's inserted at the right angle/position/depth and for a long enough time to kill the hair, but not long enough to burn or scar the skin. It takes a lot longer, but the odds are higher that each zap will kill the hair.

[Guest SusanB]

You're full of good news LOL

Hehe - I think it may come from a "been there done that?"

But in all seriousness, I do try my best to make sure I do not steer our members astray and if a member has an idea that may need a little tweaking, I offer what I know.

Was just kidding, that was something i didn't know. Every little bit of information helps on this journey.

Sometimes feel like an idiot with how little i do know but i seem to learn something new every day here

[Guest Ney'ite]

Was just kidding, that was something i didn't know. Every little bit of information helps on this journey.

Sometimes feel like an idiot with how little i do know but i seem to learn something new every day here

No worries I knew you were just kidding.

Omg you are so not alone in learning something new every day! Believe me when I say that it does not matter if someone is just beginning their research, just starting to transition, in the middle of their transition, if they are done transitioning, or have been done for years, there is always something new to learn, some angle on a topic never even considered. And the coolest part is that new thought can come from a veteran or a newbie!

[KathrynJulia]

One thing I did learn from Bette is caffeine is a no no. I've been caffeine free the past 4 weeks on the day of electrolysis. This week I had 4 glasses of ice tea at lunch, we were enjoying ourselves and just talking and OMG big time. Do not drink anything with caffeine, repeat, do not drink anything with caffeine in it. The pain is much, much worse.

Also, since I am totally blond, I cannot use laser. It won't work and all it will do for you is empty your wallet. FYI, expect anywhere from 100 to 200 hours of electrolysis to finish removing all of your facial hair. Ice paks afterwards helps to keep down the swelling so bring one with you in a plastic bag so you don't transfer bacteria and possibly infect your face.

Start facial clearing as soon as you can because when the HRT starts, soon you are going to absolutely hate a three day growth of facial hair. Facial hair is going to delay transitioning and it becomes a slow torture. Think creatively. Removing facial hair is extremely expensive whether you use laser or electrolysis. Electrolysis will cost on average $55 to $75 an hour. Mine is $60.00 an hour. Laser is also very expensive.

Enjoy

Kathryn

[Guest SusanB]

No coffee ???

Yer killin me

Truckers life blood

[Guest StaciAnne]

Laser isn't working for me but at least I got my treatments on groupon for 86% off. I'll start shopping for electrolysis in the spring.

[Guest SusanB]

LOL well at least you got a bargain

[Guest LizMarie]

My electrologist told me I'd be "mostly" clear in 18 months but that I'd need followup work for another year probably every other week instead of every week. Total time for me is expected to be in the 100-125 hour range and I had a thin beard everywhere except the chin and upper lip to start.

I also cannot emphasize this enough - facial hair and voice seem to be two of the largest factors (after self-confidence) in passing. Get rid of that beard! You will thank yourself for having done so.

[Guest SusanB]

Trust me the beard is second on my list after HRT

Have a long way to go to pass so not such a big hurry for voice

[Guest CindyLouCovington]

Electrolysis 3000 in Dallas,TX is great.At least it was for me.Since they deaden your face with lidocane,you don't feel it.Except for the injections.Only really painful injections are in the chin and especially the upper lip(OUCH!).Other than that it is a breeze.Since they can work on you for hours at a time they get a lot done,and apparently much less regrowth than ordinary electro. While there we stayed at Super 8 motel at the Galleria on Ridgeway & Midway. Close to Electro 3000 and inexpensive, clean and decent.Micro,Fridge,TV hairdryer, Ironing board and iron complimentary buffet continental breakfast in office,all that you can eat.

[Guest LizMarie]

Cindy, what was the cost of your first session there altogether?

[Guest CindyLouCovington]

I think that it was around $2200 for the treatment,and a little over $500 in expenses. Of course we drove up from New Orleans,which was cheaper than a plane and rental car.And of course the first session is always the longest.Sorry for the delay in reply.I use a library computer and cannot get here as often as I want.

[Guest (Lightsider)]

My experience with laser since 1998. I had my first treatment in about 1998. Over all I am pleased with the results. However every few years I will have to get a touch up done. For me where I live I pay maybe $50.00 for a touch up. Not bad. I go in there and it takes them less than 2 minutes then I am clear again. But my hair is near black in color so it works real well. My initial cost up front cost in 1998 for 8 treatments was about $2000.00. Would I do it again over electrolysis? I would because it worked for me.

Even with some regrowth I have had, it was not a game ender because the hair is so fine. Just annoying.