Electrolysis Report

[jkm]

Has anybody experienced scarring from PHR?  I read an experience on another forum where somebody thought it was too much trauma to face all at the same time.

 

My second question is, is it possible to do these mass clearings on say a Thursday and Friday, and then be able to return to work Monday morning without essentially being outed?  Is there any reasonable thing to say that can explain away why my face looks the way it does?

[Bri2020]

I will let u know. Just got to Chicago today and have 6 hrs tomorrow ( genital prep). 

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

I will let u know. Just got to Chicago today and have 6 hrs tomorrow ( genital prep). 

I’m pestering my electrologist lady about all that. She says clean your )*( well beforehand so they don’t have to do it for you! We had a good laugh about that. I’m happy for you, @Bri2020. I’m going to discuss the process with my therapist next week. I hope tomorrow isn’t too painful.

[MirandaB]

For me, after a couple days recovery I don't think anyone would notice anything other than some 'razor burn', but of course everyone's different. 

[KatieP]

On 10/16/2021 at 6:09 PM, jkm said:

Has anybody experienced scarring from PHR?  I read an experience on another forum where somebody thought it was too much trauma to face all at the same time.

 

My second question is, is it possible to do these mass clearings on say a Thursday and Friday, and then be able to return to work Monday morning without essentially being outed?  Is there any reasonable thing to say that can explain away why my face looks the way it does?

IMO, not the first time. I just finished my 6th or 7th clearing, which was only about 2. 5 hours, and I could easily have gone to work the next day. But the first time? Well... let me show you...

 

That was the first time, at the end of day 2. I do not have a sufficient imagination to explain that away.

 

THAT said, I LOVE PHR, and trust Irena and Dan totally. I could get 2. 5 hours done locally, and instead I travelled 1200 miles and paid for hotels, just to have Irena and/or Dan do the work...

[Guest]

Whoa! 

[Aggie1]

1 hour ago, KatieP said:

That was the first time, at the end of day 2. I do not have a sufficient imagination to explain that away.

I would definitely wear a mask! 
 

I wish I could speed mine up. I’m getting 45-50 minutes worth once a week. It is covered by insurance but it takes months to see small signs of progress. I wonder if Kaiser would cover like a 10-20 hour block all at one go?

[KatieP]

1 hour ago, Erica Gabriel said:

Whoa! 

I should have put up a parental warning?

 

I have deleted almost every picture of me from "before." But I have saved a couple of these for "documentation" purposes.

 

I DO apologize for grossing out anyone...

 

Katie

[KatieP]

1 hour ago, AgnesBardsie said:

I would definitely wear a mask! 
 

I wish I could speed mine up. I’m getting 45-50 minutes worth once a week. It is covered by insurance but it takes months to see small signs of progress. I wonder if Kaiser would cover like a 10-20 hour block all at one go?

The complete clearing route is VERY satisfying. Although it does take several complete clearings, each time, there is less and less, and you think less and less about needing to shave. I can go 3 days without noticing anything by touch, and probably a week or two before anything visible would show up on my face that others could see.

[MirandaB]

I guess I'm making progress cause someone here put the shaving cream that was 'on deck' into the 'donate' pile thinking I wouldn't be needing to shave again. Sadly, I needed to rescue it.

[Guest]

7 hours ago, KatieP said:

I should have put up a parental warning?

 

I have deleted almost every picture of me from "before." But I have saved a couple of these for "documentation" purposes.

 

I DO apologize for grossing out anyone...

 

Katie

Oh, I’m not offended. You should see my neck after electrolysis. It looks like I have some pox like disease. I bruise there too for some reason. 

[Bri2020]

Well I had my first "full clearing" of the genital area.  The session ended well but didn't start that way. The Dr who does the sedation was call to the hospital for an emergency and wasn't expected back.  They were trying to figure out what to do and left me wondering (with lidocaine cream on my privies) for 90 minutes. Finally I had to ask and they confessed what was going on.  I told them just to do the shots because I couldn't reschedule having flown in.  Luckily I had some ativan with me for my anxiety and quickly chewed one up while they prepared.  The shots were moderately uncomfortable by then but tolerable.

The rest of the clearing went smooth as butter. They are amazingly fast.  She stayed later than planned in order to get as much done since we started late.  She did warn me when I first came in and she looked at my area that she might not get everything in one pass with just her since like everywhere else, I have a lot of hair.  In the end after 6 hours she clear the penis, scrotum and to the sides of the scrotum but didn't get to the perineum area.  I was really impressed.  

Got back to the hotel still feeling OK but by 10 pm I felt like I had a hot baseball down there. You see the pic of KatieP's face, well, apply that level of swelling down below.  

I didn't sleep well having to wake up and ice the red hot baseball between my legs but by morning things have calmed down a bit discomfort wise, not swelling wise. 

My only complaint is that they don't really have someone monitoring phones or emails. Everyone is hands on so they just get around to returning communications whenever they get a chance or feel like it. It can be day to a week before they write back.  Obviously you are NOT going to get a pic of the results and swelling  lol

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Bri2020 said:

Well I had my first "full clearing" of the genital area.  The session ended well but didn't start that way. The Dr who does the sedation was call to the hospital for an emergency and wasn't expected back.  They were trying to figure out what to do and left me wondering (with lidocaine cream on my privies) for 90 minutes. Finally I had to ask and they confessed what was going on.  I told them just to do the shots because I couldn't reschedule having flown in.  Luckily I had some ativan with me for my anxiety and quickly chewed one up while they prepared.  The shots were moderately uncomfortable by then but tolerable.

The rest of the clearing went smooth as butter. They are amazingly fast.  She stayed later than planned in order to get as much done since we started late.  She did warn me when I first came in and she looked at my area that she might not get everything in one pass with just her since like everywhere else, I have a lot of hair.  In the end after 6 hours she clear the penis, scrotum and to the sides of the scrotum but didn't get to the perineum area.  I was really impressed.  

Got back to the hotel still feeling OK but by 10 pm I felt like I had a hot baseball down there. You see the pic of KatieP's face, well, apply that level of swelling down below.  

I didn't sleep well having to wake up and ice the red hot baseball between my legs but by morning things have calmed down a bit discomfort wise, not swelling wise. 

My only complaint is that they don't really have someone monitoring phones or emails. Everyone is hands on so they just get around to returning communications whenever they get a chance or feel like it. It can be day to a week before they write back.  Obviously you are NOT going to get a pic of the results and swelling  lol

Thank you for this update and much thanks for no pic! 

[Jeanette West]

On 10/20/2021 at 2:29 AM, Bri2020 said:

Well I had my first "full clearing" of the genital area.  The session ended well but didn't start that way. The Dr who does the sedation was call to the hospital for an emergency and wasn't expected back.  They were trying to figure out what to do and left me wondering (with lidocaine cream on my privies) for 90 minutes. Finally I had to ask and they confessed what was going on.  I told them just to do the shots because I couldn't reschedule having flown in.  Luckily I had some ativan with me for my anxiety and quickly chewed one up while they prepared.  The shots were moderately uncomfortable by then but tolerable.

The rest of the clearing went smooth as butter. They are amazingly fast.  She stayed later than planned in order to get as much done since we started late.  She did warn me when I first came in and she looked at my area that she might not get everything in one pass with just her since like everywhere else, I have a lot of hair.  In the end after 6 hours she clear the penis, scrotum and to the sides of the scrotum but didn't get to the perineum area.  I was really impressed.  

Got back to the hotel still feeling OK but by 10 pm I felt like I had a hot baseball down there. You see the pic of KatieP's face, well, apply that level of swelling down below.  

I didn't sleep well having to wake up and ice the red hot baseball between my legs but by morning things have calmed down a bit discomfort wise, not swelling wise. 

My only complaint is that they don't really have someone monitoring phones or emails. Everyone is hands on so they just get around to returning communications whenever they get a chance or feel like it. It can be day to a week before they write back.  Obviously you are NOT going to get a pic of the results and swelling  lol

 

Bri, you were there with me while I was getting my facial hair zapped. I heard someone in one of the other rooms while I was short breaks a couple of times. I came in that morning from Alaska, had my teeth prettified upstairs at Wilmette Family Dental, came downstairs for my lipo/bbl/contour and was filling out the legal paperwork when I was given the news the doctor had been called away on a family emergency. My surgery was put off from Thursday to Saturday, no big deal I was/am in Chicago for two weeks. Finished the paperwork, then went in to my session with PHR, didn't get the facial which I wanted and had paid for, like you was slathered with lidocaine then injected, not bad ~ 90% of my face done in four hours total. Not much left. I have paid for 2 techs for 7.5 hours each, I need my neck and rest of face, so far no response to emails and telephone calls go straight to message machine with no return. Very disappointing considering the smooth process on previous visits.

Swelling, kind of a lot since the technique between the doctor and the lady who injected me are different. Now after seven days, almost all gone.

 

[Bri2020]

On 10/27/2021 at 9:10 AM, Jeanette West said:

 

Bri, you were there with me while I was getting my facial hair zapped. I heard someone in one of the other rooms while I was short breaks a couple of times. I came in that morning from Alaska, had my teeth prettified upstairs at Wilmette Family Dental, came downstairs for my lipo/bbl/contour and was filling out the legal paperwork when I was given the news the doctor had been called away on a family emergency. My surgery was put off from Thursday to Saturday, no big deal I was/am in Chicago for two weeks. Finished the paperwork, then went in to my session with PHR, didn't get the facial which I wanted and had paid for, like you was slathered with lidocaine then injected, not bad ~ 90% of my face done in four hours total. Not much left. I have paid for 2 techs for 7.5 hours each, I need my neck and rest of face, so far no response to emails and telephone calls go straight to message machine with no return. Very disappointing considering the smooth process on previous visits.

Swelling, kind of a lot since the technique between the doctor and the lady who injected me are different. Now after seven days, almost all gone.

 

Yea, their communication is crap.  There was another person that came in the same time as me and got face and lower parts worked on. She obviously didn't like not getting sedation and I could hear she was having a tough time with it.  

I finally got the receipt I asked for 10 days ago by email.

The swell subsided 75% by day 5 and is back to normal size by day 7/8.  all of the skin is still raw and it's been 10 days.  

[Guest]

I am curious about these all day sessions. Jeanette/Katie/Bri, how much does it cost to get this done? Daily cost? Multiple days cost? How long does it usually take to get an appointment? This may be my Christmas gift to me! Please let me know.

Sincerely

Katie

[Billie75B]

Being older with most of what little facial hair I have being gray does electrolysis work? I have been told that laser will not work.

[Marcie Jensen]

Hey Billie, I began my transition at 62, and have had both treatments. The laser was only marginally effective for me; gray and reddish-blonde facial hair. Electrolysis was much more effective. And more painful, but worth every minute of it.

[Billie75B]

Hey @Marcie Jensen thanks, by the way I used to live Chandler until I was 12.

[Guest]

Jeanette,

 

I am looking to book 2 or 3 day session with them for my face and maybe my chest. So, you have went for multiple days from what I read. You have had to go back for additional sessions? Is this because of regrowth, or hairs that are just recalcitrant? The lidocaine can sting when going in, but if they warm it up and buffer it with bicarb, it is much less painful when injected. It also depends on the needle gauge they use. I am very curious about what I facing. Wiping the face is priceless compared to shaving, waxing, laser, etc.

Sincerely

Katie

[Guest]

It may be because I have been awake for 37 hours, but to clarify, you go for either an 8 hour day, or multi-day visits with the staff. Then after you have had the 3 day session you have to back for sessions to take care of the regrowth? Mighty expensive. 

 

I had visited a local electrolysis center. Just to clear the face, 127 hours. Is this a reasonable estimate?

Is it better to be on estrogen or is it better to wait to have the electrology done first? Thanks!

[Marcie Jensen]

Hey @Katie23 to answer your question, first, it depends on a number of factors. Most electrolysis clinics don't require a multiple day stay, or even an 8 hour stay. For example, mine offers treatments in 15, 30 and 60 minute increments and can be scheduled as needed. Additional factors for how effective the treatment is include: how heavy the beard growth is (ie: do you get 5 o'clock shadow, etc.), How large the area being treated is, how dark the hair is and so on. Further, multiple sessions are usually required, particularly if you are not on HRT.

 

In my case, I had been on HRT for a while before going, which helped to thin my beard and body hair coverage and had slowed the hair growth. To the best of my knowledge, there is no particular order that needs to be done. For example, you don't need to be on HRT or start beforehand. Speaking for myself alone, the process is painful (and I have a deep seated fear of needles of any kind; no tattoos for me! lol) so I was glad for the HRT beforehand. But again, this is your decision. Keep in mind that once it's done, electrolysis is pretty much irreversible.

 

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Marcie

[Guest]

I started electrolysis six months before HRT because of recommendations I received from YouTube and I just wanted to get started with my transition ASAP. It was much less painful before HRT and I’ve noticed little change in my facial hair growth since starting HRT last March. I’ve almost 40 hours in and am pleased with the results though it is a long process. You have to be patient and realize that it can take multiple treatments on the same follicle to remove it. My upper lip area has been particularly stubborn and, unfortunately, that is the most sensitive area to treat. My cheeks, chin and neck are mostly clear now and I only shave a few times a week. I go to my clinic once a week for 1 hour sessions but am now doing 1.5-2 hours at a time. I’ve a couple of ladies that I like to use there and we’ve become close since we’ve spent so much time together. The right electrolysis person can be like another therapist. 
 

[stveee]

I think what it comes down to is if you ever want to go anywhere near a razor to your face ever again (dysphoric trigger), your finances, and how quickly you want to be rid of the situation.

 

[Guest]

I thank all of you for your replies. I very much appreciate all of for your willingness to share information.

Sincerely

Katie