Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Electrolysis Report


Jeanette West

Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
  • Replies 105
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Jeanette West

    15

  • Bri2020

    11

  • KatieP

    9

  • KathyLauren

    6

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

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.

Link to comment

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. 

Link to comment
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...

FaceAfterDay2.jpg

Link to comment
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?

Link to comment
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

Link to comment
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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment
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. 

Link to comment

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

Link to comment
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! 

Link to comment
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.

 

Link to comment
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.  

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

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

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

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!

Link to comment

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

Link to comment

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. 
 

Link to comment

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.

 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   4 Members, 0 Anonymous, 135 Guests (See full list)

    • Ashley0616
    • MaeBe
    • Thea
    • VickySGV
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      767.9k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,014
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. l.demiurge
      l.demiurge
  • Posts

    • Abigail Genevieve
      The two o'clock Onshoring meeting was going well.  Taylor was leading, inviting other people up to speak on their specialties. Aerial photogrammetry and surveying, including the exact boundary, were out for contract signature  Gibson had handled that - Manufacturing was supposed to, but somehow hadn't happened.  Legal issues from Legal. Accounting reported on current costs, including all upkeep, guard salaries, etc.  Manufacturing was supposed to give those numbers, but they hadn't.   The downside was the VP of Manufacturing.  He had arrived at the meeting red-faced, his tie askew, clutching a bottle. It smelled strongly of vodka. He had never done anything in his twenty years of being VP of Manufacturing, and he did not like being asked now.   "Mr. ----, do you have the inventory we asked for?" Taylor asked politely.  VP Gibson had asked him to have his people go through the plant and not only inventory but assess the operational status of every piece of equipment.  They needed to know what they had. "I'm not going to take any f---- orders from a g-d- tra---," he snarled. "God knows what kind of perverts it has dragged into our fair city and bangs every night." "That is completely out of line." That was Gibson.  Taylor controlled herself.  That was a shot at Bob, not just at Taylor.  She was glad Bob was not there to do something stupid.  Had Mrs. McCarthy been talking? What had she said?  Was she given to embellishment?  Taylor took a deep breath. "I'm not sorry.  You f--- can take this stupid onshoring --- and shove it up your -" "That is quite enough."  This was the head of HR. "You can take your sissy ways and sashay -" "You are fired." "You can't fire me." "Oh, yes I can," said the office manager.  The VP took another swig from his bottle. "Try it."  He looked uncertain. "I will have you removed.  Are you going to leave on your own?  I am calling the police to help you leave." And he dialed the number. He stomped out cursing. They heard him noisily go down the hall.  This was the front conference room.  He actually went through security and out the door, throwing his badge on the ground on his way.  The guard picked it up. They could see this through the glass wall. "Can you fire a VP?" "The Board told me that if anyone gives me problems they should be shown the door. Even a VP.  I can fire everyone here. I won't, of course. Those were problems." "Are you alright, Taylor?" She nodded.  "I've heard worse.  Shall we continue?" And they did.   The last item was that certain business people in China had been arrested, and the corporation that had been supporting them all these years had been dissolved.  They were on their own, and the Board was dead serious on straightening things out.  After this meeting, Taylor believed it.  She did not attend the meeting to discuss how to distribute the few duties the VP of Manufacturing had done.  That was ultimately up to the Board.    
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Lunch was at Cabaret, still free.  The place was quiet: it was the sort of place you took a business client to impress them, and the few other people were in business suits.  Most of the legal profession was there.   She told him of the morning's frustrations, breaking her own rule about confidentiality.  She asked Karen how the branding was going, and Karen had snapped back that she had not started on it yet - they had all these proposals.  Taylor had explained that it was important, for the two o'clock meeting, and Karen told her to do it herself.  Karen pointed out that Taylor could not touch her - her uncle was on the Board and her brother was VP of Manufacturing.  Nor would the two computer guys go out to the plant - they were playing some kind of MMORPG and simply not available. If she wanted the pictures, she should go.  Mary prayed an Ave Maria, but both she and Brenda were racing to get the proposal out. The client wanted it Friday for review.   She didn't bring up what Mrs. McCarthy had told her.  She wasn't sure how to approach it.  She thought of telling her of a 'something more comfortable' she had bought in case he ever DID show up at her door. It was in the bottom drawer of her dresser, ready to go.  Instead she talked about moving to a place with a garage.  Several of the abandoned houses had one, and they had been maintained well with China cash.   Bob had finally realized that when he was introduced as Bob, Taylor's boyfriend, that was just how things were done here. Other people had introduced each other in terms of family relationships, which were strong.  Long before you found out anything else about someone, you knew how they were related.  Family kept people from leaving Millville.    "What is the real name of this town, anyway?"   She laughed.  "I am trying to find that out.  It's 'Welcome to Millvale' when you come into town from the north, and 'Welcome to Millville' on the south.  I have counted two other variants."   "What a town. Roosevelt is like that, with the families, but there is only one spelling."  
    • Ashley0616
      Nothing wrong with that. I'm glad that you found what makes you happy! Just curious what does your wife think? If it's too personal I understand.
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
      – According to a recent survey, the most popular name for a dog is Max. Other popular names include Molly, Sam, Zach, and Maggie.
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
      Either new environment/ not potty trained
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Bob was on his way home from the dojo and he "just happened" to driver by her place. It was 10:30.  Her light was still on.  He knew exactly where she was sitting.  He saw her in his mind.   A fierce wave of desire that took his breath away suddenly showed up. All he had to do was stop, get out of the car, walk to the door and knock.  She would answer, glad to see him.  She would know why he was there and what he wanted. She would invite him in, maybe get him something to drink, disappear for a moment and return in "something more comfortable."  She would lead him back. Oh, joy.   And never, ever speak to him again afterwards.  Or she would not let him in but be angry about it.  In no way, emotionally, physically, mentally or spiritually, was she ready for this, and he knew it, if he was honest with himself, and she knew he knew it.  She would look upon it as another assault and their relationship would be irretrievably broken.  He would have to leave town. It would devastate her. It would devastate him.    He fought himself.  He was frozen to his seat as his reason and his body fought. He was twenty four years old, a full-blooded male with normal desires; he had just worked out and he was ready.  All he had to do now was open the car door. No one would know. He held his hands, one in the other, to keep one from moving, against his reason and will, to open that door.  He did not want to be a slave of his desires.   He looked across the street.  Mrs. McCarthy, sister of his landlord, was peeking though her window.  She knew his car.  Everyone in town would know by noon the next day if he got out of the car.  Taylor did not need that, either, and she would know, if he came to the door now, what a selfish thing it would be: in his own eyes, in the eyes of Taylor, in the eyes of the town, and worst of all, in the eyes of God.   He sat there a moment longer.  He was, as he reflected, entering into her sufferings in a small way that she would be made whole, healthy and happy: what he wanted more than anything.  But this hurt.  Why had all this come on her?  He asked God again, but there was only silence. He drove home in that silence. He chided himself for even going on her street and for driving on it other nights.  He would stop that, he told himself.   ------------------------------------------   The next morning Taylor went out to her car to go to work.  Mrs. McCarthy met her before she got to it. "I thought you were going to get lucky last night, dearie," she said. Taylor was puzzled. "Why, what do you mean?" "That young fellow - you know, Bob - he's been driving around here, going up and down the street some nights, not stopping.  Well, last night he parked and sat in his car for a while.   I think he was staring at your window.  I think he was trying to get up the courage to knock on the door. I was rooting for him.   But then he drove away.  Faint heart never won fair lady, as they say. What a shame. You two are a lovely couple.  Well, have a good day!" "Thank you, Mrs. McCarthy."  Taylor knew Bob extremely well and knew what had been going through his mind.  She was more than grateful he had not gotten out of the car. Better for him, better for her, better for everybody.  Surgery "down there" sooner than later.  This was driving the poor boy crazy. It was driving her crazy, too.  But she had a lot to work through. Surgery "up here" she said, pointing to her head.  She woke up her therapist on the way to work.  They were still talking when she pulled into her designated parking spot.  That was a perk that had happened yesterday.  She took a deep breath and headed into work. It would be another wild day.
    • Ashley0616
      bittersweet: especially : pleasure accompanied by suffering or regret
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I'm thinking about some interactions yesterday I did, while presenting as male but acting as female, that were far better than I did when I was presenting as male and acting as male.  #girlunderhood. I do a crappy job at acting as male and I am giving it up.  I am not talking about feminine gestures or presentation but just relating as a woman.  People don't realize I am doing it but it is a whole lot easier to do.   You don't just put on a dress and BOOM you are a girl.  You are a girl and you put on a dress.  Or not. Whether I am in jeans or a skirt (I wish, wife would have lots to say) I am a girl.  I don't need $250 in makeup and heels and hose and all that.  I don't need surgery. Honey, I have arrived.  Now I have to work out how that best works in my life, causing the minimal damage and creating the maximum good, but I have more working room.   Oh, and I am still pissed off at everyone and everything. #Contradictory.
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      @Willow it is certainly possible that my husband planned it. Placing me in the path of an opportunity....he certainly does things like that. GF has done some work for the company as an outside consultant, so I'm sure the company owner knows what potential resources are around.    It could also have just happened randomly. He has taken me to work with him before, just because he likes to have me around. I remember one time that I fell asleep with my head in his lap, and he held a meeting with his subordinates without waking me and making me move.  The company culture is family oriented and relaxed.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      The photo is great.  Software is phenomenal but it also is sort of a promise of things to come. Years ago this sort of thing took a photographer and Photoshop and all sorts of things and you would say, "I can look like THIS??"   Me, I am a duck.  That's from my driver's license.  Just kidding.
    • MaeBe
      I lucked into that picture. I took like 10 before that, which appropriately make me look like a donkey. ;)   Thank you so much for the compliment!
    • Mmindy
      You're welcome Sally,   Hugs,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mmindy
      This is a great analogy. The statement is true as it relates to the tree. The analogy fits because we as a LGBTQIA community are stronger when we stand together. It also work here on Transgender Pulse Forums. The support I feel from so many others has made me comfortable with my stance, because I'm in a beautiful forest of friends. So when I'm out alone and confronted. I can respond and act like the single tree in the field, surviving whatever comes my way. My roots reach back and communicate with others like me.    Standing Strong,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...