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 Soon


Robin.C

Recommended Posts

Omergerd ... I've got an appointment for electrolysis. Happy dance.

I just needed to tell someone ?

She's super busy this time of year here what with Spring and Summer heading our way over here, so I have to wait 2 weeks; it will fly past I'm sure.

Only facial hair to start with and see how I cope.

Yippee

 

Oh and for those following along at home, the home IPL does stuff all for my facial hair but seems to be reducing the foot and hand hair.

Becoming less of a Hobbit every day ... hee hee

 

?

Robin

Link to comment
  • Replies 79
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Robin.C

    17

  • Audrey

    12

  • Jani

    8

  • Ann W

    6

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

Pain killers .... Also, something with lidocaine. I have been using Aspercream roll-on and spray, before my treatment. Prepare yourself for when she goes for the hairs right under your nostrils and also for the hair way out in the distance. Sorta in the high cheek area.

 

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Omergerd .. I've been to the Electrologist, is that even the right name ? She is a wonderful lady. No problems at all doing my facial hair.

I went straight from work so i was in boy mode, i got the feeling it wasn't too unusual.

I've now booked 3 of my first hour sessions to start in a couple of weeks. She thinks 15 to 20 hrs over the the next 8 to 10 mths will get nearly it all.

It's feels wondeful to be ticking off another thing on my journey.

 

Hugs

Robin

Link to comment

1Hey @Robin.C, congratulations on starting electrolysis.

 

It really helped  me feel more feminine. Very positive experience for me.

 

I have been on weekly 1 hour sessions for about 18 months now (had one this afternoon). Maybe it's just me but I kinda love my electrolysis technician ... weve been through so much together.

 

I dont take pain killers as I find the pain, for one hour, bearable. I noticed, however, that the pain got worse after starting HRT ... maybe its just me.

 

My upper lip and most of my chin is clear now and we are working on cheeks and neck.  Its incredible not having to shave parts of my face anymore.

 

I was, yet again, plucking eyebrows the other week when I realized .... I could have electrolysis on my brows! So we are also working on brows now.

 

Anyway ... SUPER painful but so so so worth every second.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

@Berni electrolysis after starting HRT is a little tougher to take.   I don't use anything special for pain.  I've started on my eyebrows and its different type of skin than the face.  I really feel it! Yikes!!

Link to comment

thank you @Emily michelle, @KMTAL, @Jani for the information.

It will be baby steps to begin with and then we will see where it takes me ?

 

It's a happy thing because everything else seems to be a struggle at the moment.

I know it will get better, it is just tough when you are in it.

 

Hugs

Robin

Link to comment

This thread really got me excited somehow.  I want to start electrolysis like...yesterday. Waiting on some insurance stuff.

First words out of my mouth will be "Happy Dance".

Thanks for posting that...its inspiring to us just starting.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

Well today was first electrolysis. I never thought I would get to today with all the things that have gone on.

Cancellations due to illness and work and family, sigh.

However today was the day.

On 10/8/2020 at 9:21 PM, Ann W said:

First words out of my mouth will be "Happy Dance".

Yes ... absolutely. I managed 40 minutes in my first session, maybe could have gone longer but was better err on the side of caution and see how my skin reacts to it's first dose of current.

Inside I'm so excited and happy, though I know its a long way to go it feels wonderful to have started.

Next week is therapist appointment will be an interesting visit ?

 

Hugs

Robin

Link to comment

Omergerd  !!! When Jackie Rabbit said "a bit puffy" i honestly couldn't see what she was talking about. My face, however !! The day after I look like i went a round with Mike Tyson !!! Puffy ... and tender ....

Apparently it's normal for the first time over a section of skin. Its going to take some getting used too.

Yep, iced when i got home, yes Ibuprofen (Aussie stuff) and Savlon (not if the US gets that stuff). Still takes a couple if days to settle.

Done my 2nd round now, chin looks good, onto jowls next I think she said.

Happy dance .. even if a bit tender.

Hugs

Robin

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

You will get swelling for a while until the hair gets more slender and your face aclimates.  I used to get quite red with swelling but it stopped after a year or so.  Hang in there and it will be gone in due time.

 

Cheers, Jani

Link to comment

Hee hee, I love "Omergerd"!!

 

8 hours ago, Robin.C said:

Yep, iced when i got home, yes Ibuprofen (Aussie stuff) and Savlon (not if the US gets that stuff).

 

As a US-ican, I can confirm that I have Ibuprofen in my cupboard, but have never heard of "Savlon". (BTW, heading into spring and summer now? Lucky!!)

 

Happy for your happy dance!

 

Link to comment
On 10/6/2020 at 1:00 AM, Robin.C said:

Omergerd .. I've been to the Electrologist, is that even the right name ? She is a wonderful lady. No problems at all doing my facial hair.

I went straight from work so i was in boy mode, i got the feeling it wasn't too unusual.

I've now booked 3 of my first hour sessions to start in a couple of weeks. She thinks 15 to 20 hrs over the the next 8 to 10 mths will get nearly it all.

It's feels wondeful to be ticking off another thing on my journey.

 

Hugs

Robin

Is that 15 to 20 hours per month, for the next 8 to 10 months? A total of 15 to 20 hours is very low. I've heard the average transwoman takes 200 to 300 hours of electrolysis to completely remove the beard. I've had 215 hours so far. My cheeks are mostly finished but chin and upper lip still need a lot more work.

Link to comment
4 hours ago, Dana Michelle said:

A total of 15 to 20 hours is very low.

Yes that was her thought in total, maybe this was for the first pass over all my face and neck. I will have to see what her thoughts are now she has started.

Though in all fairness I was never blessed with a lot of hair, facial or bodywise and it has always been patchy and fine, now a lot of it is white/grey ?.

She does the really good (and ouchy) version that really destroys the follicle, I believe from Jackie Rabbit and others there is several flavours of electrolysis.

It will be interesting to see what starts to grow back over the next months (years !?).

 

4 hours ago, Heather Nicole said:

Happy for your happy dance!

 

?

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Aaarrrgghhhh ... for those following along at home ... hydrate, rest ... important it is.

To say todays electrolysis session was an eye opener is an understatement.  I could barely make 30 minutes it was so painful,  every hair, every sodden hair was ouch !!!.

Note to self So if you dont get enough rest and good sleep and dont hydrate properly over the 3 days beforehand IT WILL BE PAINFUL.

Lesson learnt ?

 

Hugs

Robin

 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

As a veteran of 4 years of facial electrolysis, I can certainly relate.  Here are some tips I have learned along the way.

 

1. Use lidocaine cream on whatever area you are going to get done that day.  Apply it an hour before your appointment.

 

2. Cover the lidocaine with plastic wrap, secured with tape.  This keeps it from drying out.

 

3. For extra protection, use a sandwich of a layer of gauze between two layers of plastic wrap.  The gauze makes it look like a bandage over a burn, so people are less weirded out by it: they will feel sorry for you.  The main reason is that warmth makes the lidocaine more effective.

 

4. If you are getting a large area done in one appointment, break it down into smaller areas, each with its own wrap.  That way, the electrologist can leave one area covered while working on another area.  That keeps the lidocaine effective for longer.

 

5. Absolutely no caffeine of any kind for 24 hours before the appointment.  No coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, etc.

 

6. Be sure to stay hydrated.

 

7. Bring headphones and music.  It gives the mind someplace to go besides the pain.

 

8. Check with your doctor about pain meds.  Mine made a suggestion that I wouldn't have thought of.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
3 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

5. Absolutely no caffeine of any kind for 24 hours before the appointment.  No coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, etc.

 

6. Be sure to stay hydrated.

This is important!  Also try taking an Acetemenophin (OTC) tablet for pain a half hour before the session.  I've been going for 5 years and no longer shave between appointment as its barely noticeable.  

 

Keep going.  The effort (and pain) is definitely worth the effort.

 

Hugs, Jani

Link to comment

I've been getting laser hair removal for most of the past year.

My first electrolysis was this past Thursday. Oh boy. It is pretty ouchey.

I have, due to my age, large areas of hair that is white, so the laser doesn't have any effect on it. It's going to be a long row to hoe.

My guy doing this is very skilled, very patient and tender with me though. He said as long as it's limited to about 30 minutes per session, it won't be too painful. Except for some areas down in my nether regions. Those are going to hurt like blue blazes!

TA

Link to comment
4 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

5. Absolutely no caffeine of any kind for 24 hours before the appointment.  No coffee, tea, chocolate, cola drinks, etc.

WHAT !!!!

That's torture .. LOL.

I am going to get some numbing cream and still use the Ibuprofen tablets.

Just the small part of my chin that she's been able to do has made looking in the mirror so nice, if i look past the puffy redness .. hee hee.

 

Thank you all for the advice and support. It certainly lifts the feeling of sadness from not getting anywhere fast.

 

It has been interesting to say the least, when you have to use boy mode due to work commitments, how it weighs on my mind. Little things like nails and jewellery (work safe type) just seem to mean more and give me a little something to keep trudging ahead.

 

Hugs

Robin

Link to comment
14 hours ago, TommieAnne said:

I have, due to my age, large areas of hair that is white, so the laser doesn't have any effect on it. It's going to be a long row to hoe.

I started doing laser when I saw the first white hairs sprouting on my chest.  Happy I started early (even though there's still some left).  I recently bought a home IPL for the rest of my body and it works good.  Eventually I will have to do electrolysis for the rest.
 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

I had my first electrolysis session this afternoon. I was in boy mode and nervous since I made my appointment for “Erica” (first time for me to use that name in public) and I was nervous that the clinic could not be trans friendly. Out walks a lovely trans-woman out of her session and my flittery fluttery heart calmed down. The pain wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I can’t wait for my next session.

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   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 127 Guests (See full list)

    • Wasylyna
    • DeeDee
    • MaybeRob
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      767.2k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,940
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Raelyn
    Newest Member
    Raelyn
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. **Angela Charlotte **
      **Angela Charlotte **
    2. Carlie
      Carlie
      (63 years old)
    3. Cbxshawn
      Cbxshawn
      (49 years old)
    4. HannahO
      HannahO
      (31 years old)
    5. JustKatie
      JustKatie
      (40 years old)
  • Posts

    • Ashley0616
      Wow that is a high number for Estradiol good grief! Testosterone levels are better than mine. I don't remember my Estradiol level but testosterone was 80. To me that is really high but it was in the two hundreds the check in before last one. 
    • Ivy
      I don't understand why this would make a difference being a "dad" I mean, as far as how they would grow.
    • Ashley0616
      I don't see why not. I have worn forms since I came out. 
    • MaeBe
      I have never worn breastforms, but I assume as long as they don't aggravate your nipples you could.
    • MaeBe
      Every week I've been excited to take my shot, so it's never been an issue. Yesterday, however, I woke up and started my usual "slow roll" and then suddenly realized I had breakfast plans that I had to rush out the door for. After, it was straight into work calls, and then I got the notification from the doctor about things being too high and all the while my mind had completely slipped that I needed take my shot.   Given that I am not asking for medical advice, but sharing my journey, I will note my results: Estradiol at 447 pg/mL and Testosterone was 23 ng/dL, up and down from 26 pg/mL and 526 ng/dL respectively before treatment. Almost flipped the bit! The doc would like my Estradiol closer to 300 pg/mL, so we'll see what Monday's tests state.   Oh, and I teased the dinner with old soccer teammates and never updated the thread! It went well. There were a couple funny moments. One guy, who I was worried about their response, greeted me with "Hey, you've lost some weight!" 😎 And a friend who lives near me picked me up on the way to dinner exclaimed, after we learned one of the invitees might show up with a date, "Wait! We could have brought women?!" To which I instantly responded, "You kind of did, bringing me!" Everyone got a good laugh out of that. 😁
    • Ashley0616
      To me there isn't that much difference other the measurement, which side the zipper is on and men's pants have bigger pockets. 
    • missyjo
      I hope this is not stupid question..I have yet to start n not sure if doc will approve..but once you start growing buds n such, can you still wear forms to get to the size you were?   I'm a dad, so when I start blossoms they will be smaller for a long time n probably need surgical augmented..that's fine. I don't want to go ddd to aa to ddd..   any ideas?   thank you
    • missyjo
      April sounds fun..I keep some boy jeans to visit mom in..fir now   hugs
    • Ivy
      I like them too.  We had them growing up.  But my father's family were Swedes.
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Oh my!  I guess it just goes to show how different tastes can be. Since we don't live near the ocean, Seafood is a rare luxury. We absolutely love pickled herring! Especially my husband and my GF, I guess it's a Ferman/Russian cultural thing.  But most of the kids like it too, and a jar wouldn't last in the pantry for long 😆
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      I think the key to that is just not minding eating the same thing repeatedly. Since we produce a lot of our own food here, we end up eating what is in season at the moment. So, when the yellow squash is ripening, we end up fixing squash 20 different ways. When the strawberries are ready, we eat lots of strawberries. It's kind of a different mindset to eat in season when it has become such a part of American culture but the grocery store has everything we want all the time. Like grapes in December.  My family does even things out a little bit by having a greenhouse so we have some fresh things in the winter, but it's not a 100% fix.
    • KathyLauren
      My brothers and I had to eat what was on the plate.  All of it, and nothing else.  Pickiness was not tolerated.  Some of our least favourite were liver and onions, sauerkraut, and especially rollmops (pickled herring).  We finally protested enough to persuade our mother not to serve rollmops, though she kept a jar in the pantry for years afterwards, as a threat if we didn't behave.
    • Carolyn Marie
      I'll go first.  My favorite team is the Yankees.  Loved them since I was a kid.  I was born in NYC so, yeah.  I know everyone loves to hate them, and that's OK.  I just love baseball in general.  It's a game of traditions, strategy, power, grace and skill.   Play Ball!!  ⚾   Carolyn Marie
    • Ashley0616
      I guess you do have a good point. It's just hard to try and not have the same meals over and over again. 
    • Willow
      Hi   I’ll weigh in on being picky about food.  Yes, and I was brought up that way.  We didn’t have to eat everything our parents ate.  They had a number of things they ate that they figured we wouldn’t eat, an acquired taste things or one or the other didn’t like them too.   even as an adult there are many things I won’t eat.  In my defense, there are different things my wife won’t eat.   the weird thing is that after being in E, my tastes have changed.  Sweet, sour, salty or bland, if I eat or drink too much of any one thing and I have to counter act it.   Willow
  • 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...