Rosa Said:

Share your experinces of Electrolysis and answer my questions below?

We Answered:

I had electrolysis as part of transition, but it was a long time ago now.

It took well over 100 hours to get to the point where she could clear my face in a one hour session. The costs were spread over an eighteen month period. I didn't keep track of the number of hours. One time I did try to figure that out and it came to something over $5,000 in 1985 dollars. If memory serves the cost was $35.00 an hour back then. The hourly rate is certainly more now.

The exact cost for you will vary depending on the density of your facial hair and the regrowth rate, of course. Most (80-90%?) of follicles are dormant. The same area has to be cleared a number of times as the dormant ones become active. For an average person that probably means between one and two hundred hours.

Toronto is a big city. It probably has a number of TS support groups. Those people will know who is trans friendly and who does good work. But just because someone is popular that doesn't mean that they are really good.

Now a warning or two.

Take a good look at the women who have had extensive work done by whoever you are thinking of using. Look at their upper and lower lips especially. When clearing this area its possible to get scarring, creating vertical wrinkles that look like those that old women often develop. Very aging for a mature woman, and odd on a young one.

For your upper lip area (mustache) you will definitely need some form of pain killer. Gwen referred me to a local dentist who shot my lip full of Novocaine. After the clearing my upper lip swelled to the point where I could see it by just looking down. My experience is not unique. The swelling goes down in a few days but for those few days you may look pretty strange! The area between your lower lip and chin is also especially painful, and extra painful right around your actual lips.

If you can get Percodan or Percoset from your physician do so. They make a lot of difference. Another thing is to watch what you eat before a session. One day I stopped for coffee and donuts on the way. That was the only time I was unable to complete an hour on the table due to pain.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your transition. If there is anything I can help you with please send an email this way.