Electrolysis Humor

[Aunt Kelly]

Talk about an oxymoron, right? Still, I hope you get a chuckle out of this.

As Lea mentioned in another thread, I will fall asleep several times during some sessions. During a recent visit, I had been nodding off, and then found myself suddenly awakened... by a loud snore. The electrologist kind of jumped back, startled. Rather embarrassed, I quickly apologized. She came right back with, "Well, that's certainly better than the screams some of my patients let out." We giggled for quite a while.

[Jeri Ann]

Okay, I'll play.

I am going to the same electrolysis as Kelly, not for facial hair, that was finished almost forty years ago, now I am prepping for surgery coming up in July. Surgery prep is way more expensive than facial hair removal. Yesterday I told Dr. Millik that I had two fine hairs that return every couple of months, one on my chin and one on my left cheek, and someday, when they come back, I would come in and get her to remove them. She said, "If they are back next time you come in I will take care of them." I said, "Not at $150 per hour! I will walk out, come back in and get them done at the facial rate." She laughed.

[pamela7]

i'm not sure i can get a buzz out of something so painfully on the point ;-) I find it a hair-raising experience

[Nigella]

I finally got rid of one prick, now I get a lot of little pricks every week :)

Wow Jeri, $150 an hour, glad I didn't have to pay for my lower electrolysis, just remind your electrologist to change the needle if they do the lower hairs first :)

Kelly, I thought for a moment you were going to say you woke up and found the electrologist fast asleep and snoring :D

Pamela, some people will pay big money to get a buzz, but then again they wan't summat else raising and not the hairs :lol:

[Jeri Ann]

Pamela,

I tell Kelly that transition is not for sissies. Lol

[Nigella]

Jeri, I don't think this is the right sub forum for the sissy element of the TG spectrum :D

[pamela7]

Jeri Ann,

While i get the joke, I don't appreciate the implication. The experience of pain will depend on how thick-skinned one is. Some of us are considerably more sensitive than others, due to various factors.

I guess we could say you touched a nerve ;-)))

[Kaitlyn Michele]

Actually my electrologist once said to me..

"I'll tell you one thing I learned about T-people doing all this electro.... they are not p*ssies""

[Laura912]

When Jeri Ann had her original electrolysis, it could only be done during a thunder storm while flying a kite with the string connected to the needle.

[Jeri Ann]

OMG!!! Dr. Laura that was supposed to stay between us. I told you not to ever repeat that!

They actually had electricity back then but it hadn't come to our town yet.

[Eemz]

I think found some footage of @jeri ann's procedure online ;)

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[Jeri Ann]

That's it! That's not me on the table but that is the place!

[Eemz]

And whoever is on the table must have a lot of trouble buying heels!

[Macey]

Eemz, I have to 'fess up. That's a photo of me and my feet!

[Nigella]

301700 Unforunately Laser is out of the question for me, can anyone tell me how many sessions of electrolysis I'll need

[Eemz]

I think we might need to start with a lawnmower and see where we go from there... ;)

[Aunt Kelly]

So Cousin It is tranz. I KNEW it!

[Laura912]

Wasn’t Cousin It from Transylvania?

[Devi SM]

Soon I'll start my electro sessions. I hope I can fall sleep too.
Very funny your story.

[Jeri Ann]

Wasn’t Cousin It from Transylvania?

I believe that Cousin It relocated to Great Britain and is doing well. I've heard that she dated Donald Trump for a while but when it didn't work out moved.

[Nigella]

I think we might need to start with a lawnmower and see where we go from there... ;)

It would have to be industrial strength with tungsten carbide blades tipped with diamonds :)


I believe that Cousin It relocated to Great Britain and is doing well. I've heard that she dated Donald Trump for a while but when it didn't work out moved.

I resemble that remark

[DanaM64]

Did someone call Cousin It?

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[Laura912]

Bet she had more fun as a blonde.

[Jeri Ann]

Today at my electrolysis appointment I made the mistake of mentioning the rodeo. My electrologist got very ticked off. She is a PETA vegan. She started carrying on about how cruel it was to put a rope around a cow's neck and pull on it. She said this as she was sticking a needle in my private parts and applying electric current to it. I dunno. I think, at that moment, I would rather be the cow. Just sayin'.

[Eemz]

Ha ha I think the cow got the better deal there alright :)

My funny electrolysis experience this week was this: I haven't been shaving my chest because I'm getting electro and now quite a prominent V cleared down the middle, enough for me to wear most tops without a problem, which is great. I was looking in the mirror after a shower this morning when it suddenly struck me... OMG I look like I'm wearing a hairy bra now. Seriously. :rolleyes:

The things we go through!! LOL we must be mad :bonk:

[LeaP]

Today at my electrolysis appointment I made the mistake of mentioning the rodeo. My electrologist got very ticked off. She is a PETA vegan. She started carrying on about how cruel it was to put a rope around a cow's neck and pull on it. She said this as she was sticking a needle in my private parts and applying electric current to it. I dunno. I think, at that moment, I would rather be the cow. Just sayin'.

Funny!

(Note to self - never tick off an electrologist during a session ...)

[Paulette]

The only way I could fall a sleep during a treatment was when I received numbing injections during marathon 7-8 hour days of Electrology. On some areas we went with out numbing and you can really feel the “gain” with the pain. I have all ways told folks when asked about the pain, that they have to pull up their big girl panties and hang on as it is going to hurt.

[Jeri Ann]

So, in the continuing effort to extract some humor out of electrolysis treatments, this is the best I can do. Undoubtedly some around here will find humor in it.

When I got to my appointment last Friday, my electrolysis was fuming. I thought someone mentioned the rodeo to her again. Nope, she was pissed because Kelly didn't show up for her appointment immediately preceding mine. I turned pale. I couldn't breathe. I knew what this meant. Sure enough, the next hour was hell. When I talked to Kelly next I chewed her butt out for doing that to me. Kelly swears that she let Dr. Millik know that she couldn't come. Yeah, right.

[Laura912]

Remind me to send Kelly a check for cancelling her electrolysis appointment.

[Jeri Ann]

I knew that some sick person would find humor in my misfortune. Doctor, heal thyself.

[Aunt Kelly]

I've given this a lot of thought. I'm going to find a new electrologist. LOL

[Jeri Ann]

I don't think it is necessary to find a new electrolysis, just make your appointments after mine. Just sayin'.

[Dorit]

I have my first electrolysis appointment on Tuesday. I am scared.

[Aunt Kelly]

Do like I do and just sleep through the worst parts. :)

Seriously though, you may find that it's not as bad as you think, mostly. The area around the lips and under the nose? That's always the worst. Get a prescription for a powerful topical anesthetic, if you can. It does take the edge off in those areas.

[Pat]

Topical anesthetics? :eek: I needed a face full of lydocane to get past the lip area...

[Jeri Ann]

Pat,

The "topical" anesthetic that Kelly is referring to is BLT. It is an ointment of Benzocaine, Lydocaine and Tetracaine compounded by prescription only. While not as effective as injections, it is the most effective topical ointment available and is the most popular topical anesthetic used by dermatologist for skin procedures. The combination is faster acting, longer lasting and deeper penetrating than any other topical. Alas, there are places where even it doesn't seem to help but I am not going to be the test subject to determine if that is indeed true. Just sayin'

[Laura912]

The topical recommended by Jeri Ann is really good even around nose and upper lip where it will decrease the discomfort but not eliminate it. Do not apply with bare fingers or get on your lips. It makes you type and stalk punny. No, I am nut dunk ossifficer...I’m num.

[Eemz]

I've started on the upper lip now and today's electrolysis humor is that they started at the outside edges of the mustache area and are working towards the center from both sides over a few sessions. I told them: that's all very well as long as I don't end up looking like a certain German dictator who shall remain nameless.

Pain-wise... it's been fine so far. Parts of the chest were far worse. It must vary between people.

[Dorit]

I am wondering what you all think of taking an opioid pain pill, tramadol, before electrolysis? I have some left over from my GRS surgery. My appointment was just moved up to tomorrow. This is no laughing matter!

[Eemz]

Ah no Dorit it’s not as bad as all that. Maybe take paracetamol or something and see how you go. And remember that the first round on any given area is the worst. Regrowth is easier to deal with because it’s not as strong as the originals. I don’t know if you’re talking about face, or an intimate area here: I can’t comment on the latter. You got over the GRS you’ll get over this :-) Good luck and let us know

[Dorit]

The latest update is that I have a reprieve! I came down with chills, then a 39.2 C fever this afternoon. So I cancelled the appointment until further notice. I go to my family doctor tomorrow instead. After a year of laser, it is my face.

[AllieSF]

I used to take hydrocodone, left over from previous health procedures. It helped a little. Then I took a couple of ibuprofen, and then stopped all together. I just put up with the pain, and finally found out that after just a few zaps in a specific area my endorphins centered there and the pain seemed to lessen. So, I just endured the pain after that. I am now down to about 45 minutes every 8 weeks. It seems like it will never end!

[Jeninus]

I am wondering what you all think of taking an opioid pain pill, tramadol, before electrolysis? I have some left over from my GRS surgery. My appointment was just moved up to tomorrow. This is no laughing matter!

Dorit, I underwent 18 months of facial electrolysis without any pain medication or lidocaine cream. I had one session where the electrologist pounded on my chin for 5 1/2 hours, but it was just something to endure. Maybe being 1/4 Scandinavian helps. The genital electrolysis is another matter entirely. I am fortunate that the clinic where I have that done is owned by a surgeon who does SRS work. Her PA gives lidocaine injections starting with the willy and all around the perimeter. That hurts like hell and she gives me a couple of things to hold that look like rubber dog bone toys. The stinging subsides after a few minutes and the rest of the 3 1/2 hour session is painless. Wouldn't do it any other way.

[Sara Olivia]

Dorit you will be fine. I can say that with absolute certainty as I have had about 150 hours of electrolysis so far in two hour sessions and have never taken any kind of a pain killer to deal with the pain. Yes it is quite painful, no doubt about that but not unbearably so. I found that the pain increased after I'd been on HRT a few months and its definitely most painful on the upper lip and around the mouth. But as I said its bearable. You will be fine.

[Katya@]

On Friday, there will be my 100th visit to my electrologist. I asked them if they're tired of seeing me and they said - aren't you tired of having me ;) I am trying to decide if it is worth celebration. Time wise I am at 85 hours on the face and about 25 hours on the chest and have mostly upper lip and neck left. I agree with others, first few zaps are the most painful and then you slowly start to develop bare minimum tolerance for that pain. The hardest are the first clearances of any new areas. I found the first clearance of the chest was even more painful than upper lip. The joke was - "That upper lip sounds better and better, isn't it ?" :)
I was taking 400-500mg of ibuprofen an hour before appointment up until few weeks ago and after forgetting few times, I realized I can deal with pain for 60-90 minutes as is. Now, I feel like I turned the corner as upper face minus the upper lip is all but cleared and I had first few full neck clearances. Oh yeah...the first clearance on the neck required as many as 4-6 pulses per hair folical on very high setting and it was painful! Now, 2-3 pulses and you can bear it. I have little fat layer which I was told helps as it acts as a buffer between the skin and bones that seemed to be the worst places on the neck (chin, jew line). My electrologist is the best. Has always funny stories to help me through.

[Dorit]

I finally after a long delay because of illness just returned from my first electrolysis session. I did take a pain pill before I arrived and it went well. She only wanted to do a half hour session for the first time to see how I react. She said she had an experienced eye for the hairs that were in the right growth stage to kill so she worked all over my face rather than clearing all the hairs in one region. Does this make sense? My only addition to electrolysis humor is that after three days of not shaving she said my hairs were still not long enough to make the work go quickly. So next time I have to come as the bearded lady!:tongueout

[Jeri Ann]

Dorit,

Be sure to hydrate well before your appointments. It will minimize damage to the skin. As we age our skin becomes more delicate and HRT makes it even more so.

[Aunt Kelly]

She said she had an experienced eye for the hairs that were in the right growth stage to kill so she worked all over my face rather than clearing all the hairs in one region. Does this make sense?

The hairs do go through a growth cycle, so it's certainly possible that their appearance changes according to the stage they're in. If she can shorten to overall time it takes to get the entire job done by using that approach, so much the better. If it's all just "marketing", you're no worse off and the job takes as lone as it takes.

[Eemz]

I finally after a long delay because of illness just returned from my first electrolysis session. I did take a pain pill before I arrived and it went well. She only wanted to do a half hour session for the first time to see how I react. She said she had an experienced eye for the hairs that were in the right growth stage to kill so she worked all over my face rather than clearing all the hairs in one region. Does this make sense? My only addition to electrolysis humor is that after three days of not shaving she said my hairs were still not long enough to make the work go quickly. So next time I have to come as the bearded lady!:tongueout

They also jumped around the place a lot on my first session. I'm guessing it's to get you used to the process and to judge how sensitive you are in various spots because it varies between people. I'm just home from 1hr electro today and most of the time on my upper lip. I appear to be remarkably tolerant there, which is good news for me. I'm saying it's because I've been playing the tuba since I was 15. And that actually might have something to do with it, joking aside.

Now if you'l excuse me... they started at the edges and worked in so I have a hairy strip under my nose now that looks far too much like a certain dictator so I'm going to go shave :)

[Macey]

Eemz (and anyone else!) how long flr the scabbing and swelling to go down? Also, how long do the facial hairs need to be when going in?

[Aunt Kelly]

Macey,
If you have much scabbing, it could mean that the electrologist is using overly aggressive settings on the machine. Then again, it might be that we're all different and some skin reacts more readily. I've seldom (as in only twice, in a couple tiny spots) had anything that one might call "scabbing", more like just some minor drainage that dries rather crusty. Swelling is another matter. I've had what looks like a big welt, over the treated area, last for two or three days.
As for length, I need three days growth to enable my electrologist to work quickly, and quicker is always better - more dead follicles per visit. YMMV.

[Eemz]

Very similar to Kelly. It's just looks like I'm getting a cold sore tbh, for a couple of days then settles down, as long as you keep antiseptic cream on so it doesn't get spotty or dry out.

Length... I usually shave every morning so I skip Friday and have the session Saturday and that's enough. It depends how fast your hair grows but that's enough for me. The lip does swell but I don't look like I've been in a fight or anything :) It's ok the rest of Saturday, peaks on Sunday and then is civilized by Monday for work so it all works out :) But then again I have ridiculously strong lips from playing the tuba so YMMV lol

[Dorit]

Here I am after my second session of one hour. She wanted to do more, but it was all I could take. This is three days later. Because this thread is "Electrolysis Humor" please feel free to laugh!:):heehee:

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[Devi SM]

Thanks again Dorit for your graphic help to us.
If about electrolysis humor we're talking, for me last two month has been very "funny". Two times my endo submit to health insurer the referral and has been denied.
Nurses, all people on insurer staff as well doctor's office has been so nice trying to help me but then I receive the denial letters from a doctor that of course I don't know.
So one of the nurses, in the insurer health behavioral, told me that all the deal was that the guidelines request my PCP (primary care provider) must do the request. This week I met the nurse practioner, that knows me for year, was one of the first that support me with the HRT referral treatment. She was so nice and I hope this time the health insurer approved the referral based on the extreme sicological distress that the hair on face causes me.
Now watching Dorit's picture I got scary....what a joke...but I won't pull back...I will keep you posted when it bed approved and how I will suffer it...

[Eemz]

There was nothing funny about my session just now I'll tell ya. Phew, toughest one yet. One hour mostly on the upper lip. I'm reacting to the numbing cream so I'm just toughing it out instead. It's still worth it though

[Devi SM]

Yeah! I agree that there's nothing fun or humorous about electrolysis.
My endocrinologist submit twice the referral to the health insurer and was declined because it must be my PCP, so I went and see her but what she submit was a referral for dermatologist. When call them to an appointment they say don't do electrolysis so finally my therapist, (the best) told me to switch to a different health center, an specialized for trans people. Today I had my first appointment with my new PCP and he introduced me to the trans team they have for all my needs. They immediately did blood tests and told me my electrolysis referral should be approved no later 2 weeks.....
Ahhhggg! I hope this time it work.
For the meantime, my Iber passengers assure me that they don't see what I see about hair and that from the beginning they didn't know I'm a transgender. Yeeey!

[LeaP]

Dorit, you’re getting fried if you look like that after 3 days.

Eemz, watch the upper lip sessions. It’s the area that’s most prone to puckering (permanently) when electrolysis is done, presumably because of the hair density. Best to take the upper lip in small doses of time. I tried to limit the area to 30 minutes max, and usually shorter. I mostly did 2 hour sessions, so if I started the session on the upper lip, the rest was a cakewalk.

[Dorit]

Dorit, you’re getting fried if you look like that after 3 days.


Thanks Lea, I need some feedback. It took two weeks for my face to recover! While she is very friendly, I am her first transgender client. She said it is my sensitive skin. I want to try with someone more experienced to see if there is a difference.

[Katya@]

Hi Dorit,
I am few hours shy of 100 hours on my face (and about 26 hours on my chest). Needless to say I spent a lot of time with my electrologist talking about hair. It grows in so many different shapes (straight, hook, c-shape, double, triple hairs from the same folical, etc...I have them all). Treating mens facial hair is a skill and an art. It is thick, dense, with follicles deep down the skin. The white fluff on GGs faces is just that - fluff. I would be really considering finding an experienced electrologist who has experience with "mens" facial hair. It will save you time, money, and maybe the skin. Everyone's skin heals differently. I am sure with age it takes more than for a young person. With that being said, 3 weeks sounds like a long time. I never had an issue to go to work the next day. Most of the readiness would go away for me overnight and I will have red dots all over but nothing more serious.
Good luck,
Katya

[Devi SM]

I was approved for electrolysis by my health insurance but talking with my therapist, who is a trasgender as well, we decide to switch to a trans wellness center where there are experienced electrolysis technician that deal all the time with mtf trans.
I will have to drive around 60 miles but he told me it worths.

[LeaP]

I’ve had appx. 170 hours of electrolysis. My tech said my skin is highly reactive ... yet most of the redness and visible bumps were gone within a couple of hours after a session. (I could still feel some bumpiness into the next day, but it wasn’t noticeable to anyone else.) Most of my sessions were long lunch breaks, and I returned to work after. I started electrolysis at 58. All of it has been 13.5 MHz thermolysis using an Apilus Senior epilator and Ballet needles, mostly stainless, but some gold for the upper lip.

[Vickie_CDTV]

Those large red scabs are worrisome. A few small pinprick scabs and redlness and a little swelling is one thing, but all those larger red scabs are not normal. Too much power, too close to the surface, on follicles too close together.

If you don't have another electrologist you can try, have her just thin the hair out for a while, don't do a whole area clearance until it is thinned out. Especially the corners of the upper lip.

[LeaP]

You might also ask about using insulated needles.