I gave up on electrolysis

I gave up on electrolysis

April 7, 2012  |  Transition Journal  |  No Comments

 

Last I had updated I started electrolysis. Well, that did not go over so well with me. After 3 or 4 sessions I just could not take it anymore. The pain was just too great and I tried OTC pain killers, EMLA prescription from my doctor, nothing worked. In fact, the most painful session was the session when I used EMLA!

Maybe it was the technique the electrologist used: she would mark my face into sections with a pencil, then proceed to zap each hair in the section. Sounds typical but she did not tweeze when she zapped. Instead, her method of removing the zapped hairs was waxing… yes, waxing.

For one, not only the immediate zapping of the hairs one after another was painful, once she did all that, waxing the hairs all out was rather painful too. Secondly, from what I have read over the years about electrolysis, I was not convinced this waxing method was that effective. It was faster sure, but it did not appear to me that she could tell if she really got the hair good or not.

This lead me to fear going to this electrologist and thus prolonging/post-ponding subsequent sessions. Since she used this waxing technique, I had to grow my facial hair out longer than normal for electrolysis. This really lead to my embarrassment at work.

After about a 6 month hiatus from electrolysis I was rather upset about my facial hair regrowth situation. I contacted my therapist and she gave me a recommendation on an electrologist in Tarpon Springs. This electrologist worked on Susan Stanton’s face. Upon my consultation she thought that laser would be a better option for me and referred me to the laser tech that worked in the same office.

I went back for another consultation for laser hair removal being rather skeptical since I had already been through laser once before and I had a lot of hair regrowth a few years later (e.g. now). It turns out the laser tech really is the owner of the company and not just a technician but a doctor. Anyway, I know she is also a sales person selling her service and products but she did make a convincing argument: Why spend years of painful electrolysis when you can do laser in a fraction of the time and just do touch up sessions?

It took me a bit to think about this. She had a point. Either way the time frame is lengthy but the time commitment is less with laser and cheaper. I mean after all, I was rather happy with my facial hair condition for many years after about 8 months of treatments. So I took her word for it and went back to laser.

I have gone four times now (once a month since December) and my face has improved significantly and more importantly I feel better about myself when I look in the mirror. I am not saying that laser is better than electrolysis. I am just saying that for me, I feel laser is a better option given time, money and pain.

For anyone who is interested and lives near Tarpon Springs, Florida, you can find out more information about Dr. Barbara Frangos (laser and other skin treatments) and Linda (do not know her last name for electrolysis) at Laser Spa of Tampa Bay.

They are both really friendly and the business is trans friendly.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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