Electrolysis for Trans Women: How to Permanently Get Rid of Facial Hair
For many trans women, facial hair can be a distressing reminder of dysphoria. Among other Hair Removal Options, traditional electrolysis methods often meant visiting an electrologist every two to three weeks, which could be time-consuming and emotionally challenging. Patients had to go through cycles of post-epilation recovery or grow out their facial hair in preparation for the next session. This constant struggle could last for years, making it difficult to fully embrace and live as your true self.
For example, for our collaborator Jenny Bowman, her facial hair removal journey took 230 hours spread over two years and seven months. While the end result was liberating, the process was long and sometimes difficult.
The frustration this long process made her suffer, encouraged Jenny to develop an Intensive treatment that offers an alternative that can greatly reduce the time spent in this process.
Benefits of Electrolysis over Other Hair Removal Techniques
Hair Removal Options have evolved over the years with numerous techniques available, each offering different levels of effectiveness, comfort, and longevity. Among these, Electrolysis stands out as one of the most reliable and widely recommended methods, especially for those seeking permanent hair removal. But why is it considered a better option compared to other techniques like laser hair removal, waxing, or shaving?
Durability of Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the only method approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. Unlike other techniques that simply reduce hair growth or require regular maintenance, electrolysis eliminates hair at the root by using a fine probe to send an electrical current directly into each hair follicle. This destroys the follicle, preventing any future hair from growing.
In contrast, methods like laser hair removal are classified as hair reduction techniques. While laser treatments can significantly decrease the amount of hair, they don’t guarantee that all hair follicles will be permanently destroyed. Dormant follicles can become active later, requiring further treatments. Waxing, shaving, and depilatory creams only remove hair temporarily, meaning regrowth is inevitable, often within days or weeks.
Effectiveness of Electrolysis for All Hair Types and Colors
One of the major advantages of electrolysis is its universal effectiveness. It works on all hair types and colors, including blonde, grey, red, and fine hair. This is particularly important because other hair removal methods like laser treatments target pigment in the hair. Therefore, individuals with lighter hair colors, or even those with darker skin tones, may find laser ineffective or experience complications.
With electrolysis, the procedure doesn’t rely on the color of the hair or the skin. Instead, it targets the hair follicle itself, meaning results are consistent for all skin tones and hair colors.
Effectiveness of Electrolysis for All Skin Types and Tones
Electrolysis is not only suitable for all hair types but also for all skin types. Unlike laser hair removal, which can pose a risk of burns or changes in pigmentation for individuals with darker skin tones, electrolysis is considered safer across the board. This makes it a versatile option, particularly for those who might otherwise be limited by the risks posed by laser treatments.
Additionally, electrolysis can be performed in sensitive areas such as the face, making it an ideal option for individuals undergoing gender-affirming treatments, like facial feminization surgery (FFS), or those experiencing hormonal hair growth due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Electrolysis Precision
One of the electrolysis’ greatest strengths is its precision. Since the treatment targets individual hair follicles, it can be used for small areas where precision is key, such as the eyebrows, upper lip, or other facial areas. This is an advantage over broader techniques like IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), which covers larger areas and may miss finer, lighter hairs.
For people looking to achieve smooth, hair-free results in specific areas, electrolysis is unmatched in its ability to precisely target and remove each individual hair, leading to smoother skin without patches of hair regrowth.
Cost-Effective of Electrolysis in the Long Term
While electrolysis requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired permanent result, it often proves to be more cost-effective in the long run. Other methods, especially laser hair removal, may require maintenance treatments every few years, meaning additional time and money. Temporary hair removal methods such as waxing, shaving, and threading require frequent upkeep, leading to a continual investment of both time and money over the years.
With electrolysis, once the follicle is permanently destroyed, it will not regrow hair, eliminating the need for repeated treatments. Though it requires a commitment of time upfront, the eventual payoff is a permanent solution.
Electrolysis for Hormonal Hair Growth
Electrolysis is especially beneficial for individuals experiencing hormonal hair growth, such as those undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or those affected by hormonal conditions like PCOS. Hormonal hair growth tends to be persistent and unpredictable, making it difficult to manage with temporary solutions. Electrolysis, however, directly targets the follicle and offers a permanent solution to even stubborn hair.
For trans women or individuals seeking to eliminate facial or body hair as part of their gender-affirming journey, electrolysis can be a crucial part of achieving their desired appearance. It provides a sense of control and confidence over their appearance in ways that temporary or less effective methods cannot.
Electrolysis Techniques
There are three primary methods of permanent hair removal which fall within the umbrella term of electroepilation.
What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis works by utilizing the moisture in the hair follicle to act as an electrolyte to create sodium hydroxide. This occurs when a direct current is introduced in the hair follicle and creates a physiochemical reaction. The lye flows for several seconds and begins the process of destruction of the tissues responsible for hair growth.
What is Thermolysis?
Thermolysis works by introducing a brief pulse of energy in the hair follicle, which creates thermocoagulation of the tissues responsible for hair growth. This treatment is highly effective and more hairs can be treated during each session. This is due to the ultra-rapid pulse speeds of up to 1/100th and 1/1000 of a second.
What is Blend Electrolysis?
Blend encompasses both of the above techniques, but here thermolysis is only used to warm the tissues. This changes the tissues to an intracellular mass, which enables the lye to be absorbed more readily.
All of the above techniques produce excellent results, but where possible thermolysis is favored due to the number of hairs that can be effectively treated during each session.
With electrolysis and Blend, a minimum insertion time of 9 seconds per hair is required to create the physiochemical reaction. With thermolysis, the process begins as soon as the brief pulse of energy is delivered.
One fact remains constant in all forms of electroepilation and this is the accuracy and precision of each insertion alongside the hair to the base of the hair follicle.
Intensive Electrolysis with Jenny Bowman
Achieving smooth, hair-free skin doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With Jenny Bowman’s Intensive Electrolysis treatment, you can enjoy multiple benefits:
- With her Intensive treatment, you only need to grow your facial hair for three days once every six weeks. This allows you to live more freely and confidently between sessions.
- They use world-leading optical equipment which ensures consistent accuracy throughout every session.
- Large areas of hair are cleared during each session, meaning you’ll see progress much sooner than with traditional methods.
- Treatment aligns with your hair’s growth cycle, ensuring the most effective and lasting results.
- Intensive sessions reduce the frequency of visits, helping you save time and minimize the inconvenience.
- Intensive electrolysis is often more economical, especially when compared to the cumulative cost of traditional treatments.
- They prioritize your comfort by taking regular breaks every hour.
- You only pay for the time spent in treatment, not during rest breaks.
- Their clinic uses the latest Apilus electrolysis technology, which minimizes discomfort.
- They recommend effective numbing creams for sensitive areas like the upper lip to make the process as comfortable as possible.
- Their clinic is private and peaceful, set in a beautiful, secure environment where you can relax and feel safe.
- We also provide a wide range of resources for trans people, offering support for various aspects of transition.
- Accommodation is available nearby for those traveling long distances for intensive treatment.
- Their approach is patient-centered, and our pricing is competitive, ensuring you receive the best care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electrolysis
-
Facial Hair removal does not need to be completed before FFS, but it’s possibly one of the most liberating and fulfilling elements in transition.
-
In thermolysis, we operate at pulse speeds of between 1/100th and 1/1000 of a second, which helps to minimize sensation. We also recommend MHRA-approved numbing creams for more sensitive areas such as the top lip.
-
Hair growth that has reached the full terminal stage will usually be permanent and is not likely to diminish even if androgens are blocked. The only way the hair can be permanently removed is by destruction of the papilla and bulge. It is unlikely that HRT will reduce existing facial hair.
-
Some temporary redness and localized swelling are common and usually dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. We use insulated probes where only the tip is exposed. This ensures that the reaction occurs at the base of the hair follicle, well beneath the surface of the skin.
-
We use state-of-the-art Apilus 27.12 MHz computerized equipment, which provides consistently excellent results. We use Protec disposable probes, these are insulated with medical-grade Teflon, and only the tip is exposed. This ensures that the reaction occurs well beneath the skin surface, resulting in minimal surface reactivity.
-
In addition to disposable probes, gloves are used throughout your treatment and all reusable instruments are sterilized before use.
-
At the end of your session, we apply Cataphoresis, which is a positive ionization treatment. (Providing there are no contraindications to direct current).
This soothing treatment helps to reduce redness by stimulating vasoconstriction and pore constriction. This is germicidal by acidic action and has an astringent effect on sebaceous secretions.
We also provide detailed aftercare advice for when you return home.