How Do I Select an Electrologist?

Picking an electrologist for me was a bit like selecting a doctor. However, in one sense they are like your hairstylist too. Granted that does not sound flattering, but as I talk about it, you can see where I was coming from.

Like a doctor, they have an association, a licensing system and very similar requirements for anti-infection. As a hair stylist, (s)he has to know what looks good, needs to know what current trends are and for me has to like what (s)he does and enjoy talking. *blush* I am not one to sit quiet when in a one-on-one situation. By the way, this discussion is all about how I approached the selection process; I just want to give you a starting point and some idea of what the process can be like.

1/20/01 Update: All the pictures are from January 2001. If click on them, they have larger ones to view.

My first step in the selection process was to find the local electrologists (not electrolysist or electrolosist). They can be found in most yellow pages under "hair removal" or "electrologist." Remember they pay to be listed so not everyone is found under both titles. Next, I called each that fit my travel restrictions to make appointments for the usual free consultations. I cannot say if any charge for that initial contact, but none I saw did. I also did a drop-in at one on the off chance she had time to talk to me then. Otherwise I would have scheduled the appointment.

Armed with three appointments, I visited each one in turn. The drop-in just did not feel right with me and actually it was the furtherest away. I did not return to that place. I checked the time it took to get to each and once the meeting was over, how much time it took to get home. You will want to know this information because you will be spending a lot of time traveling if you intend to clear a whole face an other places.

I met with each one. Like a doctor, each had a questionnaire to fill out. One was a bit less comprehensive than the other two. These questionnaires looked like a cross between a personal survey and a medical history. The questionnaire did a couple things. One was to tell the electrologist why you were there and what kind of work was planned. The second thing, the medical information, helped to determine if your could actually have electrology performed. I was puzzled about the questions and so naturally I asked. The primary concern is for heart conditions. Electrology is playing with electricity--between that and the pain, some folks just may drop dead. Not very good for business.

Each electrologist went over the questionnaire with me and each took notes, adding to my answers on the forms. They each took time to explain the different kinds of electrology techniques. Use the links above to see FAQs. Each explained what they used. They explained the use of sterile needles, the use of antiseptics and their use of anesthetics. You will want to hear all this and do not hesitate to ask any question you want. A favorite question to ask, is "how long do you think it will take to do what I want?" The favorite answer is "it depends"--and it truly does.

One thing I did was that I surprised a couple of the ladies with telling them I am a crossdresser. What I have since found out working with my electrologist is that the TG community is not done just anywhere. The regular customers and us TGs present a dilemma to the electrologists. They have to be concerned about all of their customers and worry about how they may feel. Just by the way business is carried out, there is a chance of interaction between customers. Now I understand from talking with the electrologists, they do not share customer information with anyone. Weeeeelllll they do, but with no way to associate it to anyone person. They all respect your privacy--they would lose customers otherwise. At any rate, some electrologists just do not take on TGs, mine explained that with her it would be on a case by case basis, but she would rather not have to decide. The other aspect of doing a TS for example is the areas that require clearing. If an electrologist has never done a TS "down there" well are you willing to be the first? I was not sure where to discuss this, but I wanted you to know that when you are searching for an electrologist, expect to be refused. It is not a "dislike" decision on their part I bet, but really a business decision and whether they can actually do everything you may need done.

Okay, back to my efforts. Each one took all the time they needed to explain what they do, how they do it and how much it costs, their hourly rates. None of the three would quote a flat rate for a part of the body. Once the questionnaire was completed, each one did a sample patch on my face. One used two of the three techniques so I could feel the difference. Two made notes while they zapped me. It works out that taking notes gives them a starting point for the needle size and voltage level later when you actually begin your sessions.

Prices were within a few dollars for all three, per hour. Of the three, one was an "eeewwww not for me" and the other two were close choices. I went with the one I had the better rapport. Like I said, I am a talker. It has been sometime now and she and I have been doing pretty good together. We have a nice friendship going.

So what all have I had done as of Feb. 18, 2002? I have new eye brows, not just shaped but major overhaul in terms of the hairs too. I had wild big fat hairs--no more. I had my beard line lowered on the cheeks and raised on the neck. I had the upper part of my chest cleared so I can wear blouses and low cut dresses. My beard was up to my lips all the way around my mouth. Well, not any more. I also cleared some out below my nose (super ouches). Finally, I had some stray ear hairs *blush* -- they are gone. All of this is now in maintenance; I'm fighting male hormones here. Now I have begun softening my beard around my chin and thinning the whole thing. I have an awful shadow and this softening and clearing should help it. I am also doing some work on my hands. Shaving hands is just plain weird *smile* especially watching the stubble during regrowth.

Now what do I know from all this time at being zapped?

Hummm, it is not for the weak of heart *giggle* figuratively and literally. If you have heart trouble and the electrologist is any good, (s)he will require a doctor's note.
Ever have an endorphin rush? You will and you will always walk away from a session rather tired.
Just an off-the-cuff calculation tells me that of the three techniques, they probably cost the same amount of money to clear the same place. One technique is faster, but requires more return trips to get the permanence. The other is more permanent more often, but takes longer to do an area. The third is a mix of the other two.

You want the anesthetic; there is no question that it hurts no matter where you are zapped. Your pain threshold varies every session. The more upbeat you are the better. If you have a full tummy, it helps. If you are full of water, that helps. Dry skin is less conductive.
Lastly, take your aspirins/pain killers timed to be at maximum benefit during your session.
On a cautionary note, there is such a thing as too much. If the electrologist attacks the problem with too much vigor. If the settings are wrong, you can be scarred. This is unusual, however, and in most instances nothing is permanent. The electrologist is balancing what it takes to effectively kill the hair with the amount of skin irritation or possible damage. Anyway, swelling and redness usually take a couple days to go away, but that varies with where you got zapped. When I am zapped around my lips in a "hard" session, even my lips swell and they stay that way for about four days.

1/16/01 Update: My electrologist and I have been seeing each other for over two years. Now this is actually close to the limit it would take to clear a TS's face and other areas providing they can keep up with the number of sessions required. A TS is on a somewhat tight schedule with the real life test and then scheduling the SRS. The body has to be ready pretty much when the rest of the person is. In my case, I only go once in awhile. For the places I wanted totally cleared, I can go at least seven weeks without a touch up; for most folks a touch up takes about 15 minutes.

1/16/01: Since I have started going out in public, I have found some trouble spots with shaving. For example, my mustache has very thick roots. In an effort to make my upper lip look more presentable, we are stunting the hairs. We are making them finer and are killing off some to reduce the overall density. We are also working on parts of my cheeks and around my mouth for the same reason. I want to reduce the amount of makeup I need for coverage by reducing the shadow that remains from shaving. At best I go out four days in a row, limited by the number of days I can shave without looking like I dragged my face through a thrashing machine *sigh* If I can be easier on the shaving, then I can reduce the makeup and possibly go out more often.