You've reached Neutrois Outpost, the official Neutrois Transgender home on the web! Neutrois, Pangendered, Othergendered, FTMs, MTFs, Eunuchs, GenderPunks, and friends are all welcome here. C'mon... get happy, and don't forget to check out our resources!

Permanent Hair Removal

     Shaving, plucking, and waxing are easy and reliable methods, but 'determined' hair (the stuff that grows best where it ISN'T wanted) can be a real pain. Eventually, almost everyone gets sick of trying to keep ahead of their stubble. The following information deals with permanent hair removal methods. Hair removal techniques that are omitted from this document, were left out because they either don’t work, or they are not permanent hair removal solutions.

     Laser hair removal treatments have eclipsed needle electrolysis in popularity, over the past three years. This is mainly due to reputed effectiveness, speed, and non-invasiveness of the procedure. Where it may take someone hundreds of hours, over the course of several months (even a year, or two), permanently clear large areas of hair with needle electrolysis, it usually only takes a few quick treatments to accomplish similar results via laser. Be advised that you still won’t be permanently hairless after a weekend. These treatments are usually spread over the course of a year due to hair growth habits.

     Lasers work by targeting the melanin in hair follicles. Melanin is what gives hair and skin their pigment (if you are tanning, you are encouraging melanin production). When the laser contacts the hair surface, the melanin absorbs its energy. In the same manner that thermolysis works, the hair root dies from being overheated. Because laser treatments rely on melanin in order to work, persons who have light-colored hairs, will not see good results from laser treatment. Dark-skinned persons may have a higher risk of skin irritation from the laser, as well. Laser practitioners also avoid recommending treatment for persons who may be pregnant, or who are on medications which make them more sensitive to light.

     Laser hair removal has been approved by the FDA, to be marketed for long-term permanent hair reduction. Laser hair removal treatments work for men and women, and it isn’t uncommon for men to seek this type of treatment. Any area of skin can be treated, with exception to ears, nose, and around the eyes. When investigating a laser treatment facility, make sure that the equipment they are using is approved by the FDA. Also make sure the practitioners using it, are extremely experienced. Inexperienced operators can burn your skin, cause pigmentation changes, or simply waste your money by not doing anything.

     In 1991, Galvanic tweezing was approved by the FDA for marketing as a permanent hair removal method. It works by using the hair to conduct an electrical current to the hair root, rather than a needle. The galvanic current causes a chemical reaction which kills the follicle and prevents future hair growth. The effectiveness of this treatment is reliant on a couple different things. The amount of water contained in the follicle is the prime determining factor in whether enough current will be conducted to the hair root. Another factor is the proprietary gels, or creams, which are used to aid galvanic conduction. Some galvanic tweezer manufacturers disagree as to whether these items help, but most practitioners believe they do.

     Galvanic tweezing does not usually kill the hair in the first treatment, so it can take as long as needle electrolysis to see results. An advantage to galvanic tweezing is that it doesn’t hurt, unless the tweezer touches the skin. Since nothing is being inserted into the skin, galvanic tweezing doesn’t carry as much risk of sores, scarring, or infection, that the needle method does. It also doesn’t require as much skill to administer, and it can work to eliminate both light and darkly pigmented hairs.

     As with laser treatments, shop around. Make sure the equipment being used is FDA approved and not simply marketed as a galvanic tweezing "equivalent." Look for an experienced operator, and see if perhaps you can ask clients for opinions on their treatment. Beware that RF (radio frequency) tweezing IS NOT galvanic tweezing. It is also not approved by the FDA to be marketed as a permanent hair removal method. RF tweezing units, which are often sold for home hair removal use, might as well be sold as useless toys. They are a waste of time.

     Transdermal hair removal systems are based on the galvanic method, sans needles, or tweezers. The current from these systems is applied using a cotton swab and proprietary cream, or gel. The electrical conduction, for this method, is reliant on the client being an electrical circuit. The equipment delivers a small charge though a negative outlet, while the client is connected to a positive one. If the client isn’t connected, the method cannot work.

     While this method is not invasive, it does have side effects. Facial muscles react and twitch during treatment, which may get uncomfortable. This method runs the electrical current through the skin, rather than confining it to the hair follicles, which also raises risks of burns, irritation, scabs, and blistering. These side effects are more common when higher currents are used.

     Transdermal hair removal systems are not yet approved by the FDA to be marketed as a permanent hair removal method. This is mainly due to lack of clinical data. One should also consider that medical equipment, such as EKGs, EEGs, and electrical facial-muscular stimulation devices, deliver similar types of currents to the body, and none of these have resulted in permanent hair removal. Buyer beware.

     Needle electrolysis works by directing a small galvanic current, to the base of the hair follicle. This is done through an inserted surgical steel, or gold wire. Because the wire is finer than the hair, the client should not feel the insertion, provided it is done properly. Needle electrolysis also relies on the client being turned into an electrical circuit. This is usually accomplished with clients holding a positive electrode in their hands, while a negative current is applied to their follicles. When the current is applied, a chemical reaction is caused which kills the hair follicle. Needle electrolysis is a proven permanent hair removal method, but because each hair must be treated one-by-one, it takes a great deal of time to clear large areas of unwanted hair. Some electrologists speed this process by using a Multi-Needle (a system with multiple probes), but it still takes a very long time.

     Thermolysis uses the same process as needle electrolysis, except that it uses a very fast oscillating alternating current (type of radio wave), instead of galvanic current. This is not the same as a home RF unit, though home RF units may be marketed as thermolysis units. Thermolysis works by stimulating the follicle cells to vibrate and die from friction and heat.

     To be effective, thermolysis usually isn’t used alone, in treating unwanted hair. This is because it has a high regrowth rate. There are two reasons for this. The first one is that practitioners usually keep their equipment on low settings to avoid damaging more than the hair follicle. Using the equipment at higher settings creates more scar tissue, endangers nerve endings, and nearby oil glands. Accuracy is another problem. Because the energy is only released at the tip of the needle, if it isn’t in exactly the right spot, it doesn’t kill the correct cells. For these reasons, thermolysis is often administered in combination with a galvanic current. This combination is referred to as blending.

     Blending starts with a few seconds of galvanic electrolysis current, and ends with one, or more thermolytic flashes from the same probe. In using this technique, electrologists can incorporate the thoroughness of the galvanic current with the speed of the thermolysis method.

     The downside to needle electrolysis and thermolysis is that they both can be uncomfortable, depending on the region being worked on. Some clinics can offer topical anesthetics to reduce this discomfort. It also takes a while. Aside from each follicle being treated individually, it usually takes a few growth cycles (2-4 month periods) for results to really become apparent.

     Electrologist’s skills are also an important factor to consider. If you don’t see improvement in a region after a few growth cycles, switch to a new practitioner. Do not accept excuses regarding plucking, waxing, distorted hair follicles, or thicker hair. Professional electrolysis equipment is powerful enough to eradicate any type of hair, but the electrologist needs to use it correctly.

     An upside to things is that electrolysis, thermolysis, and blending techniques can be used on any type of hair, and can be performed on most bodily regions (with exception to the nose, and ears). Persons who keloid easily will be at a higher risk of doing so with these techniques, and it is recommended of diabetics to check with their physicians.

     If you're considering permanent hair removal, visit the following sites to read about some available options:

Consumer Beware: Hair Removal - A no-baloney compilation of consumer info on various methods of hair removal. If you're considering permanent forms of hair removal, visit this page.

Electrology 2000 - TG friendly professional hair removal specialists in Texas.

Gregory System Hair Removal Clinics - Laser, Needle Electrolysis, and Thermolysis available. 12 locations. Not marketed as trans-friendly, but they do offer services for both men and women. You may have to go under your assigned gender.

No-Needle Electrolysis - TE and TD Galvanic Transdermal Electrolysis Systems. Not currently approved by the FDA as permanent hair removal systems.