Thermolase Hair Removal
My Experience

By Marilyn L.A. Wardlow


Note: This story represents the author's views and should not be taken as an endorsement by Transgender Forum

As many of you might have heard from the Internet, a company calledThermolase has developed a method for using a proprietary gel and a laser to kill hair follicles and thus effect permanent hair removal. Briefly, the idea is to apply a proprietary lotion that will penetrate into the hair follicle and then when a laser is scanned by the black lotion absorbs the laser light and the heat from the instant vaporization then kills the cells that produce the hair.

I had been eagerly awaiting the opening of their first public salon after reading about the process, reading the patent and hearing they had received early approval from the FDA. As a research neuroscientist working on treatments for Alzheimer's disease I have had dealings with the FDA. In my experience and other of my colleagues the FDA is very very picky over the data of clinical trials. Early approval thus impressed me quite a bit.

The company has opened is doors officially as of January under the name of Spa Thira. The treatment is patented under the name Softlight. I came across the name Spa Thira in an article in Vogue magazine, in of all places, my electrologists office. In the article the writer mentioned the name Spa Thira and I quickly called directory assistance and found out the phone number and called. My consultant, Celeste, was very nice and asked several questions concerning my own skin reactions. These involved questions on keloid formation, scarring, acne, herpes infections, moles and permanent makeup. After passing these questions, she set up a consultation appointment.

I arrived in downtown La Jolla and entered Spa Thira for the first time. As you might expect of such a location it was very plush. I had to fill out a medical history and a list of medications. The nurse that took the information inquired about the hormonal regimen I was on. After I had 'outed' myself to her, she reassured me that they had dealt with other transsexuals during the course of the clinical trials. She went on to say that the company had included some of us in their clinical trials because they knew there would be quite a bit of interest in the transgendered community (I thought this very interesting). After discussing the treatment and the area to be treated - the face, we discussed price and treatment. They charge $1500 for the cheeks, $1500 for the lip and chin area, $1600 for the neck area. If I did the whole face at once, they would do that for $4000. This covered treatment for an entire year. If there is regrowth after a year they will charge a reduced 'maintenance' fee. This may sound expensive to some people, but if they can clear the face in a year then they are quite a bit less then conventional electrolysis. The later in my case runs $45/hour and the time line for the entire face is about 300 hours over two years or more.

Then they dropped the bad news. In order for the lotion to penetrate down the hair follicle they have to wax the hair from the area first. This meant allowing the hair to grow 3/8" long minimum. For an entire week I had to wear a scarf or some other covering around my head when going out in public. Finally the first treatment was set for a Saturday at 8:00am. I arrived right on time and the personnel there took down some more information and cleared the financial aspects out of the way.

I was then conducted to a private dressing room in order to change into a terry cloth skirt and large comfy terry robe. This is so that the various waxes, lotions and gels do not get on your clothes. After I had changed they gave me the key to the room. I was then conducted to another room where they took pictures of the areas to be treated. One more move to another larger room with a large comfortable swivel coach and the treatment process begin. First, a very nice lady came in and begin to apply wax in small areas and pull the hair off. While not exactly pleasant, mine came out quite easily after my just over a year on hormones. Periodically, after an area had been cleared, she would apply this black lotion and then move on. Once the areas were covered, a nurse came in and we put our goggles on and we started the process. She first demonstrated the laser on her own skin without lotion. She then applied the lotion to the same area on her skin and demonstrated the process again. As the laser passed over the area there was a loud snapping sound. She then started on the left cheek area and down onto the neck. Other then the snapping sound the only thing I felt was a warm sensation like one gets standing under a heat lamp. I went back to the dressing room to get dressed my face looked as if it had received a moderate sunburn. I walked out the door at 9:30a. An incredible hour and a half to have a smooth face with the laser part taking something like 20 minutes.

The redness had faded quite a bit after two hours and by the next day had gone completely. They do request that one avoid the use cosmetics, perfumes, perfume containing cosmetics, detergents, soaps or exfoliants for 24 to 48 hours. You are requested to use the moisturizer they provide for a few days following treatment.

Not all is good news though they expect that there will be some regrowth from untouched or partially damaged follicles. More then one treatment will be required as they cannot treat dormant follicles. Also, they will not work on a regular male beard. They said that the facial hair is difficult to wax and treat and only on women or those that have been taking female hormones for at least six months have treatable hair. There exists a chance of skin scarring and pustule formation. They also don't guarantee that the process gives permanent results. This later comes from the fact that the patient with the oldest treatment occurred only 2 and half years ago. However as almost any electrologist and dermatologist will tell you, if no hair growth has occurred in that time, it probably never will. I did talk to one lady that said she had her leg hair treated. She was in one of their pre-opening tests about 6 months back. She said that she had been one time and has not had to use a razor since.

One last note, how did they treat me after I had to tell them about myself: with complete respect. Never once did I ever here any of the workers there use a male pronoun on me or in any other way treat me differently then any of the other women clients they had.

Is this for everyone? No. As pointed out they may refuse to work on non-female hormonal male facial hair. If one is prone to scarring or other skin damage or sensitive to sunburn you might want to get a dermatologists clearance first. As mentioned the treatment will have to be over the course of a year and it may not work. In my case I am willing to take the setback both in time and financially if it occurs. This next year should prove to be quite interesting. If I get the poor results I'll be a year setback in clearing time and back on the electrologist's table.

So far so good, in over two weeks since treatment, I have yet even found the hint of stubble in the treated areas. I will make periodic updates as time goes by.


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