What You Should Expect

By Rita Reckas
Registered Electrologist
 © 1995 Rita Reckas & Transgender Forum

From the moment you walk into an electrologist's office until the moment you leave you should be treated to only the highest professional standards. Only when these standards are DILIGENTLY observed can you be comfortable and secure in the knowledge that your treatment has been safe and effective.

Disposable probes are a must. Don't accept anything less. Ask about these before you begin treatments. Your operator should also be using sterilized tweezers and sterilized eye caps to shield your eyes from the bright lights that are going to be used to help the operator work on you accurately.

He or she should be wearing surgical gloves and the entire area around the workspace should be clean and tidy. You can tell a lot from the appearances of the workspace: if it is sloppy the chances are very good that the operator's work on you won't be top notch either!

Your operator should be totally focussed on you! If he or she is answering telephone calls or fussing around with other distractions during your time you should look for another person to remove your hair. Remember, electrolysis is a long-term commitment and you should expect quality treatment and attention.

Interview/Treatment Choice

When you first arrive for a first treatment or consultation, all of your questions about the procedures that will be used should be answered to your satisfaction. You should be told the different options available to you by your electrologist and you should understand why a particular type of treatment may work best.

A complete health history is required by any legitimate electrologist (most states require this too). Don't lie on this. Electrolysis is very safe but you do not want to expose yourself to inappropriate treatment. For example, since electricity does pass through the body as part of the galvanic action in blend or galvanic electrolysis, people with heart conditions, metal implants and high blood pressure should not be treated with these techniques. These are also not recommended for pregnant women. Thermolysis is recommended in these cases.

You should be told clearly how the particular treatment works(See previous articles in the Library), and remember: electrolysis done properly does NOT leave scars behind. Temporary swelling, redness, irritation, even minor scabbing are all normal, scars are not.

Pre-Treatment Routines

For very sensitive clients I recommend the use of EMLA, particularly on the upper lip, this is a prescription ointment. You may find that this is not sufficient and may require a shot of novacaine from a dentist to numb the upper lip. Many electrologists work with dentists and can often refer you one.

Before treatment do not drink coffee. This will only serve to tense you up. Aspirin is also not recommended prior to treatment.

I'll have more to say about getting ready for treatment and after-care in my next column.

Your Questions:

Now to answer some of your questions:

Dear Rita:

I have heard about a process called needless electrolysis that starts by placing a probe on the exposed part of the hair. This is supposed to neutralize the hair down to the root. Supposedly there will be "no growth for up to six weeks" without putting a needle into the skin down to the root. Does this work?

Dr. LW

Rita:

The procedure sounds like electric tweezer electrolysis.

This method uses only galvanic current and I've tried the machines out myself to see how it works but was not impressed.

The procedure is very slow and it is not clear to me that it works all that well. Others seem to agree because the electrologist association here in California has not yet approved the technique.

Rita Reckas is a master electrologist in San Jose, CA. She is a member of the Professional Electrologist Guild International and has a lengthy list of transgender clients.