My electrolysis charts

Reminder: Start with face work, and begin body after face is under control. Also, try to start genital work one year prior to SRS if possible.

2001 update: Any further electrolysis and hair removal I need, I don't consider to be transition-related. That's a good feeling!

2002 update: As of the end of February, I have not had any facial hair removal of any kind (not even a little 15 minute session) in about six months. I have four or five medium-coarse hairs on my upper lip and a couple of wispy ones along the jawline.

Because I was obsessed with transition and wanted an accurate account of how long it took to complete my electrolysis, I kept a frighteningly meticulous record of my treatment schedule.

My face took approximately 350 hours total, breaking down roughly:

• 52% in year 1 (first 12 months)
• 26% in year 2
• 17% in year 3
• 4% in year 4
• 1% in year 5

I don't claim my treatment time is typical. Mine has taken longer than the average I have seen reported, in part because my first year was done without hormones, plus my facial hair was very coarse. Also, my electrologist had never worked on a TS from the onset before, so I was a guinea pig. The chart does show measurable results, though. So, for your consideration, here is documented proof of my obsession.

Facial electrolysis chart: 1995 through 1998

In hours per month (fractions rounded)

CHRONOLOGY:

• 5/95 started under jawline
• 8/95 began working down cheeks (after 26 hours)
• 9/95 first time entire face is clear (after 48 hours)
• 12/95 whole face cleared each session (after 104 hours)
• 1995 total hours: 113.5
• 1995 average hours per month: 14
• 1995 average hours per week: 3.3

• 7/96 started hormones: 100 mg spiro, .625 premarin daily
• 8/96 increased hormones: 100 mg spiro, 1.25 premarin daily
• 9/96 began doing back of neck when needed (not included in these hours)
• 11/96 last time I ever shaved my face!
• 12/96 increased hormones 100 mg spiro, 2.5 premarin daily
• 1996 total hours: 129.75
• 1996 average hours per month: 11
• 1996 average hours per week: 2.5

• 4/97 increased hormones 100 mg spiro, 2.5 premarin daily; + 20ml estradiol injections 2x/mo.
• 4/97 began shaping brows (not included in these hours)
• 1997 total hours: 81.5
• 1997 average hours per month: 6.8
• 1997 average hours per week: 1.6

• 1/98 began less than one session per week, as needed
• 3/98 began genital electrolysis (not included in these hours)
• 6/98 stopped hormones for SRS, had SRS
• 7/98 resumed hormones: 5 mg progesterone, 5 mg premarin daily
• 9/98 treating less than a dozen facial hairs each treatment
• 11/98 went in once all month
• 12/98 went in once all month
• 1998 total hours to date: 15.5
• 1998 average hours per month: 1.3
• 1998 average hours per week: 0.3 (under 20 minutes)

The zig-zag pattern is partly due to every other month having five weekly sessions instead of four. A line of best fit would show a steady progression leading to completion. A couple of months are unusually low because of missed treatments due to work-related travel.

In order to gauge progress more accurately, the chart for 1999 and beyond is in minutes per month. That's a pretty exciting day when you start thinking of it in minutes instead of hours!

Facial electrolysis chart: 1999-2000

It was kind of amazing-- there was this point when all of the sudden I just didn't need to go any more!

• 5/99 first month with no appointments needed!
• 1999 total minutes : 369 (6.15 hours)
• 1999 average minutes per month: 31
• 1999 average minutes per week: 7

• 2/00-8/00 no appointments needed!
• 2000 total minutes : 87 (1.45 hours)
• 2000 average minutes per month: 7
• 2000 average minutes per week: less than 2

Sally's electrolysis chart

Another woman has also logged her 200 hours of electrolysis into a chart to show diminishing regrowth over time. As with mine, her first year was about 50% of her total costs. Click here to view Sally's electrolysis info.

Body/genital electrolysis table

Prior to transition, I had done some electrolysis on my back and back of neck. This turned out to be a waste of time and money, since much of that body hair went away after starting hormones. I urge you to spend all your time on your face until you can be cleared with less than an hour a week.

2001 update: in 2000 and 2001, I needed minor amounts of work on my chest and, um, butt. This amounted to a total of a few hours.

2002 update: As of the end of February, I have not had any facial hair removal of any kind in about six months. I have quite a few long wispy hairs on my chest I'll deal with, but these hairs are pretty easy to kill. I just haven't had tome to go deal with them.

Discussion

• I recommend getting facial clearing nearly completed before beginning body work.
• The only exception is that I strongly urge getting genital work started at least one year prior to SRS.
• For more information, please read my page on Body/genital electrolysis.