Burn, Baby, Burn: When Laser Makes Sense

By: Joy Ladin*

It’s depressing but true: hair removal is often the single greatest expense in terms of money and time for male-to-female transsexuals.  For many years, the best option for permanent hair removal was electrolysis—a painful, time-consuming process of follicle-by-follicle electrocution that costs between $50 and $100 per hour and can cause permanent scarring. But in the past decade, the FDA has approved another procedure that is faster, less painful and less expensive: laser hair removal.

Laser treatment has been controversial in the trans community, with some users claiming fabulous results and others dissatisfied.  Understanding how laser works, who it works for, and how to find a good treatment center can help you get the benefits of this technology. Laser treatment works because dark colors absorb light, and light colors reflect it. As each portion of skin is exposed to a burst of intense laser light, dark hair follicles absorb the energy and are burned, while light skin reflects the energy and is unharmed. This makes laser treatment much faster than electrolysis, because each patch of skin only takes a second or two of exposure.  In addition—and this is a real plus for those who are already living as women—laser works best on shaved skin, while electrolysis can only be done on unshaven hairs that are long enough to see.

However, laser is not a panacea. Unlike electrolysis, which destroys all kinds of follicles, laser can only destroy follicles for dark hairs. Moreover, laser can only affect follicles that are active—and only one out of four follicles are active at any given time. That means the treatments need to be repeated every four to six weeks, generally for six to ten sessions. Finally, while electrolysis works equally for all skin and hair types, laser works best for those with the darkest hair and lightest skin, and doesn’t work at all on light hairs or for people with dark skin. 

Even those light skin and dark hair, like me; will probably need some electrolysis to remove blond and grey hairs. However, if laser works for you, it can save you both money and pain.

What should you look for in a laser treatment center?  Amherst Laser and Skin Care in Amherst, MA, where I go, offer an excellent model. First, it is run by a physician who is bound by medical standards of confidentiality, honesty and concern for patients’ well-being.  The initial consultation was free, and, more importantly, was not a sales pitch.  The focus was on making sure that I understood the procedure, including the potential risks and limitations.  The consultation also made clear that I would be welcome and respected as a transsexual—and that my transsexuality would be treated as a patient confidence. Transsexuals buy hair removal in bulk, and a good laser center should offer flexible, affordable pricing and payment options. This place, for example, offers a discount for a certain number of pre-paid sessions, and also makes discount coupons available through a local radio station.  Best of all, after six paid sessions, follow-ups and touch-ups are free for two years—a very important feature, because, as I’ve learned, hormone fluctuations can cause new hair growth.  Since my six paid sessions, I’ve enjoyed well over a year of free treatments.

Laser isn’t the pain-free cure-all that some ads promise. I’m doing electrolysis to get rid of my blond and grey hairs, and the treatments themselves feel like highly localized sunburn.  But they are quick, and only happen every four to six weeks—and best of all, they leave my face smoother, my skin softer, and my self-image that much stronger.

* Joy Ladin is a transitioning M-to-F transsexual. A widely published poet and essayist, she is currently working on a book about transition called INSIDE OUT: CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF BECOMING.