Electrolysis During Transition

With electrolysis, a thin needle is inserted into each hair follicle individually.

Technique

With electrolysis, a thin needle is inserted into each hair follicle individually. An electrical current destroys the hair-producing tissue. The three main techniques are galvanic electrolysis, thermolysis, and the combined blend method.

Comparison with laser hair removal

Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis works regardless of hair colour or skin tone and is the only method recognised worldwide by medical professional associations as permanent. However, it is more labour-intensive and painful, and requires more sessions.

For vaginoplasty

For vaginoplasty using scrotal or perineal skin, complete removal of the hair follicles in the skin to be transplanted is essential. Electrolysis is the standard technique for this, often requiring treatment over several months to a year before surgery.

Reimbursement in the Netherlands

Hair removal from the beard and — when preparing for genital surgery — from the surgical area is reimbursed under certain conditions through the basic health insurance scheme in cases of diagnosed gender dysphoria.

Duration and burden

Because each hair is treated individually, a full beard requires a great deal of time: easily hundreds of treatment hours in total, spread over one to several years. Hair grows in cycles, so the same area must be treated multiple times. The treatment is painful; a numbing cream or local anaesthetic can help reduce this. Between sessions, the hair must be allowed to grow out slightly, which can be burdensome in everyday life for many transgender women.

Risks

After treatment, the skin is red and swollen, and scabs may develop. Excessive current or improper technique can leave pitting, scarring, or pigmentation. Inflamed hair follicles can occur. The quality depends heavily on the practitioner; choose a trained and experienced specialist and ask which method is used. A directory of skin therapists providing hair removal for transition is available at genderexperts.nl.

What hormones can and cannot do

Oestrogen and testosterone blockers make body hair thinner and lighter, but they do not remove a beard that has already developed. Anyone who transitions after male puberty will need electrolysis or laser hair removal for the face. Preparation for surgery is covered under vaginoplasty, and reimbursement under health insurance and gender care.