How to Find a Trans-Affirming Hair Removal Provider

Permanent hair removal can be an empowering part of your transition, but it’s also deeply personal—and sometimes vulnerable. Finding an electrolysis or laser provider who respects your identity and supports your goals is the first step in making the experience safe and affirming.

To help you navigate that process, we teamed up with Michelle Hinds (she/her), a licensed electrologist and owner of Michelle Hinds Electrolysis in Portland, Oregon. Michelle brings both professional expertise and lived experience navigating gender-affirming care as a trans person herself.

Whether you’re seeking confidence in your body or prepping for gender-affirming surgery, this guide is here to help you feel informed and confident in choosing a hair removal provider. 

Why finding a trans-affirming hair removal provider is important

First and foremost, you deserve respect in all situations, and your hair removal experience is no different. But there are a few factors that make it especially important to ensure that your hair removal provider is safe, respectful, and trans-affirming: 

• You may feel vulnerable. Your provider will be interacting with you in potentially dysphoria-triggering situations—whether they're working in sensitive areas for surgery prep, or seeing your face unshaven and without makeup. Trust and respect are crucial parts of your relationship with your hair removal provider.

• Hair removal can be expensive and time-consuming. It's essential that your provider understands how your body and hair might be different from the average cis client and how changes in your journey (like starting or stopping HRT) can affect your hair growth patterns and long-term results.

• If you’re preparing for surgery, provider knowledge is critical. Incomplete or incorrect hair clearance has been linked with higher incidences of post-surgical complications like urinary tract infections, pain, ingrown hairs, and strictures or blockages. When choosing a provider, it’s important that they understand your needs and can ensure a safe outcome. 

General things to look for in a provider

Certification and/or licensure

Requirements for certification vary state-by-state, so figuring out exactly what to look for can be a little complicated. Some states are more strict than others. 

• For Electrolysis: Check with the American Electrology Association’s locator tool to check if your provider is certified. AEA will also share what hair removal methods that provider uses and what, if any, state licensure they hold. Remember: not every state requires additional licensure or certification, so a provider without it may still be qualified. For states that do require licensure, many of them manage the licensure under the Board of Barbering or Cosmetology, so you can use those sites to verify active state licensure.
• For Laser Hair Removal: Most states have licensure requirements for laser hair removal providers. You can typically verify with your state’s medical board or the board that regulates Medical Spas, if there is one.

If you run into trouble verifying your provider’s credentials, don’t hesitate to ask them:

• What licenses or certifications do they have
• Which governing body issued them
• If you can see a copy

If a provider refuses to share this information with you, consider finding a different provider. 

Business license

All providers, regardless of licensure, must hold a valid business license in their state. You can typically look this up yourself online by searching “[STATE] business entity search” into your search browser and finding the appropriate Department of State website for your state. As with certifications or individual licenses, if you run into trouble verifying your provider’s licensure or certification on your own, you can always ask them to see a copy of their business license. In many states, it’s a legal requirement to have this visibly displayed in the business, so you may even just be able to see it without asking. 

Cleanliness and privacy 

Take a close look at your provider’s salon and workspace. Whether the provider works out of a salon, shared space, or their home, the area should be clearly separated from personal living quarters, family members, pets, and other distractions.

You should have privacy during your treatment—people coming or going shouldn't be able to see you. The workspace should also be properly cleaned and sanitized between clients. If that’s not obvious, it’s okay to ask about their cleaning practices. Your safety and comfort come first.

What makes a provider trans-affirming?

Respect for pronouns and identity

Hair removal can make you feel vulnerable and may trigger feelings of dysphoria. It’s essential that your provider creates a space where you feel respected. 

An affirming provider will:

• Use your correct name and pronouns at all times.
• Avoid making assumptions based on your appearance.
• Create an environment where you feel safe expressing discomfort or correcting them without fear of judgment or dismissal.

An affirming provider will show you respect and welcome open communication. If a provider consistently misgenders you, ignores your boundaries, or fails to acknowledge your identity, they are not a good fit. 

Clear LGBTQ+ affirmation

Affirming providers often show their support before you even step through the door, like including affirming or inclusive language on their website. This could range from obvious elements like a trans flag or the words trans clearly listed, or simply naming packages after the body part that’s being cleared, rather than using gendered language, like a face and neck package rather than a beard package. 

That said, it’s important to look beyond surface-level inclusion. Some providers may copy boilerplate language (like that from the AEA) without truly understanding and practicing what it means to be affirming.

Look for inclusive policies and intake forms, such as forms that ask for your preferred name and/or pronouns. Also, look for specific information about trans folks and the type of hair removal we seek, rather than general language. 

It’s also reasonable for a provider to ask questions about your surgical goals if they are clearing areas near the genitals or preparing you for surgery. These questions should be asked only when relevant, and always in a way that prioritizes your comfort and consent. For facial clearance, for example, intimate questions likely aren’t necessary. 

An affirming provider not only tells you, but shows you that they’re committed to your safety and comfort. 

Knowledge of trans issues—and a willingness to learn

No matter how hard they try, your provider won’t be an expert on everything they’re going to encounter—and that’s ok. What matters most is their willingness to keep learning, especially when it comes to the specific needs of trans clients. 

If you’re seeking hair removal for surgical prep, your provider should be open to coordinating with your surgeon, if needed, to ensure everything is done in line with their surgical requirements. This collaboration can make a huge difference in outcomes. 

Your provider should be willing to put in the work and consult experts to ensure that you have the best possible experience. If you’ve expressed a willingness to answer their questions, this might mean asking you, but it is not your responsibility to educate your provider if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Your provider should respect this boundary if it’s something you express to them. 

A holistic approach

Your provider should see you as a whole person, not just a set of clearance areas. 

You should feel safe bringing up concerns, asking questions, and letting them know if something doesn’t feel right—whether that’s physical discomfort, emotional overwhelm, or anything in between. An affirming provider will be attentive to your needs and responsive to your communication, including helping you manage discomfort during sessions. 

Ultimately, a holistic approach means creating a space where your physical and emotional well-being are prioritized alongside treatment outcomes. 

Ways to find a trans-affirming hair removal provider

Local LGBTQ+ resources

• Many community centers can refer you to local trans-affirming providers. A good start would be to check out Centerlink to find a center near you.
• If your area has a local LGBT Chambers of Commerce, check out their directory of queer owned and friendly businesses. You may find electrologists listed under “Estheticians” and laser providers listed under “Medical Spas.”
• Even if you can’t attend a pride festival in person, see if you can find a program or list of sponsors, or vendors of your area’s most recent or upcoming pride festival. Providers who make the effort to show up to community events are more likely to be affirming. 

Social media

• Online LGBTQ+ groups often share recommendations for trusted options, especially near larger cities.

Your medical team

• If you’re working with a local surgeon, they will likely have a couple of options of trusted providers near them that they’ve worked with before.
• Your HRT or Primary Care provider (if they are affirming) might have options or ideas for you to look for locally.
• If you’re seeing a dermatologist or have an affirming one nearby, you can check with them as well. Many dermatologists don’t advertise it heavily, but do perform laser hair removal in the office. 

Questions to ask a potential provider

Before you sign a quote agreement and begin treatment, you should ask a few questions to make sure the provider is the right fit for you. Here are some questions that can help guide your conversation:

• "Do you have experience working with trans clients?"
• "What will happen with my hair growth if I start/stop HRT?"
• "How do you stay informed and sympathetic to the issues that affect your trans clients?"

Surgery prep specific questions

If you have one, bring your surgeon’s clearance template and clearance instructions along with you. Consider being even more specific with your questions. Some examples:

• "Do you have experience clearing hair from (my forearm) in preparation for (a phalloplasty?)"
• "Do you have any concerns with following this clearance template or working with my surgeon’s office to make sure I’m prepared in time for surgery?"
• "My surgery date is (date) and my clearance deadline is (date). Do you anticipate any problems meeting that timeline?"
• Do you have different rates for surgery prep? If yes, can you walk me through the cost? 

Important mention: According to Michelle, Blend or Galvanic electrolysis may offer more consistent long-term results than Thermolysis, particularly for surgical prep. “I’ve had numerous clients come to me after several Thermolysis sessions with little to no results,” Michelle shares. “In my experience, and based on personal treatment outcomes, Blend and Galvanic have shown significantly lower regrowth.” These methods use direct current (DC) to create a chemical reaction that destroys the hair follicle using lye, which Michelle notes increases efficacy.

Not all electrologists use or prefer the same method, and opinions may vary. However, if you’re preparing for surgery or want the most permanent results possible, it’s worth asking your provider what modality they use and why.

Red flags to watch for

When meeting with a potential provider, trust your instincts and be on the lookout for signs that the environment may not be affirming or safe. Here are some red flags to be aware of:

• Overly curious/invasive: As we noted above, there are situations in which questions about your body or surgical plans/goals are relevant. A provider may ask what, if any, gender affirming surgeries you plan to seek (or have already had) before beginning a treatment plan to ensure that they’re helping you meet your goals, but the questions should remain on topic and respectful. If you’re not sure, feel free to ask your provider “how is this relevant to the hair removal I’m seeking?” If your provider can’t give you a reasonable explanation for why they need to know, consider looking for alternatives.
• Pushy behavior: Your provider should be willing to follow your lead and pain tolerance when it comes to sessions. If you’re feeling discomfort, your provider should be willing to pause, let you take a break, and discuss options to make the pain more manageable. You should never feel rushed or pressured to continue a session that’s becoming too difficult.
• Listen to your gut. If something feels off, listen to yourself. Whether it’s safety concerns, an unclean workspace, unwillingness to answer your questions, or just not meshing with the personality of your provider. Your safety and comfort are the top priority, and if you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, find someone you do feel comfortable with. 

Choosing a provider is about more than just credentials—it’s about finding someone who sees you, respects you, and supports your journey. With the right person, hair removal can be a deeply affirming part of your transition.

Contributor thanks: Michelle Hinds

“Hi there! I’m Michelle Hinds. I’m originally from Canada but have lived in Portland for the last 25 years, where I raised 2 beautiful, happy, and healthy children.

I’m a transgender woman, and at the time I sought electrolysis treatment of my own, I was a mostly retired physicist. I was in the process of separating from my spouse and realized that I would soon need income. I had such a wonderful experience with my first electrologist that I decided that Electrology would be my next career.

I absolutely love being an electrologist! Helping others feel better about their beautiful selves is very rewarding. And I’m deeply honored and find immense satisfaction when I’m able to assist my fellow sisters in the trans community as we pursue our goal of having our outward appearance more closely match how we feel inside.”

Need help affording permanent hair removal services? Learn about Point of Pride’s Electrolysis Support Fund, a scholarship-like program for trans folks who cannot afford or otherwise access it.