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.
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.
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.
If you run into trouble verifying your provider’s credentials, don’t hesitate to ask them:
If a provider refuses to share this information with you, consider finding a different provider.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.