Bearded Lady Electrology, llc

Permanent Hair Removal & Gender Affirming Electrolysis

Est. 2017

I accept new clients from an ongoing waitlist as scheduling allows. Please reach out through the waitlist below and I can update you on approximate wait times.Covid-19: Bearded Lady Electrology requires clients to be fully vaccinated and boosted with the most recently updated vaccine recommendations. Learn more about my office Covid-19 protocol here.

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Appointment Pricing

All scheduled treatment time includes cleansing prep and aftercare.

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm

FAQ

What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method of permanent hair removal. A delicate probe matching a hair's diameter is inserted into the follicle alongside the hair. A small amount of electric current is applied to target the cells within the follicle responsible for hair growth. Once properly treated, the follicle will no longer produce hairs.There are three types of electrolysis called "modalities" which are used depending on the location, size, and coarseness of the targeted hairs. An experienced electrologist will determine which modality is most appropriate for the treatment area, hair and skin type.

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How does electrolysis compare with other methods of hair removal?

Electrolysis is the only method that is permanent. Laser hair removal may reduce or lighten the hairs, but will not completely remove them. Laser often works best for people with light skin and dark hair; there are no such restrictions with electrolysis. Shaving, waxing, topical creams, sugaring, and threading are all temporary.While these methods are quick, the fact that they are not permanent means that they are solutions that you never stop using. By comparison, electrolysis takes longer to treat an entire area but results are permanent.

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What kind of skin type or hairs can electrolysis treat?

Electrolysis is for anyone who wants to be rid of unwanted hair. Regardless of hair color or coarseness, hair can be treated anywhere on the body with three notable exceptions: I cannot remove hair from inside the nasal cavity, eyelashes or the inner ear canal.Electrolysis is effective on all hair and skin types and can be particularly beneficial for:

Hormones and some medications can affect hair growth. Electrolysis cannot treat the underlying cause of hormonal or medicinally induced hair growth; however, it can permanently remove unwanted hairs resulting from those changes.Oregon State Law requires a written authorization from a doctor before treatment on:

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What does electrolysis feel like?

There will be a sensation, and what that feels like is different for each person. Many people describe it as a momentary micro-point of heat or pressure. Some areas of the body are naturally more sensitive than others, and tend to be more uncomfortable. An experienced electrologist will be able to tailor the sensation to a manageable level for the duration of your treatment. The sensation usually dulls for most people after the first few minutes of treatment when nerves begin to relax.My goal is to move as quickly and effectively as possible, while providing you with the most comfortable treatment settings. Some people are more sensitive to certain modalities, and I customize treatments to what works best for each client. There are several techniques to distract from the sensation during a session, however, many clients become more comfortable after a few minutes working on an area.

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How will electrolysis affect my skin?

There can be slight swelling and redness to the treated area. These effects are temporary and reduce quickly for most people. However, individual responses vary and some clients experience several days of healing time. Antiseptic, aloe or an antihistamine can be applied after a treatment to help reduce the swelling. During your consultation, we will go over all the specifics of how to take care of your skin for the days following your treatment to ensure best results.

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How many treatments will I need?

Electrolysis hair removal is a series of treatments over several months. Our bodies produce hair in cycles, and at no point is every hair emerging at the same time. Electrolysis can only treat hair that is actively growing above the surface of the skin.Our initial goal will be to treat all existing hairs in a given area. We then schedule to treat the following new cycles of growth as they emerge. Hair effectively treated with electrolysis will not regrow. What may appear as regrowth is often a successive hair cycle making its debut.With each successive treatment there will be fewer remaining untreated hairs, and appointment scheduling and duration will become less frequent. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to treat any new growth until the area is hair free.Individuals should anticipate more frequent appointments in the initial stages of their electrolysis treatments. Some areas of the body have less aggressive hair growth and may not need much follow up. However, most clients should anticipate a 12-18 month process to treat new growth as it emerges.Several factors will determine the likely duration of your treatments:

Each client’s needs are different. At the time of your consultation, we will discuss your goals and create a treatment plan.

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How much does electrolysis cost?

Electrolysis treatments are billed hourly, and how many treatments an individual needs will depend on several factor outlined in the 'How many treatments will I need?' section above. The overall expense of completing hair removal from a given area will vary for everyone. Although this can be an unsatisfactory answer when trying to budget for permanent hair removal, it is not helpful to have unrealistic expectations.The fastest way to complete your electrolysis is to plan to come as frequently in the beginning of your treatments as your schedule and budget allow. Stay consistent with your follow up appointments so I can treat each cycle of hair growth as it emerges. If you only receive treatments occasionally, it will not reduce the effectiveness, but it may extend the timeline of how quickly we can treat the remaining hair growth cycles.

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How do I get started?

Please join the waitlist below. Predicting openings can be difficult as every client is on their own treatment schedule with varying needs. You will be contacted to schedule a consultation as soon as an opening allows.

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What will we cover during the consultation?

Consultations are typically 30-40 minutes. During this time we will discuss your electrolysis goals, appropriate expectations, and answer any questions you may have. We will discuss before and aftercare instructions and additional information on what you can do to ensure the best outcome from a treatment. There is a $35 fee for consultations.

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I have had electrolysis in the past. Can I skip the consultation and just get to work?

No. In the state of Oregon, licensed electrologists are required to provide a consultation prior to the first treatment. This is an opportunity for us to discuss treatment goals and review best practices to ensure a good treatment outcome.

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Do you book nights or weekends?

No. My hours are: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pmIt can be helpful to discuss a necessary reoccurring appointment with an employer, as electrolysis is a series of treatments over time. Many of my clients come in weekly to make progress as quickly as possible. Some folks find they can come in before work, start a bit later, or arrange the appointment as a part of a lunch hour.

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Do you accept insurance?

Many of my clients are utilizing insurance coverage for their treatments, however, each client submits their claims to their individual insurer. I do not bill insurance directly.Insurer coverage of electrolysis varies. Most of my clients access insurance benefits through a process of reimbursement for treatment cost. If your treatments are dependent upon insurance coverage, I encourage you to reach out directly to your insurer and speak with a case manager who is familiar with electrolysis coverage benefits. They should provide details of what is available with your plan and a clear outline of how to access your benefits.I am happy to discuss helpful approaches used by other clients when accessing their coverage. I am available to provide you with practitioner information and we can customize your treatment receipt to reflect your insurers time block preferences if needed.

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Restrooms

Restrooms within the building are non-gendered, as was a requirement for Bearded Lady Electrology when seeking a treatment location.

About

Alicia Craft, L.E.

Alicia Craft (they/them) is the owner and operator of Bearded Lady Electrology, llc. located in Portland, Oregon. They have been a licensed electrologist in the State of Oregon since 2017. Alicia specializes in the blend modality of electrolysis, but also utilizes electrolysis, thermolysis, and flash methods of electrology. Every treatment is customized to an individual’s specific hair/skin type and comfort level.Alicia graduated with honors after completing 600+ hours of electrology training in 2016. Additionally, Alicia holds certifications in Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens, Barbicide Sanitation, and Impact Melanoma (OHSU) for licenced skincare professionals.Prior to becoming an electrologist, Alicia earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Their passion of artistic design and delicate detailed work easily translated to aesthetic electrolysis. Alicia maintains an active art practice, focusing on ecology and microscopic environmental influences.

Ideology

I am in the unusual position of being a hair-positive electrologist. I admire photos of bearded ladies throughout history and find them to be strong representations of complexities within gender. These photos are empowering; they offer bold examples that we all embody many facets. While I believe it is important to dissolve the often hush-hush and taboo culture surrounding expectations of body hair, I also understand the ways in which body hair is deeply tied to gender identity. It is empowering to take decisive steps towards how we wish to present ourselves to the world. I shape my work around supporting clients in reaching these goals.If you are proudly growing a beard for the first time or find yourself sprouting hairs where you rather they not be, I am here to offer support. If you are ready to have unwanted hair removed for good, I can help with that. I am deeply committed to providing electrolysis to individuals seeking gender affirming hair removal, in the multitude of ways in which that can present itself. I strive to provide an atmosphere where my clients can feel free of hair-shame, and we can work toward whatever goals you have in mind.

Contact

Thank you for reaching out! I respond to most outreach via email within the next several business days.

Location

Before & After-care Instructions

Meticulous before & after-care is of utmost importance in speeding up the healing process and avoiding pustules or damage to the treated area. For best treatment results and fastest recovery, please diligently follow instructions outlined below:Pretreatment:

Aftercare (first 48 hours):

✔ Clean the area with single use cotton pads 3 times a day, or more as needed. Antiseptic or astringent such as 70% rubbing alcohol, Sea Breeze or witch hazel work best
✔ Apply cold compress (avoid ice) to the treated area following treatment, if desired
✔ Apply aloe or Benadryl gel for a cooling/soothing effect, if desired
✔ Apply medicated antibiotic creams/ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin to the treatment area
✔ Change pillow case or clothing touching the treatment area nightly until area is healed
✔ If red/dark spots or pimple like bumps form, continue to apply antiseptic 3x a day; allow area to heal naturally

Avoid:

🚫 Touching the treated area; this may introduce bacteria (if necessary, wash hands thoroughly prior)
🚫 Picking, scratching, or agitating area; may result in scabbing, pitting or long-term damage to skin
🚫 Saturating area with water; this may introduce surrounding microorganisms
🚫 Soaps on or around the area; use antiseptic or astringent outlined above
🚫 Wearing make-up (first 24 hrs); use light mineral make-up, with a single use applicator, if necessary
🚫 Cosmetic masks and rich creams, including bleaching creams
🚫 Aggressive skin treatments (chemical peels, micro-needling, etc.) 4 weeks before/after electrolysis
🚫 Tanning or natural sunlight for at least 48 hrs (following, use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher)
🚫 Excessive exercising; this can cause breakouts in the treatment area
🚫 Laser treatments for a minimum of one month before or after treatment

Office Policies

Scheduling
All treatments are by appointment only. Walk-in appointments are never available.Payment
Payment for your treatment is due 24 hours before your scheduled appointment to confirm your booking. You will receive an invoice by email which you will need to pay online by credit/debit card or ACH withdraw prior to your appointment. Personal checks and/or money orders are not accepted.Late Appointments
Appointments are billed from the scheduled start time. Please arrive promptly for your appointment; arriving late will not change the end time or fee associated the initial booking to make up for late arrivals.Cancellations
Please let me know as soon as possible if you cannot make one of your regularly scheduled appointments.

Illness
You may not attend your appointment if you are ill or experiencing symptoms of illness. If you come in sick, I will send you home. If you know you are experiencing signs of illness, please do not wait until the day before your appointment to reach out. Let me know as soon as possible so we may reschedule and avoid cancellation fees.If you become ill the day of the appointment, please let me know as soon as possible. With enough notice I may be able to fill the slot and reduce your invoice to a minimal booking fee. This is not always possible, but I will do my best. The sooner you can notify me, the better.Covid-19
If you have tested positive or have a known exposure to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, please let me know as soon as possible. We will need to reschedule your appointment.Learn more about my office Covid-19 protocol here.No-Show Bookings
If you do not show up to an appointment you have scheduled, you are responsible for the full cost of the missed appointment. All upcoming appointments will be removed from the schedule until payment is received.Repeated Cancellations
Canceling regularly, last minute, or not clearly communicating with me is the fastest way to be removed from my schedule. I cannot hold a spot for you if you can only occasionally keep your appointment. If you are struggling with committing to a schedule in advance, please reach out. We can discuss alternative arrangements that might be a better fit.

Refusal of Service
Hate speech or harassment, of any form, will not be tolerated within this facility.
Practitioner reserves the right to discontinue service at any time.

Covid-19 Office Protocol

Bearded Lady Electrology is partnered in allied healthcare. In addition to providing myself with a safe workplace, I am committed to doing everything I can to provide clients with safe treatment when accessing care. Many of my clients are preparing for time sensitive surgeries and some are immune compromised. I take this very seriously and have outlined my ongoing office protocol below.My clients may rest assured that the person in the office prior to their appointment has agreed to the same protocol outlined here. I do not provide exceptions.Client Requirements

Office & Practitioner Protocol

If you have additional considerations or concerns, please reach out. I am happy to improve upon these standards to mitigate risk within our community.

Appointments

Appointments
All treatments are by appointment only. A consultation is required prior to first treatment.Late Appointments
Life happens, and we can all run a little late from time to time. Please be aware your appointment will be billed from the scheduled start time, as this block of time is specifically reserved for you alone. A waiting room is available for early arrivals to ensure we can make the most of your appointment time.

Link to scheduler (currently inactive)

Electrolysis Pain Management Tips

Communication is the first step in making the sensation of your electrolysis treatment more manageable. Often, I can adjust your settings for a more comfortable treatment. Electrolysis treatments target cells under the surface of the skin in an area surrounded by many small nerve endings. You should expect to ‘feel it.’ Our goal is for your treatments to be tolerable, but that is not the same as zero sensation. Some people are naturally more sensitive to electrolysis than others. Below are several suggestions which may help you to complete your electrolysis more comfortably.Keep in mind: Healthy nerves ‘light up’ with new sensations. However, after a few minutes your body usually acclimates to the sensation. For most people, the first few moments of electrolysis can feel acute, then become much more tolerable.Your response to your electrolysis treatments can be affected by many variables such as: fluctuating hormone levels, menstrual cycles, anxiety and stress, fatigue, caffeine or stimulants, and hydration levels. The sensation may change from one appointment to the next. Please communicate with me if the treatment is feeling more intense than usual.Note: If you have ADHD and take stimulant medication to manage your symptoms, please consult with your doctor to determine how best to manage your dosage on the days of your electrolysis appointments.

Working Through the Sensations

Prior to your Appointment

Helpful Distraction Techniques During Your AppointmentOne of the best things you can do for a more comfortable treatment is find a way to relax. Do not underestimate how effective our stress hormones can be. Remind yourself to relax where you tend to hold tension in your body throughout your treatment. Many people find they are tensing their shoulders, legs, or holding their breath. Tensing your muscles elevates your nerve response. Relax.

Non-Prescription Pain Relief
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve) or similar painkillers may be helpful. If you find that the area is bruising easily, avoid NSAIDs pain relievers like Ibuprofen.Topical Numbing Creams
It is important to note that electrolysis is a treatment under the surface of the skin. Numbing creams are formulated to numb the skin's surface and tend not to fully eliminate the sensation in the layer of tissue we are treating. This can help ‘take the edge off’ and create a more comfortable treatment.Apply numbing creams 60-90 minutes prior to treatment. To ensure best absorption, first clean the skin with an antiseptic (removing dirt and oil) then apply a thick layer of cream. Cover the area with cellophane (plastic wrap) prior to your appointment. Leave this cellophane on when you come into the office: Oxygen is the enemy here. If the creams dry out prior to your appointment, they will likely be less effective.Topical numbing creams may not be advisable for every individual based on other medical considerations. Excessive usage can result in toxicity. It is important to discuss and understand correct application methods with your doctor.

Additional Prescription Considerations
You may wish to discuss other pharmaceutical options for managing your discomfort with your physician. Many people find prescriptions that address anxiety or dull the senses to be what works best for them. Let your doctor know you are receiving electrolysis, and any other techniques you are using to currently manage your discomfort, and ask what they would recommend.

Waitlist

Covid-19: Bearded Lady Electrology requires clients to be fully vaccinated and boosted with the most recently updated vaccine recommendations. Learn more about my office Covid-19 protocol here.

Thank you! You will receive a waitlist confirmation email within the next several business days.