The TransCare Electrolysis Centre
The TransCare Electrolysis Centre, in Kent, near london.
The TransCare Electrolysis Centre runs alongside Clear Clinic, but the transgender pre-surgery treatment is carried out at a CQC registered medical facility in Kent. This means that Electrolysis with local anaesthetic or dental block can be used and administered and monitored by our own nursing staff.
Caroline is fully trained through the British Institute and Association of Electrologists in the preparation of surgical sites for gender reassignment surgery, both MTF, FTM or any other process of genital surgery. She also previously ran the Electrolysis surgery prep program at The London Transgender Clinic in Harley Street.
Using local anaesthetic during your Electrolysis appointments ensures your comfort and also means that the time can be used as effectively as possible.
Many surgeons require a course of electrolysis on the donor site areas to ensure that no hair will grow in places that it shouldn’t post-surgery. This is because electrolysis is the only form of permanent hair removal and is endorsed by both the FDA and the NHS, we will work closely with you and the advice of your surgical team on which specific templates to use depending on the surgeon’s technique.
Here at The TransCare Electrolysis Centre we do not recommend the use of laser hair reduction on the transgender pre-surgery site.
Laser does not destroy the hair follicle under the skin, this means that even if the follicle is placed into a dormant state it can regrow.
Electrolysis destroys the follicle therefore ensuring it cannot re-emerge in the future.
What is Electrolysis?
Electrolysis the science and technique of permanent hair removal. The process includes removing individual hairs from the face or body. Electrolysis works by inserting a sterile, fine probe the same diameter as the hair into the natural opening of the hair follicle. The device delivers either just a small electrical current (diathermy) or the current combined with a chemical reaction (blend) to the base of the follicle to destroy it from within.
Each client will receive a customised plan focusing on individual goals, working towards increased confidence and having a renewed happiness within your own skin. We understand how many disappointing experiences clients may have had in the past and also how unwanted hair growth and other skin conditions can affect everything about your daily life.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Clear Clinic strongly recommends at least 9 months (preferably 12-18 months) of regular treatment prior to your surgery date, we offer free consultations to discuss how we can assist you during this time.
The permanent removal of both facial or genital hair from the body through the process of transition can result in a profound psychological effect, our aim has always been to create a private and welcoming clinic for clients to feel relaxed and safe and cared for during this time.
Why do we not recommend laser for surgical site preparation?
The answer is very simple ... laser cannot guarantee permanent results. At best it puts hair follicles into a dormant state, it DOES NOT remove them. This means that you work very hard both emotionally and physically to get to the stage where your surgery can take place and then it is a very, very real possibility that course hair will grow in the newly created vaginal canal or in other areas, where hair should no longer be.
It is a much more difficult process to remove hair from these areas after surgery has taken place (although if this has happened to you, then we will try our best to assist you) and it can take a huge emotional toll on the person affected.
Transgender Surgical Site Preparation
Caroline is fully trained through the British Institute and Association of Electrologists in the preparation of surgical sites for gender reassignment surgery, both MTF, FTM or any other process of genital surgery.
Many surgeons require a course of electrolysis in the donor site areas to ensure that no hair will grow in places that it shouldn’t. This is because electrolysis is the only form of permanent hair removal and is endorsed by both the FDA and the NHS, we will work closely with you and the advice of your surgical team on which specific templates to use depending on the surgeon’s technique.
Facial Electrolysis with Local anaesthetic or Dental Block.
At The TransCare Electrolysis Centre, we can also carry out facial Electrolysis with local Anaesthetic or dental block depending on the client’s needs, this is administered and monitored by our onsite nursing staff.
Often Electrolysis on the top and bottom lip can be painful and only short bursts of treatment can be tolerated, using anaesthetic speeds up the process and ensures client comfort.
It maybe that you would like to treat the whole face with TransCare Electrolysis or that you only want to use this service for specific areas.
We can help to create a treatment plan for you, anaesthetic is optional at TransCare Electrolysis, for facial or body work but GRS work will only be carried out with local anaesthetic.
Caroline is a qualified and dedicated Electrolysis specialist for ‘The London Transgender Clinic’, where she prepares patients for their Gender Reassignment surgery. Caroline is familiar with techniques and patterns used by the top UK surgeons such as Mr Christopher Inglefield, Mr James Bellringer, Miss Tina Rashid, Mr Charles Coker and Mr Tim Larner. The London Transgender Clinic is the only location in England which uses local anaesthetic (administered and over-seen by onsite nurses) in conjunction with Electrolysis.
Clear Clinic also accepts both NHS and BUPA funding, which you can either request us, through your provider, or choose from a list of providers when your funding is confirmed. NHS funding can be accessed via your GP and through your Gender Identity Clinic, you can find out more about Gender Identity Clinic services here: www.gis.nhs.com
It is the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation which supports London and the South East although there are other clinics for other areas.
Funding is available for up to 16 hours for facial work and unlimited for surgical site preparation.
Clear Clinic’s founder Caroline Barrow is a member of the British Institute of Electrolysis and an NHS and Private healthcare registered treatment provider.