Help a trans woman with laser facial hair removal
Hello everyone! My name is Jocelyne and I am a transgender woman from Madison Wisconsin! I came out about 6 years ago and I think it's about time I do something about all this facial hair. BLAH!
Like sure I can really clean up with a razor and some make-up, but sometimes I want to go out and do things without wearing make-up. However I know if I do that then people who don't know me will think I'm a man and I will be bombarded with the horrors of dysphoria, misgendering, etc. Plus let's be real, make-up is EXPENSIVE!
I know I am a woman 24/7 and not wearing makeup doesn't make anyone any less of a woman, but I feel like getting laser hair removal for my face would be a HUGE confidence booster overall and would improve my quality of life TREMENDOUSLY. I want to be able to go out and do things on my days off work without the burdens of shaving and make-up just to cover that dark shadow of facial hair around my mouth. I want to go swimming, I want to make last-minute plans with friends without worrying about shaving and doing my make-up before even thinking about stepping outside, I want my body to feel less like a prison. I want liberation. I can't even count the days in which I didn't do anything outside of home because I was too dysphoric over my facial hair. Instead I just sit at home alone, often crying and wishing I could just be recognized as the woman I am.
(related sidenote: I am a survivor of abuse, homelessness, 2 suicide attempts and regularly battle severe depression)
A while back I tried electrolysis but it was way too slow and very expensive. I was recently chatting with another trans woman who suggested I look into laser, saying it's faster and more affordable. So I took her advice and just had a free consultation for a local laser clinic by the name of Total Body Laser & Med Spa here in Madison. I really liked the place and feel confident in their abilities, as the woman who'd be zapping my face has done so for a multitude of other trans women in the area.
However
If you know me, you know I don't have a lot of money at all. In fact I'm pretty poor. So you can imagine my face when I was told that if I wanted to have my first session right then after the consultation it'd be $540 down. This was especially devastating news when I had just quit my job 2 days prior due to a case of sexual harassment involving a co-worker being not taken seriously by the company, who did nothing to protect me. So right now money is very tight for me while I find a new job. One where I will feel safe and have my concerns addressed properly. But that's another whole story in itself.
At the clinic I was told I have 2 options - pay it all off in full right away or make monthly payments. If I were to pay it off in full it would be $1800 or in payments it's $540 down and $105 a month for 1 year. Obviously making payments is much more manageable and gives those donating the chance to do so at regular intervals, which would be EXTREMELY helpful. This amount would guarantee me a fully lasered face no matter how many visits it takes!
So why the extra $200? Well GoFundMe takes 2.9% of the money and the rest is in case I may need to get a cab to/from any appointments. You see, I don't have a car so I bike everywhere and while I'm located closer to downtown, the clinic is on the far west side of the city. Biking isn't always an option, especially with all the rain we've having lately, so some extra bucks just in case would be super helpful. Hahaha I showed up to the consultation absolutely SOAKED after it started raining during my bike ride there but I was determined and made it happen, but I definitely don't want that being a regular thing.
So please! If you have a few extra bucks to toss my way and help a poor trans woman of color in need, go for it! ANY amount is greatly appreciated.
Also, another way I could use some help is transportation to/from my laser appointments. Like I said, I don't have a car so I bike most places
Here are some more pics just cuz <3
Back in high school Now!!!
