If you want to get rid of unwanted hair FOREVER, you really ought to be getting electrolysis, and you should make sure you do it with someone who knows what they are doing. I highly recommend Elissa Schwartz, who runs Soft Touch Electrolysis at Flying Beauticians, a hip little spa in Union Square that offers a variety of services. Elissa is super gentle, has years of experience and super fancy equipment. Best of all she's super fast, which means you get more done in less time and therefore more bang for your buck. read more

Elissa has changed my life for the better. I came to her after a bad reaction to laser treatment on my face (hair grew back thicker and darker - terrible!), and I was seriously beginning to think that I was out of options... I came to her in a vulnerable state, and she calmly and clearly explained the process of electrolysis, and answered all my questions. The consultation was free, and she even did a test run on my problem area. Even though the process is a lot more time-intensive than I thought, she works quickly and is able to cover a lot of ground in one session. A little over a year later, she has successfully reduced almost all of the dark hairs that used to be on my chin and neck. No scarring and completely permanent. It's amazing. Beyond the fact that Elissa is really good at what she does, her office is a really warm and inviting place. Elissa and I have really nice chats during every one of my sessions, and all the other ladies who work there are super sweet. They're also really on top of things in terms of making sure you book appointments in advance so you can keep your preferred time slot. And they do more than electrolysis! Just yesterday I did a microdermabrasion facial, and my skin is totally smooth and glowing. I never thought of myself as a facial person, but now I'm a total convert. read more

I've been going to Elissa for a couple years now for both electrolysis and facials and my regular patronage is a testament to the quality of the experiences I've had there. If you are looking for an indulgent spa experience, then Soft Touch/ Flying Beauticians is not appropriate. However, if you have a longer-term aesthetic project (hair removal, acne control, anti-aging), I recommend Elissa. The location is conveniently downtown, the prices are reasonable, and Elissa is very focused on helping you achieve your project goals. read more

I have been going to Elissa for almost a year now. She is great! I have seen a significant improvement. It is kind of pricy but well worth it. read more

No Skincare, only hair removal when I called in. I'm not sure why their Yelp and websites said both skincare/hair removal. The phone staff for sure said only ' hair removal', misleading website and Yelp read more

Sina is EXCELLENT! She is personable, experienced and very thorough in her work, a real credit to Elisa. I am seeing such wonderful results-- the hair is pretty much gone! I highly recommend Sina to anyone who wants to look their best and gets results. read more

I've seen both Sina and Elissa for the past 8 months, and I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about them. Both Sina and Elissa are warm, personable, professional, and incredibly attentive to detail. They not only do a wonderful job, but are also incredibly accommodating to schedule changes, etc. Outside of their professional courtesy, their work is astounding. I've been to electrologists before, with minor results, and decided to try one last time. During my first visit Elissa was very honest and said the treatment would last at least a year for my case. Now, 8 months in (4 months with Elissa and 4 with Sina), I can honestly say I see 70-80% improvement. I truly didn't think my skin could be as great as it is now, thanks to these two. I will refer anyone to these women in a heartbeat! read more

Elissa succeeded in clearing my underarms after laser and other electrologists did not. Huge thanks to her! The downtown location is also so convenient. Would definitely recommend Soft Touch! read more

Elissa is great! Electro is painful but she is quick and I'm noticing great results!! Definitely worth it and a place I'd definitely recommend!! read more

Boy, I wish I had gone here years ago! I came to Soft Touch on the basis of Yelp reviews, and have been an electrolysis client of both Elissa and Ursula. Both of them are great--so thorough, professional, and patient, and they deliver the very best results. For anyone who is thinking of hair removal (especially on the face), I say forget about laser hair removal, which is too often NOT permanent--I should know--and instead, consider a permanent hair removal method delivered by the pros. I really can't recommend Soft Touch enough! read more

It's been 2 years now and I couldn't be happier with my electrolysis results from Elissa at Soft Touch Electrolysis. I now see her only once in a few months for a stray hair or two. It's been a revolutionary experience for me and I cant' thank her enough! read more

I've been seeing Elissa for about a year now and have seen so much improvement! I couldn't be happier. It is well worth the price. Elissa does an extremely thorough job and I trust her 100%. read more

I only had two appointments here, but I have tried many electrolysis places before this, and as of right now this one has worked the best. I had some individual hairs in places where I didn't want them. Since my last visit, it has been half a year and none of those hairs have grown back. I did not have any scars or discoloration either (although I don't care too much about that). I will be coming back for more treatments in other areas, and I'll update the review based on how those treatments go. read more

Elissa is fantastic at what she does. She's a perfectionist and passionate about her craft. The process is a bit painful, but she does her best to mitigate this by applying topical anesthetic, or even just ice to cool the skin. I'm about 4 treatments in and def noticing a difference! read more

About six years ago, I had hair in an area which made me feel very self-conscious. I didn't want to get to close to anyone, because I worried about what they would think. Elissa removed the hair with six months of treatment and it seems to have had a permanent effect. I not only look much better, but I feel much better about myself as well. Elissa is a true specialist and she's worth her weight in gold for sure. read more

Elisa is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in Electrology. She's very invested in her patients and really works with them so they can achieve the best result. I'd definitely recommend her for your Electrology needs! read more

I've been seeing Elissa at Soft Touch Electrolysis for almost 3 years now so this review is long overdue. I reached out to her after a failed laser project and the results I have seen with her so far are truly amazing. Elissa herself is an expert in her field and I'm very pleased with her work. Anyone familiar with electrolysis knows that it can be less than pleasant so that's definitely high praise for Elissa. She always offers soothing music and indulges in great conversation which has made it easy for me to not only keep my appointments but sometimes even look forward to them! Thanks for everything you do, Elissa :) read more

I am so happy, Elissa is part of my life now. I have struggled with very coarse facial hair on my chin, cheeks, and neck my whole life. I've tried laser hair removal, threading, waxing and nothing seem to work. I've been coming to see her for close to a year now, and I have seen such a big improvement on my facial hair. The hair is becoming very thin and fine, and it's to the point where I have a lot of bald patches where hair no longer grows back now. We still have more sessions to go, but I am completely happy and impressed with this process and how far we have gotten with just a year. My confidence and self esteem is now greater then ever! Thank you so much Elissa! I can't wait for the final outcome!! read more

Elissa is amazing! I've been coming to Soft Touch for about a year and a half and would never go anywhere else. For anyone with blonde or red hair who is searching for permanent hair removal but can't do laser, look no further. I have almost no leg hair left after about 10 appointments! Highly recommend. read more

I just went in for my 4th session of electrolysis on my ears. With Elissa's talent, and my genes, most of the hair is already gone. Elissa works fast while also paying attention to my reactions and frequently checking in about how well I'm tolerating the treatment. I will tell you, as she will, that electrolysis on the ears is incredibly painful. Which makes another point about Elissa- she's honest. My electrolysis is moving a bit faster than usual, which I knew about because she told me during the first session how many sessions it would likely take and what kind of results I would likely see. We've started work on the stray hairs on my cheeks and it is much less painful, which I think says quite a bit about how painful the ears are given how coarse male facial hair is. While Elissa works quickly and at the lowest settings that will effectively remove the hair, I still recommend using the strongest topical anesthetic you can get your hands on. I've missed spots on my ears with the anesthetic before and the pain level is so intense that I feel like I'm going to crack a tooth from clenching! Today I used prescription BLT anesthetic, but I've used OTC lidocaine before and it works almost as well. If you are committed to getting, I recommend Elissa without reservations. If you're uncertain, go in and give it a try. read more

I've been seeing Sina for two years now. She's wonderful - thorough, accommodating, and hilarious (you really come to appreciate someone with a good sense of humor when you're going through electrolysis!). Sina won't take you on if she doesn't think you'll see results, and she'll give really honest feedback about the progress you're making, if you can reduce the time of your sessions, etc. I haven't worked with Elissa before but see her in the office all the time and think she runs a great business. I definitely recommend Soft Touch Electrolysis! read more

I started to go to Soft Touch in February 2018 and needed an hour. Now I practically come ones in 6 weeks and need 5-10 minutes. Elise really delivers results. read more

Electrolisis changed my life...I was refered to Elissa from a Friend of mine who worked with Dr. Martin and that was the best advice ever because Elissa is a very professional person but also she is very nice and treat you like a Queen, she is very focus and at the same time made you feel you are as important for her as any other patient. The results were amazing, I had electrolisis done on my chin, upper lip and sideburns my treatment is complete. Now I am pregnant, I am glad I did it before my pregnancy the wonderful thing is no hair came back... this is awesome!!! I HIGHLY recommend Elissa believe me you will not be dissapointed with the result. read more

Elissa does a fantastic job with excellent and lasting results ! She has great concern for her clients and is very pleasant to work with. I highly recommend her. read more

I have had such a great experience going to Soft Touch Electrolysis. Sena is kind, experienced, gentle and really motivating when it comes to getting electrolysis done. The results have been so impressive and while my treatment is still in the process, I'm so grateful to have come across such a trustworthy and experienced establishment. read more

I have been going to Sina for over a year and have had amazing results. Due to a medical condition, I developed a pretty stubborn problem with hair and tried several different people in the area. Sina is hands down the best! She is efficient, thorough and friendly. The office is also very accommodating at finding appointment times that work with your schedule. read more

All the great reviews are well deserved -- Sina is fast, effective, and professional! She definitely knows what she's doing, finds every hair, and is super nice. I had never done any kind of permanent hair removal before, and Sina guided me through it and explained how it worked and how to take care of my skin afterwards. Reasonably priced (it helps she's so fast!). Highly recommended! read more

I've had the best results here! Sina is Great! I've tried a few places and Sina's treatments last the longest. Wish I would have come here first, I would be finished by now and saved a lot of $. read more

Electrolysis seems to be a dying art but thankfully Ellissa is there to bring her years of experience and excellent results. IMHO electrolysis is more safe and permanent and outperforms what I have experienced with shaving, waxing, and cream depilatories and what I understand of laser treatments. I sought electrolysis to eliminate ingrown hairs, red bumps sub-dermal discoloration, and recurring hair growth. Results show no bumps, no discoloration, no lingering sensitivity. I have had electrolysis years ago and know it takes several treatments for regrowth to stop fully but it's worth it - just a few treatments in and I have many fewer hairs, all more fine. Elissa is an experienced pro. Her office is clean, service professional and gracious (including receptionist, Milana), and location conveniently located half a block from Union Square just minutes from the Sutter Stockton garage and lots of public transportation. read more

The women of Soft Touch Electrolysis are professional, knowledgeable and excellent at what they do. I am seeing better results, and better healing, since starting here - I'm lucky I found it. I always book in advance and have never had a hard time getting a convenient appointment time. read more

For those fair haired blonde beauties with stubborn facial hair, electrolysis and this place are THE solution. Elisa and Marlene are both great in their own right. Elisa is super thorough and Marlene is super gentle. They use different methods which supposedly are equally effective but Marlene's approach is less painful so I went with that cuz who wouldn't :-) It took a super long time - regular attendance of 2 years - but now my hair is baby soft and all the blotchy skin due to facial irritation is gone. I didn't even know the blotchiness was caused by my hair. Just thought i had sensitive skin. Best decision I ever made! I did lower eyebrow, upper lip and chin and now I never have to pluck anymore. Amazing!!! Such a time saver. Go here and you won't regret it. read more

Quick and Accurate: I've tried laser, but I like electrolysis better because it's more exact, less painful, and more permanent. Elissa has been in the business for decades, and she is the best in the business (read: fast and accurate). Recently I've realized that I'm addicted to electrology almost in the same way some people are to tattoos or piercings (of which I have none). I'm a long-time fitness person, and I've found that shaping my hair growth goes VERY well with a sculpted body. The second best thing about it is that I no longer get that annoying shaving rash (or razor cuts). I've almost completed my torso, so that I have only a perfect "treasure trail" left. Now I'm working on getting the beard off my neck, the hair out of my ears, and off my nose, so that it grows perfectly on my face. My wife is stoked ;-) If you have a dream of perfectly shaped hair growth, then Elissa (and electrology) is for you!!!! read more

I am very cautious getting any treatments done as I am concerned about scarring and ending-up looking worse than when I started. Well the increased frequency of upper lip plucking, just made me cave, and I started researching alternative options and the best possible service. All my research pointed to Elissa, she is without doubt an expert in her field. I travel from Marin into San Fran specifically because Elissa does an excellent job and I am confident I will not end up with any blemishes or scars. read more

Elisa is the bomb! She's all business and very professional I'm about 5 treatments in and the results are great. Thank you Elisa!!!!!

Hey, it's electrolyis...I just couldn't vote 5 star "woo hoo". elissa is punctual (key, given how many times you have to go to get it to work!) and meticulous. Again, it is electrolysis so it hurts but Elissa does what she can: numbing beforehand and pintsized ice backs on the way out. As good as it's gets. read more

She is the best ever. Love the office and everyone is so nice. Because i'm African American I can't get laser so she helped me get rid of unwanted body hair. I couldn't say enough about her. She's wonderful! read more

I have seen four different people in San Francisco for electrolysis and without a doubt the team at Soft Touch is THE BEST THERE IS. I spent a year seeing other people, and never had consistently improving results. Then, I found Elissa and Ursula. Over the last year, the improvements have been unreal. Not only is the hair gone, but my skin has cleared up from trying to hide it less and my self esteem has improved significantly. I mostly see Elissa, but have seen Ursula a few times when Elissa was booked up and has equally great results with her. You cannot go wrong either way! Besides effectiveness, the clinic/spa is very clean and everyone is extremely nice. Also, the location is great if you live/work near downtown. Again, I've seen other people in SF for the same service and no one was nearly as good or effective as Soft Touch Electrolysis! Be a good friend and spread the word! ;) read more

Six months ago, I started my electrolysis treatments with Elissa (after almost 1/2 a year of galvanic treatments, which I considered were very slow compared to what I've experienced in the past.) Elissa is a perfectionist, a true professional and works fast/accurate! In a previous review, someone wrote concerns about hyper-pigmentation. In my case, I can attest that Elissa's prime concern is to ensure that my skin gets minimal/no harm from the electrolysis. I have very difficult/oily skin which used to breakout after the electrolysis. After each treatment, Elissa utilizes the equipment/products specific to facial care, which prevents my skin from breaking-out. Since I started the electrolysis with Elissa, we have achieved incredible results and have established a nice/friendly relationship. Although Elissa is very busy, she knows her work, understands her clientele and does an outstanding job at getting rid of the unwanted hair while keeping a professional/nice attitude toward her work. read more

I have been a client of Elissa's now for over a year, and I have had nothing but excellent service and results. I have extremely sensitive skin, and I am browned complexioned, so I am very cautious as to who and what products are used on my skin. My skin, however has had no adverse reaction whatsoever to the the blend method that she uses on me. What I love is that she is fast, and she works on the areas that are important to ME. She is a dedicated professional, and she has a busy practice so I book in advance, so that I'm assured an appointment. read more

I saw Marlene at Soft Touch Electrolysis and she was great. Knows what she is doing, and keeps you talking so that you don't feel the pain!