Electrolysis

[Guest denise_w]

5 hours of electrolysis and my upper lip facial hair is 99% gone!

Annoying little "fuzzies" keep coming back, but they're gradually being defeated (more electrolysis).

I only have one word to say about it: OUCH!!!

I'm currently using Emla tpoical anesthetic cream to manage the pain, but the stuff only numbs the surface of the skin. When my electrologist does an insertion and applies heat, the pain is nearly unbearbale. My eyes tear up, my nose begins to run, I "white knuckle" the armrests on the chair, I tremble!

Can anyone suggest something else for pain management?

God how I hate facial hair!

Denise

[Charlize]

I would ask your technician if there is any other anesthetic. I'm waiting to get my face done as HRT slowly makes the jungle thinner but i am fortunate to have very light hairs. I don't have the experience but remember someone at Dr. McGinn's talking about an anesthetic. It may just be a topical cream but it was my impression that it was more.

Hopefully someone else will jump in here Denise with more info.

Oh by the way congratulations on the upper lip! I have to say this as i'm a wise hinny.....:" Keep a stiff upper lip" Sorry

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest]

Hi Denise,

If you've white-knuckled through getting rid of your upper-lip hair, you're through the worst of it. Most of the face is nowhere near as sensitive as the upper lip, for whatever reason.

However, some folks I know have arranged with dentists to do injections prior to electrolysis. Your electrologist may know if there are dentists who will perform that service.

Best of luck to you!

Love, Megan

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I've had electrolysis with Emla...I've had electrolysis without Emla..it hurts no matter what! lol

I feel your pain when it comes to the upper lip area. Also the area around the mouth hurts, too, ugh! I thought we were done with those areas!

Has your electrolysis person offered to turn down the intensity in more sensitive areas? Mine has asked and through gritted teeth I've said "I'm fine..let's keep going."

[Guest denise_w]

Thanks everyone for your input so far...my eletrologist is on vacation right now (thank God!)...so I'm having a bit of a reprieve (LOL). Before recommending the Emla cream, she offered "LMX4" cream (non prescription). I was like putting on sun tan lotion! No effect at all. And I've heard that even the Emla cream is only good for tatoos, nothing as invasive as electrolysis. A dentist? Never considered it...good idea but i'm sure their services would come at a premium...transition on a budget, ya' know!

[Guest LizMarie]

I used lidocaine cream when I was doing the one hour a week thing here locally. Later, I stopped and then switched to E3000 in Dallas. They give me lidocaine injections. The injections can hurt like the dickens but once injected there is zero pain from the electrolysis. I do full facial clears every 6-8 weeks and am due for my 4th clearing on May 30th.

[Guest ashleynikole]

I've actually gone to a multi-tiered approach. I use Orajel inside my mouth, my electrologist uses a custom mix of Benzocaine, Tetracaine and Lidocaine on the outside and then I do something like Tylenol or Motrin from the inside out. It worked well yesterday as we cleared about 1/2 my mouth and lip hairs in 2 hours. Going back on Friday and see if we can't clear it out completely. Would love the completely painless gas or injections though.