lidocaine injections with electrolysis in the UK?

Hair Removal Methods Professional Electrolysis
#1

I understand the use of lidocaine is a bit of a ‘hot topic’ with the professionals on here, some saying it is good and other disagreeing. In my case, I really can’t see any way forward with my Upper/just under my lip!

I can tolerate the pain of electrolysis anywhere else, Just not there. I’ve had tattoos, broken bones and bizarrely this bothers me far more than any of that.

I’ve been avoiding the normal stuff like caffeine, I stay well hydrated and I get sleep before the procedure. With that, painkillers and emla cream still doesn’t help much. I can stand one or two zaps in a whole session, It’s ridiculous.

Does anyone have any experience with it or any other local anesthetics here in the UK? We can be quite strict medical wise so I wasn’t sure if it was at all possible.

#2

Yo Dragons …

This one is pretty easy for you. A “dental block,” exactly where you are describing, easily numbs the upper lip. In this case your own dentist can (and should) do this for you. This is not “infiltrated” but the nerve(s) itself is targeted. (With a good dentist, that uses a topical anesthetic first, you will not feel the injection at all … I mean nothing. Zero!)

The block will numb the upper lip … in the middle … but not the outside corners (the corners are usually not painful). The dentist should NOT use a super long-lasting anesthetic; just his/her normal lidocaine with “epi.” (2% is fine, but 1% is fine too.) You will have ±2-hours of anesthesia.

After the dentist zaps you, just relax and do not rush over to the electrologist … you should have ample time and “then some.” You might get a little “rush” from the epinephrine … but this reaction is absolutely safe and only lasts 10-minutes (your own body produces norepinephrine to counteract the additional epinephrine. Takes about 10-minutes. And NO you are not “having a heart attack” from the “rush.” Think too much coffee.)

Now the BIG warning! Do not allow the electrologist to get aggressive or to “take advantage of the numbing.” This is a (common) tragic mistake, because all signs of overtreatment will not be seen because of the anesthetic. This is like flying an aircraft in dense fog … on instruments only.

Oh yes, it’s such a temptation to really go overboard on the lip. Please do NOT do this. If you do, we will be hearing your “disaster story” here on Hairtell. Please heed my warning!

Virtually every story about the “horrors of anesthetic” have little to do with the anesthetic itself and EVERYTHING to do with inexperienced electrologists who go “balls to the wind” and clear-off too much. If you come out of the treatment with no hair on the lip … that’s TOO MUCH! Thin, thin, thin!

Okay?

#3

Yo Dragons …

This one is pretty easy for you. A “dental block,” exactly where you are describing, easily numbs the upper lip. In this case your own dentist can (and should) do this for you. This is not “infiltrated” but the nerve(s) itself is targeted. (With a good dentist, that uses a topical anesthetic first, you will not feel the injection at all … I mean nothing. Zero!)

The block will numb the upper lip … in the middle … but not the outside corners (the corners are usually not painful). The dentist should NOT use a super long-lasting anesthetic; just his/her normal lidocaine with “epi.” (2% is fine, but 1% is fine too.) You will have ±2-hours of anesthesia.

After the dentist zaps you, just relax and do not rush over to the electrologist … you should have ample time and “then some.” You might get a little “rush” from the epinephrine … but this reaction is absolutely safe and only lasts 10-minutes (your own body produces norepinephrine to counteract the additional epinephrine. Takes about 10-minutes. And NO you are not “having a heart attack” from the “rush.” Think too much coffee.)

Now the BIG warning! Do not allow the electrologist to get aggressive or to “take advantage of the numbing.” This is a (common) tragic mistake, because all signs of overtreatment will not be seen because of the anesthetic. This is like flying an aircraft in dense fog … on instruments only.

Oh yes, it’s such a temptation to really go overboard on the lip. Please do NOT do this. If you do, we will be hearing your “disaster story” here on Hairtell. Please heed my warning!

Virtually every story about the “horrors of anesthetic” have little to do with the anesthetic itself and EVERYTHING to do with inexperienced electrologists who goes “balls to the wind” and clears-off too much. If you come out of the treatment with no hair on the lip … that’s TOO MUCH! Thin, thin, thin!

Okay?

#4

Yo Dragons …

This one is pretty easy for you. A “dental block,” exactly where you are describing, easily numbs the upper lip. In this case your own dentist can (and should) do this for you. This is not “infiltrated” but the nerve(s) itself is targeted. (With a good dentist, that uses a topical anesthetic first, you will not feel the injection at all … I mean nothing. Zero!)

The block will numb the upper lip … in the middle … but not the outside corners (the corners are usually not painful). The dentist should NOT use a super long-lasting anesthetic; just his/her normal lidocaine with “epi.” (2% is fine, but 1% is fine too.) You will have ±2-hours of anesthesia.

After the dentist zaps you, just relax and do not rush over to the electrologist … you should have ample time and “then some.” You might get a little “rush” from the epinephrine … but this reaction is absolutely safe and only lasts 10-minutes (your own body produces norepinephrine to counteract the additional epinephrine. Takes about 10-minutes. And NO you are not “having a heart attack” from the “rush.” Think too much coffee.)

Now the BIG warning! Do not allow the electrologist to get aggressive or to “take advantage of the numbing.” This is a (common) tragic mistake, because all signs of overtreatment will not be seen because of the anesthetic. This is like flying an aircraft in dense fog … on instruments only.

Oh yes, it’s such a temptation to really go overboard on the lip. Please do NOT do this. If you do, we will be hearing your “disaster story” here on Hairtell. Please heed my warning!

Virtually every story about the “horrors of anesthetic” have little to do with the anesthetic itself and EVERYTHING to do with inexperienced electrologists who goes “balls to the wind” and clears-off too much. If you come out of the treatment with no hair on the lip … that’s TOO MUCH! Thin, thin, thin!

Okay?

#5

Just great … something this works and then it does not. Dragons, if you want my recommendations, send me a PM … I worked it all out for you.

#6

Better yet, use my private email:
mikebono@cox.net

This Hairtell “ghost” would be easier to deal with if it failed consistently. As I said, sometimes it’s fine and other times all goofed up.

Today: goofed up.

#7

Glitches ahoy today- I can’t seem to email you (I believe this is an issue on my end) so I sent a PM.

#8

My electrolyisis said she could only recommend ELMA cream she was recommending it to a TG when I last visited her.
I don’t know of anyone that offers this in the UK it not noted on the official electrolysis website, I think its more norm of America. Numbing cream is what’s used in the UK hope that helps.
I know what you mean though the upper lip and closer to the nose is a nightmare, It makes my eyes water and last time errm felt like I was doing pelvic floor exercises it hurt so bad but I can’t not stand the hairs.
Good luck

#9

Yo Dragons …

This one is pretty easy for you. A “dental block,” exactly where you are describing, easily numbs the upper lip. In this case your own dentist can (and should) do this for you. This is not “infiltrated” but the nerve(s) itself is targeted. (With a good dentist, that uses a topical anesthetic first, you will not feel the injection at all … I mean nothing. Zero!)

The block will numb the upper lip … in the middle … but not the outside corners (the corners are usually not painful). The dentist should NOT use a super long-lasting anesthetic; just his/her normal lidocaine with “epi.” (2% is fine, but 1% is fine too.) You will have ±2-hours of anesthesia.

After the dentist zaps you, just relax and do not rush over to the electrologist … you should have ample time and “then some.” You might get a little “rush” from the epinephrine … but this reaction is absolutely safe and only lasts 10-minutes (your own body produces norepinephrine to counteract the additional epinephrine. Takes about 10-minutes. And NO you are not “having a heart attack” from the “rush.” Think too much coffee.)

Now the BIG warning! Do not allow the electrologist to get aggressive or to “take advantage of the numbing.” This is a (common) tragic mistake, because all signs of overtreatment will not be seen because of the anesthetic. This is like flying an aircraft in dense fog … on instruments only.

Oh yes, it’s such a temptation to really go overboard on the lip. Please do NOT do this. If you do, we will be hearing your “disaster story” here on Hairtell. Please heed my warning!

Virtually every story about the “horrors of anesthetic” have little to do with the anesthetic itself and EVERYTHING to do with an inexperienced electrologists who goes “balls to the wind” and clears-off too much. If you come out of the treatment with no hair on the lip … that’s TOO MUCH! Thin, thin, thin!

Okay?

#10

Lovely

#11

Perhaps try a private Doctor or dentist (non NHS).

#12

Sorry to digress, but what was that about caffeine? I usually schedule my appointments at 8am, and it would never occur to me in my wildest fantasies to skip my morning coffee.

Does caffeine somehow aggravate the pain? If so, I’ll consider skipping it. Although I’m not sure that wouldn’t be at least as painful.

#13

In the UK I believe such things can only be administered by a DR their are no DR’s performing electrolysis unless you go to Harley street in London and pay silly sums of money, I doubt you will find one. Electrolysis in UK is performed by beauty therapists whom either specialist in only electrloysis or also perform other beauty treatments. As you say above you would have to seek a private DR in order to seek such pain relief even then I suspect only the high end ones would provide it for electrolyisis perhaps a surgeon would? It seems that most of the cosmetic surgery companies only do laser in UK though.Numbing cream is the way to go I have ordered some but I won’t have it in time for my appointment this Thursday :S

#14

Kostik, the caffeine can heighten pain responses. I noticed a difference when I stopped it, but I think a few others don’t notice much difference. Maybe it depends on the person?

It was suggested to me via email to getting a dental block for a lot of the upper lip. As good as that sounds, even the corners of the lip are giving me huge issues- that and I need the bottom lip done as well.

The idea always was to have the whatever administered by a doctor and then head to the electrolysis appointment, Helen. I just wondered if anyone has had it done before in the UK. I’ve used numbing cream for most of the appointments and it has helped me none. I think I may just give up on the lip, it’s too painful.

#15

Its going to be hard to get a normal GP to give such a thing and to tie up going to the DR and then electrolysis within 30 mins - an hour of each others to get best benefits again is hard.
I know my GP does not offer such service, you would have to speak with a private DR again I doubt they would offer it, your best bet would be to speak with a surgeon who may also perform small cosmetic procedures electrolysis being one of them and they may offer this service.
My electrolysis informed my I could get numbing cream ELMA on prescription NHS but that’s all that was available to me. I am seeing my GP on 10th November so will mention it to her then, but I have ordered some online.
I know what you mean, its the worse of all the area’s I’ve had treated, I find it bearable until they get closer to the nose my eye water uncontrollably I suspect she stops treatment early because of this and have told her to continue once they are gone hopefully no more of this torture.

#16

Not sure on yourself but I was told with the numbing cream you put it on 30 mins before procedure and the electrolysis wipes it off herself just before doing the treatment.

#17

Oh my… using local anaesthetic isn’t as simple as getting a random doctor with no experience of electrolysis to inject some and then getting an electrologist with no experience of working on skin numbed this in this way to perform the work. Thankfully, I don’t think we have to worry about this actually happening (the practioners involved wouldn’t risk it) but clients should be aware of what they are asking for. What we need is for this method to be accepted by the electrolysis community and proper training available for experienced electrologists and interested medical doctors.

EMLA used properly is quite effective but most people don’t use it in such a way as to receive the full benefit.

#18

Well, Michael Bono suggested I use a surgeon or a dentist, someone who will have administered such things before. I think I’m going to take the plunge and try it, I can’t see getting it done any other way.

stoppit&tidyup, I’m aware that it’s not that simple. It’s a bit of a ‘hot topic’ regarding all this. Some of the pros here argue that the skin simply doesn’t show reaction and over-treatment is the issue (Michael Bono advised me to have perhaps every second hair treated, it’s not a dense area). I think it would be a great idea for electrolysis to get more exposure in general, I had no idea what it was until I found hairtell. Getting interested doctors to take it seriously would be great- My GP (derma) had no idea what it was and has been fascinated that I got ‘zapped’ in the face without any lasting effect on the skin.

I’m having quite a bit of trouble with EMLA cream then. I’ve received a tonne of different instructions, none of which have helped much. I’ve tried leaving it for 20, 40 and an hour with still a LOT of pain on the upper lip…
It’s more than just ‘eye watering’ in my case- It’s difficult to explain and I have no idea WHY this is! I’m no wimp, I’ve had quite a few tattoos and broken bones with not much bother. But even at the side of the lips, it reminds me of being electrocuted…

#19

Hi all. I’m based in Ireland and any of my clients that can’t tolerate having the upper lip done, I suggest a dental block. There are about 3 different dentists nearby which I recommend. Obviously I have contacted those dentists and explained to them what it’s for. They usually charge €20. I simply give the details to the customer and let them make the app themselves and they pay the dentist directly. I tell them to: 1. explain to the dentist what time their app with me is 2. show the dentist where they want the hairs removed from 3. tell the dentist that they only need to be numb for about 60 minutes max. Any dentist that is constantly running late, I remove
from the list. One interesting thing about this is that I have noticed that once a dentist “diversifies” and starts doing fillers, botox etc., they tend to become more “heavy handed” and I am no longer happy with the work done and I no longer recommend them.
Regarding Emla I still find, after 25 years doing electrolysis, it must be applied a minimum of 60 minutes and must be occluded for best results. I tell people to apply no product to the upper lip that morning, wash area with soap, apply half a tube of cream and put on a tegaderm dressing. It works well if people are compliant with the instructions. I have found that Anestop Gel to be much
more effective than emla but still the centre of the upper lip poses a problem for some. I specialise in micro needling also and I have just been recommended a numbing cream by a wonderful doctor in Canada who I train with for this modality. I had to get it from a compounding chemist in New Zealand and just recieved it a few days ago. Initial trials with it this week are showing total numbing after 45 minutes without occlusion. Looks like the holy grail!! Ask your electrologist in the UK to find a dentist for you. Don’t give up.

Therese Fahy DRE

#20

Hi all. I’m based in Ireland and any of my clients that can’t tolerate having the upper lip done, I suggest a dental block. There are about 3 different dentists nearby which I recommend. Obviously I have contacted those dentists and explained to them what it’s for. They usually charge €20. I simply give the details to the customer and let them make the app themselves and they pay the dentist directly. I tell them to: 1. explain to the dentist what time their app with me is 2. show the dentist where they want the hairs removed from 3. tell the dentist that they only need to be numb for about 60 minutes max. Any dentist that is constantly running late, I remove
from the list. One interesting thing about this is that I have noticed that once a dentist “diversifies” and starts doing fillers, botox etc., they tend to become more “heavy handed” and I am no longer happy with the work done and I no longer recommend them.
Regarding Emla I still find, after 25 years doing electrolysis, it must be applied a minimum of 60 minutes and must be occluded for best results. I tell people to apply no product to the upper lip that morning, wash area with soap, apply half a tube of cream and put on a tegaderm dressing. It works well if people are compliant with the instructions. I have found that Anestop Gel to be much
more effective than emla but still the centre of the upper lip poses a problem for some. I specialise in micro needling also and I have just been recommended a numbing cream by a wonderful doctor in Canada who I train with for this modality. I had to get it from a compounding chemist in New Zealand and just recieved it a few days ago. Initial trials with it this week are showing total numbing after 45 minutes without occlusion. Looks like the holy grail!! Ask your electrologist in the UK to find a dentist for you. Don’t give up.

Therese Fahy DRE