Pre-treatment Anesthetic - any recommendations?

Hair Removal Methods Do-It-Yourself Electrolysis
#1

Hi all,
Looking thru the catalogue from Texas Electrolysis Supply I see there is quite a range of anesthetics (counting the topical anesthetics on the next page). I’m a bit confused <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> about the ones listed on the page headed “Anesthetics & Before Treatment” and the ones on the next page headed “Topical Anesthetics”. So does anyone know of a good pre-treatment anesthetic in case I decide to try it later on my bikini line? I will be using galvanic to start with, and then if all goes well, later down the track I will try blend then thermolysis.

Also, do the “Follicle Enhancer” products help?

Since I have to order my supplies from U.S. (I live in New Zealand) I would like to get everything together to save on shipping costs.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

#2

Notsobad,

I am a fan of the LMX products for pain relief. It is a lidocaine product and comes in 4% & 5% strengths. You will want to put this on the area to be treated about 45 minutes prior to treatment and “occlude” the area(cover with a plastic dressing). The mistake that most people make with this type of product is that they don’t apply enough. You want to apply it thick, white, and pastey. Gently aggitate the creme but DO NOT rub the product in. Let it slowly deliver itself under the occlusive dressing.

You may find this product cheaper at Prestige Electrolysis Supply.

#3

An anesthetic that would probably give you the most help for your bikini line is L.M.X.5, which is really an anorectal cream, but it is used anywhere on the body for help with laser and electrolysis discomfort. Out of all those products listed in your catalog, I would go for this product.

The laser clinic you go to may supply you with something like L.M.X.5, also. The other anesthetics listed may not penetrate deep enough to afford you much help. Occassionally, I use the Assist II (benzocaine 20%) on places like the sensitive middle upper lip. Most clients really like this anesthetic even though it doesn’t bring total anesthesia, but just the tingling and almost numb sensation one gets, especially if the Assist overlaps the the lip area, is really helpful. Haven’t needed to try it on the bikini, but my guess is that it wouldn’t be as helpful as the L.M.X. 5.

The people at Texas are really nice and can help you with your selection. Just ask away.

The follicle enhancer is something I wouldn’t waste my money on. You can try spreading brown eyeshadow on the area, if you want to try highlighting the follicle opening. Good vision equipment is the key to a proper probe insertion. Comfort and kill rates zoom way up there when your aim accurate.

Dee

#4

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Is it really that painful one needs a topical anesthetic? Is it more painful than say plucking a hair with tweezers or rotary epilating?

#5

Electrolysis is not like going for a massage. Many people can tolerate the heat that is needed to destroy a hair well enough. Very rarely do my clients need an anesthetic. We find good levels together that gets the hair out, but yet affords them a decent level of comfort. Here’s where professional tools (epilator,vision equipment, lighting) really pay off and any professional should invest in these tools and keep updating.

If you are doing it yourself, it will probaby hurt more,so anesthetic help is understandable.

One’s pain reaction to “anything” is probably established in the childhood years. If there was something traumatic that happened in those early years,that kind of sets the stage for one’s anticipation and perception of pain later on. I see such huge difference’s in my practice with those that handle sensitive areas very well and the very few that can’t handle much even when levels are lowered and other strategies are used.

Pain, associated with electrolysis is related not only to one’s learned response to pain early on, but also to the area being treated and how big the network of nerve endings are surrounding each hair. Almost everyday I hear the comment, “Some hairs hurt and some don’t.”

You just have to sample what it’s like to reach your own conclusions about how much it hurts.

Dee

#6

What D said is true. The overwhelming majority of my clients fall asleep while I am working at some time or another. You can imagine the look on my face the first time someone did that while I was working on a scrotum. Other people can never relax enough to settle in for a good treatment.