Up to date info on EMLA safety

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi I am having a laser treatment on my full back. I am a 170 lb male. In 2003 I had laser on my chest and used EMLA because the pain after the first treatment was unbearable without it. If I remember correctly I applied a tube of EMLA and then wrapped my chest and abs in seran wrap 1.5 hours before the treatment.

The issue is I saw that there were people over the last 10 years that died from this sort of thing. I am not interested in dying so I wanted to know about the safety issues. I saw people mention only wrapping a small area and then applying more mid treatment but this isn’t practical or possible.

Any advice. My treatment is next Tuesday so I need to tell me doctor what I need. Thanks

#2

Also how many 30g EMLA tubes are needed to cover a persons back on average?

#3

Emla (now LMX-4% or 5%) was designed for small areas. Use on large areas (i.e. back/torso, legs, etc.) is NOT recommended. Risks for large areas include TOXICITY and possible DEATH.

#4

Indeed. There is a limit of the maximal area which maybe numbed at once. Two sheets of A4 (about letter-sized) paper. These limits should be taken very serious.

Bob: the back is not overly sensitive. I do have no customer needing numbing there - and i have done treatments up to 5 hours.

As Lidocain is no toy i would suggest only to numb the areas which really need it - as i do in treatments of my own face.

#5

I actually asked my tech (who is an RN) this question on my last treatment. She said I could cover my entire chest and abs, covered by saran wrap, but to only use a thin layer everywhere, not the thick slabbed on layers recommended.

Does this sound (somewhat) safe to do? I’m at the point in my ches treatments (YAG 18mm/30J) where the pain is unbearable without it.

#6

This does NOT sound safe! Please revist Beate’s post (above) concerning size of area covered.