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| FAQ's: PAIN MANAGEMENT |
SUB-TOPIC |
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Q. 1
: Is electrolysis treatment typically painful? |
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Q. 2
: Will pain
pills help? |
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Q. 3 :
Are local anesthetics injected into the treatment area? |
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Q. 4
: What pain relief can be provided? |
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Q. 5
: How strong of a pain reliever can I (or my electrologist)
purchase without a prescription? |
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Q. 6
: What is EMLA? |
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Q. 7
: What is Epil-EZ? |
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Q. 8
: How long does an anesthetic last? |
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Q. 1: Is electrolysis treatment typically painful?
Given the
amount of energy needed to destroy a course, deeply rooted hair
follicle, most often electrolysis treatment can be rather painful. And
while patients do have a wide variety of responses to electrolysis, the
most significant factor seems to be the ongoing nature of the
discomfort.
Q. 2: Will pain pills help?
Generally
oral pain medication is a poor choice for the localized and ongoing pain
of electrolysis. A local pain reliever, such as an anesthetic drug that
numbs the treatment area offers the best result.
Q. 3: Are local anesthetics injected into the treatment
area?
While
anesthetics may be injected, we feel the associated risks do not justify
their use. There is a possibility that the method of injection
needed to numb the facial area may result in injury to the
patient. And naturally, the continuing process of ongoing
electrology sessions only heightens the potential risk to the
individual. Also, a significant percentage of the population find the
process of repeated injection in the facial area to be unsettling,
Q. 4: What pain relief can be provided?
Over-the-counter
(non-prescription) topical pain relievers (applied to the skin),
including those provided by some electrologists, can provide a degree of
pain relief. But generally, for longer or more intensive
treatment, such as beard removal, a stronger topical pain reliever is
required.
Q. 5: How strong of a pain reliever can I (or my
electrologist) purchase without a prescription?
The drugs
in topical pain relievers usually fall into the "caine"
family. The percentage of the drug allowed by law (for non-prescription
sale) is set relative to its effect. As an example, lidocaine,
with moderate anesthetic properties is limited to 4 percent, but
benzocaine, with very weak analgesic properties can contain up to a 20
percent concentration. Both will produce relatively the same effect.
Q. 6: What is EMLA?
EMLA is a
topical pain reliever which contains a combination of two drugs,
lidocaine (2.5%) and prilocaine (2.5%). EMLA, while a prescription
medication, is a relatively weak anesthetic.
Q. 7: What is Epil-EZ?
Epil-EZ
is the topical pain reliever TGIP compounds (a custom preparation)
solely for our patients. By contrast to EMLA, this preparation is
a high potency topical anesthetic which contains about 15% of lidocaine
and prilocaine, along with additional properties to allow the drug to
more effectively penetrate the skin barrier and remain active for a long
duration.
Q. 8: How long does an
anesthetic last?
Depending
on its strength, ability to penetrate the skin, and other drug
properties, the area may remain very numb from a few minutes to several
hours. Also depending on the drug, the time required for the
anesthetic to sufficiently take effect (time between application and
beginning treatment) may be anywhere from 10 minutes to over 1
hour.
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