I just did my first session of the genital electrolysis with numbing. You can say what you want about how barbaric of a practice this is, but it's something I plan to do more of postop too, depending on scarring.
So the hair removal process itself was completely pain free. Getting numb? That was a whole different story. Picture the same needle going in and out of a tight section of skin multiple times and that's what it felt like to me, like threading my skin with a needle. I imagine it's comparable to the pain scenes from when the Winchesters (Supernatural) were in Hell. The numbing was extremely localized, so the pain didn't lessen the further along they got with the numbing. I didn't find it tears or scream worthy, but apparently a lot of people do. It just made me sweat profusely. When your doctor presents you with stress balls they already have on site, you know you're in for a ride. The good news is it only took a couple minutes for the numbing and it lasted for hours. Knowing what electrolysis feels like without the numbing, I'll take the numbing pain any day.
I can't speak for long term recovery, but about an hour after the appointment, the numbing had worn off and the "pain" started. For about another hour, I felt like I had a slight rug burn in the area, then the pain was completely gone. I didn't have time to do the ice pack or lotion recommendations immediately, so those results are prior to aftercare. May be different for others though. I have a very high tolerance for pain.
