OTC pain management for electrolysis

[VeronicaLynn]

My electrologist puts numbing cream on my upper lip at the beginning, then works on my chin and/or neck and then works on my upper lip for the last 5-10 minutes of my hour.

This seems to be going pretty well so far, but I've only done 4 hours so far. It is slowly thinning out. I don't know that I could stand a full hour focused on my upper lip, even with numbing cream.

Is splitting it up like this unusual?

[Laurie]

My electrologist puts numbing cream on my upper lip at the beginning, then works on my chin and/or neck and then works on my upper lip for the last 5-10 minutes of my hour.

This seems to be going pretty well so far, but I've only done 4 hours so far. It is slowly thinning out. I don't know that I could stand a full hour focused on my upper lip, even with numbing cream.

Is splitting it up like this unusual?

Hi Veronica,

  Take it from me, a full hour on the upper lip HURTS  I just did one today. I had prepped as recommended with the EMLA cream and covered in left and right halves about an hour and 15 minutes prior to my appointment.
  It seemed that the numbing lasted for maybe 2 hairs and then it felt like no prep was done. Every hair after the first few hurt a lot. But I got through it. One hour and yes there were tears. This was my own doing as I am the one that chose the area to be worked on. Christina said I did great as most of her clients would have stopped her long before the hour was done. I was going to suggest taking it easy and doing a different area but she said "Oh no, now that I started on the upper lip I want to keep working on it until it's done"   So next time I'll have to be ready to endure more of the same. ouch. I'll be extremely glad when it is finished.

Laurie

[Bari Jo]

Laurie, you are one grave girl doing only the upper lip.  I have my girl only doing a little bit there.  And then the rest elsewhere each time.

[MyMichele]

I think it is pretty silly to get into arguments rather than just having an open discussion.

So calm down now before I add Cindy's special numbing cream to the topic.

Thank you

Hehe, I am sorry.  I am a little cynical when it comes to hair removal.  It's been a long strange trip that is winding down, but take my advice with a grain of salt.  What works for me may not work for you.  But I know one thing for sure, if it hurts soooo bad then something is wrong! Try another electrologist if possible, another modality, etc.

[LizK]

The most effective relief I have had whilst having top lip clearance is with a dental block. I will be having yet another block on Tuesday to do my bottom and top lip...it used to take an hour to clear about 1/2 my top lip however with the last two session I have had, it cleared in about 40 minutes and this upcoming treatment will be lucky to take 10 minutes to clear, The last assessment by my electrologist on my top lip is 1 more session after Tuesday to pick up the final light stragglers. It appeared about a month ago we were nearly finished but with any hair removal no one can say for sure how many treatments you will have. My Top lip seems to be the most persistent area of my face but there is now definite signs for it being just about done. The bottom lip is a whole different ball game and responds really well.

I had some work done about 3 months ago on my chin and there has been very little to no new grow.

Use Dental Blocks with Caution

Because they are so effective you cannot normally feel the level of current being used on the treatment area. Burns can happen. This occurs when the current is set too high for the skin to be able to tolerate and without the anaesthetic would in itself be intolerable. This is where the skill of your technician is critically important. Proceed with caution

[JulieOnHerWay]

"Why don't we get drunk, and...electrolysis.

[Kelly H]

"Why don't we get drunk, and...electrolysis.

I like how you think Julie.  Anyone for a good glass of cab/

My first session went okay - because of the distance and work I can only do weekends and the tech doesn't work a lot of those.... This is going to take a while

[Bari Jo]

I like how you think Julie.  Anyone for a good glass of cab/

My first session went okay - because of the distance and work I can only do weekends and the tech doesn't work a lot of those.... This is going to take a while

I'd say look for a new tech.  I'm doing 5 plus hours each weekend, two different techs.  The ones that work Saturdays are out there!

Bari Jo

[Kelly H]

I'd say look for a new tech.  I'm doing 5 plus hours each weekend, two different techs.  The ones that work Saturdays are out there!

Bari Jo

Great advice Bari Jo!

Unfortunately I can only find 5 in Nashville.  Not many want to work weekends.  Living in the south has it's challenges... LOL
I'm going to be in San Diego the week of the 23rd.  Any suggestions?

[Bari Jo]

Great advice Bari Jo!

Unfortunately I can only find 5 in Nashville.  Not many want to work weekends.  Living in the south has it's challenges... LOL
I'm going to be in San Diego the week of the 23rd.  Any suggestions?

Nope, unfortunately, I don't know anything about San Diego except the drinks are good, comic con is held there and I can attend strings camp there as an adult:)

Oh, there is a dessert/tea place there called Extraordinary Desserts.  Go there if you can,:)

Bari Jo

[Bari Jo]

An update mainly for me and others if interested.  I'm now up to six hours on Saturday, and 9 hours in one week.  I'm electrology obsessed I think, or it's the beard removal obsession I had while diy epilating and plucking in another form.  I have had irritated puffy skin sometimes, but no pain from that.  Luckily that goes away in a day.

One thing though, when doing sensitive areas like upper lip, I've switched from thermolysis to blend.  I'm only doing this when the pain is high and sharp.  Blend is more tolerable, but slower, but at least I'm moving forward.

It still looks like I'm only 1/3 way through a first clearing.  I can't wait for that first clearing.  Psychologically I think I will have more confidence.

Bari Jo

[VeronicaLynn]

An update mainly for me and others if interested.  I'm now up to six hours on Saturday, and 9 hours in one week.

Wow, I'm going up to two hours next week, and was a bit worried that might even be too much for me. I too really am looking forward to that initial clearing. I don't think I'm even a quarter of a way through yet 

[Bari Jo]

Wow, I'm going up to two hours next week, and was a bit worried that might even be too much for me. I too really am looking forward to that initial clearing. I don't think I'm even a quarter of a way through yet 

After, I did two hours in a day, I thought, let's try four, then let's try six.  I love it, you might too:)

Bari Jo

[Tappy]

Hi Guy`s ,

What an informative thread !

I am very new , some have read my past post know this. I had ( I have no idea why ) always thought that electrolysis destroyed the hair root and prevented it from growing back. With that being said , how many times does the same area need to be worked on ? Or is it just that there are so many hair follicles when one is destroyed and adjacent one crops up ?

After reading all the good info , I am more confused than ever , but thanks for the confusion LOL

Perhaps a flask we a wee dram and a nap in your car after could ease the pain

Take care ,

Tappy

[Bari Jo]

I'm told it's typically cleared six times before the hair no longer grows back.  Mine is pretty dense, so that means a lot of electrolysis:(

[Dena]

Not all hairs are in the proper growth phase to be destroyed. For example, they may be dormant and not even visible. Not every  hair is killed the first time around but a good operator may have a kill rate of 80-90%. That said, there is a lot of hair but people with a coarse beard have fewer hairs per square inch and may require fewer hours to clear it.

[Tappy]

Hi Bari Jo & Dena ,

Thanks for the info , I have a lot to learn , that much is 4 Sure !!

I really need to get the face started , even if trans was not an issue ( but it is = more drive to get it done ).

I know I should ask on another thread , but you ladies have been so kind in the past , can a GP prescribe HRT , or should it just be that job of an endocrinologist , thanks ( sorry about posting with this ? here , I will not make it a habit , I hope )

Thanks , later

Tappy

[Dena]

A GP could prescribe it and sometimes they do but normally an endo would do it and they might require a letter from a therapist indicating you are a good candidate for treatment. The exception is an informed consent clinic where they still talk with you but it's a single session and you are taking responsibility for all your decisions.

In my case, I have a nurse practitioner who is trained in treatment of transgenders and as I am post surgical I don't need a letter. If you were pre surgical, you would need a letter.

[Tappy]

Hi Dena ,

Thanks for the reply , who ever knew not living a lie would be so much work !! LOL

Later ,

Tappy

[Bari Jo]

The state I'm in, you don't need a letter either, it can be informed consent.  In my case, like Dena, it would have been easy though.  I was DIY medicating anyway with the real stuff, so I was just finding a doctor that could take over my treatments.  I was going to do them anyway, but now I'm doing it safer under her care.

Bari Jo