There are a lot of variables. The eletrocutioner does turn the juice up or down depending on the hairs to be zapped. White, bristly ones need the machine turned up to 'kill'. Dark, soft hairs can get away with a 'stun' setting.
As you note, your state of hydration matters. It's a fine line between being hydrated enough to reduce the pain and avoiding having to take bathroom breaks during the session, especially if you are on spiro.
How you apply the lidocaine matters, too. You want a good thick layer of the cream, well covered with plastic wrap. I use two pieces of wrap, each doubled over and taped for an airtight seal around the edges. The second piece goes on top of the first and is taped separately, so I have four layers. Apply it an hour before the session.
Where the hair is matters. Some areas are more sensitive than others. There are areas near my jawline where she can work without any numbing and it doesn't feel any worse than mosquito bites. On the other hand, she can't work on my upper lip at all without sending me into orbit, unless I have a dental block. Mere lidocaine doesn't cut it in that area. The left side of my neck is more sensitive than the right.
Avoid all forms of caffeine for eight hours before the session. Not just the true caffeine in coffee, but also the caffeine-like substances in tea or chocolate. I thought a cup of tea at breakfast wouldn't hurt for an afternoon session. But it was ouchy. The next week, I tried only half a cup, and it was better. The week after that, I had no tea at all, and it hardly hurt at all. Going without chocolate is a true hardship for me
but it is worth it to reduce the pain.
Your state of mind is important. I bring along music and headphones. I try to apply mindfulness meditation to the music to get my awareness away from my face. It doesn't work 100% - I can still feel it - but it helps if the zaps are outside of my main awareness.
And, of course, YMMV. Everyone's body reacts differently. A zap that will make me jump won't faze someone else.
