Laser vs Electrolysis and Pain Management

[ChrissyRyan]

I haven't had laser but you haven't lived until you've had electrolysis right next to your nose. When we were working on that area my hair was wet with tears and the sides of my face was itching from the salty tears flowing over them. Of course we didn't know about some of the ways to control pain today and dental blocks were difficult to get so I did it without anything to control the pain.

Oh my, that sounds awful and very uncomfortable.  One wonders if there is a surgical procedure under general anesthesia that could take care of this facial hair for good but without much suffering.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

Just a comment on depilatory creams on the face.

Do be VERY careful. Most depilatory creams contain a strong alkali, that is what dissolves the hair. The eye is extremely susceptible to  changes in the pH that can be caused by alkali. If you get some in the eye you will probably be permanently blinded.

Always check that a depilatory cream is OK for the face and never get them anywhere near your eyes.

Oh and laser hurts the first few times but get easier after the beard is thinned out. It isn't really all that bad. I never used any pain killers. I just concentrated on the end result.

Get a rubber band, stretch it a bit and ping it into your cheek. That is the extreme of how much laser hurts.

Cindy,

Thanks for the heads up on the depilatory cream.  I heard that the creams can cause ingrown hairs, but I also read that shaving can cause ingrown hairs too. 

Chrissy

[TonyaW]

No they are not pleasant.  Though with enough lidocaine and the lack of coffee due to the recommend caffeine restriction, I have nodded off during electrolysis.  My fitbit usually says I was in light sleep  through my sessions.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk




Be careful with the lidocaine especially if you have heart problems as too much or too big an area can cause a severe reaction. It's happened to me twice. Really thought I might die. To make sure it works, apply two hours before time and cover with plastic wrap. It works but not as good as I thought.  Your experience may be different.

I should have been more careful with my wording, as it could be read that I apply it with a putty knife.  I have found the amount that safely gives me enough pain prevention. 

Being a pharmacist, I'm well aware of the potential danger of lidocaine overdose and even clued my electrologist in on it.  I don't have a link but thought I read of a couple of girls that died after using it with plastic wrap on their legs after a waxing.  Much smaller area on the face so less likely to absorb too much, but it is a danger, especially if you already have heart problems.



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[AnonyMs]

Being a pharmacist, I'm well aware of the potential danger of lidocaine overdose and even clued my electrologist in on it.  I don't have a link but thought I read of a couple of girls that died after using it with plastic wrap on their legs after a waxing.  Much smaller area on the face so less likely to absorb too much, but it is a danger, especially if you already have heart problems.

If I recall correctly the women who died covered a very large area of the body for a long time. It doesn't seem a significant risk for the face, for things like Emla anyway. There's some much stronger compounded topical anesthetics so I'd guess you want to be more cautious with those.

There was a thread a while ago that had some info on pain management

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,176665.msg1633587.html