That's interesting about caffeine. I injured myself once by pushing myself more than I should have on a bicycle, because caffeine acts like a pain killer. But, I maybe it's for a particular type of sensation that reduces pain. Peddling furiously is different than someone pulling hairs out of your face.
The lips are a super sensitive area on a person's body. For my brief period of getting electrolysis the main problem with pain was that i would move involuntarily in reaction to the pain. I don't drink alcohol, I'm sure I had caffeine then though.
I'm still going to try to get novocaine injections.