For those of you that have done electrolysis, what was the best numbing cream that you tried or used? I'm looking for something with lidocaine because that is what was recommended to me; however, I don't know what to get. Brand names would be very helpful.

I use one called bio evolve. You order it online from Canada. Works really really well.

Everything else is pretty much just  4% lidocaine and are basically the same.

I use 2.5% Lidocaine / 2.5% Prilocaine cream  (believe the  brand name for this is EMLA) In the USA a prescription is required for it.

It sometimes works well depending on the area,  but timing of the application is critical.  If you put it on an hour before your treatment it's likely that you'll get little benefit from it.  I have found that 20 -to 30 mins. before treatment works better. It's efficacy is dependent on the area you are treating.  Some areas of the face don't react as well to it as others.  If you are scheduling a long treatment, you need to have your technician apply it while working on another area so that its effects are not lost.  Also, it helps to cover the application with "Saran Wrap" after application.  This keeps the cream from drying out.   Hope this helps. 

I use a lidocaine/benzocaine/tetracane mix that my electrologist sells. You can also have it mixed up at a compounding pharmacy but you'll need a prescription for it from your doctor. It tends to settle so always stir it before use. Put it on heavily 30 minutes before your session and then cover it with Saran Wrap. You can also take Advil or Motrin before getting zapped.

I gave up using creams til it made me sick.  I now ask my electrolysis lady to pick her spots to work.  She adds this benzocaine cream I made for a few min.  I then inject lidocaine w eppy just under the skin..  no pain what so ever within seconds.  She now usually works 1.5 to 2 hrs and I nap;)  ask your endo to write you a script, or you can legally make up a batch if ya know how (but I suggest buying premixed).  It's sterile, and use an insulin syringe.  Use the syringe in the lidocaine only once.  A bottle that will last you a year is 25 bucks, but if you contaminate it, the infection will cost more.  I'd tell ya the dose, but I can't here, so just be advised that too much can stop your heart!  Good luck;)

I use Emla - that's what it's called Australia anyway. Works pretty good but needs to go on about 45 minutes before treating the area.

Quote from: iKate on August 21, 2015, 04:02:21 PM
I use one called bio evolve. You order it online from Canada. Works really really well.

Everything else is pretty much just  4% lidocaine and are basically the same.

+1 on the Bio Evolve. Great Stuff

I use Emla cream. It seems to be hit and miss. Some weeks it is less painful than others. Work has been mostly on my upper lip and chin to this point ( upper lip basically done). I sure wish I had something that worked better. Too many times I end the hour in tears.

I did an experiment and added Progesterone Gel to EMLA and it improved the efficiency. Not because of the Progesterone, but most likely because of the ethanol gel which takes the lidocaine in the EMLA a little deeper into the skin. But it was only a medium gain in pain supression.

I heard of a mixture of
Lidocain Base
Tetracain Base
and Tetracain HCL
which supposedly is rather efficient, but its not sold as a premade mixture

Tequila shots!

I actually never used anything up until my last electrolysist appointment. I went out and bought the emla cream because i was finally fed up with dealing with the pain. But it was just way too expensive for me and i didn't like how long it took to take effect so i ended up returning it.
while I was talking to my electrologist before my appt she said that she actually has some that she uses for patients so we put that on and it worked pretty well. I'll ask tonight what it is and can let you know. It worked within a couple of minutes and it mostly just cooled down my face as the most pain for me was the heat from the shocking. definitely has menthol in it though and it smelled great to me

Just search for lidocaine on eBay. Buy the 5% to 8% version. 10g tube is only $4. Prices have dropped a lot the last year.

Approaching 400 hours of electro...getting close to being done.

I guess I must have good pain tolerance.  I sometimes take ibuprofen.  Other than that I put on some arnica cream since some areas I occasionally get mosquito like bumps and arnica is good for reducing swelling.  I do enjoy the cooling aloe after an hour session though

Quote from: iKate on August 21, 2015, 04:02:21 PM
I use one called bio evolve. You order it online from Canada. Works really really well.

Everything else is pretty much just  4% lidocaine and are basically the same.

For any Australians here you can get that, and stronger, made in a compounding pharmacy. At least you can in Sydney. You'd need a prescription.