Which is more effective?

These are the only two options the VA is giving me to choose from...

Regarding hair removal, I've tried lido 2,5%/Prilo 2,5% and Lidocaïne 10% cream. The 2,5%/2,5% works way better than the 10% (don't ask me why?).

I can answer why. I am a Pharmacist.

Lidocaine and prilocaine are a eutectic mixture. That is, when the crystals are mixed they become liquid at room temperature even though both drugs separately, are crystal solids at room temperature. This liquid mix is much more readily bio-available when incorporated into a topical vehicle, such as a cream or lotion. The two anesthetics together work better than a single anesthetic.

Plain Lidocaine must be dissolved in a non-active vehicle before mixing with a topical vehicle. So why not just make a stronger concentration? There is a functional limit for topical anesthetic purposes, about 4 or 5 %. This does not even account for side effects. Lidocaine is also a very potent anti-arrhythmic and can slow down the heart rate. Too much is not good.

I hope this explanation helps.

I have a 5% lidocaïne cream that I talked my doctor into prescribing so I could use it before electrolysis sessions.
I used it twice. It made my face numb but did nothing to easy the pain of the probe.
Total waste of time applying it. I don't even bother anymore.

Quote from: Dani on July 27, 2016, 06:36:20 PM
I can answer why. I am a Pharmacist.

Lidocaine and prilocaine are a eutectic mixture. That is, when the crystals are mixed they become liquid at room temperature even though both drugs separately, are crystal solids at room temperature. This liquid mix is much more readily bio-available when incorporated into a topical vehicle, such as a cream or lotion. The two anesthetics together work better than a single anesthetic.

Plain Lidocaine must be dissolved in a non-active vehicle before mixing with a topical vehicle. So why not just make a stronger concentration? There is a functional limit for topical anesthetic purposes, about 4 or 5 %. This does not even account for side effects. Lidocaine is also a very potent anti-arrhythmic and can slow down the heart rate. Too much is not good.

I hope this explanation helps.

Thank you, I have been using the 4% Lidocaine but will give the 2.5+2.5% mix another shot based on your info.

My experience with topical anesthetics mirrors that of Charley.  I've even talked with my electrologist about injections but her recent experience with that approach also appears to offer little if any relief. My doctor told me she had marathon sessions (6- 8 hours at a crack) with two electrologists working on her at the same time and used the same approach a dentist uses - it sounds like the Novocaine injected as a dentist would to numb the teeth and gums produces the desired results. 

I'm discussing that option with my electrologist and if she can work the logistics out with another practitioner in her office to "double team me" I may try to get my dentist on board.  For now, I just grit my teeth and make do with the topical analgesic.

My electrologist has a dentist next door. She has asked him if he would be willing to give me Novocain injections when she works on my upper lip. His reply was yes, but I need to register with him as a patient.

I'm tolerating the pain now for my chin and cheeks, but when she goes back to the lip I'm going with the injections.