I have 6.5 hours of electrolysis scheduled this weekend.  Yes, I know that's a lot.  I've done several two hour sessions before and have survived fine with no pain management.  This will be very different, I think.  What would you recommend to reduce the pain, befire and after a session like this.  This is for the face, BTW.

Here's what I have done, in order of importance:

• Drink a lot of water the day before, and the day of electrolysis.
• No caffeine for 8 hours prior.  None.
• One or two ibuprofen or similar.
• Numbing cream for the most challenging spots.

When the going gets tough I think about how much I want the benefits and results - that always seems to help.  Or I start messing with my phone as a distraction, although I'll admit there were a few areas where I was afraid I'd crack the screen so I had to put my phone down.  South Pole work. 

EMLA cream (5% Lidocaine/Prilocaine mixture) works well but is not over the counter in the US - I have found EMLA OTC in Australia, Canada and Taiwan (I used to travel quite a bit).  Some milder stuff is available OTC in the US or you can easily get EMLA with a prescription.  EMLA requires a prescription in some countries due to hazards from applying too much over a large area of skin.  I only use it where absolutely necessary.

I started out with two hour sessions, 3 per week.  The day my beard was first cleared was a three hour session. 

I never needed injections and just about done now, everywhere. 

Last friday we did 3 hours on the upper lip so I went to my dentist and she gave me an injection before the session.

The day after we did 6 hours and yesterday 5 hours. Only using EMLA and it was ok on most parts of the chin. Only when  we came near the lower lips it was not so much fun.

I'm really looking forward to having this done.  I'll target the most painful areas first.  If it gets too great, we can go to another area and I'll get numbing cream for next time.

If I can clear my lips, that would be amazing.  I already spent 1.5 hours on the chin, and it's starting to be sparse.  So much to do, so when am area is clear, that's a big big deal for me, as I'm sure for everybody.

In the US the most effective topical available without a prescription is 4% Lidocaine Cream with Menthol. Many generics are available, but the most common one is "Icy Hot with Lidocaine". Read the active ingredients carefully. There is much confusion with OTC medications in the US, where one highly advertised brand name will have many variations in active ingredients.

Quote from: Kendra on September 18, 2017, 10:11:04 AMSouth Pole work.

I could figure that out from context; Michelle P is the only one on the internet using this term, though.  Bikini area, for those who are puzzled like I was. 

Was about to ask this very question.  Someone here mentioned ice rollers to dull pain but my operator says they'll shrink the follicles too much, so I'll pick up some of that Icy Hot before we assault this pesky upper lip of mine.  I survived the last time she cleared it, albeit with a few tears, but that was a couple of months ago and I've got a lot more E in me now, everything is more sensitive. 

My operator says the ice rollers are fine for aftertreatment, too.  She always goes over things with the roller and witch hazel.  That roller uses the opposite polarity of electricity the probes do, too - I read about in my electrolysis 101 book.
It's good for soothing the skin.  Notice that you keep holding the rod thingamabob while the roller is applied, to complete the circuit.  I'm not up on the technical aspects of this at all!  And maybe your operators do things differently, something other than witch hazel, etc.

I'm just going to cue up some music on headphones.  Last time conversation really was out of the question, it just stung too much. 

I have my first consultation this Saturday.  A little anxious but happy to get started. 

Kelly that's great!  A couple years ago someone told me to "start yesterday" and that was good advice.

Quote from: Kendra on September 20, 2017, 03:02:08 AM
Kelly that's great!  A couple years ago someone told me to "start yesterday" and that was good advice.

Thanks Kendra!

I regularly endured 5 to 6 hour electrolysis sessions.  My electrologist gives me a small quantity of clinical strength lidocaine cream to numb my most sensitive areas two hours before treatment.  I cover the cream with two layers of plastic wrap (Saran wrap) to maintain the anesthetic effect.  I also take 600 mg of Advil shortly before treatment.  I've been known to doze off during treatment after we both get tired of talking. 

I've had 2 one hour sessions this week and will have another on Tuesday. I do all the prep recommended. no caffeine, EMLA cream 1.5 hours before on 2 areas covered separately with plastic wrap. drink enough water the day and morning before to feel like I'm wading in Rockport,Tx. and 2 ibuprofen.

And it still hurts. She was working near the corners of my mouth on different days going above the lip, in the corner an below. The creme works okay for the first few and gets steadily worse. She works about half an hour in each area and after the first 15 minutes it might as well not have been prepped. My electrologist set the machine bout 1 tic below max for me.

ouch,
   Laurie

Okay, today I had two sessions, one two hour, a break, and then a three hour.  The only prep work I did was very little caffeine and a rediculous amount of water.  As the day wore on, it seemed I started to get more and more sensitive.  Next time I'm definitely going to rub in some numbing cream.  Going that long, I need something.

I also notice I'm unusually tired tonight.  That electrolysis took a lot out of me!

Holey smokes!  Literally.

Quote from: Bari Jo on September 23, 2017, 10:00:02 PM
Okay, today I had two sessions, one two hour, a break, and then a three hour.  The only prep work I did was very little caffeine and a rediculous amount of water.  As the day wore on, it seemed I started to get more and more sensitive.  Next time I'm definitely going to rub in some numbing cream.  Going that long, I need something.

I also notice I'm unusually tired tonight.  That electrolysis took a lot out of me!

Wow that is a lot of time in the chair in one day...well done....That could make for a very ordinary couple of days while you heal and keeping the area free of infection is key, infected hair follicles hurt. It is a seriously invasive procedure and as you can feel, quite tiring. I would imagine the stress is why you feel tired. Unfortunately Numbing cream is good for maybe 15-20 minutes(maybe) and it takes the edge off more than numbs it, the numbing is not the same as you expect when you say... have a stich put in your finger and they inject lidocaine into the wound...not that kind of numb...I think you have done a remarkable job to have withstood it for as long as you did. My only other concern would be is does how your tech manage to keep their skill and accuracy working after such a long session.... You are far braver than I 

Quote from: ElizabethK on September 24, 2017, 12:46:32 AM
Wow that is a lot of time in the chair in one day...well done....That could make for a very ordinary couple of days while you heal and keeping the area free of infection is key, infected hair follicles hurt. It is a seriously invasive procedure and as you can feel, quite tiring. I would imagine the stress is why you feel tired. Unfortunately Numbing cream is good for maybe 15-20 minutes(maybe) and it takes the edge off more than numbs it, the numbing is not the same as you expect when you say... have a stich put in your finger and they inject lidocaine into the wound...not that kind of numb...I think you have done a remarkable job to have withstood it for as long as you did. My only other concern would be is does how your tech manage to keep their skill and accuracy working after such a long session.... You are far braver than I 

I'm going to two different technicians.  I would do just the first one if she would have me for extended sessions every week.  She's in high demand.  She counted hairs removed and it was over 400 an hour in the face, amazing.  The second one is much slower, but she concentrates to make sure it's done right.

Next time I'll do much more prep work, take ibuprofen, try the lidocaine cream, and report.  I have the same 5 hours planned for the next three weekends.

Bari Jo

Take max dose for ibuprofen which is 4. And don't bother with creams. The last thing you want to be doing before electrolysis  is clogging your pores with that gunk.

I used ELMA cream on the more challenging areas and my electrologist never complained.  But I used the stuff sparingly for two reasons - one is to avoid side effects (large amounts of EMLA can be bad), and the other reason is the stuff is too expensive to waste.

Quote from: Kendra on September 25, 2017, 06:30:47 PM
I used ELMA cream on the more challenging areas and my electrologist never complained.  But I used the stuff sparingly for two reasons - one is to avoid side effects (large amounts of EMLA can be bad), and the other reason is the stuff is too expensive to waste.

Of course they won't complain. Because it reduces treatment effectiveness and that means more electrolysis! As far as I'm concerned you should avoid putting anything on your face for 2 days before including makeup and moisturizers.

I used a prescription cream for laser because that was what the doctor recommended and it still hurt especially upper lip. I went a few times without any cream and there was barely a difference in pain. I really don't think the creams go deep enough to be effective.  Not worth the money and not worth the hassle of putting it on and taking it off right before.

Michelle I do not agree with your generalization of electrologists seeking to make their clients worse off.  Have you ever met mine?  Do you know her professional qualifications?

As for moisturizers I will continue to follow the advice of the surgeon who operated on my eyelids, even if that doctor's experience conflicts with your opinion. 

 

I think it is pretty silly to get into arguments rather than just having an open discussion.

So calm down now before I add Cindy's special numbing cream to the topic.

Thank you