Is Electrolysis Painful On The Face And Body?
I think that if an electrolysis treatment is too comfortable, it just isn’t going to be effective. The goal of electrolysis is to kill a hair follicle so there has to be enough current flowing into your hair follicle to eradicate the cells responsible for hair growth. You have to feel something for that to happen.
The upper lip seems to be the one area where most people feel wince, especially right beneath the nose. Not only does electrolysis on the upper lip stimulate sneezing but it is very uncomfortable because the skin is so thin. I recommend EMLA for the area right under the nose and luckily this area numbs quite quickly so you won’t have to walk around in public with a creamy moustache with saran wrap on it! The downside is that the upper lip has to be treated with extreme caution. Only 15-20 minutes of epilation time a maximum of every 10 days. This delicate area needs time to heal before it receives current again.
For information on how to apply EMLA for electrolysis hair removal treatments, please read this essay.
It’s important to keep in mind that pain is a very subjective thing. From my own point of view, I’ve always used EMLA when removing my body hair because I am really a baby when it comes to pain. I mean a BIG baby as in the least little bit makes me wince and whine.
That being said, I’ve worked on many people who can take levels of energy that would send me through the roof. And they tolerate it with only the odd “ouch, that one hurt”. One’s ability to manage pain really determines how well you’ll respond to electrolysis treatment. If you can relax through pain you’ll have no problem. If you know that you tense up through pain, then it might be a good idea to have some EMLA on hand before you start electrolysis treatment.
Non-medicinal methods of pain management during electrolysis include distraction and ice packs.
Distraction works very well on some people, but not at all on others. I don’t find ice packs helpful at all. I’ve experimented with them on myself and I found the freezing of my skin to be more uncomfortable than the electrolysis treatment itself. As an electrologist I find that ice packs get in the way of the treatment, and if the skin is too cool insertions become more difficult.
Some of my clients are content with taking a few pain relievers prior to the appointment and that’s enough to relax them for the hour or two I am working on them.
Go to your first appointment with an open mind and no expectations of how you’re going to feel. You’ll discover fairly quickly whether you’ll need to numb…or not.
Further Reading:
HOW TO APPLY EMLA FOR ELECTROLYSIS TREATMENT