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Pain Management
Permanent hair removal can be massively important for feelings of gender congruence and safety, and critical prior to some gender-affirming surgeries. Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved form of permanent hair removal. Unfortunately, this process of inactivating hair follicles is often uncomfortable.
Having good pain control allows your electrologist to remove hair from larger areas of skin over the course of 2-3 hours, rather than the small patches treated in an hour at a typical appointment elsewhere. This provides faster results in far fewer electrolysis appointments.
1. Over-the-counter pain reliever
Ibuprofen or naproxen can assist with pain management and help reduce inflammation after electrolysis.
2. Over the counter numbing cream suggestions
> Dynamo Delay Lidocaine Spray
> Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream
* Always perform a patch test before applying to ensure there are no adverse reactions. Transition Health is not liable for any reactions that may occur.
3. Prescription-strength numbing cream
Transition Health can provide you with a prescription for numbing cream. This may not be covered by insurance, but will be stronger than over the counter options.
4. Local numbing injections
Transition Health offers the opportunity to receive local numbing injections to make your electrolysis appointment virtually pain free. This is similar to what is done before stitches or a dental procedure. This type of numbing involves about five to ten minutes of skin injections (yes, that means shots, but the needle only goes in about 3 millimeters deep), after which the skin will be numb during the entire electrolysis session.
These numbing treatments can even be covered by some insurance companies. Ask us more about this during your consultation or reach out to Transition Health today! Your comfort is our first priority.
Next, learn about how to prepare your skin for electrolysis.