Can a topical pain reliever be such as a viscous lidocaine be applied to the skin, left on the skin for 20 minutes, and then washed off prior to the procedure?
April 25, 2011
Answer: Topical numbing creams can be used with CAUTION for laser hair removal
If large areas are treated and/or if the numbing cream is used under occlusion, like plastic wrap, enough of the lidocaine can be absorbed to cause very serious side effects. Deaths have been reported after such use of numbing creams.
That is not to say we don't use numbing creams prior to laser hair removal or laser procedures in general. But numbing creams should not be used on large areas at one time and only small areas should be under occlusion.
Helpful
April 25, 2011
Answer: Topical numbing creams can be used with CAUTION for laser hair removal
If large areas are treated and/or if the numbing cream is used under occlusion, like plastic wrap, enough of the lidocaine can be absorbed to cause very serious side effects. Deaths have been reported after such use of numbing creams.
That is not to say we don't use numbing creams prior to laser hair removal or laser procedures in general. But numbing creams should not be used on large areas at one time and only small areas should be under occlusion.
Helpful
April 25, 2011
Answer: Topical anesthetic for laser
Topical anesthetics can be very helpful for lasers in general and certainly for hair removal. Several are widely available commercially (e.g. EMLA cream or LMX cream) and some practices like to compound their own. Typically these are applied roughly an hour before treatment and wiped off just for the treatment.
There is a possibility of toxicity if too large an area is treated so check with your physician/ read the package insert to find out how much you can use at one time.
Helpful
April 25, 2011
Answer: Topical anesthetic for laser
Topical anesthetics can be very helpful for lasers in general and certainly for hair removal. Several are widely available commercially (e.g. EMLA cream or LMX cream) and some practices like to compound their own. Typically these are applied roughly an hour before treatment and wiped off just for the treatment.
There is a possibility of toxicity if too large an area is treated so check with your physician/ read the package insert to find out how much you can use at one time.
Helpful