April 4, 2026
Before discussing this topic, it is important to note that electrolysis, for a lot of people, is simply an uncomfortable process, especially on certain body parts with a lot of nerve endings. It is sometimes possible to completely negate any pain from the treatment but not always.
I think it is irresponsible to present electrolysis in a way that minimizes the painful component of it or shies away from mentioning pain entirely. I have had my fair share of extremely painful experiences with electrolysis — some during sessions on my upper lip but primarily during sessions on my genitals. On a few occasions, I ended up in tears or I had to end an appointment early. For this reason, I feel it is important to be forthright about this aspect of my profession and share everything I have learned about pain management techniques from firsthand experience with my readers.
Most people can safely take up to both 400mg ibuprofen and 1000mg acetaminophen before a session, but you should check with a doctor to ensure this is safe for you. Aside from oral painkillers, topical lidocaine can be extremely useful to electrolysis clients. You can readily obtain over-the-counter 5% lidocaine cream from your local pharmacy and it is not very expensive. I would recommend avoiding lidocaine sprays or any creams with additives like menthol.
Apply the cream liberally around 30 – 45 minutes before your session, leaving a thick, goopy, visible layer of lidocaine on the area to be treated. You can further ensure the lidocaine's effectiveness by placing a piece of plastic wrap over the cream; this will keep the cream moist and allow it to be better absorbed into your skin. I recommend keeping the plastic wrap on until the moment you sit down in my chair, and we can take the plastic wrap off before beginning.
If you try oral painkillers and lidocaine simultaneously and are still struggling with the level of pain you are experiencing, you might want to consider discussing prescription lidocaine of a higher strength than the OTC 5% with your doctor. You can also look into EMLA cream or BLT cream as opposed to straight lidocaine. Some of these products can be obtained online.
Pain from electrolysis sessions can induce high levels of anxiety and make your muscles tense up. You can try employing box breathing to reduce stress in the moment and potentially take the edge off.
You can also try experimenting with CBD and THC products before an appointment, but, speaking from personal experience, THC can sometimes amplify the painful sensations and make it harder to relax or manage your anxiety. That being said, if lidocaine and oral pain medication is not sufficient for you, it may be worth a try.
In the 24 – 48 hours leading up to your appointment, it is best to refrain from caffeine, which can increase your sensitivity to pain and dehydrate you, and alcohol, which can also dehydrate you. Ensuring that you are well-hydrated the day before and of your appointment can really help both the client's pain and the ease of treatment on the part of the electrologist. Better hydration means more moisture in your skin, which may enable your electrologist to refrain from needing to turn the intensity of the machine up.
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