Application of a eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine cream to the moustache area prior to electrolysis provides effective analgesia

Abstract

Electrolysis for removal of unwanted facial hair can be painful and uncomfortable. Any therapy that reduces the pain of this procedure is likely to increase the efficacy and acceptability of electrolysis and encourage more patients to return for subsequent treatments. We therefore determined the effectiveness and practicality of applying a eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine cream to the moustache area (upper lip) prior to electrolysis. In a randomized, double-bund, single-center, crossover trial, 21 female patients applied lidocaine/prilocaine cream to one-half of the moustache area and placebo to the other under an occlusive dressing for 60 min. The pain experienced by the patient during electrolysis was rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by the electrologist on a verbal rating scale (VRS). There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the lidocaine/prilocaine cream compared with placebo, for both the VAS score and VRS rating. The results demonstrate that lidocaine/prilocaine cream is an effective and practical method for alleviating the pain experienced during electrolysis. Sufficient amounts of cream, typically between 1.5 and 5 g on each half of the moustache area, should be applied under occlusion 1 h prior to the procedure.

Key Words:

• EMLA
• Electrolysis