Most people know what plucking a hair feels like. It's not
pleasant, but it's usually bearable. Some people find the steady
pluck, pluck, pluck to be like Chinese water torture, though.
Stretch the skin tight and grasp the hair close to the skin
to minimize pain. Also, use good tweezers, since bad ones don't
grip well and may not get the hair out the first time.
Generally considered the most painful method, it's the trade-off
for proven permanence. Clients variously describe the sensation
as a "bee-sting," a "twinge," or a "zap."
I've also heard it feels like getting a shot, or a tattoo, or
like someone touching you with a just-extinguished match. I
found that after a session or two you kind of get used to it,
and it doesn't seem to hurt as much. Most people find along
the lip line and under the nostrils to be especially difficult.
People commonly report that their difficult areas are bony parts
near the ears and along the chin, the lower neck and throat,
the areas just below the corners of the mouth, armpit and bikini
area.
With laser and electrolysis, you must work as close to your
pain threshold as possible for the most effective treatment.
If your settings are too low, treatment will be ineffective,
thus prolonging your pain with additional sessions.
While electrolysis, laser, and waxing are sometimes uncomfortable,
there are ways to deal with the pain. If it hurts, speak up.
Communication between you and the practitioner is vital. If
the pain-reducing suggestions below don't work for you, consult
a physician, who may have other suggestions. Pain or the fear
of pain shouldn't stop you from getting hair removed if you
really want it.
Have electrologist count down hairs
If you are working in an especially difficult area, you may
find it helps to have your electrologist count down the hairs
left to do. By breaking up a session into a bunch of little
goals like this, the whole thing can seem to go faster, and
knowing you only have six to go in that area can help you
mentally tolerate the tough parts.
Pay the same amount but be done in about half the time by
having two electrologists or waxers work at once. Nicki writes,
"I get twice the hours of work for the same number of
hours of my lying there being tortured so it's much quicker
to make progress.
Sometimes the placement of the moistened pad or metal cylinder
used in galvanic procedures can affect your comfort level,
so try moving it.
Drinking a lot of water has been claimed to improve galvanic
efficacy, and some also claim it helps with pain. Plus, it
can't hurt!
Some people like advanced warning just before the current
is applied. Also, have your electrologist experiment with
the duration and intensity of the current. In general, people
find longer is worse than more intense. I read about one client
who even presses the button to send the current once the electrologist
has the probe in place. That's way too much work for me, but
if it helps, who am I to judge?
A probe's size, shape and/or material can affect sensation.
If you are having excessive pain, some find that gold-plated
probes seem to help.
Some find Blend unbearable; others can't stand thermolysis.
Experiment and see what you prefer.
Some electrologists are just better than others. However,
don't pick someone whose session hurts less just because they
turned down the machine. The only thing you're hurting then
are your chances for getting done quickly and at the lowest
cost.
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