How to Apply Numbing Effectively
LEARN ALL ABOUT NUMBING
Critical Information on How To Apply Numbing Effectively
This post includes excerpts from the ROSASS Complete Plasma Fibroblast Study Manual Book 6.
When performing plasma lift treatments, it's crucial to understand that while most sessions are virtually pain-free, some areas may cause moderate discomfort for your clients.
This is especially true for sensitive regions, like the eyelids, where the skin is the thinnest and the most sensitive lip area.
Additionally, pain tolerance and sensitivity can vary for each client and area. Here’s my personal advice on how to use numbing effectively.
Pre-treatment Advice:
Recommend to your client to take Paracetamol (such as Tylenol, Mapap, or Panado) about one hour before treatment to alleviate any discomfort.NB! It must be a noninflammatory tablet, as this allows the skin to heal naturally without anti-inflammatory interference, which promotes optimal collagen production. (Acetaminophen is a noninflammatory medication.)
Important Considerations for Numbing
- Store numbing creams at room temperature, away from moisture, light, and heat.
- Play calming music to help your client relax, as tension can reduce the numbing effect.
- Only apply numbing products to healthy skin, avoid any cuts, grazes, or irritated areas.
- Be cautious: lidocaine is not suitable for clients with liver disease or those on heart rhythm medications.
- Lidocaine typically takes 45 to 60 minutes to take effect.
- Optionally, pretreat the skin with a light derma roll before applying over-the-counter numbing creams, except near the eye area.
- When using over-the-counter numbing creams, always cover the treated areas with cling film, removing it in stages as you work.
- For added protection, use Artelac eye drops, or a similar product, before applying numbing cream around the eyes.
- Use milder formulations like Emla near the very rim of the eyes, and avoid stronger creams to prevent irritation or potential damage to the corneas if the cream accidentally gets into the eyes.
- Remind clients to avoid rubbing their eyes after applying numbing cream near this area.
Application Tips
The plasma device, with its superfine probes, allows for swift work, minimizing potential discomfort for your client.- Always cleanse your client's skin and let it dry before applying the numbing product. I recommend Johnson’s Cleansing Face Wipes (avoid wipes containing alcohol).
- Lightly apply the numbing product with an ice cream stick, brush, or similar tool, do not rub the cream in the skin. Light featherlike application yields better numbing results.
- Numb in sections rather than applying it to large areas all at once. Cover the treated sections with cling film and wait 45 to 60 minutes for the numbing to take effect.
- If you're treating large areas, once the numbing time for the first section is sufficient, you can begin numbing and covering the second area. Then, lift the cling wrap from the first area, clean off the numbing residue with a wipe, and start working with the plasma arc. Repeat this process as you move to the next section.
During the Procedure
- Regularly check in with your client during treatment. If they experience discomfort, pause the treatment and reapply the numbing cream to the affected area. You can either switch to another already-numbed area or wait an additional 5 minutes for the cream to take full effect. Just five extra minutes can make a huge difference.
- Remind your client that certain areas might not numb completely. Let them know that some discomfort is normal and that they should alert you if it becomes unbearable. This helps manage expectations and prevents continuous complaints during the procedure.
- Remember Rather numb areas in sections if working on larger areas"
Managing Side Effects and Safety during and Immediately After Treatment
During and directly after plasma fibroblast treatments, it's common for clients to experience minor side effects, such as:- Itching, tingling, pale skin with red spots, or mild swelling at the application site.
- If symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, advise your client to consult a doctor.
- Be cautious when applying numbing cream to large areas all at once, as this can lead to more serious side effects, including irregular heartbeats, seizures, or slowed breathing.
- Always follow safe application guidelines, especially when working on larger treatment areas.
Symptoms Requiring Immediate Attention
If your client experiences any of the following, immediately remove the numbing cream and seek medical help:- Severe itching, excessive burning, or wheezing.
- Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing.
- Excessive swelling of the mouth, lips, throat, or face.
Factors That Can Affect Numbing Effectiveness
- Heavy caffeine consumption before treatment.
- Anxiety or stress, which can increase cortisol levels and reduce the numbing effect.
- Cold skin, particularly in clients with poor circulation.
- Recent use of oil-based creams like body butters, which can interfere with absorption.
- A slow metabolism or the use of certain medications.
- Conditions like fibromyalgia, which may increase sensitivity and prolong healing.
Numbing Agents
Technicians often use FDA approved local anesthetics, many of which are available in over-the-counter strengths, including:- Lidocaine: Primarily used for numbing smaller, less invasive areas.
- Common numbing creams include F&E, Mithra, TKTX, Proaegis, Zensa, and EMLA.
Practical Tips for Using EMLA Numbing Creams
- EMLA: This numbing cream requires a longer application time to become effective. I personally use EMLA near the very rim of the eyes for safety reasons. For the rest of the eye area, face, neck, and body, I recommend F&E, or a stronger numbing cream.
- Be aware that the numbing effect of EMLA wears off within 5 to 10 minutes after removing the cling film and wiping off the residue. Therefore, the window for comfortable aesthetic treatments is quite short.
Other Numbing Products Include
For stronger numbing, some practitioners use
prescription creams containing:
20%
Lidocaine, 5% Prilocaine, or 5% Tetracaine. These formulations act quickly,
with effects lasting longer than over-the-counter products.
These products require a doctor’s prescription, making the medical practitioner responsible for ordering them. Their main benefit is that they provide almost instant numbing. Clients may only feel a slight tickling sensation when the electrical arc is applied. Within 5 to 10 minutes of application, the treated area becomes fully numb, and there’s no need for cling film since the numbing effect occurs quickly.
Conclusion:
To conclude this post, effective numbing is essential to ensure a smooth and comfortable plasma fibroblast experience for both you and your client. By taking the necessary precautions, closely monitoring your client’s reactions, and choosing the most appropriate numbing agent, you can deliver a safe and satisfying treatment.
I hope you’ve learned something valuable from this
post on numbing. Feel free to share your numbing tips in the comments
below—we’d love to hear from you!
If you want more in-depth training on plasma fibroblast treatments, check out the *ROSASS Complete Plasma Fibroblast Study Series Book 6, or If you prefer it in the printed format you can order a copy on Amazon here
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3. Then click this link to download your FREE e-book.
Thank you for visiting and subscribing to my blog 'for continued free newsletters, tips, and skin care wisdom.
Keep on Glowing!
Susan
ROSASS ❤