Numbing creams for electrolysis: do they work and how to use them

Electrolysis is one of the few methods that removes unwanted hair for the long term, but it works one hair at a time, and that can sting. A common question before a first session is whether a numbing cream is worth it. The short answer is yes: a topical anaesthetic cream applied before your appointment can take most of the sharpness out of the sensation, and there is real clinical evidence behind it.

Below is how numbing creams work for electrolysis, which ingredients matter, how to apply one properly, and the safety points every patient should know before reaching for a tube.

TL;DR

• Numbing creams genuinely help: a controlled study of a lidocaine and prilocaine cream found less pain during upper-lip electrolysis than with a placebo.
• The active ingredients are local anaesthetics such as lidocaine, prilocaine and tetracaine, which block the nerve signals that carry pain.
• The cream needs clean, dry skin and roughly 30 to 60 minutes to work, usually under a thin cover.
• More cream is not better: over-application, especially over large areas, raises the risk of side effects, so stick to the guidance on the pack or from your clinic.
• At CoLaz, we agree the right numbing approach with you at your free electrolysis consultation.

Do numbing creams actually work for electrolysis?

Yes, numbing creams reduce the pain of electrolysis, and this is backed by controlled research rather than clinic marketing. In a double-blind study of upper-lip electrolysis, a 5% lidocaine and prilocaine cream produced significantly lower pain scores than a placebo cream on the other side of the same lip.

A separate trial that applied the same type of cream to the moustache area before electrolysis found it gave effective pain relief, with the added benefit that people could sit through longer sessions comfortably. That matters, because electrolysis treats each follicle individually, so a session you can tolerate for longer means more hairs cleared per visit.

The same class of creams is used routinely before other skin procedures. Reviews of topical anaesthetics for laser procedures and for microneedling report meaningful pain reduction and good patient preference, which is why numbing before energy-based and needle-based aesthetic treatments is now standard practice.

How do numbing creams reduce electrolysis pain?

Numbing creams work by blocking the nerve signals that carry pain from your skin to your brain. The local anaesthetic in the cream sits on and just under the skin surface and quietens the sensory nerve endings in the treated area, so the brief current used in electrolysis registers as much less sharp.

In pharmacology terms, these anaesthetics stabilise the nerve membrane and stop it firing the electrical impulses that would otherwise travel to the brain as pain. The NHS explains that lidocaine skin cream is used to numb the skin before minor procedures for exactly this reason. Because the effect is local, the cream numbs only the small patch it is applied to and wears off within a couple of hours, so there is no lasting loss of feeling.

The ingredients that do the numbing

Numbing creams rely on a small group of local anaesthetics, most often lidocaine, prilocaine or tetracaine. These are the compounds doing the work; everything else in the tube is a base that helps them absorb into the skin.

• Lidocaine is the most widely used. It numbs the skin quickly and is found in many over-the-counter and pharmacy creams.
• Prilocaine is often paired with lidocaine in a combined cream, and this pairing has been studied specifically as an effective topical anaesthetic for the skin.
• Tetracaine is a stronger anaesthetic sometimes combined with lidocaine, mainly used before laser and injectable procedures.
• Benzocaine appears in some products and works in a similar way, though it is less common for facial electrolysis.

In the UK, strengths and combinations are regulated, and stronger formulas are sold as pharmacy medicines rather than off the shelf. Your clinic can tell you which product suits the area you are treating, and whether a plain lidocaine cream or a lidocaine and prilocaine cream is the better fit.

How do you apply numbing cream before electrolysis?

You apply numbing cream to clean, dry skin in a thin, even layer over the exact area being treated, then usually cover it lightly so it absorbs. Getting the basics right is the difference between a cream that works and one that barely takes the edge off.

A simple, safe routine looks like this:

1. Clean the skin first. Wash the area with a gentle cleanser and pat it fully dry. Oil, sweat or makeup slows absorption.
2. Apply an even layer. Cover the treatment area, no thicker than the guidance on the pack. A thick blob does not numb any deeper; it just wastes cream and can irritate.
3. Cover it if advised. Research on lidocaine and prilocaine cream shows it works best applied under occlusion, meaning a thin layer of cling film or a small dressing over the top to trap it against the skin.
4. Wipe it off before you start. Remove the cream with a clean tissue just before treatment, so the clinician works on clean, dry skin.
5. Wash your hands. Anaesthetic cream should not end up near your eyes or lips by accident.

How long before your appointment should you apply it?

Apply numbing cream about 30 to 60 minutes before your session, because most topical anaesthetics need that long to reach full effect. Putting it on a few minutes before you walk in does very little, since the anaesthetic has not had time to sink into the skin.

Timing is one of the most common mistakes people make. The NHS guidance is to apply lidocaine skin cream ahead of the procedure and follow the leaflet for the exact timing, as it varies by product. A lidocaine and prilocaine cream typically reaches useful numbing at around an hour. It is worth confirming the timing with your clinic in advance so you can apply the cream at home and arrive ready, rather than waiting at the clinic while it takes effect.

Are numbing creams safe to use for electrolysis?

Used correctly on a small area, numbing creams are generally safe, but they are still medicines and can cause side effects if overused. The most important rule is that more is not better: applying a thick layer, covering a large area, or leaving the cream on far longer than directed increases how much anaesthetic your body absorbs.

The main risk to be aware of with lidocaine and prilocaine creams is a rare blood condition called methaemoglobinaemia, where the blood cannot carry oxygen properly. Case reports link it to over-application of lidocaine and prilocaine cream, and the risk is highest in very young babies, which is why these creams are not used in newborns without medical supervision. For a healthy adult numbing a small patch such as the upper lip, this is very unlikely, but it is the reason the dose limits on the pack matter.

More common, minor reactions include temporary redness, paleness or mild swelling where the cream was applied. These usually settle on their own. If you have had a reaction to a local anaesthetic before, or you have a condition such as G6PD deficiency, tell your clinician, as noted in the NHS advice, because a numbing cream may not be suitable for you.

When to check with a clinician first

Some people should check with a clinician or their GP before using a numbing cream, rather than buying one and applying it themselves. This is a screening question we cover at every consultation, not an afterthought.

Take extra care, or ask first, if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a known allergy to lidocaine, prilocaine, tetracaine or benzocaine
• have G6PD deficiency or a history of methaemoglobinaemia
• take medicines that can affect the blood
• want to numb a large area or broken, irritated skin

Electrolysis itself is often chosen by people with hormone-driven facial hair, including those with PCOS, where the NHS lists hair-removal methods among the options. If that is you, a consultation is the right place to plan both the treatment and how to keep it comfortable.

Comfortable electrolysis at CoLaz

At CoLaz, comfort is planned at your free consultation, before any treatment begins, so the numbing approach fits you and the area being treated. We take your medical history, ask about allergies and medication, and agree whether a numbing cream is appropriate and, if so, which product, how much, and when to apply it.

Electrolysis at CoLaz is delivered by trained practitioners, and choosing a reputable, regulated clinic is part of a comfortable, safe experience. The JCCP register is a good way for any patient to check that an aesthetic practitioner is properly accredited. We would always rather talk you through a sensible numbing plan than have you guess with an over-the-counter tube at home.

If facial or body hair has been hard to shift, electrolysis suits any hair colour, including white, grey and fine hair that laser hair removal cannot treat. To find out whether it is right for you, and how we would keep it comfortable, book a free consultation at your nearest CoLaz clinic and we will plan it together.