Topical anesthetic cream can make the pain from hair removal procedures much easier to handle.
EMLA creams typically contain 5% of a topical anesthetic, often lidocaine or prilocaine. Some brands have been a mix of lidocaine 2.5% plus prilocaine 2.5%.
Originally available only by prescription, they are now available over the counter. Common brands include:
Numb 520
LMX-5
Learn more about LMX 5 here.
Background
EMLA is a generic term, an acronym that stands for Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics. A eutectic mixture has a melting point below room temperature. Local anesthetics like lidocaine and prilocaine crystals turn to oils at room temperature. Suspending them in a cream makes them easier to apply.
EMLA creams are usually thick and white with very little smell and a rather bitter taste if you accidentally get some on your lips. It’s not a good idea to get the junk in your mouth (or worse, your eye), so be careful. I usually keep a tissue in my hand in case some accidentally gets smeared near my mouth or eye.
EMLA was developed by Swedish pharmaceutical Astra (now part of Merck). There are some medical advisories, so read all instructions before using it. EMLA typically comes in 5 and 30 gram ointment tubes.
Disclaimer
This may be the solution to hair removal pain for you, or it may not. Some people swear by it; others say it does nothing for them. I am firmly in the camp of EMLA fans, but I do think it is sometimes overhyped. I have very rarely experienced 100% anesthesia from topical anesthetics like EMLA. However, it does an excellent job of taking the edge off the pain for me, and that’s all I really want.
A pain medication which works perfectly for one consumer may not work at all for another. I make absolutely no guarantee that any product mentioned in this section will work for you or will work better or worse for you than another product. For details, see my Pain management intro page.
EMLA application tips
How long does a tube last? It depends. Some people make a 30 gram tube last for months; others use a whole tube in a couple of sessions. I personally feel that the price is far outweighed by how much more tolerable it can make treatment, but not everyone does.
Cover the cream with cling wrap immediately after application for better results
EMLA works best when covered with an occlusive dressing, which is a fancy to say airtight and watertight protection. The cheapest and easiest option is to use regular cling wrap like Saran wrap.
Begin treatment immediately after uncovering
The numbness starts to wear off as soon as the dressing is removed and the cream is wiped away. Sometimes this happens quite quickly, other times it may stay numb long after treatment. The EMLA instructions claim it should last at least 20 minutes. It’s important to work on an area as soon as it’s wiped clean if you want the full effect. Let them remove the wrap as he or she gets to the next area. They should peel it back like a sardine can lid, only uncovering the area they are just about to work on. Sometimes, the stuff may just be too messy and getting in the way, in which case it might be easier to remove the whole price of plastic. That’s why it’s good to do the plastic in several smaller pieces.
Freshly-opened tubes seem more potent
Many people have commented on the difference in potency between a freshly-opened tube and one that’s been open awhile. Once the EMLA in the tube has been exposed to the air it seems that it starts to lose effectiveness. Temperature seems to affect it adversely as well, so don’t let it get too hot or cold. If you aren’t on a prescription co-payment plan and are paying full price out of pocket, you might look into the 5-gram tubes, which could be used up before the EMLA starts to lose effectiveness.
Avoid getting it in creases
I find that if the EMLA sits in the creases that run from my nose to the corners of my mouth (nasolabial folds), I get a rash. I can prevent that by covering those creases with scotch tape BEFORE applying EMLA, and then taping the cling wrap over the whole thing.
Tricky tubes
Careful when you puncture a new tube! When the seal is broken, the pressurized cream sometimes oozes out quickly. A friend observed a phenomenon I’ve had myself: a depressing point when you’re in the middle of a tube where the tube looks to contain more EMLA that it really has in it. You’re flattening it out… still no EMLA. When it finally does start coming out again you have a lot less than you thought you had left, so plan accordingly if you use it generously. Finally, it can be a bit tricky getting the last few grams out. Best bet is to roll up the tube as you empty it, then squeeze out the last part like a syringe: thumb pressing down on the rolled-up part, index and middle fingers on side of the mouth of the tube. It will probably all come out at once, so point it toward your palm so it doesn’t spill on the floor.
Pages in this section:
What’s it feel like?
Risks in hair removal pain management
Factors that affect pain
Over 30 pain reduction tips
EMLA application tips
Other topical anesthetics
