Join our Mailing list!
Get all the latest news, exclusive deals, and official updates.
Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco and Beverly Hills
Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco and Beverly Hills
If you’ve ever hesitated to get Botox or dermal fillers because of fear of pain, you’re not alone. Many patients worry about discomfort during aesthetic injectable treatments, and this concern can sometimes delay or even prevent them from enjoying the benefits of these popular cosmetic procedures.
Over the years, I’ve refined my approach to make injectables as comfortable as possible for my patients. Today, I’m excited to share with you the four proven ways to reduce pain during aesthetic injectables – an update from my previous three-method approach.
These techniques include the use of:
Together, these methods help my patients “fly through” their treatments with minimal discomfort. Let’s dive in!
When you receive an injectable treatment, tiny needles puncture your skin to deliver Botox or dermal fillers beneath the surface. This needle puncture activates nerve endings called nociceptors, which send pain signals to your brain. The speed of injection, needle sharpness, and your individual nerve sensitivity all influence how much pain you feel. Additionally, anxiety and anticipation can heighten your perception of pain, making the experience more uncomfortable than it might otherwise be.
Pain during injectables isn’t just unpleasant; it can affect your overall satisfaction with the procedure. Studies show that nearly 40% of patients delay or avoid cosmetic treatments due to fear of pain. Minimizing discomfort not only improves your experience but also encourages repeat visits and better treatment outcomes. That’s why pain management is a critical part of any aesthetic procedure.
Most over-the-counter or prescription numbing creams contain around 4% lidocaine, which provides mild to moderate numbing effects. However, in my practice, I use a custom-formulated numbing cream with a 30% concentration – about seven and a half times stronger than typical creams. This potent formulation is prepared by a specialized compounding pharmacy to ensure safety and efficacy. The higher concentration means faster onset and deeper numbing, significantly reducing the pain you feel during injections.
Before your treatment, I apply this numbing cream generously to the areas being injected. It typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes to achieve optimal numbness. Because it’s so strong, it doesn’t completely eliminate all sensation, but it dramatically reduces discomfort and makes the procedure much more tolerable. The cream is safe when used properly and under medical supervision.
Patients often tell me that the numbing cream makes a noticeable difference. While it doesn’t make the injections entirely painless, it reduces the sharp sting and burning sensations many associate with needles. This allows you to relax more during your treatment, which further helps reduce pain. My protocol combining this cream with other pain management techniques has helped countless patients enjoy a more comfortable injectable experience.
Ready to experience nearly painless injectables?
Ice packs are a simple yet highly effective way to reduce pain and bruising during injectable treatments. Applying cold to the skin numbs the nerve endings, dulling pain signals.
Additionally, the cold causes vasoconstriction, which means your blood vessels tighten. This reduces blood flow to the area, leading to less bleeding and swelling after injections – two common causes of discomfort and visible bruising.
To get the most benefit, ice packs should be applied immediately before your injections. It’s important to use a clean, wrapped ice pack to avoid frostbite or skin irritation. Some patients also find that icing the area after treatment helps reduce swelling and tenderness.
Research supports the use of ice for pain and bruise reduction. Studies have shown that vasoconstriction from cold therapy can reduce bruising by up to 30%, and patients report less pain when cold is applied before injections. Ice packs are an easy, cost-effective addition to any pain management plan.
The science behind vibration tools like the NueVibe is based on the gate control theory of pain. This theory suggests that non-painful stimuli, such as vibration, can “close the gate” to painful signals traveling to the brain. By stimulating certain nerve fibers (A-beta fibers), vibration distracts your nervous system and reduces the perception of pain.
The NueVibe device is a small, gold-colored tool that vibrates gently near the injection site while the needle is inserted. This vibration effectively distracts your nerves from the pain of the needle puncture. Many of my patients report that the sensation of the vibration is more noticeable than the injection itself, making the experience much more comfortable.
Vibration tools can reduce injection pain by up to 50%, according to patient feedback and clinical observations. They are portable, easy to use, and non-invasive. However, some patients may find the vibration sensation unusual or distracting in a different way. Cost and availability can also be limiting factors, but many clinics now incorporate these devices due to their effectiveness.
Curious if vibration tools like NueVibe can help you?
Schedule a consultation to find out how these innovative devices can improve your treatment comfort.
The needles used for injectables may be small, but their quality makes a big difference in your comfort. I use needles made from high-quality Japanese or Korean steel known for maintaining sharpness even after multiple uses. A dull needle causes more tissue trauma, which you perceive as increased pain.
My needles have a smaller external diameter (smaller footprint) but a larger inner diameter. This means the hole created in your skin is tiny, reducing tissue damage, but the fluid flows efficiently through the needle. This allows me to inject the filler or Botox faster and more smoothly, shortening the time you feel any discomfort.
Using these premium needles, I’ve noticed a significant reduction in patient-reported pain and bruising. Patients often comment on how much more comfortable injections feel compared to previous experiences with standard needles. This improvement in comfort helps patients relax during treatment, which further reduces pain.
Each of these four methods-strong numbing creams, ice packs, vibration tools, and high-quality needles-works in synergy to minimize pain during aesthetic injectables. When combined, they can reduce pain by up to 70% compared to no intervention.
I encourage patients to discuss these options with their provider to create a personalized pain management plan tailored to their needs and preferences. This holistic approach ensures your injectable treatments are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Pain during aesthetic injectables is a common concern, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier to achieving your beauty goals. By using strong, custom-formulated numbing creams, ice packs for vasoconstriction, vibration tools like NueVibe, and high-quality sharp needles, you can significantly reduce discomfort and enjoy a smoother, more pleasant treatment experience.
If you’re interested in pain-free injectables, I invite you to contact my office to learn how these four proven methods can transform your next cosmetic procedure.
Interested in pain-free aesthetic injectables?
Contact Dr. Roy Kim’s office today to schedule your consultation and discover the difference expert pain management can make.
If you are interested in watching a video instead, please click on this link to watch me talk about this topic on my YouTube channel.
Don’t miss out on the future of aesthetic procedures.
Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on the latest innovations!
Get all the latest news, exclusive deals, and official updates.