Pain preparation

Pain preparation:

Does it hurt

The first question a client will ask you is “is it painful?”.  Most people contemplating permanent cosmetic enhancements are concerned with the pain associated with the procedure.  The answer to this question and your knowledge of the safe use topical anaesthetics will largely determine your success as a permanent cosmetic practitioner.

Any permanent cosmetic application can be a painful procedure. Our work involves the stimulation of the small fast-pain receptors which register sharp pain such as a cut or a needle stick.  In addition, we stimulate the stretch receptors with our stretch the skin grip necessary for safety and good pigment implantation.

The anaesthetics and, cleansing solutions and pigment solvents are chemical irritants and can create burning and itching in the skin.

The repeated rapid needle penetration may generate thermal discomfort because of the friction.  Histamine released during and after the procedure may result in swelling, burning and discomfort.

You may wish to avoid scheduling procedure during a client period because some experience increased sensitivity at this time.  The practitioner must explain to the client that she may feel the sensations of pain, temperature, touch and dep pressure.

Pain is subjective and an individual phenomenon.   Pain is as a result of damage to tissues in the body.  It has both sensory and emotional components and this means that a client’s description of pain should be considered accurate regardless of what the practitioner believe the experience to be.  The most important thing to remember is that pain varies with each individual.  Each client will perceive the amount of pain she is experiencing differently and will worry about the pain to differing degrees and will choose different behaviours to manage the pain.

The fear factor

One should not discuss pain without discussing other elements that effect the level of pain.  One of the key elevators of the pain is fear.  Whether a client is excited or terrified about what the procedure will feel like certain biological changes take place during the ‘fear stage’ which diversely affects the ability to anaesthetise the site effectively:

• The blood pressure elevates flooding the skin with blood
• Body temperature rises
• The client translates sensations such as tinging and itching into pain

All these factors will make the client more sensitive to the different sensations of pain.