Many people are surprised to learn that injectable treatments can be done with little or
no discomfort, thanks to local anesthetics that work to numb one or more areas of the face beforehand. Lidocaine is the one most frequently used by plastic and cosmetic surgeons; there’s no doubt it makes a big difference in terms of patient comfort and ease. Several of the latest dermal fillers are actually prepared in advance with this anesthetic
Lidocaine kicks in fast to block pain
Just as your dentist probably uses lidocaine as as a quick and simple way to numb the mouth, your cosmetic surgeon will use it for procedures involving injections. Lidocaine blocks the pain signal sent by the nerve endings on the skin in response to injections of the dermal filler solution. Patients quickly feel the anesthetic taking effect, and numbness kicks in.
For patient and surgeon, lidocaine has benefits:
1. Reduces or eliminates pain when the doctor is injecting into sensitive facial tissue
2. Minimizes tissue swelling that occurs when solutions are injected underneath the skin
3. Lessened swelling allows the doctor to sculpt areas of the face for the most attractive, natural looking result
4. Better relaxation during the procedure
5. When used during longer procedures – filling in the cheek area, for instance – it eliminates the need for general anesthesia.
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