Advanced Skin Care with Laser based technology may require methods of pain managament and control.

Examples of Pain Control for Ablative Procedures

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.

A topical anesthetic is recommended for most ablative procedures. Prior to treatment, a topical anesthetic such as 7% lidocaine and 7% tetracaine is generally used. CAUTION: Toxicity may result with the overuse of topical anesthesia. Consult the manufacturer’s labeling.

Example: Some practices are using a BLT which is a compounded anesthetic.

It is usually 10-20% Benzocaine, 6% Lidocaine and 4% Tetracaine.

It is best to leave the anesthetic on for at least 45 min to an hour.

Additional forms of pain management are often used to assist in patient comfort, examples include but are not limited to the following:

A Zimmer skin cooling system or small fan blowing

Anxiolytics for relaxation and further pain control

Nerve blocks

Acetaminophen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Opioids

For more detailed information for assessment and management of acute pain:

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement; Sixth Edition March 2008;

Health Care Guideline: Assessment and Management of Acute Pain

http://www.icsi.org/guidelines_and_more/gl_os_prot/musculo-skeletal/pain_acute/pain__acute__assessment_and_management_of__2.html