When you are treated with dermal fillers for facial augmentation or wrinkle correction, there are several options for pain control during the procedure. Depending on the material and method used, the site to be treated, and the extent of the treatment, you and your doctor will decide together which anesthesia is best for you.

No anesthesia - One option is not to have any anesthesia. This is common for patients being treated with Zyderm or Zyplast, Artecoll, and Cosmoderm or Cosmoplast because these fillers already contain Liodocaine mixed in with the collagen. Cymetra is rehydrated by the doctor with Lidocaine so additional anesthesia is not usually needed. Also, if you are only having superficial fine lines treated, then you may choose not to use anesthesia because there is not alot of discomfort involved.

Local anesthesia- Local anesthesia includes application of ice, creams, injections, and nerve blocks. Applying ice or a cold pack just before the treatment is a quick and easy way to help numb a localized area without an injection. The ice should be applied for a few minutes and as soon as it is removed, the injection should be perfomed before the skin warms up again.

Topical creams such as Elamax or LMX (available for purchase here), EMLA or Betacaine may instead be applied before the injections to numb the treatment area. These creams should be applied to clean skin at least 20 to 45 minutes before treatment. (EMLA can take 45 to 60 minutes to be effective). Topical anesthetic creams penetrate more quickly and effectively if they are covered with plastic after application.

Injections of local anesthesia may also be performed before undergoing facial augmentation or skin treatments. With this technique, Lidocaine is injected through a tiny needle to numb the nerves directly. If it is injected at the root of the nerve, then the branches of that nerve will also be numbed. This is called a nerve block. A nerve block of the infraorbital nerve is commonly used when the lips are augmented. Because the lips themselves are not injected with a nerve block, a more accurate assessment of lip fullness can be made. It is also an effective way to numb the forehead or other large areas of the face.

Local with oral sedation- For more invasive skin treatments or for anxious or nervous patients, local anesthesia may be combined with a pill such as Valium for relaxation. This may make your treatment more comfortable, but you will need someone to drive you home afterwards. Local anesthesia with oral or IV sedation (see below) is commonly employed for dermal implants such as ultrasoft, alloderm, and goretex.

Local with IV sedation- Sometimes, local anesthesia is combined with IV medication. This may be offered if the procedure is expected to be very uncomfortable and/or length, or is available by patient request. With IV sedation, medication is given through an IV line into your vein and goes directly into your bloodstream. This anesthesia is usually done by a nurse or an anesthesiologist, so additional charges may apply.

To learn much more about anesthesia for skin treatments and for plastic surgery in general, click here.