The Effect of Lidocaine Tetracaine Peel-off on Laser-Assisted Hair Removal Side Effects

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Medical Student, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Lidocaine7%-Tetracaine 7% is one of the materials recently offered for performing laser-assisted hair removal. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of this material with placebo on side effects of laser-assisted hair removal.Methods: This clinical trial was carried out on 110 women referred to Isfahan Spadana laser clinic for laser-assisted hair removal. Lidocaine7%-Tetracaine7% was applied on one-half of the face, whereas placebo was applied on the other side to create local anesthesia and after 30 minutes the place was cleaned and was investigated for complications (edema, erythema, and pallor); then laser therapy was begin. In the end of the therapy, the patient’s pain was estimated based on VAS (Visual Analog Scale). The data was analyzed using SPSS software by chi square and paired t tests.Finding: The mean age of patients was 27.74 ± 10.8 years. Average level of anesthesia 30 minutes after using Lidocaine7%-Tetracaine7% and placebo based on VAS were respectively 3.6 ± 1.4 and 8.4 ± 1.5 (P = 0.001). In other words, patients have felt less pain by using Lidocaine7%-Tetracaine7%. Frequency of complications in patients was not significantly different between two groups.Conclusion: Considering the better effect of Lidocaine7%-Tetracaine7% compared to placebo and its minimal side effects, we can use it before perform laser-assisted hair removal.

Keywords


  1. Lener EV, Bucalo BD, Kist DA, Moy RL. Topi-cal anesthetic agents in dermatologic surgery. A review. Dermatol Surg 1997; 23(8): 673-83.
  2. Friedman PM, Mafong EA, Friedman ES, Geronemus RG. Topical anesthetics update: EMLA and beyond. Dermatol Surg 2001; 27(12): 1019-26.
  3. Alster TS, Lupton JR. Evaluation of a novel topical anesthetic agent for cutaneous laser resurfacing: a randomized comparison study. Dermatol Surg 2002; 28(11): 1004-6.
  4. Smith KC, Comite SL, Balasubramanian S, Carver A, Liu JF. Vibration anesthesia: a noninvasive method of reducing discomfort prior to dermatologic procedures. Dermatol Online J 2004; 10(2): 1.
  5. Skidmore RA, Patterson JD, Tomsick RS. Local anesthetics. Dermatol Surg 1996; 22(6): 511-22.
  6. Akinturk S, Eroglu A. A clinical comparison of topical piroxicam and EMLA cream for pain relief and inflammation in laser hair removal. Lasers Med Sci 2009; 24(4): 535-8.
  7. Langley GB, Sheppeard H. The visual analogue scale: its use in pain measurement. Rheumatol Int 1985; 5(4): 145-8.
  8. Maloney JM, Bezzant JL, Stephen RL, Petelenz TJ. Iontophoretic administration of lidocaine anesthesia in office practice. An appraisal. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1992; 18(11): 937-40.
  9. Chen JZ, Jacobson LG, Bakus AD, Garden JM, Yaghmai D, Bernstein LJ, et al. Evaluation of the S-Caine Peel for induction of local anesthesia for laser-assisted tattoo removal: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31(3): 281-6.
  10. Bryan HA, Alster TS. The S-Caine peel: a novel topical anesthetic for cutaneous laser surgery. Dermatol Surg 2002; 28(11): 999-1003.
  11. Berman B, Flores J, Pariser D, Pariser R, de AT, Ramirez CC. Self-warming lidocaine/tetracaine patch effectively and safely induces local anesthesia during minor dermatologic procedures. Dermatol Surg 2005; 31(2): 135-8.
  12. Alster TS. The lidocaine/tetracaine peel: a novel topical anesthetic for dermatologic procedures in adult patients. Dermatol Surg 2007; 33(9): 1073-81.