Numbing, and how much it actually hurts — pain management in Bangkok

01Understanding Pain Management in Aesthetic Treatments

Pain is a common concern for patients considering aesthetic treatments, often outweighing worries about cost or recovery time. At Waleerat Clinic, we offer various methods to manage discomfort during procedures such as Ultrasound Skin Lift (Ulthera SPT), Radiofrequency Tightening (Thermage FLX), and Grand Diamond Thread Lift.

02Topical Numbing for Surface Treatments

For treatments like Radiofrequency Tightening (Thermage FLX) that focus on the surface layers of the skin, topical numbing creams are commonly used. These creams typically contain lidocaine or a combination of lidocaine and prilocaine to reduce pain sensation.

Application Time: Topical numbing cream is usually applied 30 minutes before the procedure.

Procedure Duration: Radiofrequency Tightening takes approximately 60–90 minutes, during which patients may feel warmth but not severe pain due to the numbing effect. Some areas might still be slightly uncomfortable.

03Local Anesthesia for Invasive Procedures

Ultrasound Skin Lift (Ulthera SPT) is non-invasive — nothing is cut and nothing is injected — and it is done under topical anaesthetic, not local. The energy is focused beneath the surface, including at SMAS depth, so what you feel is deep rather than on the skin: brief pulses of heat, strongest where the tissue is thin over bone.

The setting is adjustable, so say during the session if it is too much.

Application Time: Local anesthetic injections are administered immediately before the treatment.

Procedure Duration: The procedure lasts 45–60 minutes and patients may experience mild discomfort during the injection phase but less during the actual treatment due to effective numbing.

04Grand Diamond Thread Lift

For more extensive treatments such as the Grand Diamond Thread Lift, local anesthesia is essential. This minimally invasive procedure involves threading under the skin in multiple areas of the face, so pain management matters.

Application Time: Local anesthetic injections are given just before the threading begins to ensure maximum comfort.

Procedure Duration: The treatment takes 60–90 minutes, and while patients will feel some pressure during threading, discomfort is minimized by the local anesthesia. Recovery involves minimal bruising for up to three days.

05Individual Variability in Pain Perception

It's important to note that pain perception varies greatly from person to person. Some individuals may find treatments more tolerable than others due to differences in skin sensitivity and personal pain thresholds.

The physician will discuss your specific case during the consultation and determine the best approach for managing discomfort based on your needs.

06Conclusion

At Waleerat Clinic, we prioritize patient comfort and safety. By using appropriate numbing techniques tailored to each treatment, we aim to make aesthetic procedures as comfortable as possible.

During your consultation with the physician, you will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns about pain management in detail before proceeding with a treatment plan that suits you best.

Remember, while these methods significantly reduce discomfort, they do not eliminate it entirely. Your experience during and after treatment will vary based on individual factors such as skin type, sensitivity, and personal pain tolerance.