Are You Afraid of Needles?
Have you been thinking of having a cosmetic procedure but haven’t taken the leap because your fear of needles? Trust us, you’re not alone. We have hundreds of people walk through the door feeling like that. At Dermaworks Medical Aesthetics Clinic, your comfort and safety is our number one concern. Take these tips and tricks into consideration before your next treatment.
1. Share your fear. Instead of keeping your fear of needles secret and letting it snowball into a full-blown anxiety attack, talk to our physician about it. Let her know about your fear. Expression and social connection often help people calm down. our physician will talk to you about your options and take special precautions to make the process less painful and anxiety-producing.
2. Request a topical anesthetic. Anesthesia is a pain killer, applied onto the skin that will dull the pain of the needle. Although needles only cause a small amount of pain having the anesthetic may help get you through the door!
3. Request cool air. Studies show that blasting cool air on the treated area decreases pain and we have just the machine to do it! Check out The Gate Control Theory.
4. Position your body effectively. For some patients who faint and lose consciousness, lying down and/or elevating the legs can help ease some of the symptoms of needle phobia. This is a serious concern for many people, as people with a needle phobia also report a fear of fainting. In these cases, addressing both the fear of needles and the possibility of fainting is important.
5. Don’t make it a big deal. Don’t think about the needle, or getting the needle. Don’t worry about the size of the needle, and don’t stress over the pain. If you keep stressing over the needle before the procedure, you’re just building up anxiety about it. In the long run, this makes the whole process more uncomfortable.
6. Think about something else. Talk to our physician (she’s a great conservationist!) Think about that party that’s coming up, or that special somebody. If you want, count down in your head; count sheep even. You could try bringing an iPod with you and listening to music to take your mind off the needle.
7. Don’t watch us administer the shot. Look away or close your eyes and try to focus on something engaging.
8. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply. Focus on maintaining your breathing. A slow, steady breath will calm your nerves and give your mind something to latch onto.
Don’t let your fear of needles get you down. Go ahead, get that Botox™, Dysport, filler, or mesotherapy. You’ll thank yourself later. Contact us today to discuss more about your fear, or to book a consultation.
