"But I hate needles!"
I hear this a LOT from my clients when they come to me for consultations.
However, with the right support there is no reason why a needle phobia should stop you getting the aesthetic treatment that you want.
Trypanophobia, more commonly known as an needle phobia, can be a major barrier for people wanting to make changes to their appearance through aesthetic treatments, such as skin boosters or injectable collagen.
It is estimated that up to 10 per cent of the population suffers from a fear of needles to some extent. This distress can be become an issue if it starts to interfere with your quality of life and prevents you from making certain choices.
I am ALWAYS keen to stress that you should let me know about any anxieties you have relating to the use of needles. I will be able to explain the steps to be taken to maximise your comfort, minimise your anxiety and help you work through it.
Working through a needle phobia to have an aesthetic treatment
If you really would love to have an aesthetic procedure that involves needles but have a fear, there are a number of things to think about.
Many needle phobias are rooted in childhood experiences and may be connected to associations of pain.
The needles used for skin boosters or mesotherapy are incredibly thin and the treatment is very quick. Some of the needles used in aesthetic treatments are so thin they are described as ‘invisible’.
Your absolute comfort is very important to me as it would be for most practitioners. Thin needles are combined with numbing creams and localised anaesthetic to minimise any discomfort.
Some clients are absolutely fine without numbing cream however, please ask about this if you think you would prefer to be numbed. It is never a problem and just means we can factor in this before your treatment.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a brilliant method to help tackle needle phobia. This works by challenging your thought patterns connected to fear and reframing your perspective.
Come and discuss topical numbing creams
Take the cognitive approach and think about the whole process
Practice deep breathing
Try mindfulness and meditation
Distract and desensitise yourself
You could find it helpful on the day of your treatment to practise relaxation techniques beforehand, such as meditation and make sure that you have eaten properly to avoid feeling dizzy.
So many of my clients who have an aesthetic treatment return for more treatments. This absolutely shows the positive impact these treatments can have on your self-esteem and appearance. By creating positive association with the use of needles you could actually help to tackle your needle phobia for good!
Comments