Nerve Blocking

Nerve Blocking for Painless Aesthetic Treatments

Many patients considering aesthetic treatments worry about discomfort. Procedures such as lip fillers, deep laser resurfacing, Morpheus8, skin boosters, Ultherapy and regenerative injections can involve sensitive areas of the face and scalp.

At Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, patient comfort is central to the treatment experience. One way we achieve this is through nerve blocking, a medical technique that allows treatments to be performed with minimal or no pain.

Nerve blocking requires a strong understanding of facial anatomy and anaesthetic techniques. Dr Ed Robinson’s background as an anaesthetist means he has extensive experience in administering local anaesthetic safely and effectively. This medical expertise allows nerve blocks to be incorporated into aesthetic treatments with a high level of precision and care. This approach is not commonly offered in aesthetic clinics, making it a unique part of the treatment experience at our aesthetic clinic in Hale.

For many patients, this approach transforms the treatment experience, removing anxiety around pain and allowing them to focus purely on the results.

What Is Nerve Blocking?

A nerve block is a small injection of local anaesthetic placed near a specific nerve that supplies sensation to part of the face or scalp.

Rather than simply numbing the surface of the skin, the anaesthetic temporarily interrupts the nerve signals responsible for pain. This creates reliable, deep numbness in the targeted area.

This technique is widely used in medical settings such as dentistry and surgery. In aesthetic medicine, it allows treatments to be performed with significantly greater comfort than topical numbing creams alone.

Numbing Cream vs Nerve Blocking

Topical numbing cream

Works only at the surface of the skin
Helpful for mild discomfort
Less effective for deeper procedures

Nerve blocking

Targets the nerve supplying the treatment area
Provides deeper and more reliable numbness
Ideal for procedures involving injections or energy based devices
Because the treatment area is fully numbed, patients remain relaxed and still during the procedure, allowing the practitioner to work with greater precision.

Treatments That Can Benefit from Nerve Blocking

Lip Fillers

The lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the face. Even with lip fillers containing lidocaine, injections can feel sharp or uncomfortable.

A nerve block numbs the lips completely before treatment begins. Patients typically feel only gentle pressure during the procedure, making the experience significantly more comfortable.

Benefits include:

Greater comfort during treatment
Reduced anxiety for first time patients
Improved injector control for precise results

Deep Laser Resurfacing

Advanced laser treatments, such as deep erbium laser resurfacing, work by removing damaged skin layers and stimulating collagen production.

Because these treatments reach deeper levels of the skin, they can be uncomfortable when performed with topical numbing alone.

Nerve blocking allows these procedures to be carried out far more comfortably, particularly when treating:

Deep scarring
Acne scarring
Deep wrinkles
Severe sun damage
Textural irregularities

This technique is particularly valuable for patients undergoing deeper resurfacing treatments where downtime is longer but results can be transformative.

Morpheus8 Skin Tightening

Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to tighten skin and stimulate collagen.

While highly effective, the treatment can feel uncomfortable due to the depth of the needles and the heat generated during treatment.

A nerve block can significantly improve comfort levels, allowing the treatment to be performed smoothly and effectively.

Ultherapy Skin Tightening

Ultherapy Prime is a non surgical skin tightening treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen deep within the skin. It is commonly used to lift and firm areas such as the brow, lower face, jawline, and neck.

Because the ultrasound energy reaches deeper structural layers of the skin, some patients can find the treatment uncomfortable, particularly when higher energy levels are used to achieve optimal results.

Nerve blocking can help make Ultherapy significantly more comfortable by numbing specific areas before treatment begins. This can be particularly helpful when treating:

Lower face laxity
Jawline definition
Neck skin laxity
Brow lifting
Full face tightening

By reducing discomfort during treatment, patients are able to remain relaxed and still. This allows the ultrasound energy to be delivered precisely and consistently, helping to optimise both the treatment experience and the final result.

Skin Boosters and Polynucleotides

Regenerative injectable treatments such as skin boosters, like Sunekos and polynucleotides, often involve multiple injections across delicate areas of the face, including:

Under eye area
Cheeks
Jawline
Neck

Using a nerve block before treatment helps minimise discomfort across these injection points, making the experience far more comfortable.

Hair Loss Treatments

Nerve blocks can also be used when performing regenerative scalp treatments such as PRP or polynucleotide based therapies for hair loss treatment.

The scalp can be a particularly sensitive area, and nerve blocking allows treatment to be delivered without unnecessary discomfort.

Experience Painless Aesthetic Treatments

Many patients delay aesthetic treatments because they worry about discomfort. With advanced nerve blocking techniques, treatments such as lip fillers, laser resurfacing, Morpheus8, and regenerative injections can be carried out in a far more comfortable way.

At Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, patient comfort is always prioritised alongside natural, high quality results.

Book a consultation today to learn how nerve blocking can make your treatment experience significantly more comfortable.

FAQs

Are nerve blocks safe?

Yes. Nerve blocks have been used safely in medicine for decades and are commonly performed in dentistry and surgical procedures to provide targeted pain relief.

Dr Ed Robinson’s background as an anaesthetist means he has extensive experience administering local anaesthetic and performing nerve blocks safely. His detailed understanding of facial anatomy allows these techniques to be used precisely and effectively within aesthetic treatments.

How long does the numbness last?

The numbness usually lasts between one and three hours. This provides more than enough time for the treatment to be carried out comfortably.

Do nerve blocks affect treatment results?

No. Nerve blocks only affect sensation and do not change how treatments interact with the skin. In many cases they can actually support better treatment precision. When the area is fully numb, patients remain relaxed and still, allowing the practitioner to work with greater control and accuracy.

Can I drive after a nerve block?

Yes. The anaesthetic is localised to the treatment area and does not affect your ability to drive or carry out normal daily activities.

How painful is a nerve block?

A nerve block is generally well tolerated and involves minimal discomfort. Most patients feel a small pinch or stinging sensation as the needle is inserted, similar to a routine injection. In some cases, a local anaesthetic is applied beforehand to numb the area, further reducing any discomfort.

What should you not do after a nerve block?

After a nerve block, it’s important to avoid strenuous activity or putting excessive pressure on the treated area until full sensation returns. You should avoid applying heat to the area, as reduced sensation can increase the risk of burns.

Here to Help

Your comfort and confidence are just as important as your results. If you’re planning your first visit and would like advice on nerve blocking, feel free to reach out before your appointment.