For most people, dealing with needles isn’t easy – especially when it comes to facial injections. It is estimated that more than 10 percent of Americans suffer from trypanophobia, the extreme fear of needles.

Dr. Jon Turk, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City, said for his patients, the answer is a new technology called the ‘Ouchless Needle.’

“This is an instant type of anesthetic that allows you to have no preparation time for the patient,” Turk said, “and yet still get rid of that pain associated with the needle itself.”

The device attaches onto a syringe and numbs the skin just long enough to eliminate the discomfort of that initial ‘prick.’

“So to be able to dull that association of the needle going in and have the patient not worry so much about that pain – it has actually reduced the anxiety level a lot in patients,” Turk said.

In the past, the only way to help with needle pain was with topical cream that would have to be applied about 30 minutes before the procedure.

“Patients would often forget to put it on, and the staff sometimes wouldn’t get to put it on in time,” Turk said. “It really wasn’t a practical way of numbing the face.”

The Ouchless Needle is most often used with facial fillers like Botox and Juvaderm, but it is also effective for mole removal or for children’s shots.

Turk said it helps decrease redness and bruising immediately in the days following the procedure.

Lisa Levine, a regular patient at Turk’s office, said she has had procedures with the use of the new device and really notices a difference.

“This was definitely much easier. It was more comfortable, you don’t feel the prick as much of the needle when it goes into your face,” Levine said. “It’s sensitive skin, so this was very helpful.”