Oh yes! They're wet...I use the paper towel, not the paper towel...different ways, but it's always the same. I use tap water, distilled water and the Electro Mist/Electrolyte Spray and the same. Doesn't matter where I place the pads, my stomach, arms, legs, it's always the same and when I'm done with the whole process, it stays red for a while and itchy. It looks as if I had ants biting me the whole time!!