The pain that accompanies getting inked can be unbearable in certain body parts which makes numbing cream a second staple for tattoo artists. Many people want to get tattoos in body parts which can be excruciatingly painful, and numbing cream can help reduce the pain considerably. The very basic numbing creams work by deadening the nerves on the skin area where the cream is applied, then there are the nerve blockers which block the signals from reaching the brain and the most potent ones force the blood vessels to constrict the blood flow.

Based on the way numbing creams work, they can be categorized into three broad types which are as follows.

Nerve deadeners

These creams prevent the nerves from registering pain and are effective in numbing the skin surface. They contain chemicals such as Lidocaine which don’t sink below the skin surface. Normally they are used as pre-aid before getting the tattoo and they take around 30 minutes to take effect. Their efficacy lasts anywhere between 30-120 minutes depending on the type of skin you have.

Nerve blockers

These tattoo numbing creams containing Tetracaine and Benzocaine as their main ingredient lower the degree of pain signals. A tattoo artist can apply these creams during the procedure itself and nerve deadeners can be used with them to increase the effect.

Vasoconstrictors

These are the most powerful numbing creams available in the market as they constrict the blood vessels and reduce the blood flow caused from bleeding or swelling. These creams have Epinephrine as the main ingredient and capable of slowing down the absorption of other chemicals and extending the efficacy. These numbing products come in the form of sprays and gels.

Since the numbing creams have chemical agents, they should be used with caution, especially in case of people who have skin sensitivity, allergies or some skin problems. To be sure that the cream will not induce any allergic reactions, a patch test should be done. Also, the tattoo artist should ask the client before about the history of any skin sensitivities or allergies.

Tattoo numbing cream use

Using the right numbing cream in the right quantity is important and consultancy with the experts should be done beforehand.

The skin where tattoo is to be inked should be properly cleaned with a mild soap or cleansing agent which has good pH balance.

The numbing cream should be allowed to take effect fully before getting the tattoo done.

Numbing creams should only be applied by the tattoo artist or if you want to get the tattoo done yourself, consult from a skin expert in advance.

Numbing cream facts to consider

Sometimes the numbing cream can respond on the skin with a chilling sensation, become hard or less responsive.

An allergic reaction can cause swelling or soreness to the applied area.

The numbing cream can be ineffective in some patients.

When the effect of the numbing cream is over, the tattooed area might feel amplified pain.

Depending on the type of tattoo, the procedure might be extended, thereby requiring additional applications of the tattoo numbing cream which in turn adds to the overall cost.

Applying the numbing cream incorrectly can affect the tattoo design as a whole

Overuse of the numbing creams can have adverse impact on your health.

Do numbing creams really help in getting a tattoo without pain?

Tattoo can be very painful, it is a fact, but in spite of that, tattoos are a growing fad these days. If you are going in for a tattoo but have a low pain threshold or seeking a tattoo in a sensitive area, you must take advice from your tattoo artist about using a numbing cream to ward off pain.

Applying over-the-counter numbing cream – a topical anesthetic - can help deaden the skin before getting a tattoo so that you don’t feel the associated pain of needle pricks. Numbing cream can be helpful in relieving pain associated with inking the skin, however, if it’s not used in the correct manner, numbing cream can have negative, serious health impact. It is thus recommended to consult a doctor or the tattooist before inking.

Who should use Numbing Cream while Tattooing?

Anyone who wants a painless tattoo experience should use a numbing cream before being inked.

While most tattoo artists are fine with their clients using numbing cream to make their experience smoother, they would even have numbing creams in their shops, some artists are strictly against the same. The latter argue that they feel the pain is part of the experience of getting inked and people should not shy from it.

How does the numbing cream function

Numbing creams are available either in form of gel or cream. It is applied to the skin an hour or two before the tattooing session. The topical anesthetic works by numbing the nerve ending in the skin where it is applied. The effect is the person would feel little or no pain sensation in the area when the needle is piercing through. The effect of numbing cream generally lasts for about an hour after application.

What are numbing creams made of?

Generally, numbing creams such as Dr Numb numbing cream have Lidocaine as its main ingredient. Some of the other possible inclusion in the topical anesthetic include prilocaine, benzocaine and tetracaine. A few numbing creams also contain a combination of drugs, which should be used under strict guidance of a doctor especially if you have a sensitive skin or are prone to allergies.

While there are a range of numbing creams out there and all of them function differently because of the main ingredients and composition, it is easy to classify numbing creams in two broad categories –

Nerve deadeners: These numbing creams have Lidocaine as their primary ingredient. Such creams deaden the nerve endings in the skin. Since these do not skin deep into the skin, they have a very short-lived numbing effect.

Nerve blockers: Creams with benzocaine and tetracaine as ingredients are strong and help take the impact of the pain while tattooing. These chemicals when combined with nerve blockers can have a lasting numbing effect, which can be helpful for people with low pain threshold.

What are the benefits of numbing cream?

If you have the permission from your doctor and a go ahead from tattoo artist, you need to know the advantages of numbing cream before applying it. Some of the most exciting benefits of numbing creams include:

Numbing creams would deaden the nerve ending where applied and make the tattooing session pain-free and comfortable

Numbing cream can also be applied before a tattoo removing procedure to limit the associated pain

Numbing creams have a lasting effect, which ensures a person can sit relaxed while the tattoo artist does the job

Numbing creams can be applied to the skin anywhere. It therefore makes it easy to get tattoo on sensitive and private areas without pain

Are tattoo numbing creams or sprays really effective?

Getting a tattoo is all the rage these days but the perks of inking your skin come with pain. People with low threshold for pain have the option to get inked without as much pain as anticipated, all thanks to the new age tattoo numbing creams which are mostly topical anesthetics which numb the pain of the procedure.

The pain of getting tattoos is particularly intense in body areas like the head, ribs, feet, shoulder blades, armpit, inside the thighs and other parts which have less fat or muscles.

This is where numbing creams or sprays can be effective as they temporarily numb the nerve endings. Typically, numbing creams should be applied 1-2 hours in advance for complete efficacy. Depending on the cream/spray you use, the effect lasts for around 60-90 minutes. Some of the most popular numbing creams have prilocaine, tetracaine, lidocaine and benzocaine as their main ingredients.

The difference between numbing cream and spray is that cream is a little time consuming to apply while spray is a convenient method. However, sprays can take a little time to show effect, also last for lesser duration, while creams are better in efficacy.That’s why most of the tattoo artists keep numbing creams handy with them.

Skin numbing creams can be classified in the following broad categories:

Nerve Blockers – Containing tetracaine and benzocaine, these creams block the pain signal from going to the brain.

Nerve deadeners – Having lidocaine as their primary ingredient, these creams or sprays make the nerves go dead for some time, so that the pain is not experienced.

Vasoconstrictors – With epinephrine as the main ingredient, these numbing agents reduce the flow of blood to the area to numb the pain. They also help in lessening the bleeding and swelling in the affected area.

How to apply tattoo numbing cream/spray?

Skin numbing products should be applied with clean hands to the area where you’ll be inked. Ideally, the tattoo artist should rub the cream with gloves or apply the spray liberally. After applying the cream, tape it with a plastic wrap for around an hour to activate the ingredients. If one opts for numbing spray, avoid breathing the spray fumes.

Applying too much numbing cream/spray can mess with your nervous system, so it is imperative to apply to onefoot area at a time.

Once the numbing cream is activated there is minimal or no pain at all to the area. The effect lasts for an hour and then starts to fade gradually.

It is normal is the tattoo artist applies the numbing cream during the tattoo session depending on the client. This is done in cases where extensive tattoo design are inked on the skin as they take much longer time.

Popular numbing creams

Lidocaine based numbing creams are extensively used by tattoo artists around the world. They are easy to apply, have the least reported allergic reactions and ideal for long tattoo sessions.

These creams seep into the skin and numb the area very quickly, thereby making them the ideal choice for tattoo artists. Dr. Numb is a popular numbing cream which contains 5% lidocaine, which is the highest percentage permitted by medical authorities.

Things to keep in mind

People with history of allergic reactions, underlying skin conditions or the ones having very sensitive skin should consult a skin specialist before using these creams. Tattoo artists should inquire from the client beforehand about any of the above-mentioned conditions and act accordingly.

To be extra safe, one can do a patch test by applying the numbing cream and then looking for signs of skin irritation, redness, inflammation, itchiness or burning sensation. If any of these occur, it is advised not to apply the cream to get the tattoo done.