Tattoo Numbing Cream: Many cosmetic procedures that enhance your appearance can cause some discomfort. Thankfully, topical anesthetics—despite any rumors you may have heard—can help reduce the pain, making the experience less daunting. Whether you’re preparing for a new tattoo, flawless semi-permanent eyebrows, or even a bikini wax, we’re here to provide all the essential information on numbing creams, their effectiveness, and how to apply Numbing Cream for various common procedures.
Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on tattoo numbing creams and how to use them for procedures like tattooing, microblading, lip blushing, microneedling, waxing, piercings, and more.
What is Tattoo Numbing Cream?
Tattoo numbing cream is a topical anesthetic designed to block nerve signals in the skin, helping to reduce pain and discomfort in the treated area. These creams are formulated with similar ingredients to those used in injectable anesthetics for minor medical procedures. However, unlike injections, the effects of topical anesthetics take longer to kick in and require enough time to penetrate the skin properly. Lidocaine, a widely used active ingredient in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-strength numbing creams, is known for its strong pain-relieving properties. Lidocaine is particularly favored because it absorbs quickly and is considered one of the least toxic options among topical anesthetics. Other commonly used ingredients include benzocaine, prilocaine, and tetracaine.
These “-caine” compounds are variations of medically regulated derivatives of cocaine, with each having a different potency. This means that the concentration of an ingredient doesn’t always correspond to the cream’s overall effectiveness. For example, products with up to 5% lidocaine or 20% benzocaine can be purchased without a prescription.
While tattoo numbing creams are often associated with reducing pain during tattooing, their use extends far beyond that. These topical anesthetics are also widely applied in cosmetic and medical settings, including permanent makeup applications like microblading and lip blushing, as well as procedures such as waxing, electrolysis, microneedling, lip fillers, and botox. Many professionals in these fields, such as permanent makeup artists, estheticians, and plastic surgeons, consider products like Tattoo Numbing Cream an essential tool for providing a more comfortable experience for their clients.
Benefits of Tattoo Numbing Cream
Reduced Discomfort During the Procedure
One of the most significant advantages of using tattoo numbing cream is the ability to reduce discomfort during the process, whether it’s for tattooing, fillers, microneedling, or waxing. While numbing cream won’t completely eliminate pain, it can significantly minimize it, especially when applied correctly. This can be especially helpful for tattoos on more sensitive areas or for lengthy sessions involving intricate designs. For less invasive procedures like microblading, lip blushing, or botox, numbing cream can transform a painful experience into one where you only feel mild pressure or a slight scratching sensation. Tattoo Numbing Cream, with its 5% lidocaine content, is designed to provide maximum pain relief during such procedures.
Artist-Friendly Formulation
Many tattoo artists hesitate to use numbing creams because some formulations contain vasoconstrictors, which can interfere with how the ink is absorbed into the skin, affecting the final result. However, Tattoo Numbing Cream stands out by not including vasoconstrictors, making it an artist-approved option. This allows for a more comfortable tattooing process without compromising the quality of your tattoo. The ink will settle just as it should, so you can enjoy a less painful experience while still leaving the studio with a sharp, vibrant tattoo.
Mental Preparation
Regardless of whether you’re getting a tattoo, cosmetic treatment, or waxing, there’s always a waiting period between applying the numbing cream and the start of the procedure. During the 20-60 minutes it takes for the lidocaine to fully activate, you have time to mentally prepare yourself. This time allows you to relax, helping to reduce tension in your muscles. Since stress can heighten pain sensitivity, taking this time to unwind can make a significant difference in your overall experience.
Extended Pain Relief and Healing Support
Once Numbing Cream has taken effect, it provides pain relief for 2-3 hours. It’s safe to reapply during the procedure if needed to maintain the numbing effect. Additionally, it contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that offers anti-inflammatory benefits, supports skin hydration, and helps to protect the skin barrier. This can be especially helpful in the early stages of healing after a tattoo or cosmetic treatment, reducing the dryness and irritation that often accompany procedures like microneedling or waxing.
What To Consider When Choosing a Numbing Cream (Quality Over Quantity)
The potency of the active ingredient is crucial when selecting a numbing cream. If a topical anesthetic contains excessively high concentrations of the active ingredient, it can reduce its effectiveness and may even pose health risks. According to in-house expert Aly Lalani, “Many professionals mistakenly believe that using higher percentages or a mix of different ‘-caine’ ingredients will result in a more effective anesthetic. However, what they often overlook is how skin absorbs these ingredients. If the formulation isn’t balanced, even a high concentration won’t penetrate the skin properly, rendering the numbing cream less effective.”
It’s essential to identify the main active ingredient in the product, typically either lidocaine or benzocaine. In almost every instance, lidocaine is the superior choice. Besides its powerful numbing properties, lidocaine naturally has an acidic pH level (below 7), meaning it won’t cause exfoliation or swelling of the skin’s surface. Choosing a numbing cream with a pH lower than 7 is vital to ensure it doesn’t affect the shape, design, or color of your tattoo or damage the skin barrier. Tattoo Numbing Cream, for example, has a pH-balanced formula that is safe for sensitive areas like the lips and bikini line while preserving the quality of permanent or semi-permanent tattoos.
Over-the-counter numbing creams generally contain between 1% and 5% lidocaine. Although products with lower lidocaine concentrations (1-3%) can work, they require more product and a longer application time to achieve the desired numbing effect. The FDA and CFIA cap over-the-counter lidocaine content at 5%—the same concentration found in Tattoo Numbing Cream—offering the ideal balance between safety and maximum numbing effectiveness.
How to Properly Use Numbing Cream for Tattoos
Before heading to your tattoo session, it’s important to prep your skin to maximize the effectiveness of the numbing cream. Ensure the area is smooth and clean, which will help the cream absorb better. Shave the area a few days before your appointment, and moisturize with a hydrating, fragrance-free lotion afterward to keep the skin soft.
Exfoliate the skin a day or two before your session, and use a gentle, fragrance-free soap to clean the area leading up to your appointment. Don’t forget to wash the area thoroughly on the morning of your tattoo session. If you’re unsure about shaving, especially if you’re worried about razor bumps or skin irritation, consult with your tattoo artist. They can advise whether you should shave yourself or if they prefer to handle it at the studio.
When applying the numbing cream, give it adequate time to absorb into your skin. For Tattoo Numbing Cream, this means applying it 30-45 minutes before the tattoo begins. After applying, cover the area with plastic wrap to boost absorption. Just before the stencil is applied, remove the wrap and wash off the remaining cream.
How to Apply Numbing Cream for Permanent Makeup (PMU) Procedures
Whether you’re preparing for a microblading session or lip blushing, using numbing cream can significantly reduce discomfort during the procedure. For some clients, products like Tattoo Numbing Cream can make microblading almost painless. However, because the lips are a more sensitive area, you should still anticipate low to moderate pain during lip blushing, even with the numbing cream. Many clients describe the sensation of lip blushing as feeling like continuous light scratches on the skin.
In the days leading up to your lip blushing session, gently exfoliate your lips using a sugar scrub and moisturize afterward. Keep your lips hydrated by regularly applying lip balm. Arriving with soft, smooth lips is crucial for optimal absorption of the numbing cream and to ensure evenly-pigmented results.
Once you’ve completed your consultation, your PMU artist will cleanse and dry the area before applying the numbing cream to prepare for your microblading or lip blushing session. Tattoo Numbing Cream should be left on for 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the treatment and will be removed just before the procedure begins.
Applying Numbing Cream for Microneedling
In the week leading up to your microneedling session, pay close attention to your skincare routine. Keep the area clean and hydrated by using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser morning and night (for the face) or soap (for the body). Follow this with a hydrating serum, such as one containing hyaluronic acid, and a nourishing lotion. Avoid using any occlusive moisturizers for the seven days before your appointment, as they can hinder the absorption of the numbing cream. On the day of your microneedling session, do not apply moisturizer; simply wash your face (or body) with your gentle cleanser as usual.
For effective use of Tattoo Numbing Cream, follow these three simple steps, known as the Clean + Apply, Wait, and Remove method:
- Clean: Start by thoroughly cleansing the skin with an alcohol swab. Using a sterile applicator, apply a thick layer of the numbing cream, about half an inch in thickness. Reapply if necessary, but avoid rubbing the cream in.
- Apply and Wait: Allow the cream to remain on the skin for 30-45 minutes before starting the microneedling procedure. For optimal absorption and deeper numbing, cover the area with an airtight dressing, like Press’n Seal Saran Wrap.
- Remove: Gently dab off the excess cream with sterile gauze before proceeding with the treatment.
How to Apply Numbing Cream for Waxing
Exfoliate your skin 1-2 days prior to your waxing appointment to ensure a smooth surface. Keep the area clean and apply a daily moisturizer to maintain skin softness, which helps the numbing cream absorb effectively and reduces the risk of ingrown hairs. Shower just before your waxing session if possible. If not, wash your skin either in the morning on the day of your appointment or the night before. Regardless, your waxing professional will clean the area right before the hair removal begins. Apply the numbing cream 20-30 minutes before the waxing starts. Tattoo Numbing Cream’s pH-balanced formula is safe for sensitive areas, such as the bikini line.
Make sure to allow enough time for the numbing cream to work, but avoid leaving it on for too long, as it may prevent you from feeling if the wax is too hot and could cause burns. The cream will be removed just before the waxing procedure begins.
To minimize discomfort, consider scheduling your waxing around your menstrual cycle. A bikini wax tends to be more painful during the 5 days leading up to your period when the skin is more sensitive.
How to Use Numbing Cream for Botox and Fillers
Although some fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, already contain small amounts of lidocaine, applying a numbing cream beforehand can further minimize discomfort during treatments. To enhance pain relief, arrive at your appointment 30 minutes early to allow your doctor sufficient time to apply the numbing cream. Ensure your face (and lips) is freshly washed before your session. Apply the numbing cream about 10 minutes before the injections begin. Products like Tattoo Numbing Cream are effective for sensitive areas such as the lips, helping to ease the pain from lip fillers, facial fillers, and botox.
Always consult with your provider before using topical anesthetics for any cosmetic procedures.
How to Apply Numbing Cream for Piercings
Piercings involve puncturing through multiple layers of skin, so it’s important to use numbing cream effectively to minimize discomfort. Start by thoroughly cleaning the area where the piercing will be done. Apply the numbing cream directly to the piercing site and let it sit for about an hour. The numbing effect should start to kick in around 30 minutes after application.
Tattoo Numbing Cream is well-suited for piercings due to its pH-balanced formula, which is gentle on sensitive areas, and its vitamin E content. Vitamin E helps reduce inflammation and supports healing, which can be especially beneficial for managing swelling from ear piercings or other body placements. Additionally, Tattoo Numbing Cream can be applied to broken skin, allowing you to reapply the cream a few hours after the piercing if needed to further alleviate any residual pain.
How to Apply Tattoo Numbing Cream
- Prepare the Area: Exfoliate the skin and either shower or clean the area with an alcohol swab.
- Apply the Cream: Spread a half-inch thick layer of numbing cream on the area without rubbing it in.
- Promote Absorption: Cover the area with Saran Wrap (like Press’n Seal) to enhance the cream’s absorption into the skin.
- Allow Time: Keep the numbing cream on for the recommended duration: 30-45 minutes for tattoos and hair removal, 15-25 minutes for permanent makeup, 10 minutes for injections, and 10-15 minutes for piercings.
- Finalize Application: Remove the wrap and gently dab away any excess numbing cream before starting the procedure.