"Pros and Cons of Using Numbing Cream for Tattoos"

Some people consider pain a part of the tattooing process - they're proud that they've earned their tattoo by enduring the stinging, scratching, burning pain. And others, well, they don't care about all that. They want their cake and to eat it too.

Tattoo numbing cream is a cheat code to getting a tattoo. You gain a cool tattoo without having to sit through hours of torture. This is great for people who have low pain tolerance.

DO TATTOO NUMBING CREAMS ACTUALLY WORK?

Numbing creams work by numbing your nerves to reduce the pain recognition within your body. However, the specific workings are dependent on the ingredients within each individual cream. Here are a few ingredients that help numbing cream relieve pain:

• Lidocaine: Considered a nerve deadener, lidocaine prevents nerves from recognizing pain. If a nerve does register pain, it is highly subdued and feels more like a slight discomfort. It should be emphasized that lidocaine remains on the surface of the skin, meaning it won't be useful when the tattoo needle punctures your skin. However, lidocaine still significantly reduces pain and will make the tattoo session more tolerable.

• Tetracaine & Benzocaine: Nerve blockers warrant that your body recognizes some pain but not all the pain. On their own, they aren't very effective. They are usually paired with Lidocaine to ensure minimal discomfort.

• Epinephrine: As a vasoconstrictor, epinephrine causes your blood vessels to constrict. Creams containing epinephrine tend to last longer, as well as reduce the swelling and bleeding of the tattoo.

Numbing creams certainly aren't necessary for every tattoo but for longer sessions or sensitive areas, they are effective for taking the edge off and making a tattoo more bearable.

Most creams take 1-2 hours to become effective and last between 2-6 hours depending on the brand and the individual using the cream. The numbing will work best the first couple hours and can alleviate about 80% of the pain.

In most cases, numbing creams are safe, effective, and may even relieve anxiety. However, you should take it upon yourself to read the box because each cream will come with warnings for certain health conditions. I recommend finding a reputable brand with a high lidocaine level (4 or 5%) for best results.

ARE NUMBING CREAMS SAFE?

If used as instructed, numbing creams are usually safe and effective. However, excessive and frequent use of numbing cream, according to the FDA, may result in seizures and heart attacks. That just means you shouldn't be using it multiple times a day, every day.

Certain health conditions may prevent you from using numbing cream. Some people have allergic reactions to them. To be safe and responsible, make sure you read the box of the numbing cream you buy.

HOW TO USE TATTOO NUMBING CREAM

Make sure you apply your numbing cream to line up with your appointment to get the best result. You'll want to apply it at least 2 hours prior, this number may be longer or shorter depending on the brand of numbing cream you have. Make sure to read the instructions on the box.

1. Wash the area thoroughly before applying any cream.

2. Wear a pair of gloves to apply a layer of the cream over the area that you'll be having tattooed.

3. Not all creams mention this, but it can help to cover the area with plastic wrap to seal the cream and speed up the numbing process.

4. Remove the plastic wrap before your tattoo appointment begins. Wash the area thoroughly to remove the cream.

HOW DO TATTOO ARTISTS FEEL ABOUT NUMBING CREAM?

It really depends on the artist, some like it and some hate it. Sometimes it depends on the situation. For example, one of our artists has a client with very deep stretch marks and scarring in an already painful area to have tattooed, the groin/hip region. He suggested to her to use numbing cream because she physically couldn't sit still while being tattooed. The next session she used numbing cream and she was able to sit better for the duration of the tattoo.

Some artists advise against numbing cream because it can alter the texture of your skin or react with the pigment they use, making the artists job much more difficult. So, it really depends on the artist and situation. If you're interested in using numbing cream, I highly suggest talking to your artist about it beforehand.

CHOOSING A REPUTABLE BRAND

It's unlikely that a high-quality brand will affect the result of your tattoo. However, if you buy a sketchy, low-quality cream, there's no telling what can happen. Buying a cheap, untrustworthy brand may result in the product not working or it may affect the healing process.

Here are some reputable brands:

• TattooNumbx ($15)

• TKTX ($12.99)

• Zensa ($44)

• Hush (35.99)

There are tons of brands with different pain reducing agents (as mentioned above), so make sure you do your research and choose a brand that will work best for you. If you have a health condition, make sure you investigate the ingredients in your numbing cream to ensure it's safe for you to use.

TIPS FOR USING NUMBING CREAM

• Talk to your artist before using numbing cream. Ask if they have a preferred brand.

• Don't expect a tattoo shop/artist to provide numbing cream for you.

• Plan ahead. Make sure you apply your numbing cream about 2 hours before your appointment. This amount of time may be different according to the brand you use.

• Thoroughly research the numbing cream before purchasing. Low-quality creams may not work or could affect the quality and/or healing of your tattoo.

• Be aware of certain health conditions when using numbing creams. Read the ingredients before using.

• Don't overuse numbing cream as it can be dangerous, especially for your heart.

• Numbing cream expires, keep that in mind when you're digging to the back of your cabinet to find the numbing cream you used once in the past 2 years.

• If the cream causes severe discomfort, take it off immediately.