Getting a new tattoo is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, especially if it's your first. One area of concern for most folks is the pain. Everyone warns you that getting a tattoo hurts, but what's a little temporary discomfort for a lifetime piece of body art, right? Spoiler: Getting a tattoo is typically more than a little discomfort, especially in areas where there is less flesh between skin and bone. In recent years, numbing creams have become popular for their use during and after getting a tattoo in order to ease the pain of the process.
There is a ton of information and advice on what to do and what not to do when it comes to tattoos and it can be overwhelming to determine what advice is actually approved and recommended by professionals. To better understand the safety and efficacy of numbing creams for tattoo recipients, we consulted three dermatologists for their expert advice. Keep reading for the complete guide to tattoo numbing creams.
Meet the Expert
What Are Numbing Creams?
Skin-numbing creams are topical anesthetic creams that can be applied to help to numb an area of skin. According to board-certified dermatologists Sarah Gee, MD, and Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, lidocaine is the most common ingredient found in numbing agents. "This topical anesthetic works to block sodium channels in our cells and prevent nerve transmission, which effectively reduces pain signals," explains Zubritsky. Compounded and prescription topical numbing agents also contain other anesthetics. When compounded and used in-office, Gee says lidocaine is often combined with benzocaine or tetracaine for maximal effect.
"For example, one of the most effective numbing creams is BLT cream, which contains 20 percent benzocaine, six percent lidocaine, and four percent tetracaine. These ingredients together are much stronger at anesthetizing than when used alone," she adds.
Numbing Creams for Tattoo Treatments
Tattoos are notoriously painful both during and after their application. It's easy to see why folks getting tattoos might want to seek out numbing creams in hopes of reducing their pain—but can they actually help? "Skin numbing creams can definitely help minimize the pain from tattoo treatment and I do recommend them," says Gee, but she adds two caveats: First, understand that the topicals will decrease but not eliminate pain. Second, opt for a prescription numbing cream applied in the office as they are most effective.
Zubritsky agrees. "Numbing cream is typically considered safe to apply before tattoo treatments, especially in areas that are particularly sensitive," she says. "However, the numbing cream may or may not be effective depending on the type of ingredients used. Furthermore, numbing cream starts to wear off as soon as it's wiped away, so it may not last the entire treatment duration."
