Numbing cream can be used during a tattoo to help manage the pain of getting a tattoo. It’s an interesting topic in the tattoo space, as some are fiercely against it, some are for and some don’t care.

So let’s break it down, so you can make decisions about whether you use it or not.

Why do people use numbing cream?

Numbing cream is usually considered an option to manage (not eliminate) pain during a tattoo. I’m sure most people who have sat through hours of tattooing can tell you the different waves of feeling okay and wanting to bite your artist through the experience of getting a tattoo.

This is because while getting tattooed, your body is having a variety of chemical responses to the process and pain. Your body at first is going to feel a rush of adrenaline, which may carry you a bit from feeling lots of pain. When the pain starts to hit, your body releases endorphins – in response to pain, which can make you feel sort of high, and relive the pain to come extent.

This can make the body feel intense and relaxed at the same time, and can last 2-3 hours, depending on the person. It’s usually why most people say after the 4 hour mark, everything sucks.

Pain is also psychological too! I’m sure most of us can say our first tattoo, or tattoos in spot people grimace or straight up tell you it’s cooked, can be pretty nerve wracking. Which impacts your body’s response to pain.

What is it?

We’re going to get a bit science-y (very professional way to refer to this), but I think it’s important to look at it from this perspective, so you can make an informed decision, rather than just repackaging opinions I have or have heard.

Numbing cream is also known as topical anaesthetic, can include the following main active ingredients

• Lidocaine (also called lignocaine)
• Prilocaine
• Tetracaine.

Please note that here in Australia at least, topical anaesthetics are considered scheduled medicines due to the concertration of these active ingredients. This means they can only be sold/supplied by authorised/licensed individuals under the controlled substances act 1984. Tattoo artists and laser technicians are not authorised to sell or supply scheduled medicines to the public.

Numbing creams that contain more than 2% but less than 10% lidocaine (lignocaine) are available for purchase in a pharmacy. Anything above 10%, are only available via prescription from a doctor.

Why is this? Well there’s dangers and risks associated with numbing cream. But let’s peddle to how it works first.

How does it work?

Numbing creams work by blocking the nerves responsible fo transmitting pain signals to the brain. I’m sure we would all know from early school science diagrams, nerves extend throughout our bodies.

Numbing cream can come in a gel or cream form, the three main active ingredients (lidocaine/lignocaine, prilocaine and tetracaine) are absorbed through the skin and inhibit nerve function, which provides pain relief.

Sometimes adrenaline or epinephrine are added to numbing cream to reduce bleeding during a tattoo.

Lets extend on those active ingredients and look at what they actually do:

Lidocaine is a nerve deadener, and it stops the initial shock of pain. Though they only affect the nerves on the first layer of skin. You’ll still be able to feel pain from the nerves below.

Prilocaine causes loss of feeling in the skin and surrounding tissue.

Tetracaine is a nerve blocker, and stops the nerves from registering pain by dulling the intensity of pain signals sent to the brain. Your body is less what the actual fuck, and more god damn okay.

Epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor, which constricts blood vessels (reducing swelling/bleeding) and slow down the absorption of other aesthetics. Which means a nerve blocking ingredient (such as tetracaine) will last longer. Without a vasoconstrictor, creams wear off quicker.

What are the dangers/risks?

Some of the anaesthetic can get absorbed into the blood stream through the skin, which can have serious side effects or toxicity. You can also have allergies to these anaesthetics.

The amount you apply and how you apply it can have severe side effects or toxicity including:

• Irregular heart beat
• Seizures
• Breathing difficulties
• Coma
• Death

Applying too much or using occlusive methods without advice from a health professional advice or following product instructions can put you at risk. You may also have underlying health issues that can effect what cream you can and can not use.

Occlusion, is the blockage or closing or an opening, blood vessel or hollow organ. In relation to numbing cream, occlusion techniques you may have heard of is applying a large amount of numbing cream and covering the area with plastic or cling wrap. This can lead to an increased absorption of the active ingredients into the blood stream leading to the toxicity and side effects mentioned above.

To minimise these risks:

• Seek, chat to and follow the advice of a health practitioner (pharmacist, compound pharmacist, GP, nurse etc)
• Purchase from a reputable pharmacy or chat to a doctor about whether something more than 10% is safe for this process.
• Test patch – use the cream in an area away from where you’re intending to get the tattoo, to test if you’re allergic.
• Follow product instructions, along with health practitioner advice.
• Openly communicate with your tattoo artist about your decision – as I said in the beginning, there are varying opinions from all sorts of artist about the use of numbing cream. I have been tattooed by and work wth artist that don’t mind or are for it, and I’ve also been tattooed and worked with artist who will cancel or turn you away on the day for using numbing cream. So always inform your artist or ask if they are happy to tattoo you with numbing cream.

Numbing Sprays? And gels? While tattooing?

You may have also see numbing sprays and gels, usually used during the process of tattooing.

I personally have had artists use numbing sprays towards the end of sessions on large pieces, when I start to be a bit more sensitive to touch and tattooing.

Generally it’s use on skin already opened by tattooing, which is continually worked on. Usually these sprays and gels are some type of first aid pain relief or antiseptic, used for cuts, scrapes and minor burns. Which can sometimes contain the active ingredients in numbing creams.

Always check what and when your products should be used during a tattoo to minimise any risks. Generally you should also not be choosing multiple products for before and during the tattoo as well.

Why do some artists not like numbing cream?

It’s all personal preference for an artist. Generally many will say the pain is a rite of passage (is this kind of sadistic?)

Well it is part of the tattooing culture, and in some cultures it’s extremely important. In ancient Polynesia, traditional body tattoos take years and the enduring of pain demonstrated character depth, allegiance and earned respect. “Pe’a”, the traditional male tattoo translates to “protect” Mayans receive tattooed in honour of braving the process, as it symbolised they had the fortitude to deal with pain and suffering. Tribes in northeast India perceive tattoos as a symbol of strength, courage and vitality because of the associated pain.

Deferring from the opinions of pain being an essential part of tattooing, we already spoke about the potential risks and dangers associated with using these creams, gels and sprays. This is a valid stand point to have, as we aren’t medical professionals and we are not all fully equip to deal with the adverse reactions that can arise from use.

Some also are of the opinion that these creams, gels and sprays interfere with the process and healing of the tattoo. This is a hard one to be on either side of the fence, I think at least. Everyone’s body is different and a tattoo artist is susceptible to their own tattoo application as well (you can never guarantee you’re tattooing EXACTLY the same every time or every person). There’s a lot of competing factors, I think, that create variables already, without the involvement of numbing creams, gels and sprays.

However some say the desensitisation of the skin can make it hard to stretch the skin, make the skin texture slippery or difficult to get the needle and ink into the skin.

I’ve definitely had this experience, without the knowledge that my client has applied numbing cream, I as an apprentice, thought I was absolutely loosing my god damn mind, because I could not get the needle or ink in.

Some have said during the healing process, the numbing cream, gels and sprays interfere with the natural healing process. Ingredients that impede blood circulation (epinephrine – a vasoconstrictor) delay formation of healing cells, which hinder skin regeneration essential to healing. So you may have a longer healing process and can be susceptible to infections that lead to complications.

Where are we at with it all?

Alright at the end of all this info dump, what should you take away?

• Understand the ingredients in your numbing cream to guarantee yourself safety and effectiveness.
• Talk to a health practitioner about your health, the risks and options about using numbing creams, gels and sprays before and during a tattoo.
• Chat to your artist about what would make you feel most comfortable to manage pain, and if they feel comfortable about your use of these products.

I personally really don’t have much opinion due to my own lack of experience using and working with numbing creams, gels and sprays. I am of the opinion to chat to a medical professional to make an informed decision, chat to me about your intention of use and we’ll make a decision that make you and I feel comfortable for the process.