Numbing Products
Not all numbing creams are created equal and not everyone will get the same results from the same products. As the popularity of tattoo numbing products rises, it’s important for clients and artists to be educated on the usefulness, and risks associated with using them.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. The right answer is ALWAYS to consult your physician before using anything ever. Your health and safety is your responsibility. All information in this post is based on my own anecdotal experiences and knowledge gained from other artists and industry professionals.
So you want a tattoo but you’re worried about the pain, or maybe you’ve been tattooed and just want to see what the big deal with all this new numbing stuff for your next piece. Numbing cream can be a great way to get tattooed without the pain and discomfort. However, not all numbing products are created equal and if you’re not careful, it could ruin your tattoo or even send you to the hospital! So first and most importantly, if you’re considering trying out a numbing product, ask your physician to make sure its okay. Secondly, reach out to your artist and find out their policy for using numbing products. As the numbing products can sometimes cause adverse conditions to the skin, there are some artists who will not work on skin that has been numbed at all, and you don’t want to lose your deposit and your appointment you waited so long for, right?
Your doctor says its okay, and your artist is fine with it too. Now which to choose? There are so many products with different brands, price points, “recommended by artists”, so how do you know which is the best? No one likes to waste money on a product that doesn’t work for them. Unfortunately, there is only one way to know which one will work best for you, and that is for you to try them. I have had clients use the same product on different areas of their body and get different results, so there really is no sure way to guarantee a fully painless session. In my own personal experience, on both sides of the table, Ink-Eeze numbing gel and numb spray seem to give the best results with the least reactions. Epinephrine seems to be the main problem causing ingredient, and the Ink-Eeze has none.
How you use it is probably more important than what you get. Almost all of the clients I’ve had that said their cream did nothing or very little, or wore off quickly, did not have the cream on them when they showed up for their appointment. All creams that I have seen share a very similar application, and they work best when you follow the instructions completely. In general, you apply a thick 2mm layer to the area you’re getting tattooed, and leaving it wrapped in cling wrap for 45min-2hr.
Most manufacturers recommend a small spot test at least a day before your tattoo to make sure you don’t have any obvious reactions to the product. There are some common effects, like mild redness to the skin, that don’t seem to be a big deal (again, your doctor knows, I do not. Listen to them over me every time). However, there are other issues that can occur that can cause major problems for your tattoo or you. Your skin could develop a rubbery, spongy texture that makes it difficult for the ink to saturate. When this happens, it can be very fragile and prone to overworking. This would cause the tattoo to heal appearing dull and unsaturated, or on the worse end, scarring and infection. That’s why it is so important to consult with your tattoo artist, making sure that if they choose to work on numbed skin, they understand and recognize the signs of adverse reactions.
In conclusion, while numbing creams offer a potential solution to the pain associated with tattoos, navigating their use requires careful consideration. Talk with your physician and your artist, and use your brain. Good luck, and may your next session suck as little as possible!