What is numbing cream and how do I use it?
You finally made that appointment. Whether it’s your first or not, it’s always exciting to get a new tattoo. It’s no secret that a tattoo hurts but we’d all agree.. what’s a little temporary pain for a permanent piece of body art? Unfortunately, getting a tattoo can be more than just a little pain, especially in a tender location. Recently, numbing cream has grown in popularity for its use in reducing the pain during a tattoo.
Information provided online can advise on what do to or what not to do when it comes to application and it can be overwhelming to determine what is actually advised by a professional. It's important to understand what active ingredients are in the specific cream that you intend to use during or after your tattoo treatment, but there are some general dos and don'ts when it comes to numbing cream.
What are numbing creams?
Skin-numbing creams are medications that function like a local anesthetic, reducing sensitivity to pain in the areas they are applied. These creams work by blocking nerve signals in the body. You can use numbing cream for a variety of reasons besides tattoos including: piercings, filler injections, waxing and microdermabrasion.
Which one should I use?
Here at Evolution Tattoo we’ve done the research for you. Our #1 recommended tattoo numbing cream is Mithra. Mithra numbing cream is used for temporary relief of pain which is available without a prescription, Tattooing without pain using 10% lidocaine. You can purchase it here in the shop for $25.00.
How do I apply Mithra?
1.Wash the area receiving tattoo with soap and water.
2.Cover area with a warm towel for 5 minutes. (to open up the pores)
3.Dry area completely.
4.Cover 2-3 mm thickness (not as effective if applied too thin)
5.Wrap with plastic wrap for about 45-60 minutes.
6.When you arrive to the shop, the tattoo artist will remove the plastic wrap for you.
**Pro Tip: In order to ensure better results, please avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before the tattoo appointment.
Potential side affects
There are some mild side effects that may accompany numbing cream use. The main thing that is dangerous is using too much of the over-the-counter numbing creams because too much lidocaine can get absorbed into the bloodstream. The most common side effects include irritation, redness, skin discoloration, or mild burning. The side effects may also include ringing of the ears, lightheadedness, blurry vision and nausea.
Our advice
At Evolution Tattoo we encourage our clients to not rely on numbing cream. Pain is part of the tattoo process. Numbing cream doesn’t remove all discomfort related to getting a tattoo. While some tattoo artists believe the client should be as comfortable during the process as possible, numbing creams take away from the original tattoo experience and make people appreciate the work and craft less. Therefore, make sure to check your tattoo artist's stance on this topic right away.
