Many people experience pain whilst getting a new tattoo. This causes worry and anxiety in many people, not knowing on the day if the tattoo is going to hurt or not.
Here Is Why Tattoo Artists Generally Don’t Like Numbing Cream:
It can cause infection: Tattoo artists usually don’t wear gloves while working so the numbing cream can contaminate while they are working.
Can ruin the tattoo: Applying a tattoo on the skin creates a barrier over the skin. This can affect the transfer of the ink into the skin. This can affect the outcome of the new tattoo.
There are numbing creams that are popular on platforms like Amazon, so people do use them but tattoo artists generally don’t like them.
In this article we are going to speak about how numbing creams affect a tattoo, why tattoo artists dislike numbing creams, and popular numbing creams on amazon. Thanks for reading.
How Does Numbing Cream Affect A Tattoo?
Tattoo artists everywhere are having an argument about numbing creams. They all have different opinions on how it affects them, what kind of results they see, and if it’s even needed.
Most tattoo artists believe that numbing cream is not something you need to use before getting your first tattoo or even after it. Some will say that the only thing numbing cream does is create more work for them.
Some feel that it can affect how the tattoo is, some believe it hurts the artist’s hand because of the lack of feeling, and some believe it makes clients have a longer session due to being unable to feel pain or discomfort by blocking their nerve endings.
Why Do Tattoo Artists Hate Numbing Cream?
Here Are Some Reasons Why Tattoo Artists Dislike Numbing Cream:
1. It’s Not Worth the Extra Time and Money
Tattoo artists do this job because they love it, not to make money. If you ask for numbing cream, there is an extra cost associated with putting it on and removing it. Every tattoo artist has a different idea of how much they charge and if they put on numbing cream, they are basically working for less money.
2. It Can Distract You From Other Things
If you go into an appointment blindfolded and without feeling, the tattoo artist has to work harder. They have to focus more so that they can get the tattoo done properly because of how distracted they are from being able to feel the pain.
3. It’s Bad for Tattoo Artists’ Hands
Some tattoo artists have a condition called hyperhidrosis where they sweat too much and if they put numbing cream on their hands, it becomes a bigger problem. The excess moisture will cause the cream to not stick properly and can ruin a good tattoo session which causes the artist to lose money.
4. It Can Ruin Your Tattoo
When tattoo artists apply numbing cream, it creates a barrier between the skin and the needle, preventing ink from transferring properly which causes a horrible outcome for your tattoo. You get what you pay for so if you get a cheap tattoo with numbing cream, the results will look cheap.
5. It’s Bad for You in General
If you are asking for the numbing cream to be applied, it means you are nervous about the pain of getting a tattoo so naturally, you should not get one at all. It will cause regret and when tattoos are viewed by future employers or co-workers, they will most likely not take you seriously if you have something they perceive as ‘cheap.’
6. It Can Cause Infection
Since tattoo artists usually don’t wear gloves, they can contaminate the numbing cream which causes an infection to form on your skin. If it’s a minor infection, it will go away but a major one can cause scarring and discoloration.
7. It’s Counter-Intuitive
If you go to get a tattoo and deal with the pain, there is a sense of satisfaction you get from it. Getting tattoos is supposed to hurt and if you don’t feel anything during your session, it defeats the purpose and you will not enjoy your new tattoo as much as if you went through the pain.
However, there are some advantages of numbing cream in certain areas for tattooing, including:
1. If you have areas that are hard to tattoo such as the feet or hands.
2. On skin where it’s very sensitive and may need numbing cream applied to prevent excess bleeding.
3. Areas of skin where tattoos usually fade due to ink loss.
If you are someone that has issues with pain then a tattoo numbing may be a option for you.
Best Numbing Creams on Amazon:
There are several different brands of numbing cream but there are some that are more effective than others. It’s important to read reviews before making a purchase because people will tell you what they love about it or how it didn’t really work for them.
Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream Maximum Strength
The Lidocaine cream is made in Germany and can be found in different pharmacies. It relieves pain by covering the skin with a thin layer of anesthetic relief which numbs the area for about two hours.
Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Spray Pain Relief Numb520 Numbing Spray
The Deep Freeze Pain Relief Spray is FDA-approved and contains a menthol spray. It’s good for local pain relief in a limited area and can be sprayed on muscle injuries or areas where the skin is broken to provide immediate relief from over-exertion, sprains, strains, arthritis, backache, bruises, and sports injuries.
Anbesol Gel Maximum Strength 0.33 oz
The Anbesol Maximum Strength Gel is a topical anesthetic that will numb the skin during a tattoo session. It has benzocaine, a mild anesthetic and antibacterial ingredient which works for about one hour before reapplying it.
Puressentiel Circulation Moisturizing Cooling Cream
This cream contains 20% Benzocaine that is to be applied before tattoo sessions. It can relieve pain immediately and needs to be rubbed onto the skin for about five minutes before applying to the tattoo area.
Base Labs 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream for Tattoos
The Tattoo Soothe Topical Anesthetic Lotion contains 6% benzocaine to relieve the skin around the tattoo area. It’s good for about two hours which provides relief during the process of getting a tattoo.
And there you have it! Now that you know how numbing creams affect tattoos, are they really necessary?
Maybe if your tattoo artist recommends them to numb pain before getting inked, go ahead and use them but should not be applied more than needed.
It is recommended that if you want to apply numbing cream before your tattoo session, that you do it at least two hours ahead of time. There will still be some stinging and discomfort but not as painful compared to if applied just minutes before getting a tattoo.
Numbing cream is not bad for tattoos but tries not to use too much on your new tattoo because it can cause some complications like infections.