Getting a tattoo inked is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating ways in which people go through a transformational process. However, at the back of the minds of many people, the anticipation of the pain that is normally associated with the process can be quite scary. To ensure the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of their clients, tattoo artists usually make the best of all possible efforts. However, the discomfort that the client experiences will certainly depend upon the person’s pain threshold, the location, and the design’s detail.
The good news is that there are tattoo skin-numbing creams that minimise pain and maintain enjoyable experiences. With plenty of these available, how does one select the best? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know so that you can get the right numbing cream before your next tattoo.
What is the Purpose of a Numbing Cream?
Tattooing requires a needle to be inserted into the skin continuously at several locations, which discomforts or pains most people. A skin numbing cream for tattoos is meant to reduce pain by numbing the surface of the skin. Such creams contain active compounds that act on the skin’s nerves and help in relieving the sensations of stinging and or pains that customers experience during the tattooing process. Inserting a Label Map throughout your body can help you survive pain longer and eliminate fear, so the master does the work more effectively and completes the drawing faster.
Essential Ingredients Found in Tattoo Numbing Creams
Understanding a formulation’s active constituents is paramount in tattoo-numbing creams. Below are the general available active ingredients in tattoo creams:
Lidocaine: This is the most largely known numbing component present in topical skin creams. Lidocaine functions in the prevented conduction of nerve impulses emanating from the superficial portion at the site of application so as to relieve pain and discomfort. The best topical agents include 4% to 5% lidocaine.
Benzocaine: This one is also another popular ingredient in the cutaneous formulations that act in the same manner as lidocaine but is present in the non-prescription products. It is a suitable agent for short pursuit tattoos since it acts quickly.
Tetracaine: Tetracaine is also a very effective numbing agent but like lidocaine is only available in formulations in combination with lidocaine. Generally, it is beneficial for people with sensitive skin.
Epinephrine: Epinephrine is an active component in some tattoo numbing creams, and its function in the skin is to decrease bleeding and swelling during a tattoo and thus enhancing the comfort level during the process as well as shortening healing time.
Do not forget to view the label to see these and other contents on the tube as they are vital in determining the lotion’s suitability for you.
Important Factors to Look At When Choosing a Numbing Cream
As tattooing grows ever more popular, there are many tattoo-numbing creams in the market; nevertheless, it must be noted that not all will achieve the same results. Following are some of the important factors to bear in mind when finalising your choice:
Skin Type: Sensitive skins can cause pinpoint skin allergies too, thus pick a cream with a mild formula preferably without any high active ingredients or fragrances. Seek for hypoallergenic and dermatologist approved products.
Duration of the Session: If you are going for a long tattoo, then pick a numbing cream that will last you an extended period, normally up to three hours. There are some creams that will fade fast, some creams usually last longer than “playing time”, therefore it is wise to consider the cream’s lifespan with the duration of your tattoo session.
Tattoo Location: Certain body parts are replete with more nerve endings than other places such as ribs, or inner arms and therefore a stronger numbing cream may be needed to neutralise the sensitivity. If tattooing an especially painful area, use higher concentration lidocaine cream or a lidocaine plus tetracaine cream.
Tattoo Artist’s Opinion: You are advised to speak to your tattooist first before applying a numbing cream. Some numbing agents cannot be used because they will impact the skin, and some artists will not use them because of their belief. Your artist will recommend a cream that is safe and will not cause any damage to the ink or needles.
Reputation and Reviews: Make sure to look for reviews to see what customers who have purchased the product think about it and look for trustworthy sources for further recommendations. Mostly positive reviews will allow you to make a safe purchase as they will show you either its working or not for others.
Conclusion
Getting the best tattoo numbing cream should certainly considerably improve your tattooing enjoyment. Keeping in mind the main components and proper utilisation of the cream with human skin compatibility and tattoo duration, the ‘tattoo pain’ can be considerably reduced. Under no circumstance do these instructions give you the right to apply numbing cream in advance without getting a consult from your artist. Rather than applying any type of cream, use the most respectable brands with good reviews. The great thing is that with the right preparation, it is possible to get rid of the discomfort, and the beauty of the new ink can be appreciated!
