You’re considering a tattoo, but are feeling anxious about the potential pain? Stress no more because numbing cream is here to help. In the guide below, we’ll discuss why you feel pain, what numbing creams and whether you should use them!

Understanding pain during a tattoo

To understand why you feel pain/discomfort during your tattoo sessions, you must first understand what is happening.

1.     The needle, attached to the tattoo machine, continuously injects ink into the skin by delivering thousands of tiny pricks per minute.

2.     The ink is injected into the second layer of the skin known as the Dermis . The dermis is comprised of collagen fibres, nerves, glands and blood vessels. The nerves attacked by the needle pricks send signals to the brain.

3.     As a result of the tens of thousands of tiny needle wounds into the dermis, the immune system sends a team of blood cells called macrophages to the site in attempt to remove the tattoo.

4.     Some of the macrophages allow the ink to remain in the dermis which is why we can see tattoos. However, other macrophages swallow the ink particles and send them out through the lymphatic system which is why tattoos fade over time.

The science behind numbing creams

Numbing creams are designed to block or reduce pain signals. They contain active ingredients like lidocaine, benzocaine or tetracaine. These compounds block the sodium channels in the nerve cells. The sodium is necessary for nerve cells to send pain signals to the brain, so when compounds block the sodium, the nerves cannot communicate the sensation of pain effectively.

How long does numbing cream last?

 The duration of the numbing effect depends on the type of cream and the concentration of its active ingredients. Typically, you can expect a tattoo numbing cream to provide relief for about 3 to 6 hours, which is usually sufficient for smaller tattoos. For larger or longer sessions, artists may recommend reapplying the cream or using additional numbing agents, such as sprays, during the session to maintain comfort.

Numbing cream and impact on tattoo process

By following the correct procedure advised by the numbing cream company and your artist, the numbing cream should not impact the process of your tattoo. Excessive use of the numbing cream can make the skin spongy, difficult to stretch evenly or even mushy. This will affect the artists ability to tattoo effectively. Therefore, you should seek advice from your artists before making any purchases.

Numbing cream and tattoo healing process

Many numbing creams contain additional ingredients like Vitamin E and aloe vera, which can aid in the skin’s healing process. Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and promote faster healing of the tattooed area. Meanwhile, aloe vera's soothing and moisturizing properties can help reduce redness and swelling.

You should seek advice from your tattoo artist on the best numbing cream to ensure you are not affecting your tattoo healing process.

Final thoughts

The use of numbing cream is entirely a personal preference and you will be the best judge to know whether you need a tattoo numbing cream. Before you make any purchases and use the numbing cream, please speak to a professional artists about your thoughts for further advice. You can contact us on Devlininktattoos@gmail.com to receive FREE advice and consultation.