I Hate Numbing Cream: and you should too.
- Kay De Los Muertos
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Numbing cream solves an age old problem in the tattoo community: getting body art without the pain. It is a perfect solution for those with a low pain tolerance, or is it?
The Facts:
According to state laws, numbing cream has recently been banned in two places: Michigan and Oregon, citing that over the counter numbing agents are often unregulated in dosage and can only be used as prescribed by a physician. Side effects of numbing cream overdose can include bacterial infection, skin irritation, and in some cases, even heart disruptions and death according to this article by PubMed.
Additionally, the FDA warns that misuse of topical numbing agents such as using over large areas of skin, using doses higher than 4%, or wrapping skin during numbing cream application can increase the likelihood of these negative effects.
Lidocaine or benzocaine can push the oxygen off of the hemoglobin once applied in a fatal dose, causing LAST or methemoglobinemia.
Here is a video from two NPs discussing lidocaine toxicity risk:
Artist Opinions:
While artists may have varying opinions on the personal use of numbing cream, large scale popular artists tend to have strong opinions against it. Artists who specialize in color, such as Adriana Hollow and InkbyPnut have posted various content discouraging clients from using topical numbing agents, stating adverse reactions, color oxidization, and excessive trauma being required due to the rubbery texture numbing cream gives to the skin.
Left: Adriana Hollow's Instagram stories discussing healing of a piece from another artist where numbing cream was used.
Here is a post from Hustle Butter sponsored artists with their opinion on numbing cream:
My Experience:
When I first began tattooing I did allow clients to use numbing cream, however I noticed quite a few issues. My clients who needed numbing cream for tattoos couldn't estimate how long before their numbing cream would wear off, causing an experience where they would experience all of the pain of their tattoo simultaneously, rather than their bodies being adequately prepared for it by starting at a steady pace. I've had clients use expired numbing cream without knowing, causing them to lose a lot of time applying something that did not end up alleviating the pain and risking infection. Numbing cream cannot be reapplied during a tattoo if it does wear off, as it will disturb the stencil on a detailed piece.
As a light-handed artist I do not inflict more trauma than necessary on the skin, but using numbing cream requires me to go over an area significantly more than usual in order to penetrate the new barrier created and saturate the tattoo properly. All in all, this can lead to a client sitting significantly longer for a piece than intended, when the goal was to improve the tattoo experience. I do use Bactine spray (pictured above) as it has a low percentage of lidocaine and can be used sparingly in my tattoo process, however, I personally dislike numbing cream use and do not work with it because of the associated risk. Everyone tattoos differently, so artists are at liberty to decide which process works best for them, however, in my experience, I like to guarantee a safe, comfortable experience, and a proper heal.