The Dark Side of Numbing Creams: Are they Your Best Tattoo Buddy?

When it comes to getting a tattoo, the pain factor is often a major concern for many individuals. It's no surprise then that numbing creams have gained popularity over recent years as a way to alleviate the discomfort associated with the tattooing process.

While numbing creams may seem like a dream come true for those fearing the sting of the needle, some artists speak out publicly about the downsides that they believe are worth considering before you go under the inked needle. Other artists flat refuse to use them.

So, as promised in my last blog, i've put together a list of the reasons artists are against creams and will comment and feed back so you have a clear idea of how to potentially solve these issues prior to a tattoo, if you'd genuinely like the opportunity to be numbed.

1. Altered Skin Sensation:

According to some tattoo artists, one of the most significant drawbacks of using numbing cream is that it alters the 'feel' of the skin.

What does this mean?

Well, the skin can feel rubbery and lack suppleness, giving it a synthetic, unnatural feel under an artists hand. There's no way to argue this... creams can do this. Not all, but some, and it does feel odd and it can be an issue for the individual tattoo artist. In many artists opinion, when your skin is numbed, it becomes difficult for the artist to gauge the right pressure, depth, and speed required for precise tattooing.

What can be done?

This issue has never really been an issue for me for the simple reason that, yes, it can sometimes happen, but is the skin altered to such an extent to make it even remotely difficult to tattoo? No, not at all. We're tattoo artists, one day we can be tattooing the skin of an 18 year old ginger that holds ink beautifully and shines brightly, the next, we can be tattooing the leathery elbow of a mechanic and trying to get ink to stay in that... My point? We adapt to our clients all the time based on the positioning of the art and skin type of our client, so the negligible difference numbing cream makes isn't a genuinely big deal. Does it cause artists a mild discomfort? Some, yes, but 23 needles being jammed into your skin 30+ times a second for 6 hours will certainly cause you more discomfort, so maybe your artists can afford to be a little flexible for your sake. Secondly. Before actually tattooing, the cream should be removed and the skin left to settle. I've always found that when the skin is left to settle for 30 -45 minutes, it returns to it's natural feel, so, if this can be taken into account, your artist can tattoo you without the 'feel' issue and you can be numbed.

2. Healing Issues:

Some artists believe numbing creams can interfere with the natural healing process of your skin. The tattooing process itself causes tiny wounds in the skin, which your body needs to heal properly. Numbing creams may inhibit blood flow and affect the body's natural response to repair these wounds. This interference can result in slower healing times and potentially increase the risk of complications like infections or scarring.

What can be done about this?

In the earlier days of creams coming onto the market, we had several products in the UK that, I have to say, caused issues. The main one was Vasocaine, I saw some bad results with heals and reactions with this product that comes out of Oregon, USA... it has since been banned in the UK. That being said, after ten years of experience, my honest opinion about the reactions and bad heals from the use of these products wasn't only the fault of the products, but the negligent way they were used. When someone was in pain, the numbing products were applied, usually multiples of times, allowing for much-extended tattoo sessions. So, the skin was beaten up waaaay more than it should have been and, not only that, but... the product was never cleaned from the skin after application, so went on to cause the issues previously mentioned. Over the last 10 years, I've found that these issues become almost non-existent when the application process involves removing all cream prior to tattooing and the covered area being thoroughly cleaned with green soap or Dettol. If the cream is cleaned away, the skin reacts normally and healing is very rarely affected... certainly not enough to actually be able to know the cream caused the issue. So, improper use of creams/topical sprays can create many more issues than necessary. Always clean the area to reduce chances of issues arising. **As a note - you must understand all products used in tattooing can cause reactions to certain people, this is an unavoidable fact of the tattooing process. If your artist does not want to take the risks involved in using creams, which can cause reactions, that certainly is their choice. While i'm saying cleaning the cream vastly reduces risks involved, i'm not saying it removes the risks... understanding your artist on this would be advisable.

3. Prevalence of Counterfeit Products:

Another major issue associated with numbing creams is the abundance of counterfeit products on the market. With the rising demand for these creams, unscrupulous manufacturers have flooded the market with fake or low-quality numbing products. Using such products can not only be ineffective but also pose serious health risks due to unknown ingredients and contamination.

How do I avoid these? Only buy from reputable businesses who can provide you evidence of authenticity and feedback from Studios/Clients that have previously used their products. Let's face it, if you're buying cream from Nigel off Facebook market place for £4.99, you're not looking after your skin's best interests. Also, a pre-tattoo patch test can help after buying from a reputable source. Not everyone is built to love this stuff, it can disagree with some people, so be wise and check how your skin reacts before smearing it all over yourself.

4. Short-Lived Relief:

Numbing creams provide temporary relief from pain, typically lasting for only a short period. Tattoo sessions can stretch for hours, and numbing creams may wear off long before the tattoo is completed. When the cream starts to wear off, the pain can be more intense than if you had not used it at all. This abrupt transition from numbness to discomfort can be quite jarring and unpleasant.

What can be done about this?

Cream works for a single pass... that's the simple fact. Once your skin has been hit, it wears off in minutes. I know hundreds of artists who have adapted their style to suit this fact, building their tattoos in small sections rather than repeated passes across a whole piece. This helps to move to new sections of completely numb skin as the tattoo is built and allows for a more comfortable experience. Now, this isn't something that all artists do, it does require a specific approach and technique, which some don't use and wouldn't feel comfortable with... it's really their choice, if you're desperate for them to tattoo you, you've got to suck it up and figure out a compromise.

Post-Numbing Pain:

As numbing creams wear off, some individuals experience an increased sensation of pain and discomfort once the numbness recedes. This post-numbing pain can be more intense and prolonged than the pain experienced during the tattooing process itself. This can be a rude awakening after what may have been a relatively painless tattooing session.

Is this true? What can I do about it? Well, the simple answer is... yes and no. Wait, that's not simple is it? No... but it's true. Some people feel more discomfort when it wears off, some don't. It's totally individual, so there's no catchall right answer here. It's going to depend a lot on what you're getting, really. If you're getting a 5 minute bit of black work, a name or something of that nature, you're hardly going to be doing a Peter Griffin for 10 minutes after, holding yourself going, 'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Hssssssssssss... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh' If you've just had your inner bicep done in bright colour and it wears off... yeah, that's going to suck. Some clients get tattooed with cream and when it wears off, it's no worse than the normal aftermath... there's no hard and fast rule, so you do you. Tattoos hurt. There's no avoiding it forever, you can delay and manage the hurt, but at some point, there will be discomfort.

In conclusion, while numbing creams may seem like a convenient solution to tattoo pain, it's essential to weigh the positives and negatives they provide. Some say these creams can complicate the tattooing process for the artist, lead to healing problems, expose you to counterfeit products, and create a rollercoaster of pain sensations during and after your tattoo session, my opinion is that, used properly, they're a fantastic product to give clients more comfort. One of the main things about a tattoo is... no matter what, it's about you, not the artist at the end of the day, so if it's an absolute must for you, you have to find someone who is willing to compromise.