Tattooing is the practice of inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin, using a sharpened needle attached to a machine that propels the needle forward and prints the tattoo on the skin. However, the procedure is really painful but thanks to the best numbing cream for tattoo that relieve pain.
People belonging to different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds love to print tattoos on their bodies. Tattoos are popular worldwide and many people wear them as fashion. There are many tattoo designs available today, each design has its own specialty and popularity among people.
Tattoos have been with us for centuries, but in recent years they have gained even more attention due to their unique designs and combinations. And for good reason, they are not just used by sailors and gang members anymore, but also for sportsmen, musicians, entrepreneurs, etc.
Tattooing is a painful process and that is why people don’t get tattoos. If you want to get a tattoo but don’t want to bear the pain, then tattoo numbing creams are great solutions to get beautiful tattoos.
Some tattoos are incredibly painful to get, some can be easy as pie. Some parts of the body hurt a lot more than others – you don’t have to be a tattoo artist or have collected infinite amounts of tattoos yourself to know that. That is why guys and girls who want a new tattoo sometimes look for numbing creams to ease the pain.
Numbing cream is an essential part of your pre-tattoo preparation. Numbing cream is applied to the skin before getting a tattoo done as it numbs the feeling and reduces pain and irritation.
With that said, we all know that tattoos are painful and there’s no avoiding that. However, you can reduce the pain by using the right numbing cream before getting your tattoo. These numbing creams are applied on the skin around an hour before, which allows them to set in and numb the area.
To begin with, we shall look at how numbing creams work and learn a little bit more about their ingredients. Firstly, you will notice that all of these creams contain certain chemicals such as lidocaine or tetracaine which are used to hinder external sensations on your skin. This is done by blocking the nerve conduction in your skin.
This means that when you apply a numbing cream to the skin around an hour before getting a tattoo, these chemicals will have already started working on you by the time the needle touches your skin.
Best Tattoo Numbing Cream Reviews
| Image | Name | Price |
  | Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream (Best Seller) | Check Price |
  | Hush Anesthetic Tattoo numbing Gel (Our Pick) | Check Price |
  | Zensa Numbing Cream | Check Price |
  | Numb Master 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream | Check Price |
  | Dr. Numb 5% Lidocaine Topical Anesthetic | Check Price |
  | Numb 520 Tattoo Numbing Spray | Check Price |
  | Penetrex Joint & Muscle Numbing Cream | Check Price |
What Else You Should Know About Numbing Creams
Other than that, it’s also important to mention that numbing creams are generally applied directly to the skin using a cotton swab or a small brush. This may sound odd, but it’s actually the most effective way to numb large areas of your skin for tattoos.
The standard procedure is to apply two layers of numbing cream one after another and wait in between each layer. What you want to do is:
1) Apply an ample amount of the numbing cream,
2) Wait for five minutes,
3) Reapply another layer of the numbing cream and wait again.
However, it’s also worth keeping in mind that different types of creams work to numb your skin for tattoos at different speeds. For instance, some creams may take up to 15 minutes to set in and numb your skin for tattoos, while others may only take about 8 minutes. So it’s best to follow the instruction manual of these creams and do as they say.
Additionally, you should start feeling the effects of numbing cream any time between 20 and 30 minutes after applying them to your skin. This is because some types of numbing creams take a little time to completely set into the skin, but as we mentioned before, others will start working much faster than that.
If you’re wondering whether a numbing cream is safe to use for tattoos or otherwise, then read on below as we give you a brief overview of everything there is to know about the subject.
How do Tattoo Numbing Creams work?
Tattoo numbing creams are topical anesthetics that can significantly reduce the pain during tattooing. These numbing creams are specifically designed to be used for this purpose, they contain ingredients like lidocaine, benzocaine, tetracaine, etc which help in blocking the pain signals that are sent to the brain. These ingredients work by blocking the conduction of nerve impulses along sensory nerves, this means that no matter how painful your tattoo session might be, you will have no idea about it.
Tattoo numbing creams are best for people who never had tattoos before and want their first tattoo experience to be a positive one. By using tattoo numbing creams, you can enjoy your tattoos without feeling any pain or irritation.
Now that you know how numbing creams work and how they’re used, let’s take a look at some of the best ones available on the market today:
1. Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream
Ebanel is the top-selling numbing cream on Amazon. The cream contains 5% lidocaine and it’s a doctor-recommended numbing cream. It includes natural ingredients to help reduce pain during tattoos, waxing, tattoo removal, etc.
The cream has a great ability to reduce pain significantly without any side effects compared to other brands of numbing cream.
The cream was rated as one of the best tattoo numbing creams in 2020 and has been delivering amazing results to date. This cream starts working just minutes of applying to the skin.
Get the long-lasting effect with this cream because its impact remains maximumly up to an hour after application. since this is an anesthetic cream that includes vitamin e and aloe vera that soothes your skin and protects skin against burns, and infections.
Ebanel has been a dermatologist tested and its formulator used this cream on her tattoos before launching in the market. This cream works great on people who are highly sensitive to pain.
Pros
Best tattoo numbing cream for all skin types
Includes vitamin e and aloe vera
Best numbing cream for waxing, tattoo removal, etc.
Cons
Few customers have complained about allergic reactions on the skin after using the cream.
2. Tattoo Anesthetic Cream by HUSH Anesthesia
Getting a tattoo can be a very painful experience if you don’t take the necessary precautions. It depends on how prepared you are mentally and what kind of anesthetic or numbing cream you have chosen to use.
Tattoo Anesthetic Cream by HUSH Anesthesia makes the process very comfortable and easy to live through because it is safe and easy to apply to your body.
This cream formula is made from potent pain relief ingredients such as lidocaine, tetracaine, and epinephrine. These compounds are found naturally in vegetables like potatoes and carrots and help to effectively numb skin.
This tattoo anesthetic cream works very quickly and is easy to apply to any part of the body that needs a little numbing. The cream is applied generously and then rubbed in to ensure it sinks into your skin for fast results.
It will take just a few minutes before you feel completely relaxed from head to toe. You will feel a sensation of peace and calm while the tattooing process takes place because you won’t feel any pain or discomfort throughout.
This cream is easy to wash off, but can also be left on for up to eight hours without causing any damage to your skin whatsoever. The fact that it’s made from all-natural ingredients means that it’s safe to use without worrying about any kind of allergic reaction.
When you’ve been swayed by your tattoo artist and decided on a new design, it can be very nerve-wracking to have the actual process of getting it stuck onto your skin. Numbing cream can help increase the overall comfort while preventing pain from being felt during the tattooing process.
The main ingredient that is responsible for the numbing effects of this cream is tetracaine hydrochloride, which helps to numb certain parts of the body so you feel no pain. The other active ingredient is lidocaine hydrochloride, which has a similar effect, but also speeds up the healing process so your tattoo looks fresh and new.
Before you decide on which cream to purchase, make sure that it contains plenty of ingredients like this. You want one that is very potent, but also safe for everyone to use. Tattoo Anesthetic Cream by HUSH Anesthesia meets all of these requirements and will provide you with immense pain relief throughout the whole process.
3. Zensa Numbing Cream
Zensa is a famous tattoo numbing cream due to its quick action and instant pain relieving capability. Tattoo artists recommend Zensa for tattoo printing and removal, waxing, body parts piercing, and similar use.
Zensa contains natural ingredients like 5% Lidocaine, vitamin e, and pure water that prevent pain and have a great healing process. This cream is certified by the FDA and safe to use on the skin.
If you are going to get a tattoo, undertake piercing and even laser waxing then this is very effective for preventing pain and itching.
It is effective for tattooing as the cream doesn’t mess up during tattoo printing nor does it ruin the ink of the tattoo. That is why professionals recommend this cream for painless tattoo printing.
Zensa numbing cream desensitizes skin to prepare you for painful procedures like laser hair removal and skin toning injections. The cream takes around hours to last and 30 minutes to absorb on your skin, enabling users to feel its impact for a longer period.
This cream keeps you relaxed while undergoing complex tattooing procedures. Besides, it has multiple uses for electrolysis, micro-blading, and waxing, etc.
Zensa cream should be applied to the target area of the skin at least 30 minutes before the procedure. Since this is anesthetic in nature, therefore, it can be useful for needle injections, nipple piercing, and shots.
Pros
- Quite effective if used with directions
- Made for tattooing
Cons
- If you are allergic, this cream might not work on your skin.
4. Numb Master 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream – Best Numbing Cream for Microblading
Numb Master rapid reliever is great for tattooing that consists of natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, lecithin, and vitamin e. Its fast-acting and long-lasting formula offer a great numbing effect and last longer. The water-based anesthetic cream doesn’t make your skin oily or greasy.
The cream is safe to use and suitable for all types of skin. This is suitable for tattooing, micro-needling, piercing, waxing, and many other things to prevent while associated with different procedures.
This is one of the best numbing creams that need to be put on the skin for an hour before the procedure and it won’t let you feel the pain. The cream needs to be put on into layers, like first applying the first layer and leaving it to dry for some time. Then you need to put a second layer to get the maximum result for numbing.
You will be amazed to see the result as many buyers have tried this cream and they felt no pain while tattooing on their skin. Numb Master cream for pain relief and works like magic on your skin.
Number Master is a topical numbing cream that is recommended by experts to apply before the treatment and makes your day by preventing you from severe pain. This is one of the best numbing creams for tattoos in 2021 and buyers are quite satisfied with this product.
Pros
- Best numbing cream for tattoo removal
- Its natural ingredients don’t cause any harm to the skin
- Long shelf life
Cons
- The standard pack contains a small quantity
5. Dr. Numb 5% Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream
Dr. Numb is one of the top contenders in the category of best tattoo numbing cream on the market. The cream takes a little time to make its impact on the skin i.e. only 15 minutes before the procedure would be enough. It keeps the targeted area numb for 2 to 4 hours.
Its ingredients include water, lecithin, vitamin e, and tocopheryl acetate. You will feel a pain-free procedure and needle-like pen during tattooing when this cream is applied to the skin.
This cream only needs to be applied only in small quantities to get the maximum effect on the skin. Make sure you keep your body part clean before applying this on that part. This cream is proven for numbing the skin and is easy to apply to any part of the skin.
Many people ask, does numb cream work? Definitely, this is one of the best painless tattoo creams that can help you to avoid horrible tattooing procedures.
Dr. Numb delivers amazing results with a long numbing effect and you will not feel any pain. This cream has a best seller on Amazon and is highly rated among buyers.
Pros
- Comfortable and easy to apply
- Lasting results and artist recommended
- Great cream for numbing
Cons
- For some, it may not work
6. Numb 520 Tattoo Numbing Spray
This topical spray works great for any kind of tattooing, even larger pieces. It is not greasy nor oily like creams and comes with a pleasant smell. The spray is very fast-acting, so you should use it minutes before your session to get the best results.
Numb 520 gets dried soon after spraying on the targeted part of a body and acts quickly to maximum effect. This spray is useful for pain, burning, irritation, soreness, and itching as well.
As soon as you put it on your skin, the process of numbing begins in about minutes. It takes only 2-3 minutes and lasts up to an hour. The best feature of this numbing spray is the odorless and oil-free solution that makes it easy to apply.
This numbing spray contains 5% lidocaine and 0.25% Phenylephrine, thus safe for all skins and must be applied before the procedure.
Pros:
- Numbs well, not greasy or oily,
- Suitable for all types of skins
- Affordable at this price
Cons:
- Quantity is very low
7. Penetrex Joint & Muscle Therapy Cream
Penetrex is the top-selling pain relief cream on Amazon. This cream has been rated as the best numbing cream for tattoos. Penetrex uses natural ingredients like Arnica montana to help reduce the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis, osteoarthritis, muscle aches, backaches, etc.
This numb cream is designed with an advanced formula to provide powerful relief, Penetrex is best for people who want to get over their arthritis pain naturally.
Penetrex ingredients include Arnica, MSM, Glucosamine, vitamin B6, magnesium stearate, etc. Many people who have used this cream on tattoos have given positive reviews about the product.
The cream is easy to use on the affected area and causes no burning or freezing on the skin. This numbing cream is certified by FDA and recommended by professional tattoo artists as a pain reliever.
It is a great pain reliever and works great as a tattoo numbing cream. This cream has a lasting period of 6 hours and automatically dries without making any odor on your skin.
Penetrex has the highest ratings among all skin-numbing creams on Amazon and if you want to get rid of pain while tattooing then this is the best cream to use.
Pros
- Perfect tattoo numbing cream
- Powerful pain reliever
- Easily absorbed and doesn’t stain
Cons
- A bit expensive than other brands
What Do You Need to Know about Numbing Creams?
How To Apply Numbing Cream?
Applying the numbing cream before getting a tattoo is very important because it helps in reducing the tattoo pain significantly and also results in faster healing. It’s best if you can apply the cream at least 30 to 45 minutes before getting a tattoo because the numbing cream needs time to block the pain signals.
Numbing creams can be applied as undiluted as they are specially formulated for this purpose. It’s recommended that you should apply a thick layer of the numbing cream and massage it well so that it gets absorbed by the skin well.
Numbing cream should be applied only after cleaning the tattoo area thoroughly with soap and water, because if there’s any oil or dirt present on the area that will prevent the numbing cream from getting absorbed into your skin. It is advised to take shower before applying any numbing cream to your skin. If your skin has much hair, you need to remove skin hair on the skin to get the best results.
It’s best to apply numbing cream about 30 minutes before you get a tattoo so it has time to get absorbed into your skin. Most tattooists ensure the cleaning of skin with soap or water-based cleaners containing alcohol to remove debris, and dead skin cells on the skin.
Apply the numbing cream into layers and step-by-step application is highly recommended to get the quick effect of the numbing cream. If your skin is not properly cleaned, then the numbing cream may not work on your skin.
How Long Does Tattooing Numbing Cream Work?
Tattooing is a painful process and people don’t like it; they sometimes tend to delay their appointment because of the pain. This is where numbing creams for tattoos come in handy, using numbing creams will make you feel nothing at all and it will also help you in getting your tattoo done on time.
Numbing creams work by blocking the nerve impulses that are sent to the brain when you get a tattoo, this means that no matter how painful your session is, you will have no idea about it because of the numbing cream working.
Are Tattoo Numbing Creams Safe to Use?
If you’re getting a tattoo, there’s no doubt that the whole process is going to be painful. It hurts so much initially because the needles being used are piercing your skin and breaking through layers of tissue in order to get deep enough for a design to be visible.
Tattooing also involves a lot of poking around with a needle, which means that you are going to experience a lot of pain sensation. This is exactly why it’s so important for you to prepare yourself as much as possible because if you are numb from the start, there’s no doubt that it will be much easier for you to cope with the entire process.
If you have never used any kinds of numbing creams before, the idea of them might seem a bit scary. The reality however is that if they are used in the correct way, these products are completely safe to use and you will not suffer any negative side effects whatsoever.
Always go for FDA-approved numbing creams, they are completely safe to use as they contain natural ingredients that may not harm your skin even if absorbed into the skin. On the other hand, if a numbing cream contains harmful ingredients or chemicals then it can result in severe reactions.
The main ingredient that tattoo numbing creams contain is lidocaine, but there are many different levels of concentration with varying results. The products on this page contain very low levels of lidocaine which means that you will not feel as though you are completely drunk or high, but the pain sensations will be greatly reduced so it is much more bearable.
Do Tattoo Artists Recommend Using The Best Numbing Cream for Tattoos before Procedure?
Numbing creams allow people who are getting tattooed for the first time to have a pain-free experience, which is why so many professionals recommend them. The first phase of getting tattooed is always going to be terrible because your body isn’t used to feeling any kind of pain sensations.
However after you have done it multiple times, your body will start to take it in its stride and although that doesn’t mean that the experience is going to be enjoyable, it will certainly be much easier to cope with.
Numbing creams are especially useful for people who are getting tattoos placed on sensitive areas of their body, such as their face or hands. These areas are so sensitive because they have fewer nerve receptors than other parts of your body, which can be extremely painful to get tattooed.
Numbing creams will allow you to feel the needles piercing your skin, but they won’t cut through any nerves or tissues, which means that you won’t feel as though the needle is breaking through thick layers of your skin.
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