We all know that tattoos hurt. Many consider the pain to be a rite of passage that is an integral part of the experience. Others just like the way tattoos look, and would rather bypass the pain altogether if it were possible. For those who struggle with pain but still have plans to be heavily tattooed, there are some products that can help numb the are in question and make the experience more bearable.
As far as I know, all of these sorts of products contain lidocaine. It’s basically the same stuff they inject into your gums at the dentist before pulling a tooth and is a pretty commonly used anesthetic in general. When tattoo artists use products that contain lidocaine, however, they don’t inject them. Instead they are applied topically to the area that is going to be tattooed either before or during a tattoo session to help mask the pain.
When applied before a tattoo session, lidocaine products typically come in gels or creams that are spread across the area that is going to be tattooed and covered with plastic food wrap to help the product absorb fully into the skin. This wrap stays on for a decent amount of time (usually an hour or three) before its actually time to get the tattoo. When the time has come the artist preps the skin and tattoos the client as they normally would. While some say that this sort of product is fairly effective as a numbing agent, it has a pretty short life span and can only buy an hour or two of numbing relief at most.
When applied during a tattoo session, lidocaine products are usually in a spray form. This spray is applied during breaks on long tattoo sessions and can provide some intermittent relief from the burning and wiping associated with tattooing for significant periods of time. Their effects are also short lived, but they can help squeeze an extra hour or two into a session in a pinch.
One more form that’s worth mentioning is when lidocaine comes as an included ingredient in the tattoo ointment that an artist is using. This is a huge advantage because the product is being applied throughout the entire tattoo process.
Keep in mind that lidocaine products work best after the skin is already opened up from being tattooed for an extended period of time. For best results an artist should avoid washing these products away with soap unless absolutely necessary.
Make sure you ask your artist about these products before using any of them. Some artists prefer not to use them at all. I personally think they’re awesome, and use them quite a bit if a client is having trouble sitting or if I’m traveling and need to finish a tattoo all in one very long session. It can make a big difference in these kinds of sessions and is definitely something I’ll continue to use.
Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are wondering whether or not these sorts of products are safe for use on your skin.