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Excited to get a new tattoo, but being held back by the fear of pain? It’s no secret that getting a tattoo includes some degree of discomfort, but you can help ease this by using a tattoo numbing cream.
But, what exactly is a tattoo numbing cream, and how does it work? We’re going to explain all of this, as well as recommend a few good tattoo-numbing creams, in this article.
What Is a Tattoo Numbing Cream?
Tattoo-numbing creams, also known as topical anesthetics, can help reduce pain and discomfort during the tattooing process, but their effectiveness can vary from person to person. Tattoo-numbing creams typically contain ingredients like lidocaine, prilocaine, or benzocaine, which are local anesthetics that temporarily numb the skin’s surface.
Each tattoo numbing cream will be rated to last a certain amount of time. This way, you can choose the ideal tattoo-numbing cream based on how long your session is going to be.
6 Best Tattoo-Numbing Creams
Not all tattoo-numbing creams are created equal. Furthermore, you may be looking for a specific type of tattoo-numbing cream, such as one that’s vegan or long-lasting.
Best Overall: Zensa Numbing Cream
Zensa Numbing Cream is a popular topical anesthetic designed to provide temporary relief from pain and discomfort during various skin procedures, including tattoos, waxing, laser hair removal, and minor cosmetic procedures. It contains a combination of lidocaine, prilocaine, and other soothing ingredients to offer a numbing effect on the skin’s surface, leading many to consider it the strongest numbing cream for tattoos. We recommend it as the best tattoo numbing cream on Amazon because it’s effective and trusted by many tattoo artists around the world.
Pros:
- Effective Numbing: Zensa is known for its reliable numbing effect, reducing pain, and discomfort during procedures.
- Fast-Acting: It typically takes effect within 20-30 minutes after application, allowing for quick pain relief.
- Long-Lasting: Zensa provides relief up to 2 to 4 hours. This can be extended up to 6 to 8 hours with reapplication.
Cons:
- Cost: Zensa Numbing Cream can be relatively more expensive compared to some other numbing products on the market.
- Local Regulations: Availability may be limited due to legal restrictions in some regions, so it may not be accessible everywhere.
Best Longest Lasting: SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream (60 ml/2.12 Oz)
SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream is a powerful painless tattoo cream designed to last up to 6 to 8 hours with one application. With a long-lasting numbing effect and natural ingredients, this cream offers a painless and comfortable experience for individuals of all skin types. If you’re planning to get a large piece done, this tattoo-numbing cream may be the way to go as it is less likely to wear off in the middle of the session.
Pros:
- Extended Numbing: The numbing effect of SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream lasts an impressive 6-8 hours, ensuring you can complete your procedure without interruption or discomfort.
- Ultimate Relaxation: This cream allows you to enjoy a pain-free tattoo experience, promoting a sense of relaxation and confidence during your session.
- Skin-Friendly: Formulated with natural ingredients, this non-greasy cream is easy to apply and clean. Aloe vera and vitamin E help soothe and protect the skin from irritation, while menthol promotes faster post-tattoo healing.
Cons:
- Application Time: Requires application 50-60 minutes before the procedure, followed by an additional 10 minutes for the numbing effect to fully set in.
Best Vegan Cream: Mad Rabbit Tattoo Numbing Cream
Mad Rabbit Tattoo Numbing Cream is a great Lidocaine cream for tattoos that offers quick and effective pain relief for tattoo sessions. With 5% Lidocaine, it numbs targeted areas within minutes, making the process more comfortable. It’s vegan, fragrance-free, and non-greasy, ensuring a clean and environmentally-conscious solution for all skin types. Bear in mind, however, that many reviews on the tattoo numbing cream indicate that it only lasts for around an hour, so it’s only ideal for short sessions.
Pros:
- Vegan-Friendly: Mad Rabbit Tattoo Numbing Cream is vegan, aligning with ethical and environmentally-conscious values.
- Fast-Acting: The 5% Lidocaine formula quickly numbs the skin within minutes, providing rapid pain relief.
- Clean Ingredients: It features clean and effective ingredients that soothe and protect the skin, promoting overall skin and tattoo health.
Cons:
- Short Duration: The numbing effect lasts for approximately one hour and will require reapplication for longer tattoo sessions.
- Lightweight: Doesn’t provide as much numbing as other creams, making it a less appealing option to those with a low pain tolerance.
Best Budget Option: SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream (40 ml/1.41 Oz)
We’ve already mentioned the benefits of the SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream earlier in the list, but it actually comes in a smaller, more affordable option too. The SNTE Tattoo Numbing Cream (40 ml/1.41 Oz) version is a great budget option if you can’t afford to break the bank on a higher-costing cream. Furthermore, it still offers extended and high-grade protection throughout your session.
Pros:
- Long-Lasting:The cream is rated to last up to 6 to 8 hours, making it great for long sessions.
- Includes Mint, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E: These ingredients have beneficial properties that help ease tattoo pain and promote tattoo recovery.
Cons:
- Small: As this is a budget-friendly option, the tattoo numbing cream is quite small.
Best Numbing Spray: Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Spray
The Ebanel 5% Lidocaine Spray is a good alternative to tattoo numbing creams. The spray, which is enhanced with 0.25% Phenylephrine HCl, can be easily applied to your skin and only takes a few minutes to kick in. The drawback is that it doesn’t last as long as a tattoo numbing cream, lasting only about an hour. Regardless, is still a great option if you don’t want to use a cream, as it’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-greasy.
Pros:
- Easy Application:As you’d expect, application is very easy as the spray bottle makes application fast and mess-free.
- Versatile Use: Besides tattoos, it can also be used as a pain relief agent for minor scrapes, burns, and insect bites.
- Fast-Acting: Numbing begins in as little as 2 to 3 minutes and peaks after 5 to 10 minutes.
Cons:
- Shorter Duration: The numbing effect may not last as long as some creams, potentially requiring reapplication during longer tattoo sessions.
- Possible Overspray: Users need to be cautious to avoid over-spraying, which can lead to excessive numbness.
Best Numbing Gel: Hush Anesthetic Tattoo Numbing Gel
Hush Anesthetic Tattoo Numbing Gel stands out as a superb numbing gel for tattoos alternative to traditional tattoo numbing creams. Its transparent gel formula allows for precise application directly to tattoo areas, ensuring maximum comfort during the process. With extended numbing capabilities, it keeps discomfort at bay throughout longer sessions. However, users should consider the slightly thicker application, an hour’s preparation time, and the possibility of skin sensitivity.
Pros:
- Precise Targeting: The gel format allows for precise application on specific tattoo areas, ensuring maximum comfort during the procedure.
- Long-Lasting Relief: It provides extended numbing for up to 3 to 4 hours, reducing discomfort throughout the entire tattoo session.
- Beneficial Natural Ingredients: The gel includes aloe vera, popularly known for its natural healing benefits.
Cons:
- Thicker Application: Due to its gel consistency, it may require more effort to evenly spread and may feel heavier on the skin.
- Possible Skin Sensitivity: Some users may experience minor skin irritation or allergies, so a patch test is advisable before use.
Qualities of a Good Tattoo Numbing Cream
A good tattoo numbing cream will include certain qualities that make it stand out from the rest. All of the tattoo-numbing solutions on this list have been gathered after careful consideration of their abilities. Here are some qualities we sought out in the tattoo-numbing creams, sprays, and gels in this list:
- ⌚ Long-Lasting: A long-lasting tattoo-numbing cream is preferred because it ensures you’re covered throughout the entire tattoo procedure. Of course, if you’re only getting a small tattoo, long-lasting isn’t something you’d need anyway.
- 😌 Effective Pain Relief: Unsurprisingly, you want a tattoo-numbing cream that provides effective pain relief. The presence of pain-relieving ingredients, such as lidocaine, prilocaine, or benzocaine, is key here.
- ️🛢️ Non-Greasy: Go for tattoo-numbing creams that are non-greasy so they don’t leave a greasy or sticky residue on your skin.
- 👍 Safety: A trusted, well-reviewed tattoo numbing cream that uses safe ingredients (bonus if they’re natural) will always be more trustworthy over one that hasn’t had time to build a positive following.
In addition to your tattoo numbing cream, it’s a good idea to adequately prepare your tattoo aftercare routine too. If this is your first time, or you’re not sure on how to effectively treat a healing tattoo, check out our tattoo aftercare guide.
Conclusion
A good, high-quality tattoo numbing cream can be very effective at reducing the discomfort of getting a tattoo. We’ve listed some of the best tattoo-numbing creams out there and tried to keep the list diverse.
In addition to your tattoo numbing cream, consider getting a soap for your tattoo as well. Furthermore, a good lotion for your tattoo will pair well with the soap and help promote healthy tattoo healing.
Yes, tattoo-numbing creams do work. However, the experience will vary from person to person. Therefore, it’s always good to do a spot check before your appointment to see if you’re allergic to any of the ingredients and test its effectiveness.
We consider Zensa Numbing Cream the best tattoo-numbing cream because it includes strong, long-lasting numbing ingredients that help reduce the discomfort of getting a new tattoo.
Yes, but as always, you should be careful. Before buying, double-check the ingredients list to ensure you’re not allergic to anything it contains. Furthermore, try an application test before your appointment to see how your skin reacts.
