Tattoo numbing cream: does it work, and how to use it before your session

Tattoo numbing cream is one of the most common questions we get at the studio, usually from someone booked in for ribs, feet or a long session. Here's a straight answer on what it does, when it's worth using, and how to use it without causing problems on the day.

What tattoo numbing cream does

Tattoo numbing creams are topical anaesthetics. You apply them to the skin before your appointment and they temporarily reduce sensation in the surface layers of the skin, where the needle works.

They don't put you to sleep, and they don't make a tattoo feel like nothing. What most clients notice is that the sharp, scratchy edge of the first part of the session is turned down. Like any topical product, results vary from person to person, and the effect wears off over time.

When numbing cream helps most

Numbing cream makes the most sense when the sting, not the length of the session, is what worries you:

• Spicy placements: ribs, sternum, feet, hands, the inner arm and behind the knee. See our tattoo pain chart for the full list.
• Line work over thin, bony skin, where the outline tends to be the sharpest part.
• First tattoos, when nerves make everything feel bigger than it is.
• Smaller sessions: a cream is applied once before you start, so it suits shorter pieces best.

For a full-day sitting, talk to your artist about how to plan it. Some clients prepare a section at a time, and your artist can work around that.

How to prepare your skin

Follow the directions supplied with your cream. As a general guide, most routines look like this:

1. Clean the area with soap and water and dry it well.
2. Apply the cream to the area being tattooed, as directed on the label.
3. Cover it if the directions say to. Many people use cling wrap.
4. Remove it and clean the skin before tattooing begins, or let your artist know so they can prep the area.

Never use numbing cream on broken, irritated or sunburnt skin, and don't use more than the directions allow.

Tell your artist first

This is the part people skip. Let your artist know before your appointment that you plan to use numbing cream. Some artists have preferences about timing or brands, and a heads-up means they can plan the order they work in. At The Black Swan we're happy for clients to use it. We just want to know so the day runs smoothly.

Other ways to make a session easier

Numbing cream works best alongside the basics:

• Get a good night's sleep and eat a proper meal beforehand.
• Drink water and bring a snack and a drink with sugar in it.
• Skip alcohol for at least 24 hours before your session.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes that give access to the area.
• Ask for breaks. A good artist would rather you rest than squirm.

Where to get it

We stock Painless Panther, a 10g numbing cream, at our studio in Fremantle and ship it Australia-wide. Bundles bring the price per tube down if you've got more than one session planned. See the Painless Panther bundles.