Tattooing is a painful process, but it doesn't have to be. There are several numbing creams that can really ease the pain of getting a new tattoo. While some artists might consider the pain part of the overall experience, there really isn't a reason to suffer, especially if you are getting a tattoo in a very painful area or have a low pain tolerance.
Hush Tattoo Numbing Gel
If you want a pain-free tattoo experience, then you might want to give Hush Numbing Gel (also available in a spray) a try. Not only did it get top marks from reviewers (an overall 3.6 out of 5 stars with 1,600 reviews on Amazon), but it was also featured in several top ten lists, including Best Tattoo Numbing Creams and Sprays on InkDoneRight (it took the number one spot).
Numbing Power
Hush boasts FDA compliance and has four percent lidocaine as its primary ingredient. It also has a mix of proprietary botanicals that are designed to help with skin irritation and redness. The gel boasts a duration of up to four hours, while the spray can wear off in about an hour or less. However, you can reapply for those long tattoo sessions. Reviewers praised it for its numbing ability, and say it works well for large tattoos and sensitive areas.
Getting It
In addition to Amazon and the Hush website, you can find this product on Ebay. The retail cost listed on the company website is about $26 for a 2 oz. bottle.
Numb 520
Available through Ebanel Skincare, Numb 520 is a topical anesthetic cream that can be used for tattoos in addition to other conditions. It was featured among the top creams by Living Gorgeous with a 9.4 review score. It also received a number two spot and a review score of 9.4 by Best Reviews Guide.
Application
Numb 520 contains five percent lidocaine and can start working in about 20 minutes after application. While the company website says that peak effectiveness occurs one hour after application, some reviewers say it can last from three to five hours. While it can make the tattooing process a breeze, it can also be helpful after tattooing to reduce swelling and itching. Additionally, the cream is non-greasy, which will be helpful to the artist doing your tat.
Where to Get It
You can get the product right from the source at Ebanel, but you can get it at Amazon and other online vendors as well. The price for Numb 520 starts at about $20 for a 1.35 oz. jar.
Numb Master Topical Anesthetic Cream
With 3.7 stars out of 5 stars from 1,516 user reviews, Numb Master is another top tattoo numbing cream. It was listed among the top five tattoo numbing sprays by Tattoo Like the Pros. Reviewers say it works well for tattoos, and won't react with inks or tighten the skin.
Getting the Job Done
Distributed by Hansderma, Numb Master Topical Cream's active ingredient is the five percent lidocaine and lasts for about an hour. The cream is non-oily and takes about a half hour to work. It is suggested that you apply the cream and wrap the arm with Saran wrap or something similar for about 20 minutes then unwrap it and you are ready to go. While this is among the best creams, the short duration does knock off a few points, making it not as effective for longer tattoos.
Cost
You can get Numb Master Cream directly from the website, where it retails for just under $25 for a 1 oz. tub, or just under $90 for a4 oz. tub. You can also find it on Amazon and some other retailers, including Ebay. Depending on the retailer, you may be able to find it for a lower cost than the company website.
Dr. Numb
Dr. Numb has top rating by Tattoo Healing Pro, and a 4.6 out of 5 or about 90 percent positive reviews on Google. It was also recommended in an article by TatRing. Users of the product say it is easy to use and works well for tattoos, especially sensitive areas like the side.
Only the Facts
Like most topical numbing creams, Dr. Numb uses lidocaine (five percent) to help to numb the skin. Additional ingredients include prilocaine (five percent) and benzocaine (three percent). To get the benefits from this cream, you need to apply it about 30 minutes before getting your tattoo; however, it is noted that it can take as long as two hours for some people so be aware. The effects can last for 2-4 hours, making it perfect for a long tattooing session or those sensitive areas.
Getting Your Hands on It
You can order the cream directly from the Dr. Numb website, and there are over 600 stores in the U.S. and Canada that also sell the Dr. Numb cream. You can also find it at some tattoo supply retailers, including Tattoo U Supplies. The retail cost on the website is about $54 for a 30 gram tube, but you may find it for a discounted price at other retailers.
Vasocaine Numbing Spray
Another top product is Vasocaine Numbing Spray. It was given the number one spot by the Live Beauty Health in their article on tattoo numbing sprays. Vasocaine is an FDA approved spray that contains five percent lidocaine. This product also received Amazon's Choice award with 4 out of 5 stars and 255 customer reviews.
How It Works
Vasocaine is a uniquely formulated product in that is designed to be used during the tattooing process. This isn't a cream that you put on before your tattoo and wait for it to activate; instead, you would spray this after the skin is broken. The site also boasts that it has a vascular constrictor to help with swelling and bleeding during the tattooing process, and you don't have to wait for it to work either.
Once you spray it on the broken skin, it only takes about five minutes to fully kick in and give you a pain-free tattooing process. The spray lasts about an hour. However, when it starts to wear off, you can quickly give yourself a few more squirts (three sprays are recommended) and keep going. One Amazon user noted that he used the spray every ½ hour to hour to get through his five-hour tattoo session.
Price Point
In addition to being available on Amazon and Dermal Source, you can find Vasocaine Spray on TatSoul, WetTattoo and other tattoo supply vendors. Pricing for this product starts out at about $30 for a 4 oz. spray bottle.
Easing the Pain
While there are a lot of different products on the market, Hush, Vasocaine, Numb 520, Dr. Numb, and Numb Master are a few of the products recommended by tattoo artists that make top lists. These products all contain FDA approved lidocaine and can really help to ease the pain of the tattooing process. This can be especially true if you are considering a tattoo on your rib cage or the side of your head, so get ready to get a pain-free tattoo wherever you'd like.
