Numbing cream?

Lately I've had a few people come into the shop all ready for their appointments only for me to find that they've applied some sort of numbing cream to the area in which they want to get tattooed. Now, I want a painless tattoo as much as anyone else, but there could be a world of potential problems if anything goes awry.

Please, please, PLEASE! Speak to your artist before you apply any substance to your skin before getting tattooed! I can't stress this enough.

If you've applied or plan to apply something to your skin before getting tattooed, your artist need to know! Anything you put on your skin that works in this way will affect your skin. It can affect the way ink goes in. It can affect the way it heals. It can affect the way in which we need to work or make it nearly impossible. And if you don't know exactly what you're doing (applying too much/too large an area or using too high a percentage), it can cause you some very serious problems. You can find several articles about this online. Lidocaine toxicity can be fatal.  This is why only 4-5% concentration is available over the counter. So if we don't know what you're using or aren't prepared ahead of time, you might be turned away and told to come back with clean skin.

If you ask, your artist might be able to recommend something that can be used if absolutely necessary. This way the procedure won't be hindered by the treated skin.

•Lidocaine (4-5%) It is sold as a topical anesthetic, is a numbing agent for the skin that can be bought pretty much anywhere online or at your local drug store.

If applied at least 2 hours before the appointment, it can help relieve discomfort.

However, there are some things to consider first-

lidocaine toxicity is a real, so make sure to read the instructions carefully. With anything like this, always consult with your physician first.

ALWAYS TELL YOUR ARTIST YOU PLAN ON USING NUMBING AGENTS.

Lidocaine can alter the texture of your skin and some artists don’t feel they can tattoo properly with it.

there are also numbing agents that can be used after the tattoo is outlined and the lidocaine can get into the skin much easier and work more efficiently.

If you are curious about numbing, please feel free to reach out to discuss it.

Most of my clients do not need numbing or use it, but some do! And whatever makes your appointment comfortable.