Numbing creams can sound like an easy fix for tattoo discomfort, but they come with important limitations and risks, particularly during linework. Please read this carefully before deciding to use them.
1. How numbing creams work
Over-the-counter numbing creams (like Numit or Emla) are topical anaesthetics that contain lidocaine or prilocaine, which temporarily block sodium channels in the nerves. This prevents pain signals from being transmitted from the skin to the brain.
The numbing effect is local and only affects the upper layers of the skin. It doesn’t change how deep a tattoo needle goes or how the ink settles, but it can alter the skin’s blood flow and temperature, which may influence how the skin behaves during tattooing.
The effects usually last one to two hours, depending on the product and how it’s applied. As the anaesthetic wears off, sensation gradually returns.
2. Why I discourage its use
The main reason I don’t recommend numbing cream for linework is that it causes the stencil to rub off quickly. Once that happens, the guide lines become difficult to see, which compromises the accuracy of the linework and the overall quality of the tattoo. With visibility reduced, I have to slow down and work more cautiously. This also extends the time required and, in turn, increases the overall cost of the tattoo.
Other effects that can occur:
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Skin texture and behaviour changes: Numbing cream can make the skin feel rubbery or uneven, which affects not just line quality but also how colour and shading heal. It alters how the skin stretches and responds to the needle, making it harder to judge depth, pressure, and overall technique while tattooing.
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Healing variation: It can alter blood flow and the trauma response, which may affect healing or colour retention.
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Loss of feedback: Pain responses can help me understand how your skin and body is coping so I can adjust pressure and technique. Without that feedback, it’s harder to gauge how much the skin can tolerate.
Because the stencil issue is always present, I strongly discourage the use of numbing cream for outlines. For colour or shading, there’s still a risk of skin changes that can affect the tattoo process and, in turn, how it heals. This may result in the tattoo needing touch-ups or rework that wouldn’t qualify as a free touch-up.
3. Approved vs black-market products
Only TGA-approved, pharmacy-bought products are permitted. Numit is the product I’ve had the best experience with, and Emla is acceptable if Numit can’t be sourced. Other pharmacy creams may be available, but I can’t vouch for how they behave or what effect they might have on the skin or the tattoo.
I will refuse to tattoo anyone who has used unregulated or “extra-strength” products purchased online. These often contain:
- Unsafe concentrations of lidocaine: Excessive doses increase the risk of lidocaine poisoning which can be dangerous.
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Epinephrine (adrenaline): This ingredient is never safe for casual use. It constricts blood vessels and restricts oxygen to the skin which affects healing. It is a prescription-only drug that should only ever be administered by trained medical professionals, as misuse can cause serious heart complications or even cardiac arrest.
4. Safety and application guidelines
If you choose to use an over the counter numbing cream.
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Buy and apply it yourself. I cannot provide or apply numbing agents.
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Read the supplied instructions carefully and follow the recommended dosage. Using too much increases the risk of lidocaine toxicity, and using too little or applying it incorrectly can make it ineffective.
- Check that you don’t have any risk factors that could make you more sensitive to lidocaine. These can include liver/heart problems, certain medications, or a history of seizures. If you’re unsure, check with your pharmacist or doctor before using the cream.
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Patch-test the day before your appointment to check for any allergic or adverse reaction.
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Apply a thick layer of numbing cream approximately one hour before your booking.
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Wrap the area in plastic film and secure with tape to ensure the plastic does not move around.
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Place a warm heat pack over the wrapped area during this time. These creams rely on warmth to activate.
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Do not remove the cream before you arrive. I will remove it myself when preparing the skin for the stencil. Removing it early can cause the numbing effect to wear off.
5. Natural alternatives
During sessions I use Biotat, a professional glide and green soap that contains eugenol (from clove oil), which has a mild natural analgesic effect. It helps take the edge off without affecting the skin’s integrity or healing process. Because it’s used continuously throughout the tattoo, the numbing effect builds gradually and lasts for the duration of the session.
Most clients report that Biotat noticeably helps. Some experience a strong numbing effect, while others feel only mild relief, yet even those who say it “didn’t work” often end up sitting more comfortably and for longer than they expected.
Be sure to check the tattoo preparation guide before your appointment. Good sleep, food, and hydration have a way bigger impact than you realise on how well your body manages pain.
6. Weighing up risk vs benefit
Numbing cream can be worthwhile for managing genuine pain barriers if you have an abnormally strong pain response, for example if you physically can’t stay still, sweat excessively, or if your pain response makes it difficult for me to tattoo safely or accurately. In these cases, the benefits may outweigh the risks.
7. Summary
I prefer to work without numbing cream and generally discourage its use. It often creates more complications than benefits, and I already use Biotat products that provide a mild natural numbing effect during the tattoo process.
That said, in certain cases, numbing cream may be genuinely helpful for managing pain that would otherwise make it difficult for me to tattoo safely or effectively. The information provided here is intended to help you make an informed decision about whether it’s necessary for you personally.
If you believe you genuinely need to use numbing cream, please let me know before your appointment so we can plan accordingly. Only approved pharmacy products should ever be used, and clients choosing to use them must understand and accept the associated risks.
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