So you’ve decided to get a tattoo—struggled with the do or don’t, agonized over what to get, and hunted down a reputable shop and artist. All that’s left is to go to the appointment. In preparing yourself for the procedure, you’ve read up on needles, types of ink, and healing ointments. The main thread appearing in all of your research is pain.
How much will the needle hurt? How long does it hurt? Are some body parts more sensitive than others? The best numbing spray for tattoos will put all of these worries to rest!
Best Tattoo Numbing Sprays
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Ebanel Lidocaine Topicalcaine | • Fast-acting and long-lasting • Childproof packaging | CHECK PRICE |
 | Numbmaster | • Long lasting & fast acting • Non-oily & non-greasy | CHECK PRICE |
 | HUSH anesthetic | • 4% lidocaine • non-oily | CHECK PRICE |
 | Derma Numb | • Best for laser • Works great | CHECK PRICE |
 | Uber Numb Numbing Spray | • Soothing relief • Easy application | CHECK PRICE |
1. Ebanel Lidocaine Topicalcaine
Renowned for providing instant relief, Ebanel Lidocaine Topical will serve you with a long-lasting result. This lidocaine gel-cream relieves pain, soreness, burning, protects irritated skin, and reduces swelling. It begins numbing in 3 to 5 minutes. It peaks after 20-25 minutes and lasts for 1 hour from the peak. The cream is infused with vitamin E and Aloe Vera, making it extra soothing and hydrating. In addition, it is odor-free, non-greasy, and oil-free.
The cream is best for minor scrapes, minor burns, minor cuts, and insect bites. Its specific use is for pain relief and can be used for the whole body. This is a water-based skin-numbing cream secured with a child-resistant cap. Moreover, it is a hundred percent cruelty-free. It is highly recommended to do a performance test before the treatment to assess the performance timing.
Pros
- Provides instant relief and long-lasting results
- Relieves pain, soreness, and burning protects irritated skin, and reduces swelling
- Begins numbing in 3-5 minutes and lasts for 1 hour from the peak
- Infused with vitamin E and Aloe Vera for an extra soothing and hydrating effect
- Odor-free, non-greasy, and oil-free, which makes it a favorite among many users
- Child-resistant cap
- Hundred percent cruelty-free
Cons
- To assess the performance timing, a performance test should be performed before the treatment
- It can cause allergic reactions or side effects.
- The effectiveness of this product may vary depending on the individual and the tattoo location.
2. Numbmaster
Though it’s a cream and not a sprat, this FDA-approved topical anesthetic is one of the best tattoo numbing agents. Manufactured by Clinical Resolution in California, it is distributed by Hansderma and contains 5% lidocaine.
Similar to other products in its class, it performs best when applied to the tattoo site, left to sit under wrapping for twenty to twenty-five minutes, and then unwrapped. Extending deep into the epidermal and dermis layers of the skin, where your ink will be going, this item works to inhibit pain receptors. It is best used for small to medium sized tattoos. Numbness lasts for about an hour. With no residue build-up, this product is easily removed with a mild facial cleanser.
One application can help keep the area being tattooed numb for up to an hour and a half. You—and your tattoo artist—will be especially pleased that it isn’t too greasy, making it much easier to remove. Plus, if you have sensitive skin Numbmaster is a non-irritating cream.
However, Numbmaster takes far longer to numb than specified on the package. While this product is successful at numbing localized areas, it doesn’t last long enough for most tattoo sessions. Unless you are getting a small tattoo, you might need to look for a different gel.
Pros
- FDA-approved topical anesthetic that is most effective when applied to the tattoo site left to sit for 20-25 minutes under the wrapping and then unwrapped
- Extends deep into the epidermal and dermis layers of the skin to inhibit pain receptors
- Recommended for small to medium-sized tattoos
- Provides numbness for about an hour
- Can be easily removed with a mild facial cleanser and does not leave any residue or greasiness, making it non-irritating
Cons
- There have been complaints that it takes far longer for the solution to effective
- It may not last long enough for most tattoo sessions unless you are getting a small tattoo.
- It can cause allergic reactions or side effects.
3. HUSH Anesthetic
Focusing on many herbal agents, this product contains menthol, aloe, and chamomile for the soothing of irritated skin. It does not contain epinephrine or parabens. With 4% lidocaine, this item is FDA compliant and does not test any of its products on animals.
Unlike its competitors, Hush is effective on both broken and unbroken skin. It is specifically designed for use before and after your tattoo session—resulting in a well-healed, clean tattoo. Want to get rid of your tattoo? Hush is also approved for use during tattoo removal.
This product lasts for up to four hours and works to reduce skin inflammation during the tattoo process. It is available as a non-oily cream or aerosol spray. Hush can speed up the healing time of your tattoo by two to three days. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness—hours of numbness and no pain at all during tattooing. Just make sure to leave it on under the saran wrap for longer for a good while to experience its full effects.
Pros
- Contains menthol, aloe, and chamomile to soothe irritated skin
- Does not contain epinephrine or parabens
- 4% lidocaine makes it FDA compliant
- Can be used on both broken and unbroken skin
- Specifically designed for use before and after tattoo sessions
- Available in a non-oily cream or aerosol spray
- Can shorten the healing time of tattoos by 2-3 days
- Provides hours of numbness and no pain during tattooing
Cons
- Known to cause allergic reactions or side effects to the user
- May be less effective if not left on under saran wrap for a long time
- Folks with sensitive skin are not advised to use this product
4. Derma Numb
This anti-inflammatory product not only opens up pores in the skin, but it also provides up to a 90% decrease in pain. Derma Numb avoids harsh chemicals by focusing more on natural, herbal remedies such as aloe, yarrow, yucca root, and menthol. These mild agents will not affect the color or shading of your tattoo, but instead, work to sterilize and enliven skin cells.
It does contain at least 4% lidocaine. Developed specifically as a tattoo anesthetic, there’s no need to worry about this spray affecting the color or quality of your tattoo. Derma Numb is applied like many of its competitors—adhere the gel to the skin’s surface and wrap in plastic wrap for up to an hour before your procedure.
Unlike some of its competitors, Derma Numb should be used on skin that is broken. This means that you don’t have to wait until the tattoo has started to apply it. Feel free to reapply at your discretion during your procedure. You’ll experience at least two hours of numbness. So, for longer pieces, you will have to reapply throughout your tattoo session.
Pros
- Provides up to a 90% decrease in pain
- Utilizes natural, herbal remedies such as aloe, yarrow, yucca root, and menthol to avoid harsh chemicals
- These gentle ingredients do not impact the color or shading of tattoos but instead cleanse and revitalize skin cells
- Contains at least 4% lidocaine
- Developed specifically as a tattoo anesthetic
- It can be applied on skin that is broken
- Can be reapplied at discretion during the procedure
- Provides at least two hours of numbness
Cons
- It can cause allergic reactions or side effects
- It may require reapplication throughout the tattoo session for longer pieces
- Not advised for use with sensitive skin
5. Uber Numb Numbing Spray
Presented by UberScientific, this topical numbing spray is indeed the best choice if you are looking for super-strong pain relief. This includes 5% lidocaine, the largest dose for a non-prescription anesthetic allowed by the FDA. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the stickiness, as the spray is made with non-oily formula. This means no more stains on your clothes and bedding.
This water-based anesthetic feels lighter and non-greasy. In addition, the spray ensures easy application. It serves 100% satisfaction to those looking for a skin-numbing spray for rapid and lasting relief. The spray will reach its full effect within 20-25 minutes. Moreover, the spray will leave your skin soft and smooth, which means that you can buy it with confidence.
Pros
- Presented by UberScientific, this topical numbing spray provides super-strong pain relief
- FDA-approved with the maximum allowable dose of 5% lidocaine for a non-prescription anesthetic
- Formulated with a non-oily formula that won’t leave stains on clothes or bedding
- Water-based, making it lightweight and non-greasy
- Easy to apply
- Provides 100% satisfaction to those looking for a skin-numbing spray for rapid and lasting relief
- Reaches its full effect within 20-25 minutes, sometimes even quicker
- Leaves the skin soft and smooth
Cons
- It can cause allergic reactions or side effects
- The effectiveness of this product may vary depending on the individual and the tattoo location
Things to Consider While Buying Numbing Spray
There are lot a query come into your mind before making a buying decision here are few mostly questions which occurs every 2nd persons who make a buyer decision.
Does It Work?
Fear of the unknown can be a huge deterrent for first-timers and veterans alike. Hopefully, all of your research led you to all of the products on the market aimed to reduce the discomfort of tattooing. They are known as pre-treating numbing sprays, gels, and creams. They are relatively inexpensive, widely available, and easy to apply.
Numbing Spray vs. Cream
The main difference between the two is the application process. Some people prefer sprays because it’s easy just to spray on. However, both will numb the area equally since it’s the active ingredients that matter.
How to Apply Tattoo Numbing Spray?
They work in a pretty straightforward way. Apply the product to your skin, wrap with saran wrap, and then wait! Numbness should set in within twenty minutes and last for up to three hours. Make sure to avoid the eye area as many of these products contain ingredients that are eye irritants. With so many to choose from, though, it can be overwhelming to decide on which one.
How to Apply Tattoo Numbing Cream?
- Since you’ll be rubbing the cream on your skin vs. spray it, a few more steps come into play when applying tattoo numbing cream.
- Wash your hands and the area you need to apply the cream thoroughly.
- Put on a pair of gloves. Tattoo gloves or standard nitrile gloves work perfectly. The point of gloves is to make sure your hands don’t go numb too!
- Apply the cream to the desired area. You want to read the instructions of your particular cream to know how long you will need to rub the cream in for and how much to add.
- Wrap the area in saran wrap. This part is crucial as it’s what activates the numbing agents by trapping heat in with the cream. Simply fasten it to your skin with some medical tape if need be, or completely wrap it around your body.
- Wait 40 minutes to an hour. This will depend on the cream you use, and again, follow the instructions provided on the bottle to know when you should be good. You’ll know, though, because the area will start to go numb after which remove the saran wrap and wipe the excess cream off.
Ask Your Artist if you Have any Questions
It would also be a good idea to consult your artist. They work with these creams on a regular basis, and they know which ones are the most successful. Also, they might affect the artist’s ability to tattoo you. After all, it’s making the tattoo artist’s canvas—your body—greasier than they are used too.
This can cause problems if they aren’t comfortable working with it. So, make sure you talk to your tattoo artist first and if they don’t like working with numbing agents, but you do, find an artist that works with you.
FAQ’s
The numbing spray works by temporarily blocking the pain receptors in the skin. It is applied to the area where the tattoo will be done and left on for a certain period of time before the tattooing process begins. The numbing effect usually lasts for around 1-2 hours.
It depends on the product you are using. You should follow the instructions on the product packaging or consult with your tattoo artist. Typically, you will be instructed to apply the spray and then cover the area with plastic wrap for 20-25 minutes before the tattooing process begins.
Some people may experience minor skin irritation or redness at the site of application. However, these side effects are usually temporary and should not cause any long-term harm.
Final Word
Now that you have reviewed our shortlist, you have a better idea of what products are available to you. We think any of these five creams, gels, and sprays are worth a shot. All of them are effective and have their advantages and disadvantages. With a variety of options, why suffer through hours of needling pain if you don’t have to?
No matter which one you choose, we think a pre-treatment numbing product will help to reduce your anxiety going into the session and your pain during it. These products can only enhance your experience. While pain is often considered a right of passage in tattooing, it does not have to be a necessity.
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