Do numbing cream for tattoos work?

Author: Myrtis Romaguera  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Numbing your skin with Emla before the tattooing starts helps reduce the pain making the whole experience more tolerable and less stressful. Less pain generally means less flinching. Being fidgety or moving about during tattooing can cause problems.

Is it worth using numbing cream for tattoos?

Yes. Tattoo numbing creams work by blocking the pain receptors in the skin. This makes the experience of getting a tattoo much more comfortable and reduces the amount of pain that is felt.

Can you still feel a tattoo with numbing cream?

While many people find that numbing cream helps lessen the initial pain, some report that once the numbing effect wears off, the pain can feel more intense as the body reacts to the tattooing process.

Why don't tattoo artists like numbing cream?

Most artists don't like numbing cream because it changes the texture of the skin and can effect healing.

How long does it take tattoo numbing cream to work?

Emla cream needs adequate time to numb the skin, so make sure you leave yourself enough time to apply Emla ahead of your appointment. Emla usually takes about 1 hour to get to work, but it may be quicker (approx. 30-60 mins) on the face.

Tattoo Numbing Cream - Does It Really Work? 😬🧴 #tattoo #fashionshowmall #lasvegas

How painful is tattoo with numbing cream?

Numbing your skin with Emla before the tattooing starts helps reduce the pain making the whole experience more tolerable and less stressful. Less pain generally means less flinching. Being fidgety or moving about during tattooing can cause problems.

How to make tattoos hurt less?

Just remember to use numbing cream before starting your session; take breaks throughout; choose smaller tattoos over large ones; avoid sensitive areas; and use ice both during and after your session! With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way towards getting the perfect traditional tattoo in no time—painlessly!

Does numbing cream reject ink?

First things first – rest assured that when used correctly, tattoo numbing cream should not affect the ink or the quality of the final artwork. The high quality tattoo numbing creams these days have had thorough and adequate testing which attests to the fact that tattoo numbing creams do not affect the ink.

Why do tattoo artists shave you?

Well, if you're getting a tattoo on an area that's covered in hair (e.g. chest, back, arms legs etc…), then it's really important to shave beforehand. Not only is it vital that no hairs are in the way for a smooth finish, but hair can harbour bacteria which may lead to irritation and/or infection.

Should you tell your tattoo artist if you use numbing cream?

Before applying numbing cream, ask your tattoo artist if they are comfortable with it. The majority of tattoo artists are not, and many will refuse to work on numbed skin. The numbing agents make the skin feel like rubber, and this may prevent the ink from entering the skin properly.

What happens if you leave tattoo numbing cream on too long?

How long you should keep it on: If you leave large amounts of numbing cream on your skin for extended periods of time, the active ingredient may be absorbed into your bloodstream. This can cause life-threatening side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, difficulty breathing, and coma or death.

Why put cling film over numbing cream?

Cover Emla cream with an air-tight, water-tight dressing or plastic wrap, so the active ingredients absorb into the skin and do not get wiped off. If the area to be numbed is too large for a dressing, some people cover the skin with cling film.

Should I get numbing cream for my first tattoo?

You could definitely do it without numbing cream, but you would suffer more, and it might take longer. Your skin could get pretty inflamed and block your artist from being able to see the nuances of their work. Without a numbing cream, your tattoo experience will definitely be more painful.

Why doesn't numbing cream work on me?

Not everybody processes local anesthetic the same. For instance, redheads tend to require more anesthesia than non-red heads. Some bodies remove the numbing agent much faster than others. The effects might wear off before the dentist even begins the procedure.

How long does a small tattoo take?

A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, whereas a large backpiece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money. The longer it takes to finish, the more your piece will cost.

What is tattoo pain comparable to?

How bad do tattoos hurt? There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much pain you'll feel when getting tattooed. But if you're wondering what type of pain to expect, Caranfa says the experience is comparable to the feeling of a cat scratch or a sunburn.

Where is the best place to get a first tattoo?

Before choosing a location, assess your pain tolerance. The best lower pain areas are the outer arm, upper thigh and calves. These are all good spots to consider for a first tattoo.

How bad does a foot tattoo hurt on a scale of 1 to 10?

Feet/Ankles/Toes Tattoo Pain – 9 out of 10

Very painful — one of the most delicate areas to have tattooed. Also, hard to heal due to constant rubbing from socks and shoes. Nerves in the feet, toes, and ankles are unique compared to others in the body.

Why do tattoo artists not allow numbing cream?

Why don't tattoo artists like numbing cream? Here's one of the primary reasons. Some tattoo artists say that numbing creams can alter the texture of a client's skin, making it “spongy” after the cream is applied. Others report that it makes the skin not stretch evenly, become mushy, or form raised hive-like bumps.

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo?

Forearms (this is the number 1 least painful spot) Outside of upper arms. Outside of shoulders. Outside upper thigh.

Will numbing cream mess up a tattoo?

In some cases, it can make the tattoo harder to produce, if not impossible altogether–as numbing cream pulls the blood supply away from the area, making it harder to tattoo effectively, as it becomes greasy, flabby and otherwise a hard surface to use.

Is there a painless way to get a tattoo?

HUSH Numbing Spray

Anesthetics are introduced to the skin by way of tiny drops or mists. It works immediately upon skin contact, making it a perfect product for keeping a painless tattoo while the artist concentrates on creating a mind-blowing masterpiece!

Where does a tattoo hurt the most?

The most painful tattoo placements are frequently located at the extremities (head, face, hands, fingers, feet, toes), regions where there is naturally less body fat (ribcage, shoulder blade, collarbones, hips, ankles) or more nerve endings (armpit, groin or buttocks).

How much to tip a tattoo artist?

As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.

Previous article
Can you sleep on your side after getting eyebrows microbladed?
Next article
Can a 13 year old use face cleanser?