We all know that people use numbingcream to avoid the pain caused by tattoos. The tattoo numbing cream lasts for about 5–6 hours, usually. There are different types of numbing cream available on the market. It depends on your skin type and sensitivity to decide which one to choose. People usually find it difficult and confusing to choose the right numbing cream. The numbing cream may work differently depending upon the size, design, skin sensitivity, and placement of the tattoo.
Types of tattoo numbing cream
The tattoo numbing cream is mainly composed of three types: nerve deadeners, vasoconstrictors, and nerve blockers. These creams work differently because of their ingredients. Nerve relaxers are one of the most commonly used numbing creams, as they are the safest and most preferred by many tattoo artists. If you’re confused about which one to buy, one thing that you should definitely look for in your numbing cream is
lidocaine. Buy a cream that has at least 3–5% of lidocaine in it.
Choose numbing cream as per your skin type.
One of the most important things to consider before choosing your numbing cream is your skin type and sensitivity. These numbing cream or sprays help provide relief from the pain that is caused while getting a tattoo. But this pain is different for some people. This is because some people have a higher pain tolerance than others, and some people can’t tolerate any pain at all. Also, your skin type and sensitivity play a very important role in determining which numbing cream or numbing spray will suit you.
If your skin is sensitive to any kind of new soap or body lotion you use, then a normal numbing cream may not work for you. It may work for others, but if you have extra sensitivity, tattoo numbing cream may not work effectively for you. Also, if you have dry skin or poor blood flow, getting a tattoo can be painful for you. So, it is also advisable to test the numbing cream on a small area before using it. If you have extra-sensitive skin, you may also consider seeing a dermatologist.
But if you don’t have any kind of sensation issues, then numbing cream may do wonders for you. It will help you get a tattoo without causing any discomfort. It will provide you relief from the pain that may be caused otherwise.
Size and place of the tattoo
Another thing to consider before choosing a numbing cream and how long it will last is the size of the tattoo and the location where you are getting it. Numbing creams work well for all kinds of tattoos and places. But it will work the best on the sensitive parts of your body like your neck, ribs, chest, etc. If you are getting a tattoo on a large part of your body, then using numbing cream will be very helpful. This is because it can take hours to get larger tattoos. Using numbing spray or cream will help you avoid hours of pain and discomfort. It will also enable the tattoo artist to do his work more effectively without any disturbance.
Apart from numbing creams, there are certain things that one can do to ease the pain and get the tattoo with the utmost comfort. Here are some things one can do:
Preparing the skin before getting a tattoo
One thing that you can do is prepare your skin. It is better to exfoliate and moisturize your skin weeks before your session. It will ensure better blood flow and clear the pores. This will make sure that your skin heals quickly after getting a tattoo. It will also make sure that your skin does not get infected after getting a tattoo.
Getting enough sleep
Another thing that your body needs is rest. You should get enough sleep and rest your body before getting a tattoo. Especially the day before your session, you must not wake up until late. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to make your body energetic and active the next morning. Otherwise, you may feel lethargic the next day, which will not be good. Also, if you are sleep deprived, your skin sensation may increase, which is not good. Hence, getting enough sleep is very important before your session.
Hydration
One more thing that is very important is hydrating. It is very important that you drink enough water daily before the first week or two of your session. Drinking water is important for your everyday life as well. But if you are someone who doesn’t like to drink much water, then you need to take care of this if you have decided to get a tattoo. It is important that you drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day for the first 10–12 days of your session.
Eating a balanced meal
You must eat well before your session. Otherwise, you may feel weak or dizzy during the session. The tattoo artist may take hours to get your tattoo done. This makes it very important that you eat a balanced meal before your session. Try to eat something healthy. You may eat some fruits. This will give you the required energy and make your body ready and active for getting a tattoo.
If the design that you have selected is large and will take more than 3–4 hours, you may want to take some light snacks and water along with you.
Dress up comfortably.
One more thing that you can keep in mind before your session is what you wear. You should wear something comfortable so that you can sit for hours in your session without any discomfort. Make sure your dress is not an interruption for the tattoo artist. Make sure that the place where you want to get the tattoo is easily accessible and that there are no distractions or interruptions for the tattoo artist.
Final words
Numbing creams are one of the best options for avoiding pain. Apart from it, you may take some distractions like music or playing a game. This is because pain is merely a psychological thing. The more you think about it, the more you will feel. Distracting your mind to something else will help you ease that pain.
