For some, going under the gun is a rewarding experience. But there’s no getting away from the inevitable pain; without the best tattoo numbing cream, the sting caused by a tattoo needle can be hard to bear.

The level of discomfort will be more intense depending on the tattoo’s size, design, and positioning. While everyone’s pain threshold is different, where the needle pierces the skin on the body and how long the inking session lasts, will also have an effect.

If you’re opting for some man-sized body art, tattoo numbing cream can be a real life-saver. Hershell Carrasco, the owner of Pachuco Tattoo, says, “I typically do big pieces. Full forms, half sleeves. These are sessions where we’re sitting anywhere from 4 or 6 hours, as long as 10 hours. I personally like to use a numbing cream for tattoos…that’s how many of my clients can sit through these sessions.”

There’s no shame in having some help to make it through your ink session. Some tattoo artists, like Oslo’s Electric Linda, even opt to use tattoo numbing cream on themselves. “I always have such pain when I get tattooed… For me, it’s so painful in some places. I just need to have some numbing cream so I can go through with it, and I don’t need to tap out.” If it works for the professionals, it’s good enough for us.

Tattoo numbing cream contains lidocaine which works by blocking impulses (like pain) that travel along your nerves, explains Dr.Jamie K. Alan, of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. Basically, it can temporarily numb an area of your body and provide relief.

We’re here to help make your next tattoo a less painful experience. To give you more time to check out our 300 best tattoo ideas for men, we’ve taken the stress out of finding the best tattoo numbing creams.

Get the low down on when and how to apply tattoo numbing cream to the skin. Also, check out what to look for when choosing the numbing cream for your next inking. So keep reading and discover the NINE best tattoo numbing creams to help you beat the buzz.