The combined effect of these different components allows topical anesthetics to numb the skin and dull the pain of tattoos.

Do Numbing Creams Really Work?

Short answer: Yes, although there are some things to keep in mind before slapping on some cream and heading to the tattoo shop.

The first thing to know is that these creams do not act instantaneously. Depending on the product and which chemical is used to create the numbing effect, this can take anywhere from 20 minutes up to an hour to kick in.

The amount of time it takes for a numbing cream to activate is also dependent on the driver that is used and the overall formulation of the product. Once active, most numbing agents last between one and two hours, making them most effective for smaller tattoos.

What other considerations should I have for tattoo numbing cream?

Besides price and effectiveness, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering using a topical anesthetic for a tattoo.

Health Risks

There are some more serious safety concerns that must be addressed when it comes to these products.

When using any of these numbing agents some form of anesthetic compound is being absorbed into the skin, and in turn, into the blood stream. When properly used, the risk is small, but if precaution isn’t taken there are some side effects that can lead serious health problems.

According to the FDA, the overuse of these numbing agents-specifically in peoples using them for cosmetic procedures-can lead to seizures, heart attacks and death. That’s why, with a few notable exceptions, these products should be applied only once, before a tattoo with no additional applications taking place during a session.

Products that use secondary agents that must be applied to broken skin like Vasocaine and The Original Blue Gel function differently and can be “topped” once after the initial application.