Topical anesthetic creams are popular for managing the discomfort of getting a tattoo. Many people wonder if these products compromise the quality or longevity of their new artwork. While the creams offer temporary pain relief, their effect on the skin’s physical properties and the tattooing process is a significant consideration for both clients and artists. Understanding how these chemical agents work and alter the skin determines their impact on the final ink result.
The Science Behind Numbing Agents
Topical anesthetic creams for tattooing primarily rely on active ingredients such as lidocaine, prilocaine, or a combination of both. These local anesthetics work by blocking the transmission of pain signals in the underlying nerve endings. They penetrate the outer skin layers to reach the nerves and temporarily stabilize the cell membranes.
This stabilization occurs by blocking the sodium channels necessary for nerves to send electrical impulses, inhibiting the nerve from firing and temporarily stopping the sensation of pain. A common effect of these agents is vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of local blood vessels. This narrowing temporarily reduces blood flow in the treated area, impacting the subsequent tattooing process.
Chemical Stability of Tattoo Ink
A frequent concern is whether chemical components in numbing creams, like lidocaine, will react with and degrade the tattoo pigment itself. Modern tattoo inks use highly stable, high-performance pigments designed to be chemically inert, making them largely non-reactive and resistant to breakdown.
The active anesthetic compounds in topical creams are not strong enough to cause a chemical breakdown or color shift in the ink pigments. The chemical safety risk is low, provided the cream is used correctly. Therefore, the concern about the ink’s chemical integrity being compromised by standard numbing agents is largely unfounded, as the actual risk lies in the physical changes the cream induces in the skin tissue.
How Skin Changes During Application
The primary challenge numbing creams present is the change they cause to the physical texture of the skin, which directly impacts the artist’s ability to deposit ink effectively. When the cream is left on for 60 to 90 minutes to fully absorb, the skin often becomes altered in texture. It can become tight, rubbery, or puffy, a condition known as edema.
This tissue change makes the skin less pliable, forcing the artist to work harder to achieve proper ink saturation. It becomes difficult to stretch the skin correctly, a necessary technique for ensuring the needle penetrates at the ideal depth and angle. This difficulty in ink deposition may lead to a finished tattoo that appears less crisp, potentially resulting in faded or blurred lines over time.
The vasoconstriction effect, where blood vessels narrow, also temporarily affects the appearance of the skin. Reduced blood flow makes it challenging for the artist to gauge how the color is setting into the skin. Once the numbing cream wears off, the vessels return to their normal state, and the increased blood flow may cause the freshly applied ink to appear less saturated than intended. This altered tissue and blood flow can compromise the precision and clarity of the finished artwork.
Preparing the Skin for Optimal Results
If numbing cream is used, a precise application protocol can help mitigate risks to the final tattoo quality. The process should begin 60 to 90 minutes prior to the appointment to allow the active ingredients to fully penetrate the skin layers. Before application, the skin should be washed with a mild, antibacterial soap and patted dry to remove oils or dirt that could interfere with absorption.
A thick, generous layer of cream should be applied to the area, ensuring it is not fully rubbed in like a lotion. Covering the cream with an occlusive dressing, such as plastic wrap, traps heat and helps activate the numbing properties. Crucially, the plastic wrap and all cream residue must be thoroughly wiped away immediately before the session begins to ensure the artist is working on the cleanest possible surface.