What are Skin Numbing Creams Actually Made Of?

What are Skin Numbing Creams Actually Made Of?

Numbing creams are a local anaesthetic ointment usually used for cosmetic and medical procedures in order to numb the area to which they are applied. It aims to reduce pain by applying it before or after the session. There are a variety of different creams in the market, which can make it difficult to choose the right one. Here is a post about the types of numbing creams and the different ingredients so you can make the right choice when it comes time to buy a tattoo numbing cream.

 There are three types of numbing creams:

  • Nerve blockers: These contain ingredients such as benzocaine and tetracaine that aim to block and restrict the pain signals sent to the brain while sitting through a skin trauma procedure such as a tattoo. The nerves will still  function as usual, the only difference is the pathways for pain are blocked. Many people buy skin numbing cream as it works well for small tattoos in less sensitive areas and can numb the pain significantly. They are also effective for large tattoos in sensitive areas.

  • Nerve deadeners: These contain different ingredients from nerve blockers such as lidocaine. Formulated to stop the nerves from working temporarily instead of blocking the pain signals. Nerve deadeners are much more effective and can make the process less painful. They do not penetrate deep enough into the skin to actually kill the nerves being affected.

  • Vasoconstrictors: Vasoconstrictors are more effective during the tattoo and piercing process as they cause blood vessels to contract and reduce the blood flow. These contain ingredients like epinephrine that lessen the amount of bleeding in the tattoo area. Vasoconstrictors are an important element of numbing creams as they reduced the blood flow rate which can make numbing agents last longer. They are fast acting and can reduce inflammation and swelling.

Most numbing creams for tattoo, body waxing, piercings and cosmetic and dermatology procedures are compounded with several anaesthetic ingredients. A topical tattoo numbing cream such as TKTX may include multiple anaesthetics in one formula. The most common formula is one that contains lidocaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine. The ointment can be made in different strengths. Numbing creams are proven to be safe and effective when applied properly. The two most common types of topical anaesthetics are amide and ester anaesthetics.

  • Benzocaine: benzocaine is most commonly used in ester local anaesthetics. It is frequently used to numb sore throats and during dental procedures. It may also be used in the treatment of ear pain.
  • Lidocaine: Amino amide anaesthetic, is one of the most commonly used local anaesthetic in the dentist sector. It is a effective topical numbing anaesthetic and is often combined with epinephrine. This is given to patients who are allergic to ester anaesthetics.
  • Tetracaine: This is another ester anaesthetic that is used to numb the skin. It can also be used to numb the eyes of a patient. In the emergency department, it is used to provide a immediate numbing effect after an injury.

These are some of the key ingrediente of a numbing cream that is used before a tattoo, piercing, laser or cosmetic procedures.

To Sum Up

No matter what type of numbing cream you decide to use for your next tattoo, make sure that you follow the instructions for proper application in order to get the desired deep numbing effect.

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