People have been getting tattooed since the ice age without numbing creams, don’t start now.
Getting tattooed with little or no pain may seem like a great idea, but it is our opinion that the risks outweigh the benefits. Many new creams, salves and sprays that promise pain-free tattoos contain levels of certain chemicals that have been determined to be higher than safe. As tattooers, we have had some topical anesthetics available to use for decades, such as Lidocaine (name brand Bactine), in concentrations of 4% or less. These have been determined to be safe levels for light use. We will occasionally use such products to provide some relief to client on a limited basis. However, over the past decade, many brands have been manufacturing these products with higher and higher levels of chemicals that exceed the legal limit and are known to risk serious injury such as irregular heartbeat, seizures and breathing difficulties. These products may also interact with medications or dietary supplements.
“These products pose unacceptable risks to consumers and should not be on the market,” said Jill Furman, J.D., director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We are committed to using all available tools to stop the sale of these illegal high-risk products.” FDA CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH
Yes, we CAN tell if you have used a numbing agent.
Please talk to your tattoo artist about using such products before your tattoo. If your artist doesn’t approve of such products, you should not use them. And yes, we can tell if you have. These products work by turning off the nerves that send messages to the pain receptors in your brain. This not only causes the skin to have a different texture and elasticity, it makes those pain receptors over-react as the ointment wears off and they begin to receive the message. You may experience more pain for a longer period of time after the tattoo. You may also have more scabbing which leads to a higher risk of scarring and even infection.
We understand that tattoos are painful and we work hard to provide the most comfortable experience possible with your health and safety in mind. Please refer to this press release from the FDA for more information.
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