How to Apply Numbing Cream

If you are considering laser tattoo removal but are worried about the pain, learn the benefits of numbing cream. Different creams are offered at different facilities, so be sure to do your research. At Tat2BeGone Medical Group in Southern California, a prescription called Tetracain is sold, but other brands like Emla and LMX 4 may be purchased over-the-counter at your local drugstore. The right numbing cream can make your treatment more comfortable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Numbing Cream
• Plastic wrap
• Tape
• Rubbing Alcohol

1. Purchase the topical numbing cream at your tattoo removal clinic or an over-the-counter numbing cream at your local pharmacy. Always check with your doctor or tattoo removal clinic about which one is best for your skin type.

2. Wash the area receiving laser treatment with soap and water. Dry area completely and then rub down the area with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will remove any access oil from your skin and open your pours to help absorb the topical numbing cream.

3. Apply a small amount of numbing cream to the tattooed area and rub in thoroughly.

4. Now that the cream has been rubbed into the tattoo, place an additional, thin layer of cream over the tattooed area.

5. Cover the cream with plastic wrap and tape the sides down so that it stays in place. The heat under the plastic wrap helps activate the cream.

6. Leave the plastic wrap on until it is removed by your laser tattoo removal professional.

Tips & Warnings

• Try different numbing creams until you find one that you feel is most effective for your laser tattoo removal treatment.
• Follow numbing cream instructions on the box you purchase exactly. They will explain how soon before laser treatment you should apply the cream. Some require you to start applying the cream two hours before while others only require one hour or 30 minutes.
• Most tattoo removal clinics have numbing cream available for purchase or special bonus. For example, Tat2BeGone Medical Group in Southern California gives clients free numbing cream with the purchase of a complete treatment package.
• Ask the doctor who is performing the laser tattoo removal treatment which cream is right for your skin type beforehand.
• Do not wash off the cream until instructed by the laser tattoo removal specialist.
• The Baylor School of Medicine recommends not using more than 2 large tubes per session.
• Follow instructions on the numbing cream you purchase exactly. Every numbing cream has different time requirements for application, which can have adverse effects on your health if used improperly.

Resources

• Tattoo Removal in Southern California

[tattoomaster]

on 4/25/2009 i used drnumb.com for purchasing numbing cream, worked very well.

[sunshowers]

on 12/31/2007 Make sure to test the cream on a small area of skin before slathering it all over yourself! My friend put numbing cream on before getting laser hair removal and ended up having to hide indoors for days because she broke out in a huge rash due to an allergy to the cream.