Does using a topical numbing cream for tattoo removal slow down the process by making treatments less effective?

Question

Counseling brother who is thinking about getting his tattoo removed. Black tattoo on leg, heard it was painful but cautioned about how pain meds might affect laser delivery.

Kent V. Hasen, MD · Answer

It is perfectly safe to use topical numbing prior to laser tattoo removal.  In our office, we find injectable lidocaine to be more effective than topical numbing creams.  Our patients find the treatment far more tolerable after the lidocaine injections.  Neither the injectable nor the topical numbing medications will decrease the efficacy of treatments.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Tattoo removal may require a topical numbing;
this will not harm the removal process. I recommend learning more about the
Picosure laser; this revolutionary new tattoo will remove your tattoo in fewer
treatments than ordinary lasers. Consult with your doctor to decide if this is
the best option for you.

Phillip Bekhor, MBBS, FACD · Answer

You ask a good question.Numbing cream and local anaesthesia will not interfere with tattoo removal.Interestingly, it has the potential to interfere with the treatment of blood vessel based lesions as some types of cream can cause the blood vessels to shrink that would theoretically reduce the effectiveness of the laser that targets haemoglobin, however as I said above, this has no relevance to the treatment of tattoos.

Shawn Allen, MD · Answer

In my office we use local numbing for tattoo removal with a shot of lidocaine. This does Not interfere with the effectiveness of the laser. The laser targets ink and not water.

Does using a topical numbing cream for tattoo removal slow down the process by making treatments less effective?

Answers (4)

More Tattoo Removal Questions

I have "Copenhagen" tattooed on the inside of lip. What's better; laser treatment or surgical excision?

Tattoo removal after laser treatment failed? What would be the next best option? I have been looking into skin grafting. (Photo)

Can I get tattoo excision on my leg? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS