Possible to Use Numbing Cream During Laser Tattoo Removal?

Question

I have this tattoo on my nape, I’m so desperate to remove it… does anyone know a numbing cream to use during tattoo removal? I want to have a laser tattoo removal but I heard it hurts to much… I need a numbing cream to ease the pain.. I hope you can suggest one! Thank you so much…:D

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

You should ask your pharmacist for a behind-the-counter numbing cream such as EMLA, or L-Max 4 which I think works better, but you need to be careful not to apply this to a large surface area as this can cause toxicity. The best is to call your doctor's office who will be doing the laser treatment and ask them if they apply a numbing cream. Some doctors can apply stronger creams than you can get in the pharmacy.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Numbing cream is often suggested with laser tattoo removal. This will help ease the pain of the tattoo removal laser. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

William Ting, MD · Answer

Numbing cream definitely should be applied prior to tattoo laser treatment, but it may not be enough for pain management. If this is the case, as your board-certified dermatologist to inject lidocaine (numbing solution) prior to tattoo laser treatment. Ice compress for 24 hours afterwards also would be advisable to minimize blistering.

Jennifer Mundt, NMD · Answer

Hello, Great Question! You can absolutely use topical or injectable numbing for tattoo removal. Injectable numbing by far works better than topical numbing. Topical numbing can only soak into your skin so far and only give you so much numbing effect. I have seen much better results and compliance with injectable numbing. It requires a few pokes with a needle, but the laser sensation is minimized by 90% or more.

David L. Robbins, MD, FACS · Answer

It is possible to use a
topical numbing agent before tattoo removal treatments. However, most patients
do not feel a significant difference when doing so. Numbing creams only numb
the surface of the skin whereas the tattoo laser reaches a much deeper layer of
skin.

David S. Rosenberg, MD · Answer

we offer numbing cream to our patients or for no extra charge I will do a lidocaine injection which takes away all the pain.  It also decreases blistering

Jacque P. LeBeau, MD · Answer

The vast majority of our patients are treated for laser tattoo removal with the use of our Zimmer Chiller skin cooling device.  The Zimmer Chiller cools the skin before and during the tattoo removal process and allows for a quick and nearly pain free tattoo removal experience.  In the rare instance when a patient experiences discomfort, I may add a topical anesthetic or use injectable anesthetic such as lidocaine, but this is the exception rather than the rule.Find an experienced professional for your tattoo removal and you will find that this can be a pleasant experience with excellent cosmetic results.Best Regards,

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Give it a try but it is not going to give COMPLETE anesthesia. Only local liocaine injections can afford complete anesthesia in the area injected. 
From MIAMI Dr. B

Kean B. Lawlor, MD · Answer

Many clinics will offer numbing cream at your visit, and some may send patients home with a small tube of numbing cream after each treatment. You can apply it at home prior to your next visit.

Robert C. Langdon, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, numbing creams (topical anesthetics) don't work very well for laser tattoo removal treatments. This is because the anesthetic drug must be absorbed through the skin and usually penetrates only a short distance. Tattoo ink particles are located in the dermis, mostly at levels deeper than the anesthetic can penetrate.
Small tattoos can be totally anesthetized with injected local anesthetic (e.g. lidocaine), so that the laser treatment is painless.

Possible to Use Numbing Cream During Laser Tattoo Removal?

Answers (13)

More Tattoo Removal Questions

Possible to Remove Pink Tattoo?

What Type of Doctor to Get a Tattoo Excision?

Tattoo at the Back of Knee Excision?

Is It Possible to Get Tattoos Removed from the Eyelids?

How can I remove an inner lip tattoo?

Is Laser Tattoo Removal over Breast Implants Safe?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS