Is it normal to apply numbing cream at home before going in-office for a microneedling procedure?

Question

I recently had a consultation and scheduled my first microneedling procedure. The esthetician gave me a small container of numbing cream to apply to my face before I come in for the procedure, but I assumed they would apply this cream in office during my appointment. Is this normal?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

We recommend numbing creams that contain at least 5% Lidocaine. In most cases, dermatologist or medical aesthetician will apply a numbing cream to your face or body for 30-45 minutes (depending on the area) before the microneedling begins. Because it is a moderately invasive treatment that requires puncturing the skin, a topical anesthetic is usually applied before the procedure. Hope this helps.

Nadja Haub, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Numbing cream often takes 20 to 40 minutes to work properly; sometimes, people prefer applying it at home. This ensures that the numbing cream has enough time to start working. 
Some experts think that applying numbing cream before micro-needling is not ideal. This is because numbing creams typically contain ingredients that constrict the blood vessels in the skin. However, during microneedling, the intentional creation of micro-injuries in the skin is crucial to stimulate collagen production and promote skin rejuvenation. Constricted blood vessels may hinder the natural healing response by limiting blood flow to the targeted areas.

Vibha Gambhir, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your inquiry. Yes, this is a common practice. It is normal to pre number prior to your appointment. By doing so it will cut down on time in the office. Be careful not to get into your eyes and mouth. Hope this helps!

Rachel Heussner, ND · Answer

There are different combinations of numbing creams that vary in strength and effectiveness. In my office, we use a combination of lidocaine and tetracaine. This is the strongest version that we get from a compounded pharmacy and we apply in office to sit on the face for 20 minutes prior to the procedure. I prefer to apply it on my clients so I know exactly how long it has been sitting on the face and can choose the areas I apply more/less to depending on my knowledge of the areas that are more painful. Additionally, some numbing creams may start to wear off after an hour, so having it applied in office keeps it effective throughout the procedure.

Is it normal to apply numbing cream at home before going in-office for a microneedling procedure?

Answers (4)

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