tattoo - numbing cream or no?

Question

Ok - getting one in 3 weeks on the left side of my lower back. Very scared but I really want the tattoo and it's really meaningful to me....quick question....would it be better to get cream to numb? It will only work for 20-30 minutes...but my ink is supposed to take 1.5-2 hrs....so which would be better for those that already have tattoos....I know that your skin kind of goes numb after a couple of minutes because your endorphines kick in but is it better to have the high point of pain and then have it slowly work it's way down naturally? I'm thinking it might be a little better than no pain and then all of a sudden it starts to hurt because the cream wore off. Thoughts?

Also to add - I have been through childbirth...BUT I had an epidural towards the end of labor....yes, it's supposed to be less pain than childbirth but still kind of worried about it...tks!

Answer 1

DONT USE NUMBING CREAM!!!! it can cause your nerves to deaden to the point were the tattoo will not take. It will also cause the tissue in your skin to sag. When you use numbing creams it can do more damage than good. So let your natural chemical handle the pain. You can deal with it. Its not that bad. If your concerned about it. Its alot like drawing blood. It hurts before the needle sticks you, when the needle is in, You realize it didnt hurt at all. Its all mental. Just focus on something else while your getting inked.

Answer 2

I have four tattoos. I love getting them and I have one on the lower right side of my back. My sister has one on the lower left side. I have never used a numbing cream. It may actually interfere with the ink absorption by the skin.... I would NOT recommend it. The spot you are getting it at is rather fleshy, so it won't hurt as much as on boney spots or thin skin (I have one on the top of my foot and that didn't even hurt THAT bad).

What I have noticed is that it feels like pinching for the first minute maybe. Also, if you need a break tell the artist and they will respect that. Then you can have a little breather and get back too it. I assume for 2 hrs they will want breaks as well. If it really bothers you ask the artist what they can give you. But seriously if you have given birth a tat is nothing I'm sure.... you are getting little pricks, not passing a baby through a very tiny canal..... You should be golden!

Good luck and I hope you love it!!!!

Answer 3

numbing creams constrict the blood vessels, making your skin tough to tattoo and very rubbery. with that said a tattoo done with numbing cream will not look as good as a tattoo done on skin without the numbing cream. most tattoo artist will refuse to tattoo you if you use a numbing cream because of the effects. the numbing cream also has negative effects with the ointments and soap your tattoo artist is going to use while doing the tattoo. you really shouldn't use a numbing cream at all, the pain is only temporary, and it's really not that bad. its like wearing a tee shirt over a bad sunburn during the beginning, but after your endorphins, your bodies natural pain killiers, kick in your mind and body goes into a meditative state of relaxation. the pain is apart of the tattoo process and experience, and if the tattoo really means that much to you, you will realize the pain is only temporary and worth what the tattoo means to you. also it's not all about the bones, it's about the nerves and sensitivity of the skin. the most painful tattoos to get are on the top of the feet, inside the arms, back of the knees and inside of the thighs because those areas have a high concentration of nerve endings. of course when you do tattoo over bone it tends to hurt a little more, but not by a whole lot. and the spot you choose really isn't that painful. i've had worse. i don't recommend taking anything with aspirin in it because aspirin thins the blood and will make you bleed a lot more, causing more scarring and the need for touchups. drink lots of water to keep hydrated and eat a hearty meal to keep your blood sugar up before getting the tattoo.

Answer 4

I have several tats including one on my hip and one on the small of my back. they don't hurt all that bad. it kind of feels like a cat kneading at your skin and then kind of goes somewhat numb.

under no circumstances should you use the cream!!! it will numb your skin but it will wear off quickly and it will hurt worse because your body will basically go into shock. A lot of artist won't let you use it or charge more. It takes more time, because every 20 minutes you have to stop, put the cream on, wait 10 minutes for it to work and start again. So instead of an hour and a half for a tattoo, it can last as much as 3 or more hours.

if you want the tattoo bad enough, do it without the cream and get the real experience of it!!!

Answer 5

I got my first tatt without the numbing cream...it only took 45 minutes. My second tatt took 3 hrs and I had EMLA cream for that one. It wears off after about 45 minutes though...it WILL NOT last the entire time it takes to have your tattoo done. It's also prescription, unless your tattoo artist has some on hand. Even then, I wouldn't trust it to be a good product. Should you choose to use it, get it from your doctor! Also...your tatt can be done in two sessions if you think you won't be able to handle to the pain. It's really NOT that painful. =)

Answer 6

When I got mine, I found that it really didn't hurt all that much. Maybe, if you prepare yourself for terrible pain, you'll find that it's not really so bad. So I'd go with the endorphins. Anyway, you don't want to be just lying there dreading the moment when the numbing cream wears off. It'll make you really tense. On the other hand, if you start out with nothing and find that you get used to it, then you'll be able to relax for the rest of the time.

Answer 7

You really have to let the person that's going to tattoo you decides that. Maybe it might affect how good the tattoo would look when its done cause its cream. It depends where you're going to get the tattoo if it’s going to hurt or not. If the spot you’re going to get it at gets a lot of sun. It won't hurt. If not then it would. If the tattoo has a lot of meaning then I think you should take it like a Gee. :O) Get the whole experience on getting a tattoo. You would be more proud of it.

Answer 8

So many people claim that it hurts.I am the odd one out.Ihave had a tattoo done near my ankle bone.This is supposed to be more painful as close to the bone,I only felt a tickling sensation.My friend had one done last week he was very scared but once again no pain.I doubt if tattoo artist will allow you to use a cream or spray

Answer 9

The pain really isn't that bad. I know this sounds really weird but use your finger nail and scratch your arm lightly when it turns white stop it should only be once or twice and that's how it feels no joke I don't see how anyone could say it hurts bad.

I have one down my spine. I read a book while he did it to keep my mind off what minor pain there was.

I got it on my 18th birthday 2 months ago

Take ibuprofen(spelling?) before that may help

Answer 10

I wouldn't use a cream. I didn't know there was a cream that you could use that wouldn't mess up the ink. Sounds cool if it is made for use with tattooing but I like the pain. My last tattoo was nearly 10 yrs. ago and it still has wonderful color. I had an awesome artist. Good luck!