After my first tattoo session using EMLA cream I just had to write a post about its greatness.
What Is EMLA Cream?
Originally developed to ease the pain associated with needle injections for young children EMLA actually has many practical uses.
EMLA Cream is a topical anaesthesia consisting of an equal mix of both lidocaine and prilocaine. It will completely numb the skin for an hour or more and is commonly used for intravenous catheter insertion, blood sampling, minor surgical procedures and topical anaesthesia of the cleaning of leg ulcers. It also works great for relieving the pain associated with the tattooing process, piercings and even sub incisions.
How It Works
EMLA Cream is a local anesthetic. It works by blocking nerves from transmitting painful impulses to the brain.
After applying a thick (quarter inch) layer of the cream to the area to be treated (tattooed), cover the cream with saran wrap for at least 60 minutes. Once the air tight bandage has been removed the skin will remain completely numb for at least an hour.
My Experience With Tattoos And EMLA Cream
Just a week ago I tried EMLA cream for the first time on my latest tattoo across my ribs and abdomen. We applied the cream just as directed and an hour later removed the bandages and started the tattooing process. With the first line I expected the excruciating pain my previous tattoo session had produced. I was relieved and a bit surprised to find that there was absolutely no feeling at all. Some spots even tickled as the needle moved the tissue below.
My tattooist continued to apply the EMLA cream several times throughout the 3 hour tattoo session. Even though the directions tell you not to apply to broken skin, I have not noticed any difference in healing or color fading compared to all the tattoos I have received without EMLA.
I think I will continue to use EMLA cream with my future tattoos. Really what could be better then a painless tattoo?
16 responses so far ↓
1 Marie // May 21, 2008 at 5:24 am
I keep hearing about this cream in tattoo forums so I did a little research. Its seems everyone has a different opinion about it. Almost as if its taboo to use an anaesthetic for tattoos. Well, emla has launched a site where you can upload a video about a ‘needle experience’ so I’m going to give them my two sense … looking to with the safari, dying so see some wildlife and get out of the city this summer.
2 Xenobiologista // Jun 6, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Which part of the world do you live in? Seems like it’s harder to get a hold of in the USA.
3 Curt // Jun 6, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Xenobiologista, I live in the United States.
I recently convinced my family physician to write me a prescription for EMLA. Prior to that I ordered it from Canada where it is an over the counter product.
You should easily be able to find a Canadian website to order it from.
4 Michele // Jun 28, 2008 at 12:09 pm
How did you get your doctor to write you a script for Emla with a “surgical” reason? Mine won’t do it.
Thanks!
5 Curt // Jun 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Michele, It was actually quite easy. I explained that I was tired of paying 60 bucks a tube to order it from Canada.
She asked me what I use it for as I don’t have any allergies or condition that would require numbing the skin. I lifted my shirt and showed off my rib and abdomen tattoo and said “massive tattooing”.
She said she had never heard of it used for that and immediately agreed to write me a script.
I suggest you either order your EMLA online from Canada, where it is over the counter, or maybe do some doctor shopping.
6 mark // Jul 9, 2008 at 6:41 am
hi there i love getting tattoos done of my kids names on my arms but hate the pain does it really work?i can get it over the counter in ireland i tink.
7 chris // Aug 14, 2008 at 4:25 am
i dont understand the issue with pain…i have tattooed myself, pierced myself, scarified myself. the only time i ever wished for a serious pain reliever was when my ear drum burst…suck it up or go get henna tats.
8 sarah // Aug 29, 2008 at 2:38 am
i used emla yesterday for my first tattoo around my wrist, i left it on for 1 1/2 hours and i felt nothing! i was amazed and relieved that it worked! if you want a tattoo but are nervous about not knowing how it will feel, get some emla cream, its amazing!
9 Robyn // Sep 4, 2008 at 5:55 pm
thanks sarah. been searching the web for some faith in a numbing cream (emla) for tats. getting my tattoo in a few days around my wrist and im a coward with pain so its nice to know u got ur tat and it didnt hurt. gonna get mine now. thanks a mil!
10 Ed // Sep 11, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I heard about this stuff i was planning to get one of this.. i had some tattoos but never use EMLA. I can tolerate any pain i just wanna know how to get tattoo without any pain (at all) LOL… or i just can let all my friends client to use it… where can i get that stuff? can get it from CVS or any pharmacies?
11 marie // Sep 24, 2008 at 10:41 am
If you are in the UK you can buy it without a prescription at just about any pharmacy or online chemist.
12 max sachchi // Sep 26, 2008 at 1:31 am
I bought a cream a cream called Dr. Numb and this cream seems to be made with tattoo artist in mind. the box said its an anesthetic cream for tattoo. Anyways, it works well. i got few tattoos on my body and the last one i got with this dr. numb cream was the least pain. here is the site where i got it from. http://www.drNumb.com it took about 4 days to get it.
13 Pauline // Oct 23, 2008 at 10:19 am
i am having a tattoo on my back down my spine my tatooist has recommended Emla to me for a pain free experience. hopefully it does wrk
14 Andrea // Oct 31, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Onw person asked how you get your doctor to perscribe it; my doctor gave it to me for electrolysis, which is pretty common. You might see if that’ll work
15 mike kingston // Nov 14, 2008 at 7:29 am
thanks max for your blog on dr. numb, i bought it because its made it for tattooing, becaseu its water based and highest concentration allowable. it worked great. didnt feel any pain.
thanks
16 Ashley Cox // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:43 pm
If you can’t handle pain you shouldn’t get a tattoo. Pain in a tattoo is relative because you are having a needle jabbed into your skin 100’s -1000’s of times a session. More often then not, Emla only numbs the 1st layer of skin, and a tattoo penetrates into the 2nd and 3rd layer. Which leaves pain in the 2nd-3rd layer. Thus, meaning you pretty much wasted your money and time getting the Emla.
So suck up the pain and get over it. It only hurts for a little bit!
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