129 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 anesthetic 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!

• 17 josh steven // Dec 1, 2008 at 6:06 am

  Ashley,
  you are saying if you cant handle the pain, then you shouldnt get a tatto. Well, i respectfully disagree. i have a phobia of needles thats why i am scared of the pain. i Bought Dr. Numb and i have also Tried Emal, they are both good. they do work. worst case, if the pain is rated level 10, with the cream it makes it level 1 or 2. there is a big difference. Ashley maybe you can handle the pain, but i cant, i hate it. i wish i could be like you and some of my other buddies, but i am like the rest of the 70% of the world, scared of needles.

• 18 Curt // Dec 1, 2008 at 10:04 am

  Well put Josh, everyone has a different tolerance to pain and if you need something to take the hurt down a few notches who’s to say weather or not you should?

  I’ve had both my arms quarter sleeved and my thigh covered without any pain reliever, but I’m sure glad I had my EMLA for my love handles and arm pit.

  If the end product is the same weather you use some kind of cream or not, what does it matter how you get there?

  Its kinda like walking a path with a fork in the road. You can choose either path because they both end at the same spot, one path is just rockier then the other.

• 19 jaci // Dec 15, 2008 at 1:00 pm

  i have had all of my tats done without the benefit of any pain reliever. i handled them all well according to the 2 guys who have done my work. with that said, thank you soooo much for finding a product that will relieve if not take away the pain. i love ink and am willing to deal with the pain to get it. but if there is another option i will take it. thats like saying women shouldnt use pain meds while in labor. screw that. anything that makes it easier is good by me!!

• 20 Ellen // Dec 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm

  Hi, I got 2 of my three tattoos with emla cream, my first tattoo was without any cream across my lower back and i nearly passed out, when I heard about this cream, I decided to chance another tattoo, This one is on the top of my back coming from my neck, its about the size as a 20 pack of smokes, black butterfly, I hardly felt anything, I was amazed! Very happy,
  BUT my last tattoo was on the side of my foot, black only stars going up my foot, I applied the cream like the last time, but I felt the pain of the tattoo. Mabye because its very senitive there with not much flesh. It did ease the pain a little, it was just bare-able.
  I bought the cream for about €15-€20 euro in gran canaria, (yumbo centre) over the counter.
  I highly recomend it!
  Good luck!

• 21 Laura Clarke // Apr 17, 2009 at 6:24 am

  hi, i too am terrified of needles, but have always wanted a tatoo. i use emla cream alot as i have a lot of blood tests and when i heard that it could be used as an aid to tattooing i was thrilled. i decided to give it a try and to my amazment it totally worked, i didn’t feel a thing!!! i had a medium butterfly at the top of my back and it was completely pain free.
  i understand that some people feel the use of numbing creams in tattooing is ridiculous.well in my opinion if you can make something easier and still get the same great results why should you have to go through unnecessary pain.
  i also know that some people have better results with these creams than others, well with me it worked and thats all i’m saying!
  so if like me you were scared to go through it without any pain relief give it try you have nothing to lose xxx good luck and happy inking!

• 22 kitty // May 12, 2009 at 5:36 pm

  I tried emla…it sucks! dr. numb works better. Trust me on this one fellas. emla is oily unlike dr. numb and it works better. Actually its the best numbing cream i ever had!

• 23 Nat // Jun 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm

  For the people that have said you shouldn’t get a tattoo if you can’t handle the pain thats a load of bollocks. I love having tattoo’s but have a hard time dealing with the pain so I end up tensing and the tattoo doesn’t come out as perfect as it can be. If this cream is gonna make my tattoo look better then of course I should use it. A lot of people seem to have a very macho view on pain, having a tattoo shouldn’t be a way of proving how hard you are, it should be a way of expressing yourself!

• 24 al // Jun 3, 2009 at 8:52 pm

  g’day
  i gotta tell u pplz im getting a heap of work done 2morrow and u can bet yr asses im using emla.
  so my question is how is the best way 2 use it, im guessing u spread it on and throw a bandage on it 4 an hr or so. is there any other tips at all?
  by the way the ones that carry on bout not using pain relief….we get it yr really tuff good on ya
  cheers groovers

• 25 al // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:58 am

  ok ppl i gotta tell u…..i luv emla.
  i would make sweet salty love 2 the stuff if it was socially acceptable. i just got a freakin huge dragon done on my forearm and its the best 1 ive got because 4 the 1st time i was able 2 keep completely calm without tensing up.

• 26 adrian // Jun 6, 2009 at 6:25 am

  hi i realy want a tiny black star as this is my first tat and im so scared so do i still feel pain when using emla. pleasse help

• 27 Liz // Jun 22, 2009 at 8:37 am

  Hello,
  I am sooooo happy I found this site. I have always wanted a ballet slipper on my neck, and have asked many tattoo artist what they thought of Emla. I have used this cream for years when going through cancer..I am scared of needles and the pain, but the artists all told me the tattoo would come out wrong. They said the cream as it may num the skin it also swells it. I want to make sure that if I do put the cream on that the tattoo won’t look weird. Have any of you had this issue happen, or are the tattoo artist full of poop?
  Please let me know..I’m dying to get the tat!

• 28 Curt // Jun 22, 2009 at 8:49 am

  Liz,

  I’ve used EMLA extensively and never had a single issue regarding swelling. When i get tattooed, I have the EMLA pounded into the skin along with the ink and never had a single issue. If it caused undo swelling I think I would have noticed by now.

• 29 Liz // Jun 22, 2009 at 8:53 am

  Awsome…Thank you so much..I am excited and scared all the same time..but mostly excited to have finally found this site for answers!!!!
  Curt..you rock!

• 30 Dookie // Jun 22, 2009 at 5:37 pm

  Hi all,
  Just want to say I have 3 tattoos and have never used Emla, I have used it for piercings however and it’s worked brilliantly.
  Even though I’ve coped with the pain of tattoos pretty well, I’d really like one on my foot and ribs and have been told these are the most painful places, and like most people I don’t want to tense up/move around and screw up the tattoo.
  I have also been told by a tattoo artist that it is not a good idea to use the tattoo as it can wreck it during the healing process.
  Does anyone have any first hand experience with Emla and tattoo healing?
  Thanks!

• 31 mz. pinky // Jul 15, 2009 at 1:24 am

  Last night I just got the biggest tattoo I ever had on my thigh to cover up a name. I have 12 tattoos in all. I never had a pain reliever but after the tatt last night I told my tattoo guy before he finishes with the shading and coloring in severeal different colors I need to find something to numb my thigh. I am a 35 year old woman and promise you all my tatts I never needed any pain reliever they say its different when you get alot of shading and coloring, they not lying it hurt like a bitch!!!! But I let him finish the tatt all we have left is the different colors. My tatt is 4 roses w/leaves a bird feeding off one of the roses,a butterfly flying above the roses, and a banner underneath w/ my mothers name…. It is so pretty I cant wait for him to do the coloring but I need that cream lol. I will keep looking for it in CA or try asking my doctor as well thanks for everyone comments it helped.

• 32 Hanna // Oct 27, 2009 at 10:49 am

  Hiya Im Hanna, Im 17 In November 25th,
  Im Getting My First Tattoo On My Wrist With
  R.I.P
  MUM
  11.04.1960-25/04/2004
  And Stars Underneath, My Bf Tatooist Advised me to get sum elma cream or dr.numb before i go
  pound loads of it on rap my wrist in cling film and leave for 2 hrs, and he promised i wont feel a thing :)

  I Was Just Wondering Which Works Best?
  x

• 33 Curt // Oct 28, 2009 at 11:26 am

  Hanna,

  I’ve never used dr. numb. I use emla quite a bit and find that it works wonderfully.

• 34 Dean // Dec 24, 2009 at 10:29 am

  Ive just had the second session of my vampire girl on my back, the first sitting was for 3 hours up the top of my spine towards the lower half, was sorta painful but nothing i couldn’t handle to much.
  But ive also had my spine fused in march just gone and yesterday when i went to have some more work done on lower half i used emla cream to just take the edge of it because my lower back is so sensative due to my surgery, it seemed to help id say by 50/60 % so not a bad thing but i felt the pain as he was going into the love handles area, wow that was intense but next session i am going to use on these areas co’s it bloody hurts.

  But for continuing my sleeves i love the needle so won’t use anything, no good being all jumpy in pain your tat guy is just gonna get fedup and its not gonna turn out as good if you keep jumping, so in sensative areas its worth it to me.
  I had no reactions or swelling etc should have just used a little more cream at the sides thats all.

• 35 Amy (UK) // Jan 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

  Hi,
  I’m having my first tattoo this month – it’s only a small one going in my groin (ouch!). I have got some Emla ready and I feel totally relaxed about getting it done now!
  Will let you all know how it goes!

• 36 Amy (UK) // Jan 8, 2010 at 10:33 am

  Just thought I’d update you! I had my tattoo done today and felt absolutely nothing!
  I had the emla cream on for 3 hours before and removed it when the tattooist was ready (he really wasn’t bothered and said that most people use it!). I actually had to look to see if he was doing it!
  Now I know I can have a painless tattoo I can start thinking about the next one!

• 37 David in England // Jan 22, 2010 at 8:28 am

  The thing about Emla is that it is a eutectic mixture of 2 local anaesthetics (hence the name) so it it stronger than the creams which are just 5% lidocaine and penetrates the skin better. I don’t know what difference the formulation makes.

• 38 Jessy (21) UK // Jan 25, 2010 at 2:49 pm

  I’m Having my 1st Tat on Friday this week!!! I’m so nervous but Excited at the same time. Im starting a sleeve and for a 1st tattoo its a pretty huge design!!! I’m having a cassette tape with Angel wings going from my Left Shoulder blade and down my Left arm half way to the bend!!! my Tattoist has advised me to buy some ELMA!!! Im so glad to hear it works pretty well!! Ive got myself some. However. She also asked me to take 2 extra strong pain killers 1hour and a haf before the session because my collar bone will be a painful area!!! Is this ok? Coming from the Tattoist herself? Painkillers??? Ive heard thats not a good Idea….It thins your blood!!! :/

• 39 Amy (UK) // Feb 3, 2010 at 6:15 pm

  Sounds like you will need a lot of tubes of Emla hun! Make sure you read the instructions and cover the cream with cling film for a good 3 hours before. How long will it take for your tat? Because Emla cream will only be effective for 2, maybe 3 hours after you wipe it off. I doubt painkillers will make it less painful for you, just stick to the Emla. Where did you buy it by the way? You can get it from Boots for about £3 a tube but you have to ask for it.

• 40 Adele // Feb 7, 2010 at 10:21 am

  I have 2 half sleeves aswell as other extensive tattoos.so far,I have done them all without pain relief.as tough as I am,they have all hurt like fuck!!! I have decided that for my next project I will use emla cream.not sure how long I should leave it on for as I’m having a 3hr sesh of outline.any tips?

• 41 Adele // Feb 7, 2010 at 10:25 am

  Ps.to anyone saying that if u can’t handle the pain,don’t get a tattoo,I kind of half agree. I think if it’s ur first tattoo u should just go for it and see how it feels without pain relief.u may find it’s far less painful than uve built up in ur head. However,if uve tried it&found it agony then there’s no shame in pain relief.

• 42 sarah(uk) // Feb 15, 2010 at 7:31 am

  I had my first tattoo about 3 weeks ago, i used EMLA cream as i too am petrified of needles. The tattoo was in between my shoulder blades. I was shocked when the tattooist started as i didnt feel a thing, but after about half hour it did start to ware off, so was a shock to go from expieriencing no pain to what felt like someone stabbing me with 100needles. I dont agree withwhat people say about dont have a tattoo if you cant handle the pain, thats like saying to a woman, dont have a baby if you cant handle it. You do it because its something you want, and if the pain relief option is there, then you may aswell take it!!

• 43 bentwan // Feb 16, 2010 at 2:48 pm

  Ok I have a 6 tattoos everyone is large. Im in the process of getting my side done and is a whole new level of pain. My back, chest, calve, arm were good to go but my side (ouch). I want to know how long the stuff lasts once put on and how often to apply it. Im going in for two more hours instead of 3 since it killed me last time

• 44 ben in the uk // Feb 17, 2010 at 8:41 pm

  hi i want my daughters name on the back/side of my neck my m8 told me to use emla but does it realy work cz he only got a small tat on his arm and iv herd it hurts more on the neck so can anyone give me advice? thanx.

• 45 ben in the uk // Feb 18, 2010 at 2:58 pm

  just thaught id update you i went 2 get my tattoo done 2day and it fukin hurt alot it hurt so much i didnt get evrything i wanted i got half a tat i have 2 go back 2 get the rest done annother time. i tryed using emla and the tattooist said on some people it has a reverse effect and actualy makes it hurt more, not because the cream doesnt work but because your mind thinksthat ur body is invincible 2 pain but gets a nasty shock when it comes. I HATE needles and i have had tattoos b4 on my arm and knuckles without emla on and it was nothing compared 2 the pain i was in today

• 46 wolf // Mar 13, 2010 at 10:54 am

  after tattooing lots and lots.its my job.i had my first victim wearing emla cream.he was nervy,scared and white. but i give in he sat through the hour long tatttoo with no pain. as a tattooist yeah i would recomend emla cream. am gna try it on my elbow soon. see if that works.

• 47 kayla // Mar 15, 2010 at 1:55 pm

  you can get them at the pharmacy in small or large tubes.
  12$ for the small and 40$ for the small one. im gunna try it for my collar bone tattoo

• 48 Simon // Mar 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm

  I’m planning my first tattoo and it’s going to be on my wrist and want to use emla, what’s the best way to apply it?

• 49 Simon // Mar 16, 2010 at 2:24 pm

  I’m planning my first tattoo and it’s going to be on my wrist and want to use emla, what’s the best way to apply it? Do you spread it over the area being tattoo’d?

• 50 AMANDA // Mar 25, 2010 at 8:49 pm

  IVE GOT 4 TATTOOS THEY ALL HURT SOME WORSE THEN OTHERS BUT I WANT TO GO BIG AND GET A TAT THAT COVERS MY LEFT RIBCAGE. I REALLY WANT TO TRY THE EMLA OR DR. NUMB BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO GO.. I LIVE IN GEORGIA ANY HELP??

• 51 Richard Hayne // Mar 27, 2010 at 7:41 pm

  I have never used Emla for tattooing, but I have used it for home piercing (all sterile…or as sterile as you can get at home anyways…) and it’s worked amazingly, I pierced a star into either side of my stomach just by my hips, that’s 5 piercings in a small area and I felt no pain though the entire process, the most I felt was a little pressure as the needle moved skin and muscle around the numbed area. A+ for sure.

• 52 Michelle // Apr 2, 2010 at 12:03 am

  Emla cream is great! us nurses call it ‘the magic cream’ for the kids (and adults too!)
  used it for my tattoo today and although I could still feel it a bit it really takes the edge off it. I say go for it…I just thought of all the burn victims etc and think ‘hey this is nothing compared to what they go through’ getting ready for my fourth tat now!!!

• 53 Jessy 21 UK // Apr 7, 2010 at 8:54 am

  I finally got My Tat. It looks fantastic. Everyone’s constantly asking me to see it whenever I go out. The Emla Cream works wonders. It took the tattooist 2hr 45 Mins. But I was surprised when He started. I didn’t feel a thing. I had to ask if he was actually doing it. It felt like tickling but after an Hour and a Half the effect wore off and It was slightly uncomfortable. It was well worth it though I don’t think PAIN is the word for it. Probably just a SCRATCHING, SCRAPING SHARP feeling. But I got to watch Kerrang right the way through the session so it was Wicked!!! :D xx

• 54 Jessy 21 UK // Apr 7, 2010 at 8:56 am

  PS….Yeah I bought a Large tube of Emla cream it cost £16.00 from Boots. :D x

• 55 Jessica // Apr 14, 2010 at 10:17 pm

  heeey im jessica im 17 and im goin on my fourth tat tomorrow ! big one on my ribs ! my first tattoo was a medium sized one on my lower back when i was 15 , wasn’t too bad . my second one i got in between my shoulder blades on my spine , that one hurt a little cause im skinny and bony
  :P , and my latest one i got across my lower back . I didn’t use ANY Emla cream for any of them , but i totally am tomorrow for my tattoo on my ribs ! i think theres absolutely nothing wrong with numbing before a tattoo , but i DO honestly think nobody should numb their first one ! u should know what a tattoo feels like if you want one so bad … if you’ve already got some well then why the hell not freeze your next one haha the pain isn’t that bad and your used to it in 10 mins . i disagree with the people saying if you cant handle the pain then dont get a tattoo ; like people are saying why deal with pain when you dont have to , but thats the thing – tattoos aren’t meant to feel like nothing .. so you should totally just get your first one done as a full blown tattooin experience and suck it up buttercup ,
  (:
  but good luck to you all with your tattooing experiences !

• 56 zelopia // Apr 23, 2010 at 3:29 pm

  I have 6 tattoos about to get 7th one colored in and will use EMLA cream. I did a pretty big Koi fish on my calf all the way down to my foot and out of all the tattoos I have ever had this was the most painful experience ever! I couldn’t finish my session and now I need to return today to finish it, regardless of all that I love tattoos and the tattoo world, it is to me, an artistic expression of one’s self and I definately want to finish it and don’t want the pain to be an obstacle. I purchased my EMLA from 77canadapharmacy.com only $12 the shipping (depending on how you want it an how you long you are really willing to wait for it) will vary. Dr. Numb was quite expensive and actually contains the same ingredients.There are other websites that EMLA can be purchased all out of country (do not prescription in CA) I am hoping I can complete this without the excruciating pain and hopefully get one more done. Good luck to those who want a painless experience that is totally understandable and respects to those who just handle the pain, to each there own!

• 57 zelopia // Apr 23, 2010 at 3:31 pm

  Sorry! I ment to say that in Canada prescription is not needed!

• 58 Jessy 21 UK // May 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm

  :D THEY ARE ADDICTIVE….I’ve just had my 2nd now!!! :D Without the Emla. I Thought it was gunna kill. But It it was super cool. It was only a Star about the size of a 50pence piece. Worth it. I know now I’m safe without the Emla. But If I design any larger tattoo’s for myself I’ll probably use it. I felt rather sick after 2 and a Half hours on my 1st one.

• 59 jo // May 19, 2010 at 2:15 pm

  This comment is for the person who said that emla cream doesn’t work after the 2nd layer of skin.. That’s absolute rubbish! Emla cream was first introduced to relieve the pain of injections.. How many layers of skin do you think that an injection goes through?? It goes right through to the muscle! So obviously its gona work for tattoos! Durrr!

• 60 Adrianna Las Vegas, NV // Jun 2, 2010 at 2:26 pm

  Hi I wanted to know if there if I can get that anywhere here? Like at a walgreens or CVS ? I would love to get that emla cream!

• 61 Tony // Jan 31, 2011 at 2:13 pm

  Hi guys i just wanted to know if anyone has had fading or adverse effects from numbing cream? i did but it may have been the guy using the wrong ink a few months after starting my leg the colour looked wrong, its ok now hes done some more though.

• 62 sam // Feb 5, 2011 at 4:44 pm

  used elma cream on my 6 small tattoos, no getting a big one on my shoulder blade, but my tattooist has said I cant use the cream on a big one, and that he will know if I sneakily put it on before arriving, i cant take the pain without it, i cry and swear, its so painful. what should i do, i dont think he will do it if i put the cream on!

• 63 Roya // Feb 13, 2011 at 6:43 pm

  Hi, I wanne asked something , anybody knows that this emla is good for eyeline tattoo or not. Does it any effect if we use it around eyes or if a little bit of it go to the eyes. I’m waiting to hear from you. thanks

• 64 diverescue // Feb 19, 2011 at 7:11 pm

  ok i have 7 tattoos 5 and half without any painkillers i dont suggest any pain pills i had my rib cage done a fairly large piece covers complete side took a total of 10 hours of agony. pain pills tend to decrease ur pain tolerance. i started my other side another lg piece outline almost done and i am going to use the emla this cream is used for several different things even skin grafts so it goes beyond the first layer i have read alot of gd so any relief on the ribs will be great arms neck back chest was not bad at all gd luck all

• 65 steve // Feb 23, 2011 at 7:55 am

  i have a few large tattoos , both arms have full sleeves both legs up to the knee and i have never had anything for pain releif i am currently getting my full right side done and have had all the outline done and around the ribcage this stung like a bitch, however i managed to control the pain without any creams.
  last week i went back to start the colouring and shading and hell mary did ifeel this on my rib cage my tattooist told me to try emla cream
  this is why i;m on this site to find if this really works.
  by all the posts i’ve read i;m going to give it a go
  my next sitting is 12th march so look out for my response

• 66 roya // Feb 25, 2011 at 4:06 am

  hey i know sum one that used it bye there eyes and they said it worked like a dream

• 67 bronwyn // Feb 25, 2011 at 4:08 am

  hai im going for my first tat on the inside of rist im sooo scared im even throwing up does this cream realli work im doing for my granpa as he died not to long ago . doing his inistials

• 68 nic // Mar 1, 2011 at 10:37 am

  i’m getting my 3rd tatto this weekend, have wanted it done for ages but have been too scared because my last tattoo was horrible, the pain was so intense and i even fainted at one point… not something i want to repeat! had heard about numbing cream but wasn’t sure if it worked, am so glad i’ve found this site! definatly going to be using emla cream for this next one and im not scared anymore either :D and for anyone who says you shouldn’t use emla … well, my 2nd tat is dodgy towards the top because of all the squirming and tensing i was doing because of the pain so if i’d have used cream then i’d have a better tattoo. i don’t see a problem using it if it’s gona help the end result.

• 69 Jeremy // Mar 14, 2011 at 12:23 pm

  I have 32 tattoos, all done without any pain relief… HOWEVER; I think everyone here leaving comments like, “if you can’t handle the pain…. don’t get a tattoo etc…” Get a life. So, women that can’t handle NATURAL child birth shouldn’t get pregnant…. etc etc. You are a bunch of dumb-asses. Nobody cares about your opinion, it’s NOT your body that’s getting tattooed… it’s theirs. Ignorance.

• 70 Lexi // Mar 14, 2011 at 2:00 pm

  I am getting a tattoo done on wed. on my ribcage and am afraid of the pain. I bought a small tube of emla cream, the only thing i am wondering about is.. does it effect the color of the tattoo? i don’t think it should but i’m not really sure. if someone could let me know soon that would be soo helpful!

• 71 laura Clarke // Mar 15, 2011 at 9:32 am

  hi there lexi, i’ve used emla cream on my tattoo and i can honestly say that it didnt affect the clour of mine. you need to put it on an hour before you have it done ( my tattooist did this for me) and cover it with something, i used cling film. when your ready to get inked, the tattooist will wipe off the cream and then prep the skin with an alcohol gel/wipe ( this will not affect the cream’s working). i must admit that the cream did start to wear off after about an hour so you may start to feel a scratching sensation but still no where near as much as you would without the cream. I believe that emla cream does work and in my experience does NOT affect the colour or quality of your tatt xxx hope this helps and good luck xxxxx

• 72 Louise // Mar 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm

  I am about to have my seventh tattoo, for the previous six tattoos I havnt used any numbing cream at all. For the seventh i definatly will be!!! Everybody has different nerve endings and for some people they enjoy the feeling, for others they can’t stand it. On my last tattoo I had writing down my side onto my leg, the tattooist started on my leg…that was fine, as he got above my hip i was in so much pain it was untrue, i had never felt pain like it. But getting tattoos is addictive and you forget about the pain just like women go through child birth and forget about that hurrendous pain and do it again and again. For my next tattoo, its going to be on my ribs and on a much bigger scale so I am hoping this emla cream does the business. My sister used it on her tattoo on her ribs and she felt absolutely nothing she gave it 10/10. Wish me luck :) x

• 73 billie uk // Mar 23, 2011 at 5:25 pm

  il let you know tomorrow if emla cream works

• 74 Rae // Mar 25, 2011 at 7:21 pm

  Hey peeps! So i’m getting a tattoo done tonight on my left rib cage. This will only be my 4th tattoo but my first really big one. I have one on each wrist and did those without any pain meds and they really didn’t hurt at all. The one of my groin was painful in spots but nothing I couldn’t handle. My tattoo artist suggested a cream, although I’m not sure what it is. I’ll find out here in 15 min….I’ll let everyone know what it is and how it worked!!

• 75 billie uk // Mar 26, 2011 at 9:33 am

  just to let you know, i used emla cream for my lower back tattoo and it was brilliant 10/10!!!!!!

• 76 Jo Blo // Mar 30, 2011 at 12:40 pm

  I see that a lot of people have had good results with Emla and other topical anesthetics. But I can’t help but think it’s a bad idea to use them. Sensation is one of the ways your body tells you that something is happening to it. If you have no sensation, you may have something unhealthy going on and have no way for your body to tell you. Just a thought. Though I do hope that anyone using topical anesthetics will have great and healthy results, I would advise caution when using them.

• 77 ash // Apr 9, 2011 at 6:26 am

  i recently used EMLA cream on my neck/throat piece. i used as directed and felt nothing for about 10 minutes but then became extremely painful. i removed the cream before entering the parlout but then had to wait for around 30 minutes. could this have something to do with it?? also has anyone tried the sprays used during a tatto??

• 78 Kayley // Apr 19, 2011 at 2:05 pm

  I have an appointment for my first tat tomorrow…..a band wrapped around my ankle and I am starting to totally freak out about the pain. When I get bloodwork done I cant look and have to turn away so I am worrying hardcore. Going to try to pick up some Emla tonight….anyone have any comparisons on Emla versus no Emla for ankle tats?

  Thanks.

• 79 Kayley // Apr 19, 2011 at 2:06 pm

  I like how someone above put the level of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Any thoughts?

• 80 Kayley // Apr 19, 2011 at 2:07 pm

  For some reason my last post took the place of my first post…..first tat is tomorrow…ankle band…I am totally freaking out about how much its going to hurt and am picking up some Emla tonight. Does anyone have a comparison for an ankle tat with Emla vs. without?

  Thank you.

• 81 Mike // Apr 26, 2011 at 1:52 pm

  I have a total of 20 tattoos or so, both calves, left rib cage (small) both hips, stomach, left wrist forarm and back of arm. both sides of my chest and entire back. currently working 0n the “20″ one as i count it because it starts just above right hip and goes up entire rib cage over shoulder, through arm pit and turns into a full sleeve. I have done all of these with no pain relief but i will not lie to any one they all hurt to different degrees. the calves so far were the worst for me because i had a tattoo artist working on each leg at the same time, I am thankful that i found this site with some decent information, i’ve taken my fair shair of pain and would like to see what this cream will do, thanks again.

• 82 Kayley // May 1, 2011 at 12:41 am

  Hey Mike!

  I tried the Emla around my ankle and it totally did not work at all. It sounds like it works for some but not for others. In spite of the excruciating pain around my ankle, I still look forward to getting inked a few more times….maybe not 20 tho! Sounds like you have had some pretty extensive work done! Too bad we can’t post pics on here!

  K

• 83 abx // May 5, 2011 at 1:56 pm

  Hi, im getting my first tattoo by my friends dad and i really want to use elma cream cause im getting it on my foot, its not a very big design though. Help!

• 84 claire // May 6, 2011 at 7:23 am

  i am having a tattoo going from the top of neck going down my spine . Does this cream really work for you.

• 85 Jess // May 12, 2011 at 6:40 am

  Hi,
  I have 3 tattoos, playboy bunny i got when i was younger ( bad i know!), lower back tribal & a name on my wrist. I wanted to get the bunny covered and wanted a really big side piece aswell so i got both. Design is roses with swallows in full colour.
  Had a 3 hour session, outline REALLY hurt for me on my hip and ribs but only took 1 hour. The rest of the shading wasnt too bad but I think that may be because I was already pumped with adrenaline. Next session is next week and another 3 hours.
  I want to try Emla cream but I’m worried that it might affect the healing process/make the colour fade. I don’t mind putting up with the pain but as it’s been said above, why put up with it when you don’t have to. I know some people that do tattoos (not professionally) and they recommended it to me.
  Appreciate any feedback good or bad :) Thanks x

• 86 Rob // May 29, 2011 at 5:04 pm

  Hi all, I have a few tatts on my back, large gargoyles that I had done without any pain killers at all. my newest tatt is a quarter sleeve and complete right chest piece..i had the out lining and shading begun and had to call it quits after 6 hrs…it was killing me, the pain.
  I am back in the chair tomorrow to have it completed, using the emla cream this time…I’ll repost and let you know how it worked out.

  my 2 cents – Do attempt your first tattoo without any pain numbing creams, pills, etc. It is part of the experience. If the next time around you feel you may want to relax the pain a little, by all means…do so.

• 87 amylouise // Jun 10, 2011 at 9:46 am

  Hi all I have 5 tattoos going for my 6th on tuesday and cannot wait its going to be quiet big going from my shoulder blade up across my shoulder along my Collar bone and then onto my boob :) its going to be flowers in really bright ink I got my first tattoo when I was 14 and since then have been addicted all my tattoos are quiet big but with my next one is going on my collar bone I’m abit worried about the pain it doesn’t
  help that I hate needles I’m just wondering where I can get this emla cream from in the UK and if it really works? Does it have any effect on the overall outcome of the tattoo? And for all you idiots that say if you can’t handle the pain don’t get a tattoo you really should keep your mouth shut everyone has different pain thresholds and if they want a tattoo let them its not your body its theirs would wouldn’t appreciate people telling you what to do so don’t do it your self but I do say for your first tattoo just grin and bear it its not that bad And the pain is part of the experience if after your first tattoo you want more but can’t handle the pain why not go for numbing cream but if its just for a little one then that’s abit daft as it will only take 10 minutes I’m sure you could handle that lol ill let you know hoe my tattoo goes on tuesday :) x

• 88 georgia // Jul 7, 2011 at 5:36 pm

  I used emla cream on my tattoo on ribs a few weeks back it worked for an hour n half then wore of, when i went back yesterday to get it completed it didnt work at all. i think it may also depend on how long u have it on for, i found the longer left on the more it hurt at time!!

• 89 Daniela // Jul 10, 2011 at 4:05 pm

  alright, so I am planning my first tattoo, and i REALLY want it on my rib… the problem is that i have no pain tolerance whatsoever and i heard this is the most painful spot!! I have done a bunch of research on emla and dr. numb and was wondering if the cream works on the rib just as well as anywhere else. (just because I am very thin and it would be right over the bones)

  and guidence would be great!!

  oh! and what about piercings???
  I really want my bellybutton done.. and heard it worked pretty good.

  any way it could work for getting your nose pierced?????

• 90 Nathan // Jul 12, 2011 at 12:12 pm

  i have loads of tattoos & never used any numbing cream but i have started tattooing & want to tattoo my leg but cant tattoo cause i am conflicting the pain & find it hard to do so was going to use this cream does it work as well as u all say? :0)

• 91 Collin // Jul 25, 2011 at 1:03 am

  For anyone talking about pain tolerance, I work in the culinary business. I spend eight hours a day getting burnt. I don’t remember the last time the skin on my hands wasn’t peeling. Yet, I’ve recently used this cream for my only tattoo of the Genesis logo on my upper back and I loved it. I’m scared like hell of needles. If you had to hold 200 degree pieces of metal for a tattoo, would you do it? I would, and I bet some people who badger the people who would use this cream about “real tattoos” wouldn’t. Needles just don’t fly for some folks.

• 92 Fionn // Jul 27, 2011 at 9:20 am

  It does work I use it on my tattoos and have a 3hour session tomorrow I just bought my emla cream over the counter in a pharmacy in Brighton england for £3.11 cheap as chips !

• 93 Crystal // Jul 27, 2011 at 2:45 pm

  I having been reading a lot about the Dr.Numb Cream and was just wondering if it messes with the ink at all.. Does the skin hold the ink like it’s suppose too? I had my lower back and sides done and well I moved a lot so I need to fix it up If this stuff really works sign me up…

• 94 Steffi // Aug 1, 2011 at 10:32 pm

  hey sooooo glad i found this site, i have 2 full tatts already and have recently had the outline done on my third, it goes across my hip and ribs. With my other two tattoos I was fine with the pain and even (strange as it may sound) found it quite relaxing at some points, however the outline I just had done was really painful, so much so that my pain tolerance completely went and the tattoo artist had to stop because I had started to twitch. He has recommended I use Emla cream to get it finished, so it is really handy to find out that it actually works as I was getting quite nervous about going back lol….. As for the people saying that if you cant handle the pain you shouldn’t have tattoos I totally disagree, as I was fine with my first two and now (not because I cant handle the pain psychologically but physically) I need the numbing cream. Although, I do agree with the others saying that I think for your first tattoo you should fully experience it :) .

• 95 Rebecca // Aug 16, 2011 at 1:42 pm

  I have a tattoo on the bottom left of my back, first time i had it done the pain was unbearable and i didn’t go back to have it coloured, then the outline faded so i had it re-done with numbing cream yesterday and it didn’t hurt one bit! so i say go for the numbing cream!

• 96 Stuart UK // Aug 20, 2011 at 5:58 am

  Hey guys well im getting a phoenix on my right shoulder blade iv got my EMLA cream ready it’s being don on the 3rd i will see if i can get it my mate to record it all from applying to the first time the needle touches
  i wont lie i am a huge wimp when it comes to needles and pain so im using it no matter what anyone thinks that’s my choice

  if i do record it i will post a link to you tube it should be cool though i know all the guys where im getting it done, either way i will report back

• 97 Michaela // Aug 21, 2011 at 3:37 pm

  I’m having my second tatt done next week across my ribs! I have the worst pain tolerance ever!! Like I had a fit when I had my tounge peirced so I’m really worried. I have bought some of this cream I just want to know how thick I should apply the cream? Thanks

• 98 Yuka // Aug 25, 2011 at 3:12 am

  curt, me and my boyfriend live on other ends of the country and i wanted to see if he would give me a brand when i can visit so i will have a rememberance token….and i can handle most pain burns are worse for me because i am so sensetive to temperature. do you think emla would be okay if used for branding too? or maybe this dr numb stuff i have heard about? do you know which is better or would they affect the wound? also would i need to use more ore less sence it isnt piercing the skin? sorry so many questions i just am new to this i havent had a chance to get any of my planed tattoos yet

• 99 Rachel // Sep 3, 2011 at 9:30 pm

  It’s lame that people are afraid of needles.
  Some people they need to have big needles stuck in their arm every day to stay alive.

  I guess all the people who are afraid of needles, if they become DIABETIC they will just die instead of getting the needles they should get??

  You can also get a product online called Bare Ease or Bare Ease and cream. it is a 8.5 or 10ml tube and supposed to be for hair removeal, but should work for anything else too!

• 100 elyse // Sep 5, 2011 at 6:58 am

  I used emla cream today on my neck tattoo didnt feel much only a few pricks :) Deff recommend

• 101 sisu // Sep 21, 2011 at 6:41 am

  So i have 2 tattoos on my back.. one on the upper neck,and another at the lower back…for me,these didnt hurt that much..i could do them again, in a heartbeat…But i just startes with a tattoo on my leg, it starts with my little toe.. and is gonna go alle the way to the knee… i sat for maybe 15 minutos,and got dizzy and nausia from the extreme pain.. it felt like he was putting the needles in my bone on my ankel…so we had to stop. He gave me Emla,and sent me home, going back in a few days.. and i really hope it works.. if not,im gonna have 20 sessions with only 15 minutes each time! hehehe..

  And btw,my foot sweeled up really bad,is that normal??

  So i hope the cream works on my leg,and ankel…

• 102 sisu // Sep 23, 2011 at 2:53 pm

  So an update for my big tattoo on my leg.. i used Emla,had to use 2 of them..cause the tube is so small.. but anyway.. I didnt feel anything for about 40 min.. then it started to hurt a bit,but nothing to complain about. somewhere it hurt more than other places,cause i didnt put on enough cream. But im gonna keep using this cream,for all my tattoes.. it was amazing,i sat still for 40 minutes…and finished all the outlining.. amazing! But when he startes with the shadowing,it began to hurt alot, but still, i was sooo worth it..!

  But a little tip for all of you that wanna use Emla, put ALOT on… really thick,like u can almost see your skin through the cream..that much, and dont put the plastic to hard on, cause then the cream will get thinner cause of the pressure…

  Good luck everyone.. Emla is fantastic!!

• 103 Sharon // Oct 17, 2011 at 1:28 pm

  Jeeze, I hate these people who bash the use of anything that would make a tattoo or piercing session easier to tolerate. Ok here’s the skinny, my tattoo artist who by the way has many years of experience recommended me to get Dr Numb. He did an original color design across my lower stomach to cover a tummy tuck scar, hip to hip and about 5 inches wide. I had two 3 hours sessions, one 2 hour and one 1 hour session all within a week, and let me tell you there would be no way I could have tolerated that many sessions in such a short amount of time without Dr Numb. My tat is beautiful and colors are vivid so no it does nothing to affect the artist’s technique nor does it affect the color in any way, bt I can’t speak for EMLA.

• 104 Carly // Nov 10, 2011 at 4:52 am

  Hi Guys,

  firstly people who say if your not willing to take the pain of a tattoo dont get one, ignore them macho idiots I have a huge tattoo down my ribcage all the way down to mid thigh and without it i wouldnt have been able to bear it im in UK it is amazing stuff, also my tattooist reccomended it not just for the pain but also to stop me jolting and ruining the tattoo. I have used it on several others on my spine my other thigh and my other rib cage DO IT ITS THE BEST THING EVER and i agree with a prev comment it actually tickled on my rib cage and it lasted overall about 2hours.

• 105 Denise // Nov 18, 2011 at 7:40 pm

  I am recovering from a major surgery and have been on heavy pain pills. How long do I have to wait to get a tatoo, will the ink not set if it has been too soon?

• 106 MINX69 // Dec 8, 2011 at 1:28 am

  Hey all. I have not used EMLA for getting tattoos but when I had to go through chemo treatments via a chemo port, I used it to numb the area where they were going to insert the 1/2″ needle into the port. It worked so well that I am now trying to buy some (without a prescription) in order to get my navel pierced…the pain may not be a big deal to some but why go thru it when it’s not necessary???

• 107 jordan // Dec 8, 2011 at 2:18 pm

  hi all im thinking off getting a lyric to a song tattooed on my inner arm goin down to my wrist and iv got thinish wrists and arms to be honist lol anyways the tattoosed said to put some emla cream on becouse i told him im a wimp for pain and hate neddiles so guys does this really numb you and do you feel anything at all like the niddel goin into your skin ?

• 108 Susie // Dec 30, 2011 at 11:31 am

  Well just to let you know Elma does work to a certain extent in my case.. just got back. went for the first session without the cream… and omg the outline was intolerable. (ive had two tatts prev and they didnt hurt that much) my tattooist said he was using a thinner needle.. i had to stop half way through couldnt take it.. as he nvr tatt’d anyone using numbing cream he said he would give it a go.. i purchased 4 tubes.. i still dont think this was enough. my tatt is to the larger side. covering my shoulder blade. so i put it on thick (dont rub in, just spread lightly and be sure to put on enough so you dont see the skin) and left it for just over 2 hrs, put cling film over it and taped it down. due to gravity the cream seemed to be moving downwards.. so if i was you i’d lie down for the 2 hours before going..he wiped it off and then spent 20 mins prepping.. when he started i expected it to hurt and i felt no pain what so ever, only just the vibration.

  after about 40 mins it started to wear off but luckily the outline was done! after that it felt just like just having a tatt normally.. some parts hurt more than other parts.. what was strange was where the cream had gathered and was really thick.. i still couldnt feel a thing.. wish i had known to have laid down..lol anyway whole experience lasted about 1hr 30mins. i would recommend it. will probably use if i ever want to get a fourth tatt.

• 109 allan // Jan 5, 2012 at 6:03 am

  i have a 3hour session tommorow can i keep applying the cream thanx allan

• 110 allan // Jan 6, 2012 at 11:24 am

  just had 3 and a half hours done used emla cream work for about 1 hour would use it again

• 111 rasta mike // Jan 6, 2012 at 7:44 pm

  I have extensive work and after goin with no creams 4 a lot of them i came across the cream and it is amazing.It sees like it did work better some places than others and for some reason the generic does not seen to work as well. After paying 60$u .s. for a few tubes online from canada, went to the doctor and got a prescripton ,its about 15$. The directions say 1 to 2 hours before and it did say something about not using it over huge areas and it takes a thick layer over the space so be prepared to use a whole tube for a large piece. I just did my hand and only left it 4 an hour before and it didnt seem to work very well. Taking a cold shower right before putting it on might open the pores to help it absorb more.It does wear off in about 1 hour and starts 2 hurt.peace

• 112 Cait // Jan 10, 2012 at 6:59 pm

  This has really helped. I’m using Emla for my tattoo on Friday as my first tattoo was agony, but i want to know if it will work for a nose piercing?

• 113 Cait // Jan 15, 2012 at 8:16 pm

  I used the Emla cream for a tattoo on the front of my shoulder, i had it on for nearly 3 hours because my tattoo got delayed and i felt the whole thing, it was painful. I don’t know if the Emla cream stopped working because it was on for a long time or if it just didn’t work full stop.

• 114 Anonymous // Jan 20, 2012 at 12:42 am

  This cream doesn’t work at all. I tried for a tattoo (not for the pain, I’m not a wimp! But because it was a four hour one & became super uncomfortable) & it didn’t numb it in the slightest bit. I tried several different times & nothing.

• 115 RachelRiot // Jan 26, 2012 at 11:33 pm

  So, I have to completely disagree with the comments stating ‘If you can’t handle the pain, don’t get a tattoo’ and ‘Suck it up. It only hurts for a little bit’.
  Okay, first of all, it’s not necessarily about how you handle the pain, but how your body reacts to the pain. My last tattoo was on the inside of my upper arm, and whenever my tattoo artist went over certain nerves, my arm would twitch, which (obviously) isn’t something you want your body to be doing when you’re getting permanent artwork embedded in your skin. After he did the outline, he used Blue Goo, let it soak in & take effect, then was able to finish without my arm jumping all over the place.
  Secondly, the ‘It only hurts for a little bit’ argument is bullshit. If you’re getting a couple stars on your wrist, or your kid’s name, then yea, it only hurts for a little bit, and pretty much anyone would be able to stick it out. But my next ink endeavour is a half sleeve, so we’re talking at least 4 hours, and that’s if the artist is really fast (which I would prefer he not be, I want him to take his time and pay very close attention to detail). That doesn’t constitute ‘a little bit’.
  And for the big finish, if someone can’t handle the pain, or is afraid of it, that doesn’t mean they don’t want/shouldn’t get a tattoo. That’s like saying if a woman can’t squeeze out a kid without an epidural, she shouldn’t get pregnant. Besides, if the end result is the same (or better, in regards to the twitching and/or inadvertently tensing up), who gives a fuck whether or not a numbing agent is used? It’s not your tattoo or your skin, so stop berating people for how they go about it. To those who think using a topical anaesthetic is ‘stupid’ or ‘ridiculous’, congratulations on being a hardass. We’re not pussies, everybody has their own reasons for wanting to relieve or avoid unnecessary pain.

• 116 James st Clair // Mar 24, 2012 at 11:45 am

  Im glad I’ve found this blog, I have 20 tattoos all without any pain relief but I’m going to try EMLA on my next tattoo to see if it works as well as everyone says as I want the left said of my rib cage doing. An after the 5.5hour session on the right side I don’t think I could go through that again lol

• 117 Ojboi // Mar 31, 2012 at 1:37 pm

  EMLA costs around 12-15 usd. I would also suggests you try DRNUMB. But this one is quite expensive than emla.

• 118 Marc // Apr 2, 2012 at 5:24 pm

  I just had my back tattoo done. The first half took almost 2 hours and I didn’t use Emla. I have to say it was very painfull. I can usually handle pain pretty good but the ribs killed me. for the same piece but on my right side of my back I used Emla and I have to say its the best thing ever. I hardly felt any pain at all. The only time I actually felt anything was when they were going over an area that they had just done. Not only that I didn’t really feel anything at all, it took less than half the time to finish the piece. Even the tattoo artist was soo amazed from the first part to the second. I could have almost fell asleep when the second part was being done. This is an amazing product and should be used by anyone who has fear of needles or does not handle pain at all. And if anyone here thinks I am spamming just contact me and I will send you a pic of the tattoo that I had done. Cheers Emla.

• 119 Tina // Apr 12, 2012 at 1:31 am

  I recently had a tattoo and used ELMA.. It just didn’t work well on me.

• 120 Laura // Apr 19, 2012 at 8:15 am

  I live in Canada where EMLA cream is an over the counter thing. It works extremely well I used it on my 14th tattoo. And on my gentile piercings.

  If you follow the directions strictly, it will numb you almost 100%. I have some nerve damage in my back that makes my hypersensitive to pain in certain areas. I used EMLA cream to numb my lower back and I did not feel a thing aside from the last 2 lines. It really works. I will continue to use it in areas where I can not bear the pain.

  However I would not recommend it for a first tattoo. You need to feel the pain as an indication of the damage you’re doing to your skin.

  Again I can not stress how well it works. Good luck to you all :)

• 121 Howard // Apr 21, 2012 at 1:30 pm

  I have @ 15 tats. I used EMLA cream for 3 tats and it works. Most avg. @ 3 hours work. I was able to get thru the pain without a problem. BUT if you can reduce most if not all the pain use EMLA or most any Lidocaine cream.
  OH! I am 70 now and not really into the pain.

• 122 Warren // Jun 3, 2012 at 4:34 am

  I’ve just had more work done on a full back piece in Thailand. My tattooist told me about Emla 5% cream & I got it at a local pharmacy.

  The cream is applied to the area to be worked on 1 hour before & wrapped in plastic. I had large area work done on my ribs & without this cream this would have been very painful.

  When the tattooist started work there was no pain at all. It felt like he was drawing on me with a pencil. We had breaks every hour or so & applied more cream.

  Wonderful product. I was able to do a 7hr session & then go back the next day & do another 7hr session. Absolute torture without Emla cream.

  The bottom line is this. There’s nothing honorable about being tortured in a tattooist’s chair. Getting tattooed is extremely painful. Using a product like Emla cream produces a better tattoo because the artist can work away without the recipient tensing & fidgeting due to intense pain.

  I would highly recommend Emla Cream to anybody considering getting a tattoo.

  I was laying on my right side while the tattooist worked on my left rib cage. I fell fast asleep.

• 123 Marty // Jun 17, 2012 at 2:14 am

  I had a black sleeve on my left arm that was done in prison 35 years ago.I had 1 laser treatment,then covered it with pro tatts in colour.Most of the work was bearable,but my inner arm was real sensitive.I’ve got a Japanese theme,with a tiger from shoulder to just below my elbow,a koi fish on the back of my arm from wrist to elbow,a lions head mid forearm,a foo dog above it and in a couple of weeks I’m filling up the remainder with a blue dragon along my tricep and finishing with its head in my top inner arm.
  Call me a wimp or whatever,but frankly I don’t give a flying fuck what any of you think anyway and I’ll be using a numbing cream.
  I’ve come across 3 brands on the internet:Dr Numb,Emla and INK-EEZE.
  I think INK-EEZE is the better choice, it being a 15 grams tube with Benzocaine 20%;Lidocaine 4% and Tetracaine 2% at US $40
  Having Hep C myself, I found the biggest hurdle was actually finding a tattoist who’d do any work on me,they’re a snotty bunch of arseholes with a really high opinion of themselves thinking that they’re too bloody good to work on the likes of me.

• 124 Howard // Jul 3, 2012 at 3:06 pm

  I have used couple dif products and they did work very well. I have @ 20 tats,depending how you count them. The last couple I use a cream and @ 90% of the pain was eliminated. I have had 5 3hr sessions and know the pain that is part of the deal. My friend has massive Tat on his complete back..2/3rd he did without cream and it was hell for him. Told him to get emla, he was totally satisfied. What little pain he did feel he said was nothing.

  I put it on @2 hours before,rub it in and cover, again 1 hr before,rub in and cover. Again maybe 15 minutes before starting,rubbing it in and have had great success with almost no pain. Also recently used it on my 16 yr old grandson 1st tat and he said he felt almost nothing.

  Emla, I believe is also used for burn victems so you know it has got to work. Don’t know why it hasn’t for some people.

• 125 Krista // Jul 17, 2012 at 10:23 am

  Emla cream works, hands down. Swear by it, and used it for my own tattoos and my daughter’s tattoo around her ribcage. Unlike some commenters above, research has indicated it actually does work below the top layer of skin, and to prove that point, we use it here at our hospital for injections, catheter insertions, etc. I was numb for almost 3 hours (but you must make a 1/4″ layer and cover it with plastic wrap for one hour prior to your tattoo. Made the process much less stressful for both me and my daughter. Foot tats will hurt even if numbed. No cushion there, I’m afraid.

• 126 LadyJaid // Jul 20, 2012 at 2:16 pm

  I’m starting my first sitting with Steve Moore and getting a full sleeve done. my mind says suck it up you are lucky to have this artist say yes to your tattoo…my body says no freeking way are you doing this to me…I have gotten the Emla cream from my local pharmacy…in Canada its an OTC medication but holy crap was it expensive…I thank you all for your opinions and insights and will further consider whether or not to use it…I’m not terribly afraid of the pain of being tattooed in most places but for some reason that baby soft skin on the upper inside of the arm being tattooed makes me want to barf…I think I’ll apply it there mostly!

• 127 Sharon // Jul 21, 2012 at 5:35 pm

  My first tattoo at 55 today.
  I’m bought emla and it sounds like its,
  going to work fine.
  And I bought emla at Cosco in Vancouver
  BC for $ 11.00 inc taxes , shoppers wanted
  $54.00 crazy.
  Grandma

• 128 kit // Jul 30, 2012 at 5:29 pm

  What a load of rubbish , I’m sick of stupid morons who think u hAve to endure pain in order to get a tattoo , tattoos are not about pain , its about beautiful artwork ,the emotion attached to your ink , I have had 7 tattoos done but use emla if I’m having a 3 hour plus sitting , I see nothing wrong with that , and sorry if this offends any one but get a grip people its normal these days to have Pain relief ! Good luck with your new ink people myself and my emla covered arm are going for a 3 hour sitting to finish my sleeve tomoro lol x

• 129 sarah // Aug 22, 2012 at 10:52 pm

  i just brought some elma cream cause im getting my first tattoo tomorow up my finger and down my hand im quiet “Boney” so Im scared its going to kill im hoping this cream will help with the pain. but as they say its mind over matter i think ive been freaking myself out listening to everyone tell me how much its going to hurt

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