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For some people, the pain of a tattoo is a part of the whole experience. There’s a definite thrill to it. For many others, though, the pain simply gets in the way of the process. Before deciding on a topical numbing solution for your tattoo, it’s important to understand your options.
Many people might see that both benzocaine and lidocaine are topical numbing solutions. However, there is a clear answer about which can work better for a tattoo.
What Is Tattoo Pain Like?
The pain level of a tattoo depends on a variety of factors. The location, size, and style largely influence how the tattooed person reacts. Many people rate the pain somewhere between a cat scratch and a sunburn (or a cat scratch on a sunburn).
Smaller tattoos and fine line tattoos are much less painful than those with lots of shading or filled-in portions. The greater area a tattoo covers, the longer it takes to complete, and the more painful it will likely be.
Tattoos hurt because the needles are pressing into the skin and affecting the nerves in the area. Some people are more affected by the pain than others. Many people don’t mind the pain of a tattoo. For some, it is just a part of the process.
Why Does a Tattoo Hurt?
A modern tattoo is done with an electric machine, usually consisting of one or more needles that pierce the skin at the same time. This machine works overtime – about 80-3,000 punctures per minute. Most machines also have multiple needles that work simultaneously. Ouch!
The skin is the largest organ in the body. The epidermis and the dermis are the major components that make up the skin’s layers. The epidermis is the top layer of dead skin, and the dermis lies just below the epidermis. Here in the dermis is where the sensory cells are at work.
The tattoo needle needs to go far enough into the skin to be permanent while still being visible under layers of skin. This puts the needle right by the skin’s pain receptors.
With the skin being punctured up to 3,000 times per minute, constant messages are being sent to the brain that the skin in that area is under attack. And your skin will fight back in a big way — think swelling and redness.
Is All Skin the Same?
Some areas of the body do hurt more than others, and this is because some parts of the body are more delicate and sensitive than other parts (whether that’s because of more nerve endings of more day to day stimulation).
For example, tattoos on the hands, torso, inner bicep, and feet will probably be more painful than on the upper arm, forearm, or calf.
Thankfully, you’ve got options. HUSH makes a numbing gel to help take the edge off during your session, plus aftercare for after the appointment.
Options for Tattoo Pain Control
Tattoos have a reputation for being painful, but they don’t have to be an endurance test. With the HUSH range of products, you can go into your appointment prepared.
- The Tattoo Numbing Gel is for preparing for a new tattoo. Before your appointment, rub a small amount of this water-based and non-greasy formula onto the area you plan to get tattooed. The gel contains a combination of numbing lidocaine and natural botanicals to soothe and protect the skin before the tattoo.
- The Healing Spray is for aftercare, once your appointment is done. Lidocaine HCl 4% is the active ingredient; use it only as the label directs.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a topical cream, gel, or lotion used directly on the skin to reduce pain in the area it is applied. The main purpose of lidocaine is to numb the skin. This is perfect for anyone wanting to avoid any intense pain during their tattoo session.
When applied to the skin, lidocaine needs time to start working, so follow the product label for timing. The lidocaine blocks the nerve endings from sending the pain signals to your brain.
The lidocaine-based HUSH products are a solid addition to your tattoo appointment ritual. Lidocaine is a widely used topical anesthetic. Helps take the edge off during your session; results vary by person and placement.
Benzocaine
Lidocaine and benzocaine are often discussed as comparable topical products, but what makes them different?
Benzocaine is the active ingredient in many topical pain relievers. It works by blocking the nerves from sending impulses to the brain, similar to how lidocaine works.
The purpose of benzocaine is to numb the skin temporarily. The major difference between benzocaine and lidocaine is that they are meant to be used on different areas of the body.
Benzocaine is often used in areas like the mouth, on softer tissues and mucous membranes. Lidocaine is widely used on the skin.
Which Is the Best Choice for Tattoo Numbing?
When getting a tattoo, it is important to think through all the decisions you will make along the way. Lidocaine works great when used to numb the skin.
It also does not affect the tattoo itself in any way. The lidocaine blocks the skin from feeling pain, but the ink and tattooing process will not change.
Lidocaine or Benzocaine?
Lidocaine is an active ingredient in several HUSH products designed to keep pain at a minimum while getting a tattoo. If there are multiple kinds of topical anesthetic, why is lidocaine the best option?
That’s why HUSH numbing products use lidocaine: Lidocaine HCl 4% is the active ingredient.
Both ingredients are topical products designed to reduce pain. However, you definitely will want to go with a lidocaine-based formula like what we use in HUSH when deciding on a form of numbing for your next tattoo (unless the tattoo will be in your mouth).
HUSH pairs Lidocaine HCl 4% with a blend of botanicals. Use the Gel before your session and save Healing Spray for aftercare, each as the label directs.
Preparing for your own tattoo sesh? Explore the HUSH Tattoo Session Prep collection here!
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