The first thought about having a tattoo is often restricted to the agony. This beauty procedure is always uncomfortable and painful, even for those with a lot of experience or familiarity with tattooing.
That’s where the best tattoo numbing spray comes in handy. It creates a numbing effect in the inked area and keeps the pain levels minimal. This way, you can feel much more pleasant.
Let’s see which sprays you can choose and how they work.
Why Do You Need A Numbing Spray For Tattoos And Piercings?
If you are one of those having subcutaneous tissues or sensitive skin, a numbing tattoo spray will be your salvage. Piercings, tattooing, and other beauty procedures can cause discomfort and pain.
That’s why these products are manufactured to ease these hurtful feelings. The numbing spray is also often used by cosmeticians and tattoo artists.
You can consult professionals and purchase some at home to solve your problems. There is no need to worry about the side effects, as most sprays don’t affect your skin adversely.
All you have to do is to follow the instructions, wait for the recommended time, and see its efficacy.
Best Tattoo Numbing Sprays
1. Ebanel Lidocaine Numbing Spray – Editor’s Pick
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- Product dimensions: 2.1 x 1.3 x 5.1 inches
- Item weight: 3.21 ounces
- Active ingredients: 5% Lidocaine, 0.25% phenylephrine HCl
- Use For: whole body
- Specific purposes: pain relief, anti-inflammation
It is not exaggerating to consider Ebanel Lidocaine numbing spray as the best tattoo pain relief, thanks to its high effectiveness. This product offers users optimal numbing efficiency.
This strong and long-lasting result is due to the perfect combination of potent anesthetic lidocaine of 5% and a strong topical anesthetic Phenylephrine of 0.25%. It reduces all pain, swelling, soreness, or itching during and after the tattooing procedure.
In particular, lidocaine is available to disable the painful signal from the skin’s nerve endings to the brain. This way, it can trick your brain that there is no agony or discomfort.
On the other hand, phenylephrine helps shrink swelling after tattooing or piercing. It also protects the irritated skin and eases other uncomfortable symptoms like burning or itching.
Don’t be surprised that it works in just two to three minutes and lasts for a full hour. The spray is also manufactured with Arginine and Allantoin to soothe the skin. Thus, you can use it for insect bites as well.
The formula is scent-free, oil-free, and water-based. For this reason, it can fit all types of skin. Yet, the product costs more than others of the same range.
Pros:
- Optimal strength for all skin issues
- Fast yet long-lasting effects
- Enriched with high-quality and effective ingredients
- Suitable for all types of skin
Con:
- Pricey
2. Americaine Hospital Formula Numbing Spray – Best Lidocaine Alternative
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- Product dimensions: 1.44 x 1.44 x 5.63 inches
- Item weight: 3.04 ounces
- Active ingredients: 20% benzocaine
- Use For: whole body
- Specific purposes: tattoo, minor cuts, burns, insect bites, scrape
Americaine Hospital formula numbing spray is one of the rare sprays containing some ingredients other than the common Lidocaine one. This makes it a perfect choice for those allergic to Lidocaine or those with allergic contact dermatitis.
The product comes with 20% benzocaine, equalling 5% of Lidocaine. This ingredient ensures powerful numbing effects, making it a common name in most tattooing centers and hospitals.
Don’t worry about its effects, as this spray is 100% safe for even children aged at least two. You can use it during piercing sessions and tattooing procedures.
This solution will also deal with sunburnt skin, irritations, cuts, or pains. The formula takes from 6 to 12 minutes to numb the sprayed area. It will last around 40 minutes, ideal for a shorter tattooing time.
However, this solution can leave an annoying, greasy feel after being applied to your skin.
Pros:
- Strong benzocaine formula
- Fast effects
- Medical uses approved
- Versatile (can be used for tattooing, minor burns, insect stings, poison ivy, poison oak, etc.)
Con:
- Leaves a greasy feeling
3. Aspercreme Max Strength Numbing Spray – Best For Quality And Price Ratio
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- Product dimensions: 2.06 x 2.07 x 5.94 inches
- Item weight: 4 ounces
- Active ingredients: 4% Lidocaine
- Use For: muscle pain, hands, shoulder, neck, back, knee
- Specific purposes: pain relief
Aspercreme max strength numbing spray will surprise you with its wonders. It was originally designed to relieve joint, muscle, and back pain. Yet, the perfect quality and price ratio makes it increasingly popular among professional tattooists. Specifically, it costs no more than $3 for each ounce.
This is because the spray is 100% odor-free, discreet, and non-greasy. Regarding ingredients, it contains 4% Lidocaine, which is not the highest concentration available over the counter. But its potency is no way subpar.
It takes 10 minutes to start working and lasts for 40 minutes. Therefore, it would be best to use it for a shorter piercing or tattooing session.
It indeed lives up to the manufacturer’s claim, as I’ve tested it on a fresh quarter-sized tattoo on the back of my hand. And there is no trace of discomfort during that one-hour session. It’s worth noting that I have a sensitive nose, but I’ve sensed nothing!
Pros:
- Odor-free and fast effect
- Deeper and stronger effect other than just skin
- Offers a dry and comfortable texture
Con:
- Needs to be used in a well-ventilated area
4. Bactine Max Pain Relieving Spray – Best For Sensitive Skins
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- Product dimensions: 2.5 x 3 x 6.25 inches
- Item weight: 12.8 ounces
- Active ingredients: Benzalkonium Cl, 4% Lidocaine HCl
- Use For: whole body
- Specific purposes: cuts, scrapes, sunburns, minor skin irritation
If you have sensitive skin and struggle to get pain relief after a tattooing session, you should not miss out on Bactine Max pain-relieving spray.
Formulated with an expected strength topical Lidocaine anesthetic, it offers immediate itch and pain relief without damaging your soft and sensitive skin.
Another great thing about this product is its antiseptic feature. It can kill germs on your skin and eliminate all risks of skin traumas. This is thanks to the presence of Benzalkonium Chloride, which kills 99% germs and hinders their growth. As such, it keeps skin infection and skin traumas at bay. Don’t worry that your soft skin is infected due to scratches, scrapes, or after tattooing.
There will be no uncomfortable feeling when using this solution. The convenient and no-touch bottle allows you to easily cleanse minor wounds and relieve pain after tattooing. Unlike other first aid products with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, it doesn’t create any stingy feeling.
Despite the strong effects, this spray is not ideal for serious skin issues. Therefore, consult the doctor for using it for these circumstances.
Pros:
- Multiple uses
- No-touch, no-sting spray bottle
- Contains no alcohol or hydrogen
- Safe for the entire family
- Antiseptic feature
Con:
- Not used for deep and large tattoos
5. Dermoplast First Aid Spray – Budget Choice
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- Product dimensions: 2.09 x 2.09 x 5.79 inches
- Item weight: 4.8 ounces
- Active ingredients: 20% benzocaine
- Use For: Whole body
- Specific purposes: minor cuts, scrapes, and burns
Dermoplast first aid spray is another win-win product – an anesthetic and antiseptic spray. Finding another effective and long-lasting product at this price is also challenging.
On the one hand, the antiseptic formula offers fast pain relief while protecting scrapes, burns, and minor cuts against unwanted infection. On the other hand, the product contains OTL-strength benzocaine and benzethonium chloride.
Besides pain-relieving purposes, these ingredients ensure an antibacterial effect, providing vitamin E and aloe to moisturize and soothe the tattooed area.
The product is a must-have in most hospitals. It is used for new moms and kids aged two and above. By killing up to 99% of germs, this one offers optimal safety for the entire family.
Yet, the product gives off awful fumes, so you should use it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Pros:
- Offers instant relief
- Safe for moms and kids
- The no-touch spray bottle design
- Medical uses
- Provides Vitamin E and aloe for skin soothing
Cons:
- Strong scent
- Slightly dry the skin
Tattoo Numbing Sprays Buyer’s Guide
Ingredients
Most numbing sprays are formulated with the common Lidocaine ingredient. This strong topical anesthetic offers an immediate pain-relieving effect to help you feel better during tattooing sessions.
A higher percentage of Lidocaine in numbing sprays means greater strength. Thus, don’t forget to check the ingredients label to get the desired result.
If you are allergic to Lidocaine, you can also choose benzocaine. This one offers equal strength and efficiency. There are also various other substances to keep your skin moisturized and comfortable. Consult the doctor of professional tattooists for a perfect pick.
Ease Of Use
Choose the one that allows for spraying from all angles. We bet you don’t want to struggle to spray the solution on your shoulder or back.
Maintenance
Most tattoo numbing sprays should be stored in dry and well-ventilated areas. Therefore, if you don’t want to care about maintenance, you should choose the ones with adequate spraying amounts.
Performance
Some products take effect in three to four minutes, while others require up to 10 minutes. Also, some can last for hours, whereas others do in 30 to 40 minutes.
Depending on your tattooing sessions’ length and the size of the tattooed area, you should choose a suitable one to avoid throbbing pain.
You can also choose the one that serves other purposes. Insect bites, sunburns, or scrapes are just a few to name.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Numbing Sprays Work?
Like numbing creams, all sprays are manufactured with nerve blockers and deadeners. These contents can prevent your nerve system from recognizing and transmitting pain or discomfort to your brain.
The main ingredient in all numbing products is Lidocaine, which falls under nerve deadeners. This anesthetic makes the pain levels lowered.
Concerning nerve blockers, these relieving products use benzocaine to assist Lidocaine and eliminate uncomfortable feelings during a piercing or tattooing procedure.
Some other sprays also come with phenylephrine, constricting the blood vessel and preventing the spray from moving widely away from the inked area.
This way, the pain relief stays exactly where you need it. These substances work effectively with only one or two spritzes. Let the spray on the skin from 20 to 60 minutes before your beauty procedures.
During that time, it blocks all external skin contact with your nerves. You will not feel the agony or subdued levels of pain at all.
How To Apply A Tattoo Numbing Spray?
Before applying a spray, check the following requirements. If preparing for a piercing and tattoo requires you to shave the designated area, avoid cutting yourself.
Don’t forget to wash your skin clean and let it dry completely. This way, the substance will be absorbed better and deliver more efficient numbing effects.
Then, spray the product directly to your skin and follow the instructions. Please wait for it to absorb and take effect. After this time, you can repeat the application for enhanced numbing.
Are Numbing Sprays Safe?
The answer is an absolute YES.
Designed for sensitive skins, these sprays are 100% safe, especially with proper use and application. Yet, an excessive amount of substance on your skin will result in an allergic reaction.
You can get irritated, swollen, or have red skin. Also, some users are allergic to Lidocaine, which causes unwanted reactions. Therefore, before using a numbing cream or spray, don’t forget to check the ingredients.
Skin having wounds and cuts should not be applied with numbing sprays. These skin issues will allow the substance to penetrate into your bloodstream easily and spread along the body.
Worse, users can experience commas, serious respiratory issues, or even death. Make sure to follow the instructions and apply it safely on healthy skin.
Conclusion
Long story short, numbing sprays are ideal for shorter tattooing sessions, which last half an hour on average. The best tattoo numbing spray is highly effective and ensures that you will not feel any pain during a procedure.
Concerning all the aspects of a high-quality product, Ebanel Lidocaine Numbing Spray is undoubtedly my pick. It is reasonable in price, yields quick and long-lasting effects, and allows easy use.