The Science Behind Tattoo Pain and Skin Numbing Cream

Tattoo pain is something every tattoo lover is familiar with. But what causes this pain, and how can skin numbing cream help?

Why Tattoos Hurt:

When getting a tattoo, needles penetrate the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and deposit ink into the dermis (the layer beneath). This process triggers nociceptors—specialized nerve endings that detect harmful stimuli like heat, pressure, and injury. These nociceptors send pain signals through sensory neurons to the brain, where the sensation of pain is perceived.

The severity of pain depends on multiple factors:

Body Location: Areas with more nerve endings, such as the ribs or ankles, tend to be more painful.

Skin Thickness: Thinner skin has fewer layers to buffer the needle’s impact, leading to greater discomfort.

Individual Pain Threshold: People’s pain tolerance can vary greatly due to genetics, psychological factors, and previous experiences with pain.

How Numbing Cream Works:

Numbing creams like those containing lidocaine interrupt the pain signalling process. Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that works by blocking sodium channels in the nerve cells. These sodium channels are crucial for the transmission of pain signals from the skin to the brain.

Here’s how it works in more detail:

Application: When lidocaine-based numbing cream is applied to the skin, it begins to absorb into the dermal layers, where pain receptors are located.

Blocking Nerve Signals: Lidocaine prevents the influx of sodium ions, which are essential for generating action potentials (nerve impulses). Without sodium ions, the nerve cells can't send pain signals to the brain.

Reduced Pain Perception: Since the brain never receives the signals from the nociceptors, the individual feels little to no pain in the treated area.

Why 5% Lidocaine is Key:

Our numbing cream contains 5% lidocaine, the maximum concentration allowed for over-the-counter use. This high percentage ensures that the numbing effect is strong and long-lasting, typically reducing sensation for up to 2 hours. Lower concentrations of lidocaine, commonly found in other creams, may provide only minimal relief or wear off quickly during longer tattoo sessions.

For optimal results, numbing cream should be applied 30-60 minutes before the tattoo session. This gives the lidocaine ample time to penetrate the skin and fully activate. Wrapping the area in plastic wrap after application can also help enhance absorption.