Numbing Cream and Tattoo Artists: A Balancing Act

The ribs, spine, elbows, and knees are especially bad. Numbing creams make these areas tolerable, so clients can sit through longer sessions without being exposed to the normal amount of pain.
For clients with lower pain tolerance, or those getting larger tattoos that take several hours to finish, the application of numbing creams can greatly alleviate the pain of the tattooing process. The majority of clients report that they are able to fully relax during the session, which makes it easy for the tattoo artist to move freely and accurately.

Are there dangers in using numbing creams?

Though numbing creams are helpful, they are not risk-free. Perhaps the most serious of these risks is the chance of allergic reactions. Similar to any topical cream, numbing creams have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people. This may result in redness and swelling or more serious dermatological issues, and this may interfere with the tattoo process.
A further risk is that some numbing creams are just too good, completely numbing the skin to the point that it’s hard for the tattoo artist to feel the thickness of their needling.

Tattoo artists depend on feeling the resistance of the skin in order to know whether they are breaking the correct plane of tissue. Numbing creams disrupt that sense, so it’s impossible to get ink in correctly. If the tattoo is too shallow or too deep, it may affect the look and longevity of the design. Lastly, numbing creams occasionally make the skin more difficult to work with. The cream can put a barrier between the skin and the needle that alters the texture of the skin, making it less pliable or more difficult to tattoo. This can result in problems such as ink not adhering or uneven shading. The tattoo artist will need to change their technique or pressure, which will impact the finished product.

How does numbing cream influence the tattoo artist’s process?

For the artist, the use of numbing cream is a two-edged sword. One the one hand, it may make the process easier for the client and contribute towards a more comfortable atmosphere. Tattoo artists are also taught to work with the natural resistance of the skin. When they use numbing cream, it modifies that resistance, making it more difficult to see if the needle is in the right place.
In addition, the numbing creams will also cause problems of shading and coloring. Though outlining is not as affected, areas that need shading or coloring can be problematic. The skin is harder to penetrate due to the numbing cream, and the artist can apply additional pressure, which could result in unintended skin damage or unevenness of the ink.

Tattoo artists also depend on customer feedback to get an idea of how the tattooing procedure is progressing. When the customer is numb or disconnected from the process, it may cause miscommunication between the client and the artist. The artist would believe the customer is relaxed when actually the customer is enduring pain that is not apparent owing to the numbing power of the cream.

How is trust involved among clients and tattoo artists in terms of numbing creams?

Why is communication so important when discussing numbing cream with clients?

Client-tattoo artist trust is essential to the success of the tattooing process. One of the key elements of this trust is open and honest communication regarding the use of numbing creams. Some clients come into the tattoo parlor with the assumption that they will be used, and others are not even aware that they exist.
It is also crucial that tattoo artists conduct a direct conversation with their client about whether numbing creams would be suitable for their tattoo or not.

A client could be unaware of the potential restrictions, and it’s the artist’s responsibility to enlighten them on how it might affect the process of tattooing. Artists should consider the size, position, and intricacy of the tattoo prior to accepting the use of numbing cream, and ensure the client’s expectations are in line with what can be achieved. Can numbing creams create trust issues?

There is a potential that numbing creams will bring about trust issues between tattoo artists and clients.
For instance, in the event that the client does not want numbing cream to be applied and the artist does not comply with him or her, then this would be seen as lacking professionalism or not being empathetic. But on the contrary, when the artist is willing to use numbing cream but turns out to be very inconvenient during the session, then the client becomes unhappy with the work with the perception that the tattoo would have been better if it were not for using the cream. Also, if the numbing cream is not used properly or fails to work, the client might feel that their pain is not being addressed or that the artist is not giving them a quality of care that they require. However, clients who view pain as a natural component of tattooing may feel that the use of numbing cream makes them uncomfortable because they think it ruins the genuineness of the experience.

How do tattoo artists meet these expectations?

Tattoo artists can handle such expectations by having clear guidelines right from the onset.
If the artist believes that the use of numbing cream is unnecessary or might disrupt the quality of the tattoo, then they need to notify the client verbally accordingly. If the use of numbing cream would be appropriate, the artist would then explain to the client what would be happening and how this would impact the process of getting the tattoo finished. Integrity and transparency are important in dealing with client expectations. Notifying the client about the advantages and disadvantages of using numbing cream can help tattoo artists prevent misunderstanding and create a better, more reliable relationship. Artists can recommend other pain alleviation methods in case numbing cream is not appropriate for the tattoo. What are the substitutes for numbing creams in tattoos?