The question of pain is a prominent concern for individuals contemplating getting a tattoo. Pain perception varies greatly among individuals, influenced by factors like pain threshold and sensitivity. While some embrace the discomfort as part of the experience, others seek ways to minimize it. Anesthesia offers relief, yet opinions among tattoo artists differ regarding its usage. Understanding the dynamics of pain and anesthesia is crucial for those considering body art.
This article delves into the nuances of pain management in tattooing, exploring methods, considerations, and the efficacy of anesthetics like tattoo numb Cream. From strategies for preparation to insights on coping mechanisms during the procedure, this comprehensive guide sheds light on navigating the realm of tattoo pain to ensure a comfortable and satisfying experience for both clients and artists alike.
How to numb a tattoo?
Local anesthesia may be used when applying a tattoo. It is divided into three types:
• Applique. It is used for anesthesia of mucous membranes and skin areas up to 600 square meters. see Anesthetics from this group are available in the format of gels, ointments, sprays, and creams. These drugs most often contain 1–10% lidocaine, as well as tetracaine, prilocaine, and benzocaine. On the mucous membrane, the topical anesthetic begins to act faster (from 5 minutes to 7 ); on the skin, loss of sensitivity begins to be felt on average after 30-40 minutes.
• Infiltration. It involves the introduction of an anesthetic into the manipulation area in which the nerve endings are located. The drug is administered slowly and in doses; it blocks pain sensitivity in small areas.
• Conductor. This type of anesthesia is used when large areas or specific parts of the body need to be numbed. The agents are injected into the area of accumulation of large nerve ganglia responsible for innervation. As a result, pain impulses arising in the area being treated do not reach the brain.
Infiltration and conduction anesthesia are more in demand in cosmetology. Many artists agree that their use when applying a tattoo is not relevant, unlike the use of application products.
One of the drugs used for pain relief is the anesthetic Gooscia numbing Cream. This is a cream with two main active ingredients – lidocaine and prilocaine. They are quite easy to numb the tattoo; after application, it should take about 60 minutes. The treated area is covered with film. After an hour, the bandage is removed and the skin is cleansed. The client is ready to get a tattoo.
In areas with thick skin, such as the shoulder, or hand, the skin is anesthetized more deeply with increasing time. Therefore, the cream can be kept for up to 2 hours.
How to get a tattoo painlessly: map of pain on the body:
The pain experienced by a person during the application of body art is a normal consequence of tissue damage. Since the mechanisms of central and peripheral sensitization are activated in the body, this leads to inflammation, and the release of tissue neurogenic and plasma mediators in the damaged area. To numb the area of contact of the needle with the skin, specialists use local anesthetics, the effect of which is to block the mechanisms of peripheral sensitization. This makes it possible to neutralize catabolic reactions after the procedure, and completely prevent or reduce the development of inflammatory processes, and the appearance of edema and irritation.
If the client is unsure whether he needs anesthesia, the tattoo artist can make a “blank” puncture without paint. This will help the person understand what he will have to endure during the session and make a decision about the need for pain relief. According to reviews of specialists familiar with the characteristics of the body, and people who have gone through the tattoo procedure, all areas on the body can be divided into three types:
• The most painful areas. This includes the knees, groin, legs, and feet. Rarely does anyone manage to calmly withstand the pain when getting a tattoo on the chest (especially among girls), ribs, and stomach.
• Places where pain is bearable. Forehead, neck, forearms, inner thighs, shoulder blades and the area under them, buttocks, collarbones.
• Pain that is relatively easy to bear. Hands and wrists, shoulders, outer thighs, mid back, calves, biceps.
If a person is sure that he needs anesthesia, it is better to discuss with the artist in advance how to numb the tattoo session. The result of the anesthetic is a decrease in the sensitivity of the treated area. As a result, pain will be reduced, or the client will not feel anything during the procedure.
How to Prepare for a Less Painful Tattoo: Do’s and Don’ts?
Those who have decided to get a tattoo and want the process to be as comfortable as possible should follow these useful recommendations:
• On the day of the session and the day before it, you are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol affects the flow of blood during the tattooing process. The blood will push out the paint, making the job more difficult.
• You should not take painkillers. Many medications can act not on the nature of the pain, for example, but on removing muscle spasms. This will not make getting a tattoo any less painful.
• You can’t drink a lot of coffee, strong tea, or energy drinks. Drinking these drinks before getting a tattoo often causes dizziness and even loss of consciousness.
• You should not visit a solarium or sunbathe on the day of tattooing or the day before. There is a risk of getting a skin burn, and even minor redness or irritation will affect the artist’s decision to apply a tattoo.
• Girls should refrain from creating a body pattern on menstruation days or a week before them, since during this period sensitivity increases and the procedure may be more painful.
• You should get a good night’s sleep and come to the session rested and alert. The more strength you have and the better your mood, the higher your endurance, therefore, the process will be easier.
• A few hours before the procedure, you need to eat well, it is advisable to exclude too salty and spicy foods from your diet.
• Take a bath or shower, as after getting a tattoo you should not bathe in hot water for several hours.
It is recommended to come to the session in loose clothing that does not tighten the area where the drawing is being applied.
Secrets of relaxation: how to cope with pain when getting a tattoo?
The main rule of tattooing is safety and trust in the artist. If for some reason a specialist is in doubt, it is better to choose another one. The psychological attitude is very important in this procedure. You must have a consultation with a specialist and ask all your questions. Before the procedure, you need to inspect the workplace and make sure that it is clean, the specialist uses sterile and exclusively new needles.
Some shops allow you to bring friends or loved ones with you to support you while you get a tattoo. Conversation distracts, relaxes, and allows you not to focus on the pain. The main thing is that it distracts the client, not the master, and does not interfere with his work.
You can take your player with you and download an interesting movie to your phone or tablet. This works if the master does not allow the presence of outsiders.
You can relieve pain by squeezing something in your hand. Muscle tension reduces pain. Many salons offer clients expanders or tennis balls. You can squeeze the mouthguard by placing it in your mouth. Some people claim that chewing soft candy or chewing gum helps distract them.
Do not hold your breath if the pain intensifies. At such moments you need to exhale, this will reduce the tension. If the pain is still scary and you don’t want to endure it, you can ask for anesthesia.
Why do people refuse pain relief before getting a tattoo?
Both the artist and the client are interested in creating a painless tattoo. The specialist will be able to work calmly without fear that the person will twitch or refuse the service due to pain. The more comfortable the process is, the greater the likelihood that they will contact the tattoo artist again or recommend him to friends. And yet there are people (both among artists and clients) who refuse tattoos without pain, their reasons are different:
• The tattoo artist may refuse to use an anesthetic because under the influence of some painkillers the skin “stiffens.” It becomes less pliable and elastic. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of the drawing and the need for serious correction.
• For some clients, the process of getting a tattoo is enjoyable, or overcoming pain during the session has important psychological significance. Although from a physiological point of view, it is better to anesthetize the affected area, the master should not insist on the use of anesthesia; the final decision always remains with the client.
You can get a tattoo with or without anesthesia. The choice in favor of one or another solution is made based on the comfort of the master and the client.
Is it possible to numb a tattoo with lidocaine?
There are many anesthetics on the Russian market, but not all of them are equally safe. If the product contains lidocaine, it must be registered as a medicinal product (MP). There is not a single drug registered in the Russian Federation that could be used specifically as an anesthesia for tattoos. Although in the field of tattooing such “highly specialized” means are used, which is a violation of the law.
If we talk about officially registered medications, among them there are pain-relieving creams and sprays, which are also suitable for tattoos. Lidocaine spray works better on the mucous membrane than on the skin. In addition, it has been proven that two-component anesthetics that, in addition to lidocaine, also contain prilocaine, such as Gooscia numbing Cream cream, are more effective in pain relief.
Its analgesic effect is based on the combined action of studied and proven components – 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine. Gooscia numbing Cream is suitable for most, except people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or with allergic reactions to the components of the drug. The drug should be used with caution when taking certain medications.
How does Gooscia numbing Cream help reduce tattoo pain?
Considering that the process of tattooing is an invasive manipulation, the urgent task of tattooists is to choose effective and safe anesthetics. This will reduce the client’s fear, increase his confidence in the master, and help the specialist work in comfortable conditions.
Gooscia numbing Cream is a cream containing lidocaine and prilocaine in a 1:1 ratio. The cream is registered as a medicinal product; according to Russian and foreign studies, the composition has a proven result of skin anesthesia. The combination of anesthetics provides an anti-inflammatory effect and a long duration of pain relief (1-2 hours).
Dermatologists and cosmetologists have already paid attention to the cream; it is increasingly appearing in tattooists’ offices. It does not react with paint and has a low risk of developing allergies or side effects (an exception may be cases of rare individual intolerance to the components).
Summary: navigating tattoo pain involves understanding individual tolerance and anesthesia options. Preparation, coping mechanisms, and safe anesthetics like tattoo numbing Cream contribute to a more comfortable experience. Ultimately, communication between clients and artists ensures a successful tattooing process.