#Lidocaine cream for pain skin

'This anesthetic essentially prevents nerve endings from firing when they get activated,' he explains.Īccording to De. Lal explains it's the most popular topical numbing agent and is offered in 4-5% concentrations over-the-counter. One ingredient on this list should stand out among the rest: Lidocaine. What to Look for in a Numbing Cream for Piercings Active Ingredients Jaimie DeRosa is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder and lead facial plastic surgeon of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach Karan Lal is a double board-certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Arizona. She specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.

Lauren Penzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

The cream helps relieve irritation and acts as a cooling agent against freshly pierced skin.Ĭustomers also love its scent, but if you’re not into fragrances, or have sensitive skin, we say skip this choice.Īctive Ingredients: Shea, mango, and aloe Butters, Coconut, Vitamin E Complex, Essential Oil Blend | Pain Relief: Subtle | Type: Cream | Lasts: N/A | Cruelty Free: Yes | Size: 5 oz. Since it doesn’t contain lidocaine, we found it's better for soothing than numbing. The vegan and plant-based formula is safe to slather across your lips, elbows, and other dry areas.

#Lidocaine cream for pain skin

Our tip: Warm it up in your hands for a minute before layering it on your skin for an easier application. Hustle Butter moisturizes and calms the pierced area using hydrating ingredients such as shea and coconut butter. But, like finally slipping off a pair of “comfortable” clogs, the pain doesn’t always end immediately. We think it’s worth noting that some customers mention there’s a slight burning sensation when they first apply it, but they say it dissipates quickly.Īctive Ingredients: Lidocaine 5%, Phenylephrine HCl 0.25% | Pain Relief: Moderate | Type: Spray | Lasts: One hour | Cruelty Free: Yes | Size: 2.4 oz.Ĭongrats, you made it through your piercing appointment. The spray's formula also includes phenylephrine, an ingredient when used topically in conjunction with lidocaine, can enhance pain relief. That's why, along with its effectiveness and fast-acting formula, this one from Ebanel is Dr. Yet, in the case of a spray, you might find the formula feels less greasy. Penzi points out that sprays and creams contain the same ingredients, too. They are less messy, easier to apply, and good for hard-to-reach areas (like a nape or belly button piercing). Think of choosing a numbing spray over a cream for the same reason you might with sunscreen. Slight burning sensation upon initial application For the best results, we recommend reading reviews since the included instructions are a little vague.Īctive Ingredients: Lidocaine 5% | Pain Relief: Intense | Type: Cream | Lasts: 2-4 Hours | Cruelty Free: Yes | Size: 1 oz. Plus, if you forgot to prep before your appointment, the fast-acting formula works quicker than other options to numb the skin in as little as 20 minutes. Lauren Penzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, tells us the cream is a good choice for sensitive skin.

We also love that it includes vitamin E, an antioxidant commonly found in skincare products that helps prevent inflammation. Meanwhile, 5% lidocaine, the highest percentage available over the counter, works to numb the skin. The creamy, water-based formula glides on the skin without leaving a sticky residue. While we wouldn’t normally consider a numbing cream “luxury,” this vegan formula feels closer to our favorite moisturizer than a topical anesthetic. We conducted hours of research on the best numbing creams, evaluating them on their active ingredients, the level of pain relief, type, and the duration of relief each formula provides. If celebrities like Emma Chamberlain or your cool barista are driving you to jump on a new piercing trend, consider using a numbing cream before your appointment. She adds, “To be more specific, they block the sodium channels in cells to prevent nerve transmission of the pain sensation.” This numbs the superficial layers of the skin, making them a great choice for cosmetic treatments. Jaimie DeRosa, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Boston and Palm Beach, explains, numbing creams use topical anesthetics like lidocaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine to block the signals at the nerve endings of the skin. Using a numbing cream ahead of your next piercing appointment can help ease discomfort.Īs Dr.

Some more than others, sure, but building a Sistine-Chapel style earscape doesn’t come without at least a little pain. The options for ear and body piercings are seemingly endless (industrial bars, helix, snake bite), but each one has something in common: They hurt.