Numbing creams are an effective and safe way to reduce the pain associated with medical procedures, laser treatments, and waxing. They work by temporarily numbing the skin and blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Numbing creams offer many benefits, including reducing the fear of pain and allowing procedures to be performed more quickly and easily. By understanding the basics of numbing creams, you can determine whether they are a good option for you and your specific situation.
What Is A Numbing Cream?
Numbing creams are creams, gels, or sprays that contain an anesthetic that numbs the skin. They are applied to the skin before a procedure. Some people choose to use numbing creams to reduce the pain associated with waxing or removing hair with lasers, getting a tattoo, having dental work, and more.
There are many different types of numbing cream on the market, with different active ingredients and strengths. Some numbing creams are strong enough that they can cause general anesthesia, while others are mild enough to be used on children.
How Do Numbing Creams Work?
Anesthetics work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. The type of anesthetic in a numbing cream will determine how quickly the cream takes effect and how long it lasts. Most numbing creams take effect in less than 10 minutes, while others take up to half an hour.
Different creams have different effects, and there are several different active ingredients in numbing creams. Lidocaine is the most commonly used active ingredient in numbing creams. While lidocaine is fairly effective, it can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Prilocaine is another common active ingredient in numbing creams. It works almost as quickly as lidocaine and has fewer side effects, but lasts for a shorter time. Etidocaine is another common active ingredient in numbing creams. It has a slower onset time and a longer duration of effect than other anesthetics.
When To Use Numbing Creams
Numbing creams are generally safe to use in many situations and on a wide variety of areas of the body. However, you should always check with your doctor or the manufacturer to make sure that they are safe for you in your specific situation.
Numbing creams are most commonly used for cosmetic procedures such as waxing, laser hair removal, and removing tattoos. They are also used for medical procedures such as endoscopies, colonoscopies, and dentistry work. Numbing creams can be used safely on most parts of the body, including the face, hands, and genitals.
How To Apply Numbing Creams
Numbing creams can be applied as soon as 15 minutes before the start of the procedure. When applying a topical anesthetic cream, massage the cream into the skin until it is completely absorbed. When applying an injectable anesthetic cream, inject the cream into the targeted area. You can continue to use numbing creams while a procedure is in progress, as long as it does not interfere with the procedure.
