Lidocaine for a tattoo

[Traveller]

Has anyone ever used a numbing cream with lidocaine for a tattoo? I am a bit nervous about my next tattoo which will be in part on my foot so was thinking of numbing the area first, just wondering if anyone else has ever tried it.

[Emma09]

Check with your tattooist- some prefer for you not to use it.
But I've been thinking about using it for my next tattoo.

[Traveller]

I'm afraid if I ask him, he'll say no. I was going to apply it myself and just remove it 5 mins before my appointment and not say anything.

[Stevie]

ive never personally used it but i know my DH got something from the chemist (dont rememeber the name) for one of the tattoos on his chest and i dont think it did a great deal for him, but it might not be the same product.

[Emma09]

Hopefully someone will come in with some advice- but I have heard it can so something to the ink.

[Stevie]

but I have heard it can so something to the ink.

Oh really? but dont lots of people use it?
Do you have any other tattoos? (so you know what your in for lol) and on your foot is only a small area it will be over and done with in no time (i personally believe -for me anyway- that afterwards and the healing actually hurts more lol)

[Kazzo]

A friend of mine used a numbing patch when getting her tat. It was half the size of my tat but took twice as long to do. The girl doing the tat said that it makes the skin harder to penetrate. She had to keep going over and over section. I would say just go in and hope for the best that it does not hurt too much.

[Stevie]

I would say just go in and hope for the best that it does not hurt too much.

Maybe treat yourself to a beer or 2 afterwards too

[Traveller]

I have a few others, and none were that bad except my lower back. Normally I just take some ibuprofen before I get tattooed but I am so worried that my foot will hurt as much as my lower back. I'm not a big fan of pain

Kazzo, do you know what numbing agent your friend used, or could you find out?

[Kazzo]

I have not seen that friend in a long long time. It was a patch from the chemist is all I can remember.

I have a tattoo on my ankle and it goes over my ankle bone, it did hurt a little bit more then other areas, but not to much. Could you or someone ring the tattoo place and ask what they think without telling who you are?

[Ms_Fi]

My tattooist hates working on people who've used numbing cream as it makes it harder for him to tattoo the skin and can badly affect the healing. Best to take ome painkillers beforehand if u really have to and have plenty of breaks. Feet don't always heal well so personally I wouldn't do anything that might make the healing worse.

Don't forget though that painkillers thin the blood and too much bleeding can affect the healing.

Good luck

[Traveller]

Thanks Mrs Fi, I might just skip the cream and stick with the painkillers. Eekk, not looking forward to this, there is quite a lot on my foot/ankle to be done!

[Butterfly Dawn]

alcohol thins out the blood too, so a beer before or after isnt a great idea. Some tat artists wont do it if you have used the topical cream so best to ring and ask. OUCHY! foot- man dats gonna tickle. My guy used to recommend I bring in a redbull and chewing gum for the sore parts- the red bull keeps blood sugar up and chewing gum is something to a) bite down on and b) helps you to breath aparently.
I have used the topical cream with lazer treatment and found it helped maybe 5-10%.
I would suggest finding a good conversation topic so your not 100% focusing on whats happening
Good luck

[Traveller]

the appointment is at 10am, after which I have to pick the kids up so beer would be out of the question anyway I usually take a good novel, the sort I get completely lost in, and concentrate on that. My tattooist tends not to chat when he is working so me reading a book works well. I'm just scared because I remember the pain of getting my lower back done, I'm such a wuss, should really choose a hobby that doesn't involve needles lol.

Thanks for the red bull and chewing gum tip, I might try that

[Stevie]

alcohol thins out the blood too, so a beer before or after isnt a great idea.

haha wouldnt do it before hand obviously (thinning the blood and all) but one after (even if at the end of the day when the kidlets are in bed) is well derserved IMO.
Best of luck Traveller, you got this

[SammyRo]

I remember the girl who did mum's saying that it can hinder the healing.

Have you had it done yet? and how did it go? I'm after getting one on my foot - the kids names (once we've had our 3rd and last bub) and some sort of scrolly pattern.

[Traveller]

My appointment is on the 9th of December, I'll let you know how bad (or not) it was once it's all over

[Ms_Fi]

I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm going in on Saturday to get my rib piece finished and I'm dreading it!! Only an hours worth of work buy it'll be soooo painful.