If you plan to go through minor cosmetic procedures or body modifications, it is great to apply some numbing cream to your skin to lessen the pain. Numbing creams can block the skin nerves from carrying pain signals to the brain for a short period. And most of the numbing creams that you can buy today contain lidocaine. Lidocaine is an anesthetic that causes temporary loss of feeling in the skin. This anesthetic is often used to stop irritation and pain from injuries and conditions of the skin, such as burns, cuts, scrapes, and eczema.
There are many minor surgical procedures that often involve the use of lidocaine. It is most popularly used on the skin before getting tattoos, piercings, and waxing. Even if you use low concentrations of lidocaine, the substance will still slightly render the skin unresponsive to the feeling of pain. However, for those who are nervous about their procedures, what you need is a stronger numbing cream that contains a higher amount of lidocaine. To be able to purchase the best one for your needs, read on as we’re giving you the ultimate guide to strong lidocaine creams.
Things to Consider When Buying Over-The-Counter Lidocaine Creams
While lidocaine creams or numbing creams are widely used by people who are undergoing minor cosmetic and medical procedures, there are several things that you need to consider before buying one. Here are some of them:
- Your Purpose
There are numbing creams out there that are multipurpose and can be used for different procedures. However, if you are looking for a numbing cream that you can use for the mouth, there are specific kinds that you need to find which contain benzocaine. Therefore, before buying a lidocaine cream, be clear with your purpose and find the right one that will cater to your needs.
- Active Ingredients
Lidocaine is the numbing agent in topical numbing creams. The ideal quantity of lidocaine is around 5%. Also, you need to ensure that the pH value is less than 7, especially when using it for a tattoo session. It’s because alkaline agents can spoil the ink used in tattoos.
- Guidelines
Most topical numbing creams can be bought at any drug store without the need for a prescription from a doctor. However, you need to make sure that you follow all the guidelines when it comes to using them. Also, if you have any medical conditions or taking medications, it is important to consult your doctor first before using any type of over-the-counter lidocaine cream.
- Quality
Not all lidocaine creams in the market are efficient when it comes to numbing the skin properly. It is essential to choose the quality of numbing creams or ointments properly to get the best result. In order to do this, try to read reviews from other users and do your research. In addition to that, the product should be approved by the FDA and other health organizations.
- Not for Big Surgeries
You can only use over-the-counter lidocaine creams for minor surgeries and procedures. They can’t be used for major operations because doctors use anesthesia for those procedures.
- Pros and Cons
Also, before using lidocaine creams, it is better to know about their pros and cons. Generally, most numbing creams do not have any side effects, as long as you utilize them the right way with all precautions. It’s because if you do not use them properly, your skin might experience redness, irritation, or burning sensation. Also, keep in mind that some numbing creams may take too much time to numb your skin while others can do it fast.
The Strongest Lidocaine Creams That You Can Buy Over-The-Counter
Here are some of the best and strongest lidocaine creams that you can purchase over-the-counter today:
1. LMX 4 Topical Anesthetic Cream
The LMX 4 Topical Anesthetic cream does not contain the highest concentration of lidocaine. However, this product is of great quality. You have to remember that the most powerful lidocaine product is not always needed when it comes to certain treatments or procedures. For example, this cream by LMX is perfect for numbing minor cuts, abrasions, sunburns, and insect bites. You don’t necessarily need to block all of your pain sensitivity for these irritations. Still, the LMX 4 topical anesthetic certainly is powerful enough to be used for tattoos and piercings. Since it is of the best quality, it is highly recommended.
- 4% lidocaine content
- Fast-acting, long-lasting
- Cream
2. TOPICAINE 5 Lidocaine Numbing Gel
Topicaine 5 is another strong lidocaine cream that you can purchase over-the-counter. It is labeled as an anal recto gel and advertised as a bit different from the other creams. However, because of its versatility, it can be used for a number of other purposes, such as bedsores and pre-tattoos treatment. If you are using it before a tattoo, you can leave it on for about an hour for the best results. After an hour, wipe it off completely before your tattoo session. Also, remember that it has a concentrated formula, and a little bit of it can go a long way. Even though the size of the container isn’t huge, you can get a lot of use from it.
- 5% lidocaine content
- With aloe leaf extract, shea butter, and seed oil
- Fast-acting
- Clear gel
3. Numb Master Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream
Numb Master is by far among the strongest lidocaine creams that you can buy OTC. Formulated specifically for body waxing, piercings, and tattoos, this lidocaine cream is a powerful skin-numbing agent. You will start to feel the best effects of the cream within 20 to 25 minutes upon application, and its effects will last about one hour. Typically, you will feel numb for longer but will start to regain your sensitivity to pain after an hour. This powerful lidocaine cream is versatile enough that it can be used for most procedures that might be painful on the skin. Just make sure to wipe out any residue of the gel once it has taken effect.
- 5% lidocaine content
- Long-lasting
- With vitamin E, aloe vera, lecithin
- Topical cream
4. Uber Numb Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream
Uber Numb is a top-quality over-the-counter cream that has a high lidocaine content. Made in the USA, many trust it to deliver the utmost quality. One of the unique traits of this cream is that it helps reduce inflammation upon application. If you are suffering from a skin condition that promotes inflammation or if you are getting a tattoo that might cause some irritation, this gel can prevent this response from occurring. The formula also isn’t oily, sticky, or greasy at all since it’s water-based. The texture of the cream makes the application much more convenient and mess-free.
- 5% lidocaine content
- Fast-acting
- Non-oily
- Topical cream
5. Hush Anesthetic Tattoo Numbing Gel
This numbing gel contains 4% lidocaine. It is among the best quality numbing gels you can buy over-the-counter. Hush is one of the few numbing agents that you can actually use during the tattooing process. Its formula conveniently does not warp the ink at all while the tattoo process is underway. After application, it also will last for up to two hours, but some users claim to feel numbness for a little bit longer. The bottom line is that you should anticipate being pain-free for a while after application.
- 4% lidocaine content
- Fast-acting
- Gel
Comparative Analysis
| LMX 4 Topical Anesthetic Cream | TOPICAINE 5 Lidocaine Numbing Gel | Numb Master Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream | Uber Numb Lidocaine Topical Numbing Cream | Hush Anesthetic Tattoo Numbing Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Cream | Gel | Cream | Cream | Gel |
| Lidocaine Content | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% |
| Size | 15 grams | 113 grams | 28.34 grams | 57 grams | 118 ml |
| Uses | Skin irritations, tattoo, tattoo removal, piercings, waxing, laser hair removal, injectables, microblading | Tattoo, tattoo removal, laser hair removal, waxing, piercings, waxing, laser hair removal, injectables, microblading | tattoo, tattoo removal, piercings, waxing, laser hair removal, injectables, microblading | Painful swelling, tattoo, tattoo removal, piercings, waxing, laser hair removal, injectables, microblading | Tattoo, tattoo removal, laser treatments, piercings |
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Lidocaine creams are indeed helpful when you are planning to undergo painful medical and cosmetic procedures. With the many options on OTC lidocaine creams, you can ensure pain-free procedures. Just make sure that you choose strong and high-quality creams, just like the ones we listed here, to ensure best results. For other information on lidocaine treatments, click here.