Best tattoo numbing cream Reddit

Hey! Big hand tattoo coming up, my artist suggested tattoo numbing cream, but really recommended a prescription numbing cream. I didn't have time to make an appointment with my Dr. so I'm looking for suggestions of non prescription creams.

It'll be a 3.5hr full colour hand and top of wrist tattoo

thank you!!!

For a tattoo on muh ribs.

Fairly big, typical text.

Painful area so gonna need topical numbing.

Emla and, TKTX seems popular.

Can anyone compare them, is one better than the other?

I had my 5th tattoo last week, (3 on my shoulders, 1 on my ankle) 2 of the shoulder ones are recent and took 4 hours each. Last week I was booked I for a 4 hour outer thigh tatt. I only managed 3 hours-the pain was SO bad I just couldn't do any more. I've got to finish it off so I'm getting some numbing cream, TKTX black or red was recommended, anyone used either of these? Are they a bad idea? (It says something about the pain being even worse when it wears off!!)

I have used numbing cream for my ink and the artists in the shop I prefer have no problem with it and say it doesn't affect the work at all. In fact they like that it makes me sit still better. I don't do pain well and it allows me to get through the process. (And I don't buy it from them before someone cynical assumes they just hawk it for extra profit) Yet when you bring up the topic you hear all sorts of nonsense about how it will mess up the tattoo...you didn't EARN it without loads of pain...only pussy losers would use that stuff...it doesn't work at all...yadda yadda. Why so much resistance and hatred towards a tool that can make it easier for you? Especially when a lot of the negativity about it simply isn't based in fact. I just don't get it.

I'm going to be getting a large (about 11 inches) tattoo down my ribs and was looking into numbing creams, but they stop working after 30-45 minutes and I've read a few places that it hurts more once it has worn off, I will be sitting for a long session and was wondering if anyone has used any of these types of creams before

I'm looking to get a tattoo soon and one thing I want to do is try out numbing cream/gel this time around. I just wanna know if it makes working with the skin more difficult or if artists even care. And any recommendations for any brand to use would be appreciated!

hey there! I’m looking for advice on using numbing cream. I’ve never used it before on any of my other tattoos (I have 19 so far), but I’ll be getting my knee tattooed tomorrow & was interested in using a numbing cream to at least numb the pain of it being right on my knee cap. my artist already okay’ed me using a numbing agent but I was looking for suggestions on which ones are best or which ingredients to stay away from! thanks everyone.

Hey has anyone used all those tattoo numbing creams all over Instagram I wanted to get the top of my head tatted and was curious if those even work

Has anyone had any luck using a numbing cream while getting tattooed? Any recommendations for a brand? I've been getting a large tribal piece on my back covered up and I'm finding it to be quite painful, especially when he is repeatedly going over the faded black areas. He suggested Hush numbing cream. I'm finding myself having to tap out after about 3 hours, which sucks!!! At this rate, it will be 2025 till this is completed! Thank you 😊