There are a variety of reasons why you may need to numb your skin. You may want to numb the skin prior to a painful procedure like a cosmetic treatment or a tattoo. Or you may have a cut or burn and want to numb the skin for pain relief. There are both natural and medical ways to numb the skin that have different degrees of effectiveness. Some numbing agents are by prescription, some are sold over the counter, and others you may even find in your garden.
Reasons to Numb the Skin
There are two main reasons to numb the skin: to reduce pain before an expected painful event and to relieve pain after the event has occurred.
1. Prior to a procedure
Botox/Injections: The most common cosmetic treatments given at dermatology office and medical spas are Botox and filler injections. Botox is used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and fillers are used to reduce wrinkles, plump lips, and more. The injection can be painful and a numbing cream is often used to make the experience more comfortable.
Tattoos: Some individuals who get tattoos look for a numbing cream to make the experience less painful, especially for larger tattoos with longer sessions. Numerous over-the-counter numbing creams are targeted to this specific use.
Needle pricks: A fear of needles is common and can make the actual pain of the needle feel exaggerated. Numbing the skin before a needle prick, for example before having blood taken or an IV insertion, can sometimes help patients who have a fear of needles.
Microneedling: Microneedling is the use of a serious of fine needles to make small punctures in the skin to promote the growth of collagen and new skin. As it involves puncturing the skin with needles it can be painful and numbing creams are typically used.
Hair removal: Waxing and laser hair removal can be painful especially if they are being done on a large area of the body. Numbing products can help reduce the pain of hair removal procedures. Using these products correctly is essential as applying numbing cream to a large area of the body can result in toxic side effects and potentially seriously adverse events.
Piercing: In many cases this will be similar to a needle prick but may be more painful depending on the area of the body being pierced and the size of the piercing.
2. After an injury
Cuts/scrapes/burns: Most minor cuts, scrapes, and burns do not require topical pain relief. However numerous natural and manufactured products exist to help reduce pain after an injury – especially for relief from burns.
Poison ivy/rash: Referred to by medical professionals as dermatitis, a rash often can occur from contact with an irritating substance. Depending on the type of substance and amount of contact with the skin the rash can be mildly uncomfortable or painful.
Sunburn: Burns from exposure to UV radiation are both painful and potentially dangerous to health overall. Avoiding them altogether is the safest bet – using a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing sun protection can help. However if sunburn occurs, topical pain relief can be used to reduce the pain while the burn heals.
Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage can occur from an injury like a fall or accident. Nerve pain is not easily treated with the same remedies as injuries to the skin. However there are topical numbing products and natural treatments that may help.
Mechanical Methods of Numbing
A “mechanical” method of numbing refers to a method that does not involve the application of a product whether it is natural or medical. Because the sensation of pain relies on nerve signals being sent from the site of the painful stimulus, it is possible to confuse or overwhelm the pain signals being sent. For example applying ice can both reduce pain from a burn and reduce pain prior to a procedure like an ear piercing. Some dentists use a vibration device that is applied to the area where an anesthetic injection will occur that effectively reduces the sensation of pain.
When using ice, it can be held on the area to be numbed for about 20 minutes. It should not be held there longer than this to prevent further injury to the skin. A typical method is to apply for 20 minutes, then remove for 20 minutes. Ice can also reduce swelling which will reduce soreness associated with some injuries. If using for a piercing, the ice should be applied for about 15 minutes consistently prior to the session.
Natural Methods of Numbing
The term “natural” is one that may be somewhat overused. When we refer to a natural numbing method we will simply mean one that is not manufactured synthetically for a specific intent (like lidocaine) but may rather be grown and harvested. There may be additional processing steps involved, like extracting an oil from a plant, but the product is not itself synthesized in a lab. These plant based products are numerous as people have been finding ways to numb the skin in their environment for thousands of years.
Natural remedies are not necessarily better or worse than those that are produced in a lab. Because they were not “developed” specifically for numbing purposes their effects often tend to be weaker than products that were manufactured specifically for numbing.
Chamomile: Chamomile has been used to treat a variety of ailments including inflammation, wounds, rashes, and more. The medical uses of this herb have been well documented. Topically it is mostly used as an anti-inflammatory and to promote wound healing.
Aloe Vera: Aloe vera gel is a well known treatment for sunburn that may reduce redness and help the burn heal quicker. However the main benefit is often in the cooling and hydrating effect of the gel which relieves some of the pain as the sunburn heals.
Clove Oil: Clove oil (eugenol) is frequently used for managing oral pain from toothache. Some studies have shown that clove oil is comparable to benzocaine for topical numbing.
Capsaicin: Capsaicin is the ingredient in chili peppers that makes them “hot.” When it is applied to skin it can confuse the pain signals by overloading them. This reduces the sensation of pain.
Plantain: Plantain can be applied directly to a burn to soothe pain. It is sometimes also used to treat inflamed skin and insect bites.
Essential oils: Oils like lavender, rosemary, and peppermint have been shown to have some benefit in reducing pain. When they are applied topically, essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil.
Topical Drug Products Used for Numbing
While natural and mechanical methods of numbing the skin can work, the drug products that have been developed specifically for numbing the skin are often more effective. These contain anesthetic ingredients that have been developed specifically for their numbing ability.
The topical drug products used for numbing the skin that are available are either purchased over-the-counter or by prescription. The lower potency numbing products are typically available OTC in standard formulations. Drugs that are used for topical numbing include lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine. These anesthetics can be found in different strengths at drug stores and from online sources. Combinations are sometimes available over the counter as well, for example lidocaine 2.5% / prilocaine 2.5% (EMLA Cream).
A stronger topical anesthetic can be made by a compounding pharmacy than anything that is found at a drug store. Unique combinations of anesthetics can also be made. One example of a compounded numbing cream is BLT cream, which contains benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine. This formulation contains benzocaine 20%, lidocaine 6% to 10%, and tetracaine 4%. Another formulation can be compounded that includes lidocaine 23% and tetracaine 7% without benzocaine.
Choosing the Right Numbing Product for You
Deciding the right numbing product for you will depend on whether you are getting a procedure or treating an injury and may be done in consultation with your healthcare provider. Many OTC and natural products exist for numbing the skin however prescription strength products typically are stronger and more effective. Remember that numbing products of all types have safety considerations regardless of how you are using them.