Numbing Creams Can Have Life Threatening Side Effects

The question recently arose on Follow the Ink whether tattooing should have pain or be pain free?

So far everyone that has commented believes that the pain should be part of the tattooing process. But there is an option of topical numbing or anesthetic creams.

On February 6 the FDA released a Public Health Advisory alerting people to the potential hazards of topical anesthetics.

The FDA is aware that the topical anesthetics such as AstraZeneca’s EMLA numbing cream and patch are used prior to medical, cosmetic and tattoo procedures to relieve

• pain


• burning


• itching

The topical anesthetics should only be applied by a medical professional according to the FDA. They explain this is because of the adverse effects of mistreating the cream.

If there is an excessive amount applied, it remains on the skin for a long time or is covered increases the amount released into your blood stream.

This chance of course increases when you include a cosmetic or tattoo procedure.

People worried about getting a tattoo like its pain blocking attributes, but the misuse of the anesthetics can lead to life threatening side effects.

High levels enter the blood stream could lead to

• Irregular heartbeat



• Seizures



• Coma



• Slowed or stopped breathing



• Possibly even death from the toxic effects

Back in December 2007 the FDA also released a warning to the five big companies to stop selling standardized topical anesthetic creams.

I think that the pain is part of the rite of passage in getting a tattoo. Enduring that burden is part of what I think is fundamental to having the privilege of such artwork for everyone to see!

Photo courtesy of EMLA

Related Links & Articles:

EMLA Web site

Description of EMLA numbing cream

Wikipedia on the subject