What to Tell Your Artist About Numbing Cream
Most of the friction around this comes down to timing and phrasing rather than the product. An artist told at booking has options. An artist told in the chair has a problem. Here is the conversation, in the order it works best.
The short answer: message your artist when you book, say what you are considering in one line, ask whether they would rather you did or didn't, and follow the answer exactly — including any instruction about timing.
When to raise it
At booking. Not the night before, and not on arrival. Your artist is planning a session and a schedule; a fortnight's notice lets them fold your question into that, or tell you no while you still have time to think about it.
What to say
Short and neutral works better than a paragraph of justification:
"Before the appointment — are you happy for me to use a topical numbing preparation beforehand, or would you rather I didn't? Happy either way, just want to check."
That gives them a clear question, a clear out, and no sense that they are being talked into something.
The four details worth adding if they say yes
- What it is. A cosmetic topical preparation, not a prescription product. Name the brand and the strength if they ask — most won't, but the ones who do will want to know.
- When you plan to apply it. Ask if they want it at a particular point. If they give you a window, theirs replaces any general guidance.
- Where. Confirm the area with them, particularly if the piece wraps or the placement is not yet final.
- That you've patch tested. Twenty-four hours beforehand. It answers the question they would otherwise have to ask.
What to do with each answer
- "Yes, that's fine." Follow their timing if they gave you one, and apply to clean, unbroken skin ahead of the appointment.
- "I'd rather you didn't." Then don't, and don't negotiate. It is their work.
- "We use our own." Use theirs. Don't bring anything and don't apply anything beforehand.
- "Up to you." Take the decision yourself, and still tell them on the day that you did — so nothing about the skin surprises them.
On the day
Tell them again, briefly, when you arrive: that you applied it, when, and where. Ten seconds. It is the single thing that keeps this from becoming an issue, and artists notice clients who do it.
What not to do
- Don't apply anything without telling them. This is the one that damages the relationship.
- Don't spring it on them in the chair.
- Don't quote another artist's or another studio's policy at them.
- Don't apply more than the directions say because you think it will do more. Follow the product guidance.
- Don't apply it to broken or healing skin. It goes on clean, unbroken skin only.
Preparing for your appointment
Do tattoo artists use numbing cream? →
Common questions
When should I tell my tattoo artist?
At booking. A fortnight's notice lets them plan around it or tell you no while you still have time to think. Raising it in the chair is how a good appointment starts badly.
What exactly do I say?
One line is enough: "Are you happy for me to use a topical numbing preparation beforehand, or would you rather I didn't? Happy either way, just checking." Clear question, clear out, no pressure.
Do I need to tell them again on the day?
Yes — briefly. That you applied it, when, and where. Ten seconds, and it is the single thing that stops this becoming an issue.
What if they say it's up to me?
Then decide for yourself, and still tell them on the day that you did, so nothing about the skin surprises them.
What if the studio uses its own?
Use theirs, on their timing, and don't bring or apply anything of your own beforehand.