Advanced — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Advanced Strength Gel
Precise facial format, the usual SPMU pick.
For semi-permanent makeup
Numbing cream for semi-permanent makeup, matched to the sitting.
Microblading, lip blush and brow work are precise, close work on some of the most sensitive skin on the face — small areas, but exacting ones, often over a long sitting. Gel suits it well: it goes exactly where it's placed and stays there. Cream works too. Advanced is the strength most sittings call for. Here's how to choose.
Numbing for SPMU, by strength
Advanced — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Advanced Strength Cream
If you prefer a cream.
Professional — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Professional Strength Gel
For the longest sittings.
Professional — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Professional Strength Cream
Longest sittings, cream format.
30g · £55.99
Professional — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Professional Ultimate
£117.86
What SPMU asks
Small area, long sitting
SPMU is slow, close work on sensitive areas such as brows and lips, and a sitting can run well over an hour without a pause. The area is small, so a precise format that stays exactly where it's placed suits it, and the length of the sitting is why many book beyond the entry strength. Match the prep to the sitting you're actually booked for.
The Senseless Scale
Match your numbing cream for SPMU to the sitting
None of the three is "better" than another — each is formulated for a different kind of sitting. For SPMU, most people start at Advanced.
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Clinical
Clinical — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
For shorter, lighter sessions and smaller areas.
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Advanced
Advanced — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
For longer sessions and more sensitive areas.
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Professional
Professional — comfort level on the Senseless Scale, not a measure of strength.
Our practitioner tier — a formula developed specifically for professional use, for the longest and most sustained sessions.
If you're between two, the lower one is usually the sensible start, and you can move up next time.
The Senseless Selector
Not sure which to choose?
Answer three quick questions — treatment, skin and session length — and we'll point you to the format and strength we'd reach for.
Gel or cream for SPMU?
Gel applies exactly to a small area, such as brows or lips, and stays where you place it. Cream works the same way if you prefer its feel. Same strengths across every format — choose by preference or your artist's protocol.
Before you buy: the bit most sellers skip
Many SPMU artists apply their own numbing as part of the sitting, and some have a specific product or routine they prefer you not to interfere with. If yours does, you may not need to bring your own — and turning up already prepared without asking can affect how the pigment takes. Self-applied prep matters most where the artist doesn't provide it, or where they're happy for you to prepare beforehand. A quick message before you book settles it.
What makes it Senseless
- UK-formulated
- Formulated in the United Kingdom by Matrix Health Group Ltd — developed and assessed here.
- CPSR assessed
- Every formula is safety-assessed under a Cosmetic Product Safety Report before it's sold.
- Made for the appointment
- Built around the procedure — microblading, lip blush, brow work and more — not adapted from generic numbing.
Numbing for SPMU — common questions.
Which strength should I use for microblading?
Most people use Advanced — microblading is sustained work on sensitive skin. Clinical suits shorter touch-ups; Professional the longest sittings or particularly sensitive skin. If you're between two, start with the lower one.
Which strength for lip blush?
Same approach — Advanced as the standard choice, Professional for longer sittings. Lips are sensitive and lip blush runs long, so it often asks a little more of the prep than a brow sitting.
Does microblading hurt?
Most people describe it as scratching rather than sharp, and numbing is a cosmetic preparation that supports comfort. How it feels varies with the area, the technique and your own sensitivity. Your artist can tell you what to expect for your sitting.
Does lip blush hurt?
Lips are more sensitive than brows, so it tends to be felt more. Your artist will guide the prep that suits the sitting.
Gel or cream for SPMU?
Either. Gel is the usual pick — precise on a small area and it stays where you place it; cream is the equal alternative. Spray isn't suitable here. Same strengths across both.
Do I need to patch test?
Yes — patch test 24 hours before on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear, and don't use it if you see any reaction. Apply to clean, unbroken skin, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.