piercing club

Are Numbing Agents Like Emla and Lidocaine Appropriate?

When I attended the NTA (National Tattoo Association) convention in 2000, there was a booth there with two ladies representing the company for Emla Cream. One of them, in particular, was overheard pushing these products as the only way one could possibly survive a tattoo. She told "horror stories" of the pain involved and encouraged tattoo artists to carry these products in order to draw in more customers that were afraid of the pain. To listen to her, one could be convinced that getting a tattoo is a severely traumatic experience and could be treated as nothing less than minor surgery.

Do They Work?
Let's consider how Emla works. The cream or patch is applied to the skin and you have to wait 30 minutes for it to take effect.

Once it starts working, it only lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes . An average sized tattoo takes about two hours. This would mean that you would have to: (1)Apply the cream to 1/4 of the area to be tattooed. (2)Wait 30 minutes. (3)Begin tattooing, and stop after 30 minutes when it starts to wear off. (4)Apply the cream to another 1/4 of the area. (5)Wait 30 minutes. (6)Tattoo this section for half an hour. (7)Apply the cream to another 1/4 section of the area. (8)Wait 30 minutes. (9)Tattoo for another 30 minutes. (10)Apply the cream to the last quarter of the tattoo. (11)Wait 30 minutes. (12)Finally finish the tattoo.

You have just turned a 2-hour tattoo into a 4+ hour project.

Not only that, but there is another downside to Emla Cream. Lara White-Carl is co-owner of Jacksonville Tattoo Studio with her husband, Jim "Finster" Carl in Illinois. She is also a nurse, and speaking of Emla she says, "Not only does the Emla dull for only a half an hour or so, but also when the sensation returns, it is a shock to the system and the discomfort felt from being tattooed becomes more painful. Without the Emla it would have been annoying and possibly even a discomfort; whereas with the Emla, the returning sensation is ten-fold what would have been felt without the use."

I've never used Emla, but my twelve-year-old daughter gets blood draws and IVs on a regular basis during doctor visits for her diabetes. One time she was given the option of using the Emla patch to reduce the pain of the IV. She tried it, and said it was much more trouble than it was worth and now prefers to just forego any pain prevention before her blood draws.

What About Lidocaine Injections?

Still think you couldn't get a tattoo without some kind of pain prevention? What about Lidocaine? This question was posed on the message boards, and here is what some of the members there said about it:

"I've heard some of the guys at the shop say that when you put Emla Cream on or anything else to numb the area that it distorts or swells the skin and makes it harder to do the tattoo." (susieq846)
"I tell [my customers] it would raise the price of the tattoo/peircing. I wouldn't let anyone but a doctor shoot someone up with that stuff. Also, it ain't worth the effort. The shot would hurt more than the tattoo/piercing, and if it don't hurt, how do you know you're getting tattooed/pierced? Really, if they need a shot to get [a tattoo], then they probably don't need one."(kittycrazy)
"Wow, I can't imagine using something to numb [the skin] for anything. That is the whole purpose of tattoos and piercings - they involve pain. I personally get a total rush from the pain. My endorphins kick in and I actually get sleepy during my tattoos. Pleasure beyond the pain." (smilieone)
"Anyone that can't handle the pain can't handle the seriousness of getting a tattoo or piercing anyway!"(nipplesnmore)

The fact of the matter is, getting a tattoo or piercing just isn't that bad! But it is a "right of passage" that many feel should be earned by dealing with the discomfort that may go along with it. If you are not willing to do that, maybe a tattoo or piercing is not right for you. If you really want a tattoo or piercing, there are other ways you can "survive" them without going through all the trouble of these numbing products.

See also:
body piercing
strange body piercings
button piercing
tattoos Journal
strange body piercing
belly button piercing
Piercing news
piercing fetish
tattoos and piercings

Well, I'm Christi. I'm 18. I first started getting piercings in 7th grade, and I'm working on getting an apprenticeship around my college this year. I think it's safe to say that I'm pretty knowlegable about piercings and stuff, so if you have any questions, feel free to email : D
My site:piercing online

Anyway, Up to this point, I've had 2 cartilage, an industrial, a rook, a tragus, a nose, a belly and 10g ears. And a tattoo, but that's besides the point I suppose. I went into the shop planning on getting 2 more belly buttons done, or a nape, but I forgot to stop at the ATM to get enough money. My best friend was in from Florida, and she said she wanted to get pierced by Kris one last time before she stays in Florida for good, so she was there to get her anti tragus. Since this was WAY cheaper than 2 belly's, or a nape, I decided I might as well since I was there.

My piercer, Kris, doesn't use corks or anything.

And with me, he doesn't really mark holes anymore because we're so familiar with eachother, and he knows that I know he knows what he's doing. He's extremely talented, and has worked with me for 5 or 6 years. So it's turned into a sit down, pierce, and go type thing.

My best friend went first, just because 'it was her idea'. (?)

She doesn't have as many as I do, so I think she was a little shocked at how much it actually hurt, and she almost fell on the floor. Anti Tragus's don't look that painful, so she went into it thinking it wouldn't be that bad. Hah. He gave her an extra long barbell for healing purposes. He said he had to go through a thicker part of her ear because her anti tragus was unusually thin and smaller than most peoples.

Mine kind of took longer. He wanted to figure out the best and easiest way to put the needle through (which angle, or from inside to out, or outside to in). He had a tragus, industrial, and 10g to work around. I think he ended up doing inside to out, but I'm not sure. I couldn't pay attention through the pain. And I don't know how any of you hear your cartilage being broken into, but I've never heard any sort of 'snap, crackle, pop'. But again, I'm probably not listening to hear my cartilage break. There was also a significant amount of blood which I found suprising. I didn't really look into an anti tragus piercing, which was dumb. I always do research on my piercings before I get them, and knowing that they're generally more painful than others would have been nice. I was taken by suprise, and I don't like that.

My industrial had been the most painful of my piercings thus far, and my anti tragus was much worse. To compare: The jewelry insert of the industrial didn't bother me (at least I don't remember it to bother me), while as my anti tragus KILLED me. Afterwards, while the industrial felt more like your ear was on fire, the antitragus feels like an ear infection almost. And just a throbbing type pain that is extremely annoying, swollen, and sensitive. The whole lobe hurts. My industrial also allowed SOME sleeping on it. The anti tragus just says no. Broken record style. It hurts to eat, it hurts to smile, it hurts to talk. It' just extremely extremely sensitive, and any movement of your face will probably cause pressure and friction in your ear. Even only if it's a little, it'll still freakin hurt.

I use Bacteen to clean my piercings/jewelry. It hasn't failed me yet. But for this one I'm thinking of doing some seasalt soaks, and taking mad Advil. Plan on needing it if you get it done. If you plan on getting it done, just prepare yourself.

If you're someone who would ask 'Is this going to hurt?', then I'd stay away. Also, make sure your piercer puts in a curved barbell. Hoops do no good in fresh piercings, and curbed barbells make for easier clean and care.

I haven't tried to put headphones in or anything, but I'd imagine it would be a pain. But i have my tragus done on the same ear, and it's hard enough as it is with that.

I should say that I don't think this is for everyone.

Unless you've had lots of experiences, and know what it'll be like, then this will probably make you pass out, as my friend almost did when she got hers. It doesn't look that painful, but until you're trying to fall asleep at night, but you can't because your anti tragus is screaming at you, you'll have no idea.

It's just extremely annoying. (The pain I mean.)

But it sure does look awesome.

Happy Piercing!

Let me preface this story by saying that I have wanted to get my tongue pierced for about three or so years now.

The night I got my tongue pierced really wasn't planned. My room mate knew that I really wanted it and we just went. We had originally planned to get a little buzz going and then hit the clubs. So, with some shots of jack and adrenaline in us we got on the Later Gator (drunk bus which runs down town and all through out the University of Florida campus) to go to the club. My room mate is only sixteen so she has to use her school ID to get into clubs which wasn't working on that particular night. After she got turned away at a particularly monitored club, we walked down the main stretch toward this club, who's owner we've known for a little bit. On the way, we both really had to go to the bathroom so we stopped at this tatoo and piercing parlor, Body Tech, which we'd been to a few places before. Well, we went to the bathroom and when we came out we mingled a bit with some of the piercers and tatoo artists (we even touched a tatooer's dreads, which would have never happened had we been sober). Anywho, the idea hit me: Why don't I just pierce my tongue now? Problem: I didn't have my money. So I begged my room mate to go back to the dorms with me and then go back to body tech and she agreed. So we got on the bus took it there and took it back. All the while I was in drunk celebratory mode.

We got to the parlor and the guys immediately recognized us. "Hey you're back!" The place was pretty empty but was very clean. My piercer then proceeded to ask me questions, check my id, etc. Then he asked if I'd been drinking and I said yes but that I was not drunk. All the guys were sort of laughing as I realed off my list of cocktails that night. Then my piercer was like "Woah, if you talk any more about alcohol, I'm not going to do it." And, of course, I agreed.

My room mate and I followed him back through a dimly lit hallway which had leather couches and sculptures of men and women with glowing light up exotic body piercings into a very bright sterile looking room. My room mate was told to turn off her phone and I was told to relax and the chair. The piercer put a bib on me and Des asked, "Is she really going to bleed this much?" and the piercer replied "No, this to protect you if I drop any needles or something." and I just was kind of like okay.

He then told me to stick my tongue out as far as I could and to relax, drawing a little black dot with a pen on my tongue. He took out the prongs, whcih doesn't hurt and drove a needle through my tongue, which didn't hurt. It just kind of stung a little a few minutes later. I was so excited but kind of confused because I always thought this was going to hurt and it was just sort of over. So did my room mate when she said "I'm kind of mad that it was over that quick."

We went out into the main part of the studio and talked some more to the guys and he gave me a sheet of paper with care instructions and mouthwash. By that time, the studio was more crowded and a bunch of girls were in there thinking about getting their tongues pierced but said they were scared. I showed them mine and they asked if it hurt to which I replied no.

That night I went back to the fraternity house via the Later Gator and showed off my tongue ring, which everyone thought was super sexy. Even people on the street or the Later Gator because everytime Des and I met someone new she'd blurt out that I just did my tongue and everyone would ask to see it and the general concensous was that I was totally bad ass with it. I've only had it about a day. My tongue is kind of swollen and it hurts a little to swallow but there's no signifigant pain... just a little stinging/irritation. I think its way cool though and I can't wait for it to heal up. I like showing people but I don't think I'll be telling my parents anytime soon because my dad will definitely freak out. To anyone who wants to do this, just do it. It doesn't really hurt and I think it looks super cute. Just don't drink afterwords and fight off all the men begging for oral sex.