Shaving doesn’t make you scream in pain, but its effect is rather temporary. Waxing on the other hand, delivers a wonderful, smooth finish. However, its pain level may have you sitting on edge! Imagine being able to experience the best of both worlds, it isn’t completely impossible! This is exactly what numbing creams are for.
All the best numbing creams for waxing promise to offer you the experience, along with other hair removal methods such as electrolysis and epilation, much more bearable. How effective and worthy are these creams you may ask, this article aims to give you the clarification you seek.
Numbing creams function by blocking sodium channels in the bloodstream. These channels take charge for sending pain signals from your nerves to your brain. If blocked, your brain won’t be able to detect pain.
Over-the-counter numbing creams for waxing contain the same active ingredients as medical numbing creams such as benzocaine and lidocaine. These anesthetics have been around for decades, are thoroughly researched, tried, and tested, and have been scientifically proven to minimise surface-level pain.
Different ingredient percentages are apt to deliver different levels of intensity; however, most pain relief creams come in a 4% to 5% concentration of anesthetic. Kindly note that a higher percentage doesn’t necessarily indicate stronger pain relief. Suppose the active ingredient is different. To exemplify, a 20% benzocaine is generally perceived as being weaker than a 5% lidocaine.
You can apply numbing creams on any area you would get a wax, for example, legs, arms, underarms, bikini line and even for a brazilian wax. Just like any tropical product, be extra diligent when you get to more intimate areas. Numbing creams should only ever be applied externally, and not near any sensitive spots.
It’s possible for numbing creams to be used on the face, but you may not need to. Let’s say you’re plucking facial hair, be careful not to pinch your skin. If you insist on using it facially, apply only a thin layer, and make sure it doesn’t get in contact with your eyes and mouth.
Always perform a patch test 24 hours prior to using any product.
Apply two thin layers of numbing cream on clean skin (a few minutes apart). Ideally, it should be applied 20-30 minutes before your waxing session for it to work optimally. Do check the product directions for that matter.
Remember to wash your hands so you don’t end up numbing your fingers!
If you’re waxing at home, you don’t want to go overboard with the numbing cream. Some sensation is deemed necessary for you to intuitively feel when you’re applying the wax, and to ensure that the wax isn’t too hot.
This all depends on the product, strength of the active ingredients involved and your skin’s absorption rate. In general, once applied and left to sink in, the numbing effect should last anywhere from one to two hours.
The best numbing creams for waxing out there usually contain either lidocaine or benzocaine. If you’re looking for benzocaine cream, the percentage should be at 20%. Lidocaine creams on the other hand, commonly come in 5% which is the strongest you can ever find and approved by the FDA in topical creams. Either one of these should suffice in dramatically reducing pain on the surface of your skin.
Frankly speaking, there is nothing harmful or irritating in these numbing creams themselves unless you have a specific allergy to the active anesthetic. Hence a patch test is strongly recommended 24 hours before use. In case of allergic reactions, possible local skin reactions may occur such as redness, swelling, burning or itching.
The Numb Master numbing cream for waxing is a non-oily, no-nonsense formula that contains 5% lidocaine as its active pain-dulling ingredient. It surely works, but many find it starts to wear off after an hour or so which is fine if you’re waxing at home but not so desirable if you’ve got to travel far to a salon.
A water-based numbing cream with 5% lidocaine.
Fast-acting
Contains skin-soothing aloe vera and vitamin E
Fast-absorbing
The effect may not be intense enough for a Brazilian wax
Developed by American waxing specialist Deborah Merhar who aspires to alleviate pain amongst her clients, this 20% benzocaine solution was 15 years in the making. Though the percentage is higher, note that benzocaine is relatively weaker than lidocaine, and some even find it wearing off quicker. It isn’t that big of a concern anyway because you can always reapply or top up more frequently. Bear in mind that this solution should be left on thick and not rubbed in.
Contains 20% benzocaine.
Significantly reduces surface-level pain
Slow-absorbing
Needs to be reapplied
Greencaine Blast Numbing Cream contains a slightly lower concentration of lidocaine at 4%. It is ideal if you want to be introduced to numbing creams gradually. This numbing cream for waxing can best be used at home for those who still want a little bit of sensitivity to ensure the temperature of the wax doesn’t reach harmful levels.
An anesthetic gel with 4% lidocaine.
Backed by a 100% refund policy guarantee if you’re dissatisfied with the results, Versatile
Slow-absorbing
Ebanel’s 5% lidocaine is pretty much similar to Numb Master, but better in softening your skin and helping it recover after the waxing session. Formulated with aloe vera, vitamin E, lecithin, and allantoin, rest assured that this product will be fully responsive to your waxing aftercare. Most importantly, it’s water based hence faster absorbing than some of its counterparts.
A water-based numbing cream for waxing with 5% lidocaine. Contains skin-hydrating aloe-vera and vitamin E.
Non-greasy
Fast-absorbing
Hydrates the skin
1 hour numbing effect from peak
Another maximum-strength numbing cream for waxing you can rely on, Numbify Numbing Cream contains 5% lidocaine and believe or not, it is amongst the most popular for tattoo enthusiasts! With that, you can put your mind at ease knowing that its effects can comfortably last for up to two hours long. Formulated with natural skin-soothing ingredients such as kava kava and chamomile, this product can effectively soothe any irritation or redness caused by waxing. Not to mention its delightful, fruity fragrance is a bonus point!
Contains 5% lidocaine and natural skin-soothing ingredients such as kava kava and chamomile.
Long-lasting effect
Soothes the skin
Pleasant scent
Pricey for such a small amount
The Gigi is by far the best numbing spray for waxing though it’s a little less potent at 4% lidocaine. Still, we decided to give it a go with its sheer convenience. The ability to spray it on means no sticky fingers and numb hands! Note that this product works more in reducing pain rather than completely eradicating it; however, it surely can make your experience much more bearable.
An anesthetic numbing spray with 4% lidocaine, contains other skin-soothing ingredients.
Soothes the skin
Pleasant scent
Convenient
Doesn’t eradicate pain
Manufactured by prestigious company Ferndale Labs, LMX contains 5% of Lidocaine. When applied onto the skin, it will sting for a little but can completely numb the area once sinked in. Apart from waxing, LMX Topical anesthetic cream can also be used before getting shots, laser hair removal and burning pain.
Contains 5% Lidocaine to numb the skin for varying purposes.
Tested and approved by dermatologists
Manufactured by a trusted brand
Short-lasting effects
Topicaine 5 is used to reduce pain and uneasiness in anorectal areas, and to provide a painless hair removal session. It comes with a concentration of lidocaine 5% and is easy to use. Simply apply a slight amount of the product and apply it on the desired area. Though, it takes about 60 minutes to produce an effect which can only last up to 90 minutes.
A numbing cream for waxing with 5% of lidocaine.
A little goes a long way
Easy to use
Slow-absorbing
Short-lasting effects
This affordable, all-in-one numbing cream for waxing can provide pain relief for tattoos, piercing, microblading, PMU, microneedling, injections waxing, and amongst other non-invasive procedures. It comes with a concentration of 5% lidocaine and a fast-absorbing formula that is non-greasy. The numbing effect kicks in 20-25 minutes after application and can last for up to one hour. Nevertheless, those who have used it for tattoos claimed it to be lasting for as long as four hours.
A versatile numbing cream with 5% lidocaine.
Non-greasy formula
Fast-absorbing
Versatile
Long-lasting effect
Dr. Numb makes an ideal numbing cream for waxing as it delivers temporary relief to surface-level pain. Contains 4% Lidocaine, this water-based numbing cream is non-greasy and hypoallergenic. The product is designed in such a way that allows the cream to penetrate deep into the skin and reap the maximum benefits of numbing during waxing, so best believe that the effect is instantaneous.
A water-based numbing solution for waxing with 4% lidocaine.
Non-greasy
Hypoallergenic
Long-lasting effects
Instantaneous numbing action
Pricey
Slow-absorbing
Lidocane Plus Maximum Strength makes an affordable option for beginners who are new to their waxing treatment and are looking to test out a numbing cream for their worth before actually settling down with one. This cream contains 4% lidocaine and Aloe Vera to help soothe the skin. This water-based cream is perfect for sensitive skin too; however, requires an hour long to show its effects.
A water-based numbing solution for waxing with 4% lidocaine and skin-soothing Aloe Vera.
Affordable
Soothes the skin
Slow-absorbing
Deeveeant Numb is extremely versatile for a number of uses, from tattoo to laser, and microblading to waxing. It comes with a concentration of 4% medical-grade lidocaine and a formulation that is non-greasy. Most desirably, it takes only two to five minutes for an effect to work which will last up to four hours.
A versatile numbing cream that contains 4% of lidocaine.
Instantaneous numbing effect
Can be used on broken skin
Needs to be reapplied for the impact to last
This is amongst the most popular numbing creams for waxing and tattooing on the market. It contains 4% lidocaine and is FDA approved. To have the impact last as long as four hours, it is strongly recommended for the cream to be applied one hour prior to the waxing procedure. The formulation is non greasy, and contains Aloe, Chamomile, and Green Tea, which are known to soothe the skin.
An FDA approved numbing cream for waxing and tattooing with 4% lidocaine. Contains skin-loving Aloe, Chamomile, and Green Tea.
FDA approved
Soothes the skin
Non-greasy
Works more to reduce pain rather than eradicating it.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of hair removal devices out there you should definitely check out such as BoSidin that delivers a painless and permanent hair removal experience.
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