Q: What is Lidocaine?
A: Lidocaine cream is an anesthetic. It works by preventing nerves from sending painful impulses to the brain.
Q: Do I need a prescription to order numbing cream?
A: No prescription is required to order numbing cream. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) product.
Q: What are the directions for use?
A: Apply a moderately thick layer, approximately 1/8 inch thick. Allow time for numbness to develop: 30-60 minutes are sufficient for the anesthetic effect to be adequate. The application time golden rule: the longer the application time, the deeper the numbness. Some areas like the lips numb faster than other areas of the body. After the application time, wipe the skin clean. Cleans up easily with a moist wipe.
Q: How thick does numbing cream need to be applied?
A: A moderately thick layer works best, approximately 1/8 inch (1-2 mm) thick*. It is obtained applying 0.3-0.4 grams of gel per 10 cm2 of skin. As an example, this means applying a dollop the size of a penny to cover the entire upper lip area (from the nostrils to the upper lip contour; area 20 cm2). Or a dollop half the size of a dime, to cover the eyebrow area.
Alternatively, you can rub in a small amount, and then cover it with a layer you can see (again about 1/8 inch or 1-2 mm thick).
Q: How long does it take for numbing cream to numb the skin?
A: The numbing effect varies according to the location in the body.
In general, the face numbs faster than the rest of the body – but is also more sensitive!
The golden rule: the longer the application time, the better the effect (a maximum effect may be reached after about 2 hours of application).
As an average, the skin above the upper lip or eyebrows areas will be sufficiently numb after 20-30 minutes of application. Other areas such as the legs or bikini will take longer, 45-60 minutes.
Q: What will I feel when I apply numbing cream?
A: A few minutes post application it is normal to feel a tingling sensation as the product starts to penetrate the skin. After that, the skin will feel numb or slightly heavy.