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MediCaine compound numbing cream brand mark MEDICAINE
PROFESSIONAL TATTOO ANESTHESIA

TATTOO NUMBING CREAM FOR PROFESSIONALS

Compound BLT tattoo numbing cream for studios operating under medical supervision, paramedical tattooists, areola repigmentation specialists, and laser tattoo removal practices. Triple-agent and quad-agent formulations. Compounded fresh per order. For licensed providers.

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WHY COMPOUND BLT

CONSUMER NUMBING CAN'T REACH THE DERMIS.

Tattoo needles deposit ink in the papillary and reticular dermis — typically 1 to 2 mm beneath the skin surface. The pain comes from the dermis. Most consumer tattoo numbing products are 4 to 5% Lidocaine as a single agent, formulated to numb the surface for IV sticks and minor skin procedures. They do not have the concentration or depth to reliably anesthetize the dermal layer where tattoo work happens.

Compound BLT is engineered specifically for procedures that breach the epidermis. Three anesthetic agents totaling approximately 40% active concentration. Benzocaine numbs the surface within 5 to 10 minutes for immediate patient relief. Lidocaine penetrates into the dermal layer. Tetracaine provides depth and a long duration tail so the second hour of a session is as numb as the first. Phenylephrine constricts local blood vessels — reducing bleeding, slowing systemic absorption, and improving ink visibility for the artist.

The clinical result is patient comfort throughout a 2 to 5 hour session, less weeping at the work area, less bleeding interfering with the linework, and dramatically higher client satisfaction. Patients who can sit comfortably for longer pieces become repeat clients and refer friends.

OTC TATTOO NUMBING
✗4-5% Lidocaine — single agent
✗30-45 minute onset
✗Surface-level numbing only
✗1-2 hour duration max
✗No vasoconstriction
MEDICAINE COMPOUND BLT
✓Up to 4 anesthetic agents (40%+ active)
✓15-minute onset
✓Reaches dermal layer
✓2-5 hour duration
✓Phenylephrine reduces bleeding
WHO USES IT

TATTOO USE CASES FOR LICENSED PROVIDERS

LARGE TATTOO SESSIONS

Sleeves, back pieces, thigh work, and chest pieces commonly run 4 to 6 hours per session. Consumer numbing fades after 90 minutes — leaving clients in pain for the second half of the session. MediCaine Ultra with quad-agent BLT+ extends duration to 5 hours, covering the full session window. The Phenylephrine vasoconstrictor also reduces continuous bleeding at the work area, improving line clarity for the artist.

Sleeves Back Pieces Recommended: Ultra

AREOLA REPIGMENTATION

Paramedical tattooing performed after mastectomy reconstruction. Post-reconstruction tissue is often hypersensitive or, paradoxically, has unpredictable nerve patterns from grafts and flap procedures. MediCaine Pro applied 25 to 30 minutes before with light occlusion gives consistent comfort across grafted and non-grafted tissue. For clients with complex reconstruction history, step up to Ultra.

Post-Mastectomy Nipple Restoration Recommended: Pro

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

Q-switched and picosecond laser tattoo removal is significantly more painful than the original tattoo. Each laser pulse delivers thermal energy that fractures ink particles in the dermis. Apply MediCaine Pro or Ultra 25 to 30 minutes before the session under occlusion. Remove completely before laser fires. For full sleeves or large tattoos, divide treatment to stay within the 30 g daily maximum.

Q-Switched Laser Picosecond Recommended: Pro or Ultra

SCAR REVISION & VITILIGO CAMOUFLAGE

Paramedical scar revision tattooing and vitiligo camouflage require precise color matching across irregular tissue. Anesthetic comfort lets the practitioner work slowly and deliberately. Phenylephrine reduces bleeding at the work area so color visibility stays accurate. Pro is the standard recommendation.

Scar Tattoo Camouflage Tattoo Recommended: Pro
PROTOCOL

TATTOO NUMBING APPLICATION

  1. 1

    CLEAN AND DRY THE TATTOO AREA

    Wash with mild soap, pat dry. Avoid moisturizer, sunscreen, or barrier creams within 4 hours of application.

  2. 2

    APPLY A GENEROUS EVEN LAYER

    1 to 2 g per 10 by 10 cm. Cover the full work area plus a small margin. Use plastic film occlusion for thicker skin or extended sessions.

  3. 3

    WAIT 20 TO 30 MINUTES

    25 minutes is standard with occlusion, 30 minutes without. The skin will appear slightly blanched from the Phenylephrine vasoconstriction — this is normal and indicates good penetration.

  4. 4

    REMOVE COMPLETELY

    Wipe away cream with gauze. Cleanse with alcohol and saline. Skin must be completely free of residue before stencil application — residual cream interferes with stencil transfer and increases systemic absorption when the dermis is breached.

  5. 5

    APPLY STENCIL AND BEGIN

    Standard stencil transfer. Peak anesthesia is at 30 to 45 minutes after application; durability extends 2 to 4 hours for Pro, 3 to 5 hours for Ultra. Plan session length to fit within the anesthetic window.

CHOOSE YOUR TIER

MATCH THE FORMULA TO THE SESSION

PRO

BLT 20/10/10 + Phenylephrine

•Standard tattoo session (1-3 hr)
•Areola repigmentation
•Scar revision tattooing
•Small to medium tattoos
See Pro
ELITE

Lidocaine 30% + Tetracaine 7%

•Clients with Benzocaine sensitivity
•Pediatric-adjacent scar tattoo
•Ester-free protocol
•Dense, deep anesthesia
See Elite
ULTRA MOST POPULAR

Quad-agent BLT+ Prilocaine

•Long sessions (4-6 hours)
•Full sleeves and back pieces
•Laser tattoo removal
•Maximum potency, 3-5 hr duration
See Ultra
FAQ

TATTOO NUMBING QUESTIONS

What is the best numbing cream for tattoos?+
For tattoo procedures performed in licensed settings, compound BLT (Benzocaine 20% + Lidocaine 10% + Tetracaine 10%) is the most widely used pre-procedure topical. Total active concentration ~40%, about eight times any OTC product. Onset ~15 minutes, peak at 30-45 minutes, 2-4 hours of anesthesia. For longer sessions or large pieces, quad-agent BLT+ (adds Prilocaine) extends to 4-5 hours.
How long does tattoo numbing cream last?+
Compound BLT provides 2-4 hours of clinical anesthesia after application. Quad-agent BLT+ extends duration to 3-5 hours, preferable for longer sessions. OTC products typically provide only 1-2 hours of partial numbing. For sessions extending beyond the window, plan for reapplication only after clearing residual cream and within the maximum daily dose.
How long before a tattoo should numbing cream be applied?+
Apply BLT 20-30 minutes before the tattoo session begins. For paramedical work such as areola repigmentation or scar revision, 30 minutes with light occlusion gives optimal depth. Remove the cream and clean the skin completely before the tattoo machine touches the skin — residual cream interferes with stencil adhesion and increases systemic absorption when the dermis is breached.
Can tattoo artists use BLT cream?+
State law governs whether tattoo artists may apply prescription-strength topical anesthetics. In many states, only licensed healthcare providers or tattoo artists operating under medical supervision may apply BLT. Paramedical tattooists working in medical settings — areola repigmentation, scar revision, vitiligo camouflage — typically operate under licensed provider oversight and have access. Always check your state board of cosmetology, board of medicine, and board of pharmacy rules before stocking BLT.
Why is BLT better than OTC lidocaine for tattoos?+
OTC tattoo numbing products are capped at 4-5% Lidocaine as a single agent. BLT contains three anesthetic agents totaling about 40% active load, plus Phenylephrine 0.5% as a vasoconstrictor that slows systemic absorption and reduces bleeding. BLT reaches the dermal layer where tattoo needles deposit ink. OTC products primarily numb the epidermis. The clinical difference is onset (15 minutes vs 30-45), depth, duration, and reduced bleeding.
Does BLT affect ink saturation or healing?+
When applied correctly and removed completely before tattooing begins, BLT does not affect ink saturation, healing, or final color. The vasoconstrictor (Phenylephrine) slightly reduces local blood flow during the early session, which actually improves ink visibility by reducing oozing. Residual cream left on the skin interferes with stencil transfer — always remove BLT completely with alcohol or saline, then dry the skin before applying stencil.
Can numbing cream be used for tattoo removal?+
Yes — laser tattoo removal is one of the most common indications for compound BLT in dermatology and laser practices. Apply 25-30 minutes before, use occlusion for thicker skin or larger tattoos, remove completely before laser begins firing. For full sleeves or large tattoos requiring multiple laser passes, calculate total body surface area and divide treatment across sessions to stay within the 30 g maximum.
Is BLT safe for tattoo sessions?+
BLT is safe when applied within the maximum dose and standard precautions are followed: never exceed 30 g on intact skin without occlusion, never apply to broken or inflamed skin, remove completely before the procedure breaches the skin barrier, and use only on patients without known allergies to ester (Benzocaine, Tetracaine) or amide (Lidocaine) anesthetics. Patients on cardiac medications, with hepatic impairment, pregnant patients, and pediatric patients require provider judgment. Document all topical applications.

PROFESSIONAL TATTOO NUMBING

Compounded fresh per order. NPI verification required. Bulk pricing and auto-reorder for high-volume practices.

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