Laser tattoo removal is usually made more comfortable with one or more of three tools: a numbing cream applied before treatment, cooling with cold air or cold packs, and sometimes a shot of local anesthetic. Each has trade-offs in timing, coverage and risk. FDA warns against heavy use of over-the-counter numbing products over large areas, so let your provider choose and apply numbing.
Key takeaways
- Numbing cream, cooling and numbing shots are the main comfort options, and many providers combine them.
- Numbing cream needs time to work and may not numb evenly, so it may not take away every sensation.
- Cold air or cold packs can reduce discomfort and swelling without a needle or a drug.
- A numbing shot is another option, but it involves a needle and a provider's review of your health.
- FDA has warned that heavy use of store-bought numbing products over large areas can cause serious harm.
Why comfort is worth planning
If you are nervous about how removal will feel, you are not alone. FDA compares laser tattoo removal to snapping a thin rubber band against the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says it can feel uncomfortable or painful, and that a dermatologist can offer a numbing cream or a shot to prevent that. FDA adds that if treatment is painful, a small amount of numbing cream can be applied before the procedure.
In practice, comfort usually comes from a mix of tools rather than one. Knowing how each works helps you ask better questions and avoid the one option that carries real risk: heavy use of store-bought numbing at home.
How much you feel depends on where the tattoo sits, how dense the ink is and your own tolerance. Our article on whether tattoo removal hurts covers those factors, so this guide sticks to the tools. At Laser Eraser, the site states that providers use topical numbing and cooling, and you can see where they fit in a visit on our tattoo removal process page.
Numbing cream
A numbing cream, or topical anesthetic, is spread on the skin before the laser starts. StatPearls, a medical reference hosted by the National Library of Medicine, describes leaving it on under a covering dressing for 45 to 60 minutes, then removing it completely before treatment begins.
The main benefit is that there is no needle. A review of topical anesthetics for laser procedures notes that they can work with little to no absorption into the body for certain procedures. The same review lists the downsides: they need a long application time, they often need a covering to soak in, they can be messy, and coverage can be uneven. That is one reason numbing cream may dull the feeling rather than remove it.
| Option | How it works | Trade-offs | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbing cream (topical anesthetic) | Applied before treatment to dull feeling in the skin | Needs time and a covering to work; may numb unevenly | Should be removed completely before the laser starts |
| Cold air | Chilled air blown across the skin during treatment | No needle, drug or waiting time | Can also reduce swelling, per StatPearls |
| Cold packs | Applied to the treated area from time to time | Simple and drug-free | Can reduce discomfort and swelling, per StatPearls |
| Numbing shot (local anesthetic) | An injection numbs the tattoo or the nerves that supply it | Involves a needle; some people find shots unpleasant | Given by a licensed provider after reviewing your health |
| Store-bought numbing at home | An over-the-counter product you apply yourself | FDA warns of serious harm with heavy use over large areas | Ask your provider before using anything |
Cooling with cold air or cold packs
Cooling is the simplest option. StatPearls notes that cold air blown across the tattoo, or cold packs applied to the treated area from time to time, can reduce discomfort and swelling. There is no drug involved, no waiting time and no needle.
Cooling can be used on its own or together with a numbing cream. If you get very cold or uncomfortable during cooling, say so. Your provider can adjust the pace, take short breaks or change how the cooling is applied.
A numbing shot (local anesthetic)
Some providers numb the area with an injection. StatPearls describes injecting a local anesthetic either into the tattoo area itself or near the nerves that supply it, which is called a regional block. The AAD also lists a shot as one way to prevent discomfort.
The trade-off is the needle. The topical anesthetic review notes that injections can feel painful in themselves and can be hard for people who fear needles. A shot also means a licensed provider has to review your health, allergies and medicines first. Whether it makes sense depends on the size and location of your tattoo and your history, so it is a decision to make with your provider rather than a default.
Why store-bought numbing at home is risky
Numbing products are sold online and in stores for cosmetic procedures such as tattooing, piercing and laser hair removal. In March 2024, FDA warned consumers not to use certain over-the-counter pain relief products marketed for cosmetic procedures, and sent warning letters to six companies. FDA said some contained lidocaine at higher concentrations than allowed for over-the-counter use.
FDA explained that when these products are applied in ways that increase absorption through the skin, they may cause serious injury such as an irregular heartbeat, seizures and breathing problems. FDA added that they may interact with medicines or supplements you take. Large tattoos mean large areas of skin, which is exactly the situation FDA flags. FDA recommends that consumers:
- Do not apply over-the-counter pain relief products heavily over large areas of skin.
- Do not apply them to irritated or broken skin.
- Do not wrap treated skin in plastic wrap or other dressings, since covering it can raise the chance of serious side effects.
- Report a bad reaction to MedWatch, FDA's safety reporting program, as FDA encourages, and tell your doctor.
After the numbing wears off
Comfort planning does not end when the laser stops. FDA lists redness and soreness among the possible effects of laser tattoo removal and says none of these should last long. The AAD notes that you may see some redness, swelling and a little blistering, and that your skin needs time to heal between sessions.
Cold packs may help with swelling, and your provider's aftercare instructions tell you how to care for the area. Our first-session aftercare page walks through the first days, so you know what is expected and what is a reason to call.
How to decide
For most people the choice is made together with the provider, who weighs the size of the tattoo, its location and your health. Comfort questions are also a good test of a provider: a clear, specific answer is a good sign.
Our consultation questions guide includes how to ask about numbing and what a clear answer sounds like. If you are still weighing where to be treated, see how a medical practice compares with a med spa, including who handles a reaction or complication. Before your first visit, a few simple steps help:
- Ask which numbing options the clinic uses and whether you need to arrive early for numbing cream to work.
- Do not put store-bought numbing on at home unless your provider tells you to.
- Bring a list of every medicine and supplement you take, since FDA notes numbing products can interact with them.
- Mention any past reaction to a numbing cream or to local anesthetic, such as at the dentist.
Frequently asked questions
Ask your provider first. FDA has warned about over-the-counter numbing products marketed for cosmetic procedures, especially when applied heavily over large areas, on irritated or broken skin, or under plastic wrap, because more of the drug can be absorbed. Many clinics apply their own numbing at the visit. Laser Eraser's site states that its providers use topical numbing and cooling.
Usually not completely. A review of topical anesthetics for laser procedures notes that they need time to work and can numb unevenly. FDA compares the laser to a thin rubber band snapping against the skin. Numbing, cooling and pacing together are meant to make treatment more manageable. Tell your provider during the session if it becomes too uncomfortable so they can adjust.
Some providers offer one. The American Academy of Dermatology lists a numbing cream or a shot as options, and StatPearls describes injecting local anesthetic into the tattoo area or as a nerve block. Whether a shot makes sense depends on your tattoo, its location and your health history. Ask at your consultation which options the provider uses and why.
Often, yes. StatPearls notes that cold packs applied to the treated area from time to time can reduce discomfort and swelling. Follow the aftercare instructions your provider gives you, since they know how your skin reacted. Call your provider or seek prompt medical care if you notice spreading redness, a fever or other signs of infection.
In March 2024 FDA warned consumers about certain over-the-counter pain relief products sold for procedures such as tattooing and laser hair removal. FDA said some contained more lidocaine than allowed for over-the-counter products and that, when absorbed through the skin, these products may cause irregular heartbeat, seizures and breathing problems. Heavy use over large areas raises that risk.
Related pages
Sources
- FDA: Tattoo Removal: Options and Results
- FDA: Warns consumers to avoid certain topical pain relief products (March 2024)
- AAD: Tattoo removal: Lasers outshine other methods
- StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf): Laser Tattoo Removal
- PMC: Review of lidocaine/tetracaine cream as a topical anesthetic for dermatologic laser procedures
Medically reviewed by Dr. Alvaro Alban, MD, Dr. Len Hobson, DO and Dr. Dominic Ruocco, MD on November 9, 2026. Facts checked: November 9, 2026. General information, not medical advice. Your provider will assess your own skin, ink and health.