Where can I buy local anaesthetic cream in UK and which is best?

[Lisaloolops]

Hi. I'm having a tattoo on my foot and ankle next week and after reading the thread about where is most painful, decided this may be a good idea! Can I buy the cream from a pharmacy? What's it called? Does it work? Do tattooists mind you using it? Have one on my inner wrist and one on my back and both were fine but lots of people are saying top of foot is the worst! All advice welcome x thanks x

I have one on the top of my foot and one on my ankle and they were fine. Can’t offer any advice about creams but if you already have tattoos I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I appreciate everyone is different.

I bought emla cream. From a chemist. I’ve got one on each of the top of my feet. Works a treat. Didn’t feel a thing.
I would check before hand with the tattooist though. I’ve known some to refuse to do it.

Ask the tattooist first. I think it might cause complications and that’s why artists don’t use it routinely.

Also, a bit of skin numbing isn’t going to numb the vibrations of the needle against bone. That hurts like a bastard. I have a large tattoo on my back, and the vibrations were travelling through my entire ribcage and then to the bed I was lying on!

Thanks all, I will ask the tattooist first and then see if I can find some Emla cream. Having laser treatment to remove one i don't like too so will be useful anyway, laser guy doesn't mind x

Haworthia is right - check with the tattooist, as a lot of them don't like working with numbing cream. It does something to the skin which makes it harder to put the ink in right.

I recently had the top of one foot done without cream and it was fine - nippy, but fine. Much easier than I thought it would be.

Tattooist has said it's fine to use it but will need several tubes as I'm having a design that covers the whole of the top of my foot and ankle. A beautiful Indian mehendi henna style one. He has said the same as a pp that it will help a bit with skin pain but bones and tendons also sensitive in that area. Apparently Ametop is cheaper and just as good but not sure where to buy So that's my next step but not entirely sure I'm going to bother after all! It's only pain and I've had 2 kids, 3 tattoos, laser treatment and also have arthritis in the other ankle amongst other things so pain is like an old friend anyway! 😂

Emla wears off after about 30-40 minutes so if it's more than a small tattoo it's not going to last the distance.

Well unless it turns up in tomorrow's post I'm going without it!!! Wish me luck!!!

Well the cream helped a bit, but it still hurt like fuck! I ❤️ it though. Thanks for the advice guys x

Love your tattoo!

Thank you 😁 I do too! Sore today though!

Thats a very beautiful tattoo.I think i have tattoo envy

Thank you dustarr 😊, I have tattoo envy all the time! So many to choose from, not enough body parts! Well ones that won't age too badly anyhoo 😂😂😂

Dreaming of this next to go with it

@Lisaloolop i think you should carry on up your leg.That would be fab.

They are lovely, both the one you have and the arm.

Wow. Just wow. They look amazing. Hope the foot feels better soon and the dream of the next one is realised.

That tattoo is GORGEOUS.

Thank you 😁. All healed now and looking good with flip flops 👍🏻