Topical Numbing Cream

Topical numbing cream is used to provide comfort for a variety of cosmetic procedures such as injectables and laser procedures. There are a variety of different formulations and the most common ingredient is lidocaine. This is the same anesthetic dentists use when doing procedures. Applying the cream topically to the skin is easy and does not require a needle. It is usually applied anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour before to a treatment and cleaned off with water immediately prior to the procedure. Some of the injectable products such as Juvederm Ultra XC contain a numbing ingredient for added comfort. Topical numbing cream should always be applied in a medical office and never by patients at home. The reason is that the ingredients can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause adverse effects. There have been cases where people have been hospitalized and even died because they applied too much topical numbing cream prior to the procedure. Although these situations are rare, it is important that the numbing cream is applied by in an office to avoid complications. When used appropriately topical numbing cream application is a safe and easy method of providing comfort during procedures.