Whether it's your first piercing or you're adding to your collection, the thought of pain from an ear piercing can be a big concern. This is especially true for first-timers, as the anticipation of pain can cause worry . Ear piercing involves using a sterilised needle or piercing gun to puncture the earlobe or cartilage. Though the procedure is quick, the fear of pain can feel overwhelming, even though the discomfort is usually brief.
Fortunately, there are solutions such as numbing creams that can help ease pain and worry during the experience. With the right preparation, you can turn a potentially scary experience into a more comfortable and stress-free one, allowing you to focus on the excitement of your new piercing.
There are simple ways to prepare for an ear piercing that can help ease your worry and reduce discomfort before and during the appointment. Helpful tips such as choosing a reputable piercing studio, scheduling your appointment when you’re feeling calm and have a quiet day ahead, and bringing a supportive friend can set you up for a smoother experience. But that's not all, using numbing creams like Numit can further minimise discomfort during the procedure.
Combining preparation with pain management techniques can make your appointment easier and more enjoyable for yourself. Numbing creams like Numit 5% cream, which contains 2.5% lidocaine combined with 2.5% prilocaine, can be a game-changer for those concerned about pain. This topical anaesthetic works by reducing pain sensations during procedures like ear piercings. By helping to block pain signals, Numit provides at least two hours of pain relief, making it ideal for multiple piercings and helping to significantly reduce the worry often associated with the process.
Numit is a combination numbing cream that contains two active ingredients (local anaesthetics); lidocaine 2.5%w/w and prilocaine 2.5%w/w1.
These ingredients are known to be able to dull pain sensations in the skin by disrupting the generation of pain signals that are sent by the nerves in the skin to the brain2.
Both of these ingredients can make a powerful combination to work together to interrupt pain signals, essentially telling your nerves to take a break.
Numit can form a reservoir of the active ingredients in the skin during application, and these ingredients can continue to be released from this reservoir and numb the area even after the cream is removed2. This is particularly useful when it comes to getting your skin ready for piercings.
Numit can be applied in three steps ‘COAT, COVER and CLEAN’ before laser hair removal to help minimise the pain sensation (Always read the label and follow the directions for use.)3:
Apply a thick layer of Numit cream to clean, intact skin at least 1 hour prior to your laser hair removal treatment. Refer to the product information leaflet for the appropriate dosage.
Use an occlusive dressing (one that is air-tight and clear) to cover the area. Leave this dressing on for the recommended time according to the product information leaflet.
Remove the dressing immediately before the procedure and wipe off the cream. The laser hair technician can help to clean the area.
Ear piercing can be intimidating for many, with the fear of pain often discouraging people from making this personal style choice. However, with proper preparation and pain management techniques, the experience can become more manageable. By taking the right steps and using Numit numbing cream, you can reduce both physical discomfort and emotional worry during your appointment. This allows you to focus on embracing your personal style with less concern about pain.
Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. About Numit [Internet]. Available from: https://www.numit.com.au/about-us.html. (Accessed: 21 October 2024).
Tadicherla S, Berman B. Percutaneous dermal drug delivery for local pain control. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2006;2(1):99–113.
Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. Numit – How to apply [Internet]. Available from: https://www.numit.com.au/how-to-apply.html. (Accessed: 21 October 2024).
