Ways to Numb your skin Naturally and medically?

 

There are several reasons why you might need to numb your skin. You may want to numb the skin before undergoing a painful procedure such as a cosmetic treatment or getting a tattoo. You may also have a cut or burn and want to numb the skin to relieve pain. There are natural and medical methods to numb the skin, each with varying degrees of effectiveness. Some numbing agents require a prescription, while others are available over the counter and may even be found in your garden.

 There are two main reasons to numb the skin: to reduce pain before a painful event and to relieve pain after the event.

 1. Before a procedure

Botox/Injections: Botox and filler injections are the most common cosmetic treatments offered at dermatology offices and medical spas. Botox is used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and fillers are used to plump lips and reduce wrinkles. The injection can be painful, so numbing cream is frequently used to make the procedure more bearable.

 Tattoos: Some people who get tattoos look for a numbing cream to make the experience less painful, particularly for larger tattoos that require multiple sessions. There are numerous over-the-counter numbing creams available for this purpose.

 Needle pricks: Fear of needles is common, and it can exaggerate the actual pain of the needle. Numbing the skin before a needle prick, such as before taking blood or inserting an IV, can sometimes help patients who are afraid of needles.

 Microneedling: Microneedling is the use of a series of fine needles to make small punctures in the skin in order to stimulate the growth of collagen and new skin. It can be painful because needles are used to puncture the skin, so numbing creams are typically used.

 Hair removal: Waxing and laser hair removal can be painful, especially if performed on a large area of the body. Hair removal procedures can be made less painful by using numbing products. It is critical to use these products correctly because applying numbing cream to a large area of the body can cause toxic side effects and potentially serious adverse events.

 Piercing: This will feel similar to a needle prick in many cases, but it may be more painful depending on the area of the body being pierced and the size of the piercing.

 2. After an injury

Cuts/scrapes/burns:  Most minor cuts, scrapes, and burns do not necessitate topical pain relief. However, there are numerous natural and manufactured products available to help reduce pain after an injury, particularly for burn relief.

 Poison ivy/rash: A rash, also known as dermatitis by medical professionals, is frequently caused by contact with an irritating substance. The rash can be mildly uncomfortable or painful depending on the type of substance and the amount of contact with the skin.

 Sunburn: Burns caused by UV radiation are both painful and potentially dangerous to one's health. The best bet is to avoid them entirely; however, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing sun protection can help. However, if sunburn occurs, topical pain relief can be used to alleviate discomfort while the burn heals.

Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage can occur as a result of an injury such as a fall or an accident. Nerve pain is not easily treated with the same remedies as skin injuries. However, there are topical numbing agents and natural treatments that may be beneficial.

 Natural Numbing Methods

The term "natural" has become somewhat overused. When we say "natural numbing method," we simply mean one that is grown and harvested rather than manufactured synthetically for a specific purpose (like lidocaine). There may be additional processing steps, such as extracting oil from a plant, but the product is not synthesised in a laboratory. Plant-based products abound, as people have been searching for ways to numb the skin in their environment for thousands of years.

 Natural remedies are not always superior to those created in a laboratory. Because they were not "developed" specifically for numbing purposes, their effects are frequently weaker than those of products designed specifically for numbing.

 Chamomile: Chamomile has traditionally been used to treat a wide range of ailments such as inflammation, wounds, rashes, and more. This herb's medicinal properties are well documented. It is mostly used topically as an anti-inflammatory and to promote wound healing.

 Clove oil (eugenol) is frequently used to relieve toothache-related oral pain. According to some studies, clove oil is comparable to benzocaine for topical numbing.

 Capsaicin is the ingredient in chilli peppers that causes them to be "hot." It can confuse pain signals by overloading them when applied to the skin. This lessens the perception of pain.

 Plantain can be applied directly to a burn to relieve pain. It is also used to treat irritated skin and insect bites.

 Essential oils: Essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, and peppermint have been shown to help with pain relief. Essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied topically.

 Drug Products Used for Numbing

While natural and mechanical methods of numbing the skin can be effective, drug products designed specifically for numbing the skin are frequently more effective. These contain anaesthetic ingredients that have been specifically developed for their numbing properties.

 The topical drug products available for numbing the skin can be purchased over-the-counter or by prescription. Lower potency numbing products are usually available over-the-counter in standard formulations. Topical numbing agents include lidocaine, prilocaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine. These anaesthetics are available in a variety of strengths at drug stores and online. Combinations, such as lidocaine 2.5 percent / prilocaine 2.5 percent, are sometimes available over the counter (EMLA Cream).

 A compounding pharmacy can create a stronger topical anaesthetic than anything found in a drug store. It is also possible to create unique anaesthetic combinations. BLT cream, which contains benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine, is an example of a compounded numbing cream. This formulation contains 20% benzocaine, 6% to 10% lidocaine, and 4% tetracaine. Another formulation with lidocaine (23%) and tetracaine (7%), but no benzocaine, can be created.