Compare Tattoo Numbing Creams

Not sure which numbing cream to buy? We've compared the top brands available in the UK so you can pick the right one for your tattoo, waxing, or cosmetic procedure.

Feature	TKTX Gold 40%	TKTX Black 75%	Beast Gold	Dr. Numb 5%	Emla 5%
Strength	40%	75%	40%	5% Lidocaine	5% Lid + Pril
Duration	4-6 hours	5-8 hours	4-6 hours	3-4 hours	2-3 hours
Onset Time	60-90 min	60-90 min	60 min	45-60 min	60 min
Price	£12.99	£14.99	£15.99	£14.99	£16.99
Size	10g	10g	30g	30g	30g
Best For	All-round tattoos	High-pain areas (ribs, chest)	Professional studios	General numbing	Clinical / medical use
Rating	★★★★4.8	★★★★4.7	★★★★4.7	★★★★4.4	★★★★4.3
Pros	✓ Best seller ✓ Strong numbing ✓ Great value	✓ Strongest formula ✓ Longest lasting ✓ For sensitive areas	✓ Larger tube ✓ Studio trusted ✓ Professional grade	✓ Well-known brand ✓ Clinically tested ✓ Larger tube	✓ Pharmacy grade ✓ Medical standard ✓ Very safe
Cons	✗ Small tube ✗ Needs cling wrap	✗ Small tube ✗ Can cause redness	✗ Higher price ✗ Less brand awareness	✗ Weaker formula ✗ Shorter duration	✗ Shortest duration ✗ Most expensive ✗ Weakest for tattoos
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Which Numbing Cream is Best for Tattoos?

For most people getting a tattoo, we recommend TKTX Gold 40%. It offers the best balance of strength, duration, and value. At just £12.99 for a 10g tube, it provides 4-6 hours of strong numbing — enough for most tattoo sessions.

TKTX vs Emla — What's the Difference?

Emla is a pharmacy-grade cream designed for medical procedures. It's very safe but only lasts 2-3 hours and has a weaker numbing effect. TKTX is formulated specifically for tattoos and cosmetic procedures, with stronger active ingredients and longer duration. For tattoos, TKTX is the better choice. For medical procedures under clinical supervision, Emla is standard.

Best Numbing Cream for Sensitive Areas

For high-pain areas like ribs, chest, inner arm, and spine, go with TKTX Black 75%or Beast Black. These are the strongest formulas available and provide the deepest numbing for the areas where you need it most.