Learning how to make numbing cream is not something only DIY enthusiasts can do. Anyone experiencing or anticipating pain can easily make numbing cream if they have the right ingredients.
Making a numbing cream is pretty straightforward. You’ll need an aloe vera plant, vitamin E capsules, and vitamin C tablets as your ingredients. Then arm yourself with some basic materials you would expect to find in an average kitchen, and you’re good to go. This article shares a list of requirements and procedures to see you through the process.
Even though pain tolerance differs from person to person, most of us may need to numb the skin to relieve pain. There is no shortage of prescription and over-the-counter numbing creams, but making your own cream has its own benefits.
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What Is a Numbing Cream?
According to Healthline, numbing cream is a topical anesthesia that desensitizes the skin by blocking nerve signals that supply sensation. Topical anesthetics do not penetrate the underlying tissue and deeper layers of the skin and are, therefore, ideal for numbing skin.
Some numbing creams must be prescribed by a doctor. While a good number of them are available over the counter. The active ingredient in most of the prescription creams is Lidocaine. Although generally safe and effective in numbing skin, Cleveland Clinic warns that overuse of Lidocaine can have fatal side effects.
When Might You Need a Numbing Cream?
People numb skin mainly to relieve current or anticipated pain. Below, we discuss some areas in which you’ll find numbing cream useful.
Relieving Pain Arising from Minor Skin Injuries
You can use a numbing cream to relieve pain and itching caused by various conditions. These include sunburn or other minor burns, minor cuts and scratches, stings or bites, poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should not apply the cream to burns, open wounds, or broken skin unless directed by your doctor.
Waxing and Laser Hair Removal
Waxing is the removal of hair using a covering of wax. The wax covering adheres to the hair on the skin and, when pulled it takes the hair with it. Truth be told, waxing is extremely painful, and the thought of doing it without numbing cream can be daunting.
Depending on the body part involved and your pain tolerance, you might find laser hair removal less harrowing. However, you will still need to numb your skin after the procedure.
Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, and facelifts can give you a revitalized body and a boost of confidence. But we all know that the pain can be overwhelming without numbing cream. You’ll find skin numbing useful in relieving residual pain after undergoing these procedures.
Before and After Going for a Tattoo
We don’t need to tell you that pain and tattoos are inseparable bedfellows. A tattoo can be agonizingly painful because it uses micro-needles to inject dye into your skin.
Even if your pain tolerance is incredibly high, you’ll still need to numb your skin when going for a tattoo. Numbing cream is also helpful afterward because the pain tends to hang around for a while.
Benefits of a Homemade Numbing Cream
Wondering why you should bother making a numbing cream while there is a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter options? Well, simply put, a DIY cream is less costly and has no harmful side effects.
As we mentioned earlier, overuse or misuse of prescription creams can lead to medical complications. Prescription and over-the-counter creams can have side effects leading to a medical emergency. These include itching or a rash on the skin, blurred vision, breathing problems, chest pain, and dizziness.
Rapid heart rate, drowsiness, and swelling of the throat, face, or lips are also signs to look out for. Side effects that don’t require medical attention include swelling or redness on the skin and the inability to sense cold or hot.
How to Make a Numbing Cream at Home
There are two methods to make numbing cream. The materials and ingredients are nearly the same for the two methods. Only the procedures differ. The following is what you’ll need to get started:
Ingredients
- Large leaf of aloe vera plant
- Aloe vera gel
- Vitamin C tablet,
- Vitamin E capsule
Materials
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Blender
- Pair of scissors
- Fork
- Tablespoon
- Measuring cup
- Contain with a lid
- Mixing bowl
Procedure for Method One
- Wash the aloe vera leaf with clean water
- Slice the leaf into equal parts
- Squeeze the juice from the slices and pour into a clean container
- Using the measuring cap, measure 60ml of the juice or gel and mix it with 400 IU vitamin E capsule and 500mg vitamin C tablet.
- Stir the mixture properly until no clumps are visible
- Apply to the affected area
Procedure for Method Two
- Pour 250ml of aloe vera gel into a clean mixing bowl.
- Add an ounce of red chili paper and mix it with the gel.
- Stir the mixture continually until your gel acquires a pink tint.
- The gel is ready for application when it gets the pink tint.
- You might need to add some pepper if it takes too long for the pink tint to appear.
With patience and keen attention to detail, you are sure to create a numbing cream that will relieve your pain without the side effects of a prescription cream. And you’ll be able to save some money at the same time.
Things to Note
You must obtain your aloe vera gel from a registered Chemist. Aloe vera is the best ingredient. But if it’s not available, you could consider other options like Chamomile and Clove oil.
You should also note that colorants can irritate the skin. So, ensure that your cream is clear before use. Remember to label your numbing cream clearly and keep it away from children. And avoid applying it to an open wound.
