Topical numbing cream application

At glo MD, we have various comfort measures available to ensure your treatments are as pleasant as possible. Our providers will discuss which options are right for you during one of your meetings. Topical numbing cream is commonly recommended for various procedures.

WHICH PROCEDURES ARE RECOMMENDED TO HAVE TOPICAL NUMBING CREAM?
  • Radio Frequency Microneedling
  • Microneedling
  • MOXI
  • Facial Filler
  • Sculptra
WHICH PROCEDURES ARE OPTIONAL TO HAVE TOPICAL NUMBING CREAM?
  • Laser Hair Removal
  • Laser Vein Treatment
  • BBL
WHERE DO I GET THE NUMBING CREAM? 

Three options are available for obtaining topical numbing cream prior to your procedure.

First, you may arrive to our office prior to your appointment time. We will provide you with topical numbing cream to apply in our office and you may relax in our comfortable waiting room until your appointment time. There is no additional cost for this option. Please let us know when scheduling your appointment if you choose this option.

Second, existing patients may pre-purchase a bottle of our numbing cream in our office. You must first be seen by one of our medical providers as this is a prescription product. The cost of this is $29 for a one ounce bottle, which is enough product for approximately three treatments. If you choose this option, please contact our office ahead of time so we can prepare your prescription.

Third, we can send in a prescription to a local compounding pharmacy for pick up. We can also have the prescription shipped to you if you choose and if time allows. Cost varies by pharmacy but is approximately $50. Please call our office if you choose this option.

Why is COMPOUNDED NUMBING cream better than what i can buy over-the-counter?

Drug stores offer 4% Lidocaine cream for over-the-counter purchase. This concentration is not recommended for the procedures we offer. 

Our prescription-strength compounded numbing cream is a compounded formula of either 23% lidocaine/7% tetracaine or 20% benzocaine/6% lidocaine/4% tetracaine for maximum comfort.

WHO SHOULD NOT USE NUMBING CREAM?

You should not apply numbing cream to open wounds, mucous membranes, or the eyes. You should also avoid using it if you are allergic to lidocaine, benzocaine or tetracaine. 

HOW MUCH NUMBING CREAM SHOULD I APPLY?

Your numbing cream should be applied generously to all your treatment areas, similar to a thin layer of frosting on a cookie. Below are approximate amounts for common treatment areas.

FACE

APPROXIMATELY 2 TEASPOONS

FACE/NECK

APPROXIMATELY 1 TABLESPOON

FACE/NECK/CHEST

APPROXIMATELY 1.5 TABLESPOONS

LIPS

ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PEA

When should i apply the numbing cream?

The timing of applying your numbing cream is dependent on the type of numbing cream prescribed. 

Also, if applying numbing cream in office for Moxi and RF Microneedling procedures, it is strongly recommended that you arrive one hour prior to your appointment time to ensure enough numbing time.

20/6/4% BLT CREAM

30 MINUTES PRIOR TO PROCEDURE

23/7% LT CREAM

ONE HOUR PRIOR TO PROCEDURE

HOW DO I APPLY THE NUMBING CREAM?
  1. Cleanse and dry treatment area.
  2. Wash hands or apply gloves.
  3. If applying at home, dispense on finger or clean gauze and apply with finger or tongue depressor to treatment areas. If applying in office, our staff will supply you with a medicine cup filled with your numbing cream.
    1. For face, apply to forehead, all the way to the hairline, nose, upper lip, cheeks, chin, jawline, making sure to extend to the perimeter of the face. Apply around eyes, making sure not to extend beyond the bony part of the eye (not inside the eye socket).
    2. For neck, apply under chin and from each earlobe down to the collar bone.
    3. For chest, apply from collar bone down to an inch or two onto breast tissue, extending across to beginning of shoulder.
    4. For lip filler, apply to the boarder of the lips, making sure not to get any on the wet boarder of the lips.
  4. Gently rub cream around to ensure even distribution.
  5. Remove gloves and wash thoroughly wash hands.