PERMANENT MAKEUP NUMBING CREAM
One guide for the whole PMU menu: brows, lip blush, eyeliner, scalp micropigmentation and touch-ups. Compound BLT with an approximately 15-minute onset and 2 to 4 hours of working time, plus a benzocaine-free option. For licensed PMU artists and providers.
EVERY SERVICE, ITS OWN RULES
The same compound behaves differently on a brow, a lip and a scalp. Here is what changes from one service to the next.
BROWS
Microblading, nano brows and powder brows: fine strokes in thin skin close to the eye. The microblading guide covers the brow protocol step by step.
LIP BLUSH
The lips are vascular and among the most sensitive PMU areas. Apply to the vermilion only, keep the cream out of the mouth, and plan the session to finish inside the numbing window.
EYELINER
The most delicate PMU area. Work strictly to your protocol for the periocular area, use the smallest effective amount, and never let product get into the eye.
SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION
SMP covers a large area over several sessions. Numb only the zone you will finish that day, never the whole scalp at once, and leave it uncovered while it works.
AREOLA & PARAMEDICAL
Areola repigmentation and scar camouflage after surgery. Work only with the patient's surgical clearance. The tattoo guide covers paramedical work in more depth.
TOUCH-UPS
Only on fully healed skin. Skin that is still healing from the first session is not intact, and the FDA advises against applying topical anesthetics to broken or irritated skin.
TWO STAGES OF PMU NUMBING
PRIMARY: BEFORE THE FIRST PASS
Compound BLT is primary numbing. It goes on clean, intact skin before work begins and comes off completely before the blade or machine touches the client.
SECONDARY: ONCE THE SKIN IS OPEN
After the first pass, many artists switch to a product made for use on open skin, following their protocol and dose limits. BLT is not that product: never re-apply it to open skin mid-procedure.
MATCH THE TIER TO THE CLIENT
PRO
Benzocaine 20% + Lidocaine 10% + Tetracaine 10%. The usual starting point for brows, eyeliner and lip blush.
View Pro →ELITE
Lidocaine 30% + Tetracaine 7% for clients who react to benzocaine. Tetracaine is also an ester-type anesthetic, so screen for ester sensitivity in general, not only benzocaine.
View Elite →ULTRA
Quad-agent BLT+ with a 3 to 5 hour window, for extended lip work and multi-area appointments.
View Ultra →PMU CLIENT SCREENING
- 1
ASK ABOUT PAST REACTIONS
Benzocaine and tetracaine are ester-type anesthetics; lidocaine is an amide. A client who has reacted to numbing products before needs a plan agreed with your supervising provider.
- 2
PATCH TEST
A 24-hour patch test is recommended before facial PMU, especially for lip blush and eyeliner clients.
- 3
CHECK THE SKIN
Intact skin only. Reschedule over active breakouts, cold sores, irritation or a previous session that has not fully healed.
- 4
DOCUMENT IT
Record the product, area and application time in the client file, alongside your consent form.
PMU NUMBING QUESTIONS
What numbing cream do permanent makeup artists use?+
How long before lip blush should numbing cream go on?+
Can BLT be used once the skin is open?+
Is numbing cream used for scalp micropigmentation?+
Who can order MediCaine for PMU?+
NUMBING FOR THE FULL PMU MENU
Compounded fresh per order. NPI verification before the first shipment.