Does Brow Tattooing Hurt? The Truth Revealed

Tattooing with numbing cream for brow tattoo services at Lemonade Brows salon in Camperdown, Sydney.

“I use a custom-formulated numbing cream made by a compound chemist specifically for my salon”

It's completely normal to feel nervous about pain when considering brow tattooing. You’ll be receiving a tattoo on your face, so a little anxiety is expected. But the truth is, brow tattooing is far less painful than most people imagine.

For every client, comfort is a top priority. I use a custom-formulated numbing cream made by a compound chemist specifically for my salon, which is applied before your appointment and left on for just the right amount of time. This dramatically reduces any discomfort. During the procedure, if the numbing begins to wear off, I have lignocaine (a secondary numbing cream) ready, which works instantly on broken skin to keep the area completely comfortable.

Many of my clients have never had any tattoos before, so the idea of pain can feel intimidating. If you’ve had body tattoos in the past, the experience can be very different — most body tattoos are done without numbing cream, but here, we use numbing cream so you barely feel anything.

Because of these numbing solutions, many of my clients are so relaxed that they actually fall asleep during their session. The sensation is often described as a light scratching or tingling — not sharp or intense. Even clients who were initially anxious are often surprised at how manageable and even soothing the experience can be.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Some people feel almost nothing, while others notice a gentle sensation. Either way, I take my time, working patiently and gently to ensure each session feels calm and comfortable from start to finish.

Beyond just the numbing, I go slowly and gently throughout the entire session to ensure maximum comfort. I’m always checking in, adjusting as needed, and making sure every stroke feels easy and relaxing. Some clients don’t feel it at all and are able to just chat away while I work, leaving with perfectly shaped, natural-looking brows.

So, if you’ve been putting off brow tattooing because of fear of pain, know this: with professional care, tailored numbing, and gentle technique, the process is comfortable and well-managed. You can relax knowing the numbing cream will keep the area comfortable, and if it starts to wear off, I can reapply the secondary numbing cream to make sure you stay comfortable throughout.

💬 Curious to experience the comfort of brow tattooing firsthand? Book a consultation with me at Lemonade Brows.

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