Why pH in Numbing Gels matter.

Written By Zuri Dale

When people shop for numbing gels, the first thing they look at is the active ingredients like lidocaine, tetracaine, epinephrine. However, there is another factor that most people never think about, even though it can make or break how well a numbing gel works.

Why pH Matters…

Your skin naturally sits at a slightly acidic pH, usually between 4.5 and 5.5. When a numbing gel is too acidic or too alkaline, it can irritate the skin or even reduce how well the anesthetic absorbs into nerve endings in the second layer of the skin. The result? Less comfort and more risk of redness or burning upon application.

How Sensationless Is Different

At Sensationless, we did not just focus on adding strong active ingredients. We built our formula to respect both science and skin. That means:

  • Sensationless is pH-balanced to help lidocaine and tetracaine cross the skin barrier effectively.

  • By staying close to the skin’s natural pH, Sensationless minimizes irritation and maximizes client comfort.

  • Epinephrine is sensitive to pH, and our balanced environment helps preserve its effectiveness, keeping the gel powerful from the first pump to the last.

Why This Matters for Artists

If you are a professional, your clients trust you not just to create great results but also to keep them safe and comfortable. Sensationless is more than numbing and it is numbing done right, down to the molecular level.

References

  • Elias, P. M., & Choi, E. H. (2005). Interactions among stratum corneum defensive functions. Experimental Dermatology, 14(10), 719–726. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2005.00363.x

  • Wertz, P. W. (2020). Lipids and the Permeability and Antimicrobial Barriers of the Skin. Journal of Lipids, 2020, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7278289

  • Becker, D. E., & Reed, K. L. (2012). Local anesthetics: Review of pharmacological considerations. Anesthesia Progress, 59(2), 90–101. https://doi.org/10.2344/0003-3006-59.2.90

  • Lönnroth, P., & Smith, U. (1983). The pH effect on lidocaine penetration across isolated human skin in vitro. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 27(6), 490–494. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-6576.1983.tb01947.x

  • Ali, S. M., Yosipovitch, G. (2013). Skin pH: From basic science to basic skin care. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 93(3), 261–267. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1531

Zuri Dale
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