LMX4 Cream is a fast-acting and powerful numbing cream that you apply straight to your skin. It’s an anaesthetic that acts quickly to desensitise the area you put it on. So it stops you from feeling too much pain or discomfort.
LMX4 Cream is often used for situations like blood tests and other minor medical procedures. It blocks any pain from the needle piercing your skin. It’s also used off-label for things like tattoos, piercings and dermal fillers.
How does LMX4 Cream work?
The ingredient in LMX4 Cream that makes it work is lidocaine, a type of anaesthetic. You apply it straight to your skin and it’s quickly absorbed. The lidocaine in LMX4 Cream then blocks the nerve signals in the skin it’s applied to, so you’re ready for a pain-free procedure.
What doses of LMX4 Cream are there?
LMX4 Cream only comes in one dosage, which is a 4% concentration. This means that for every gram of cream there’s 40mg of lidocaine. How much you use will depend on the area you want to numb and what you’re using it for.
If you want to numb the skin before a needle is inserted, you should use 1-2.5g of cream to cover a 2.5cm squared area. If it’s to numb the surface of your skin, use 1.5-2 g of cream for a 10cm squared area. Don’t cover an area larger than your back or thigh.
There are two different sizes of the tube that LMX4 Cream comes in. The smaller tube is 5g and the bigger tube is 30mg. So you can order exactly the amount you need.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to use LMX4 Cream
Make sure you follow your clinician’s advice on using LMX4 Cream.
If you’re using LMX4 Cream for a procedure that uses a needle, apply it 30 minutes in advance. If you’re using it for the surface of your skin, put it on 30-60 minutes before.
Squeeze the LMX4 Cream onto your skin in an even layer. Don’t use your hands or rub it in, or your hands will get numb too.
If your skin is going to be punctured, you may want to cover the LMX4 Cream with a dressing until it’s time.
If it’s just the surface of your skin, leave it on until the procedure and then rub it off beforehand.
If you’re using LMX4 Cream for a medical procedure, tattoo or piercing, make sure to let the clinician or practitioner know.
How long does it take LMX4 Cream to work?
It’s absorbed pretty quickly, so it should give you protection and relief from pain in 30 to 60 minutes. If it hasn’t numbed your skin after this, it’s safe to leave it on a bit longer.
What should I do if I make a mistake using LMX4 Cream?
Only use LMX4 Cream on unbroken skin. If you have any cuts, blisters or rashes, don’t apply it to that area of skin. You shouldn’t use LMX4 Cream more than once in a 12 hour period.
You should also only use LMX4 on external skin. So don’t apply it to or near your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, anus or other mucous membranes. If you accidentally get some cream in your eyes, wash it out thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water and keep it protected until the feeling comes back.
Remember that LMX4 Cream numbs your skin, so treat it carefully. You should try not to scratch or damage the skin, or expose it to very hot or very cold environments. You might not be able to feel if your skin is being harmed.
If you use too much LMX4 Cream, you’re unlikely to suffer any serious side effects. There’s a limited amount of the active ingredient that can be absorbed into your system from your skin. If you do have any worrying symptoms, talk to a clinician right away.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: LMX4 Cream
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Is LMX4 Cream similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
The active ingredient of LMX4 Cream also comes in a few different forms. There’s an injection containing lidocaine for topical anaesthesia, although you’ll need a prescription and a clinician to give it to you.
There are also plasters containing Lidocaine, called Ralvo. They have a similar effect to LMX4 Cream in that the anaesthetic is absorbed through the skin. It’s also prescription only. Unlike LMX4 Cream, it’s meant specifically for pain experienced after a shingles infection.
How is LMX4 Cream different from other topical anaesthetics?
Answer:
EMLA Cream is another topical anaesthetic that contains lidocaine. But it has another active ingredient that works as a local anaesthetic, called prilocaine. It has a lower concentration of lidocaine, at only 2.5% volume.
If prilocaine doesn’t suit you well, LMX4 might be a better option for you. There’s also some evidence to suggest LMX4 Cream is more effective than EMLA Cream, giving you more pain relief. The difference is small though, so it’s really up to you.
How effective is LMX4 Cream?
Answer:
LMX4 Cream is very effective at numbing the skin and preventing pain. One study found that when inserting an IV catheter, LMX4 led to significantly lower pain scores than placebo.
LMX4 Cream is also proven to ease pain during cosmetic laser treatment or microneedling. People who used LMX4 Cream during these treatments reported lower pain scores when using LMX4 than they did with EMLA Cream or Ametop Gel. The participants also preferred LMX4.
Do I need a prescription for LMX4 Cream?
Answer:
LMX4 Cream is a pharmacy medicine. So you can buy it without a prescription, but you need to get it from a licensed clinician at a registered pharmacy.
At Treated, we can take care of this process for you. We’re a registered pharmacy, and you just need to chat to one of our clinicians to buy LMX4 Cream.
So you don’t need to worry about getting a prescription for LMX4 Cream or making the journey to a pharmacy. We bring healthcare to you.
Why should I buy LMX4 Cream online with Treated?
Answer:
Are you preparing for a minor procedure like a blood test or non-live vaccine? Or planning to get a tattoo or piercing? If you’re worried about the pain, you don’t have to be. Just talk to us about your health and we’ll send LMX4 Cream right to your door.
Our team of experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about your treatment. We’ll also check in with you after you use it to see how you got on. We can make your healthcare simple.
Comparative efficacy and patient preference of topical anaesthetics in dermatological laser treatments and skin microneedling. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 8(3), p.143.
Cortes Valdovinos, N., Reddin, C., Bernard, C., Shafer, B. and Tanabe, P., 2009.
The Use of Topical Anesthesia During Intravenous Catheter Insertion in Adults: A Comparison of Pain Scores Using LMX-4 Versus Placebo. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 35(4), pp.299-304.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
