Emla Cream 5% 5g is a local anaesthetic cream that numbs the skin surface. It suits adults and children who feel tense about injections, blood tests, or minor skin work. The cream holds lidocaine and prilocaine, which block pain signals and ease needle fear. It is widely used in hospitals, clinics, and at home, with strong safety data. This handy 5g tube is ideal for single use or travel, and easy to store.

Key Features

• Fast pain relief: Numbs the skin for minor procedures like injections, blood tests, and small skin work.
• Dual anaesthetic blend: Uses lidocaine and prilocaine for reliable, gentle local anaesthesia on intact skin.
• Versatile use cases: Helpful before vaccines, blood draws, cosmetic work, and some dermatology care.
• Trusted clinical record: Backed by long use, research, and guidance from health bodies and hospitals.
• Convenient 5g size: Compact tube fits first aid kits, travel bags, and home medicine drawers.
• Suitable for children: Often used to ease needle pain in children over three months with care.
• Predictable onset time: Begins to work after a set wait, with effect lasting for a short while.
• Non greasy formula: Smooth white cream spreads well and sits neatly under a dressing.

How does Emla Cream 5% 5g work?

Emla Cream 5% 5g works by blocking nerve signals in the upper skin layers. Its two active agents, lidocaine and prilocaine, calm the area so pain feels much less sharp. The cream gives local numbness only where applied, so the rest of the body stays alert. Many people still feel touch or pressure, yet the sharp sting linked with needles is reduced. This local action makes it useful for blood tests, vaccines, and some skin or laser work.

Can Emla Cream 5% 5g be used for cosmetic or laser treatments?

Yes, Emla Cream 5% 5g is often used before some minor cosmetic and laser work. It can help ease pain during laser hair work, small tattoo work, filler use, or skin peels. Use should always follow guidance from a trained clinician, nurse, or beauty expert. Since skin type and planned work vary, a patch test or advice can help limit side effects.

How long does the numbing effect last?

Emla Cream 5% 5g usually starts to act after a set wait time on the skin. When used as advised, numbing can last for one to two hours after removal. The exact time can vary with skin site, age, and area size treated. Health care staff can guide when best to apply so numbness peaks at the right time.

Lidocaine, prilocaine, macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, Carbomer 974P, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

First, make sure the area of skin to be anaesthetised is clean and dry. Shave the area before application if necessary.

Squeeze half a 5g tube of cream (about 2g) onto the procedure site, approximately the size of a 50p coin.

Take one of the occlusive dressings and remove the centre cut-out piece. Peel the protective paper away from the underside. Cover the Emla cream with the dressing so that you get a thick layer underneath and press down the edges firmly to avoid leakages. Do not spread out the cream.

Remove the paper frame. Emla must be applied at least one hour before the procedure and can be left in place for up to five hours for adults and four hours for children. The longer the cream stays on, the better the anaesthetic effect!

When ready for use, remove the dressing and wipe off excess cream with a tissue.

Please make sure an appropriate dressing is used to cover the skin to maximise the absorption and leave it on the skin surface for adequate time (usually 60 minutes) ahead of the needle procedure.

You can also ask your pharmacist to advise you on how much to use and where to apply. Please ensure the needle procedure is performed within the following four hours, but preferably as soon as possible after the removal of the excess cream.

Wash your hands after applying the cream, unless your hands are the area being treated.

Avoid contact with your eyes. If you accidentally get the cream in your eyes, rinse well with lukewarm water or saline solution and protect the eye until sensation returns.

If you are planning to use this product before getting a tattoo, speak to your doctor to check it is right for you, and let your tattoo artist know you're planning to use the cream so they can make adjustments accordingly.

Do not use this product on cuts, grazes and wounds (excluding leg ulcers), near skin irritation or eczema, or near your eyes or genitals.

If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before using this product.

There are some side effects associated with this product, however, they are usually mild and don't happen to everyone.

The side effects of this product include: paleness, redness or swelling of the skin at the application site.