How Compounded Topical Numbing Creams and Anesthetics Support Safer, More Comfortable Cosmetic Procedures:
Morpheus8®, MonaLisa Touch®, and More
When it comes to aesthetic services like Morpheus8®, MonaLisa Touch®, laser procedures, and injectable therapies, patient comfort is paramount. At Town & Country Compounding, we specialize in creating high-quality topical anesthetic formulations that help prescribers deliver optimal care while ensuring their patients have the most comfortable experience possible.
The growing role of topical anesthetics in cosmetic procedures
Practitioners increasingly use topical anesthetics to decrease the pain associated with superficial dermatologic, aesthetic, and laser procedures. As non-invasive cosmetic therapies become more popular and sophisticated, the demand for effective pain management grows accordingly. Modern aesthetic procedures can achieve remarkable results, but patient comfort remains a critical factor in success and satisfaction.
Why topical anesthetics matter
Topical numbing agents are essential tools in modern aesthetic medicine. They work by potentially temporarily blocking nerve signals in the skin, reducing discomfort during procedures. The right topical anesthetic may transform a potentially uncomfortable procedure into a tolerable — or even comfortable — experience, improving patient satisfaction and compliance with therapy plans.
Our specialized approach
Town & Country Compounding has developed unique methods for creating compounded topical anesthetic prescriptions specifically for patients undergoing Morpheus8® and other cosmetic procedures, especially those involving micro-needling or lasers.
Convenient for your practice: These formulations require patient-specific prescriptions and can be shipped and billed directly to your office if desired, streamlining the process for busy practices.
We ship vitamins and OTC products to all states, and we are licensed to fill and ship prescriptions to over 20 states across the country.
Common aesthetic procedures using topical anesthetics
Microneedling and radiofrequency
Morpheus8®
Morpheus8® by InMode combines micro-needling with radiofrequency energy. The device releases energy into deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Because it penetrates deeper layers, anesthesia is crucial for patient comfort.
Other RF microneedling and traditional microneedling
Various microneedling procedures also require topical anesthesia for optimal patient comfort and success.
Injectables
Neuromodulators (Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®)
Topical anesthetics may significantly improve comfort, especially for sensitive areas or patients with needle anxiety.
Dermal fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers for lip enhancement, cheek augmentation, under-eye hollows, and facial contouring may benefit from topical anesthesia, especially in sensitive areas like the lips.
Kybella®
This injectable therapy involves multiple injections in one area, and topical anesthesia may help minimize discomfort.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
PRP injections, whether for facial rejuvenation or hair restoration, may benefit from topical anesthesia due to multiple injection sites.
Laser and energy-based therapies
Laser hair removal, fractional laser resurfacing, vascular laser, and other energy-based procedures may all benefit from appropriate topical anesthesia.
Women’s health procedures
MonaLisa Touch® and vaginal rejuvenation
CO2 laser vaginal rejuvenation procedures may require specialized topical anesthesia designed for delicate tissue.
Understanding the active ingredients
- Lidocaine: Reliable, moderate-duration numbing with strong safety profile in dermatology.
- Tetracaine: Potent ester anesthetic with longer duration, enhancing depth of anesthesia.
- Benzocaine: Rapid onset surface anesthesia, useful for quick numbing.
- Prilocaine: Often combined with lidocaine for enhanced penetration and effectiveness.
Research shows combination anesthetic formulations often outperform single-agent products, offering faster onset, deeper penetration, and more effective pain control for aesthetic procedures.
Our preferred formulations
Lidocaine 23% – Tetracaine 7% ointment
Commonly requested for: Morpheus8® and fractional RF microneedling
A high-strength dual-agent ointment designed for deeper anesthesia and prolonged contact time.
Application: Typically applied 30–60 minutes before the procedure under occlusion.
Lidocaine 23% – Tetracaine 7% vaginal gel
Commonly requested for: MonaLisa Touch® and vaginal rejuvenation
Designed specifically for delicate vaginal tissue and optimized for vaginal mucosa.
Application: Applied before vaginal laser procedures per prescriber protocol.
Benzocaine 20% – Lidocaine 6% – Tetracaine 4% ointment
Commonly requested for: Laser procedures
Triple combination providing rapid onset plus sustained anesthesia for laser therapies.
Application: Generally applied 20–45 minutes before laser therapy.
Benzocaine 20% – Lidocaine 6% – Tetracaine 4% cream
Commonly requested for: Needle-based procedures
Ideal for injectables such as dermal fillers, neuromodulators, Kybella®, and PRP injections.
Application: Typically applied 20–30 minutes before injections.
Clinical evidence and safety
Multi-agent formulations containing lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine are well-documented in dermatologic literature. Studies support superior anesthesia compared to single-agent products, and the American Academy of Dermatology recommends topical anesthetics as first-line agents for nonablative laser and minor dermatologic procedures.
Important safety considerations:
- Prescription-strength formulations should only be used under prescriber supervision.
- Limit application areas and durations to avoid systemic absorption.
- Consider allergies, pregnancy, nursing status, and patient-specific factors.
- Benzocaine should be used cautiously in young children due to rare methemoglobinemia risk.
- Patients with ester or amide anesthetic allergies should avoid offending agents.
- Prilocaine should be used cautiously in infants and individuals with G6PD deficiency.
Why choose compounded formulations?
- Customization: Concentrations and combinations optimized for specific procedures
- Fresh Preparation: Each batch compounded for potency and stability
- Quality Ingredients: Pharmaceutical-grade actives and bases
- Prescriber Partnership: Direct collaboration with healthcare providers
- Specialized Applications: Formulations for unique anatomical areas
- Practice Convenience: Direct shipping and billing to offices if desired
For practitioners
Are you looking for reliable topical anesthetic solutions for your practice? See our prescription order form for various procedures that often need compounded topical anesthetics.
Prescribers: Topical Anesthetics Prescription Order FormThe Town & Country Compounding difference
Consistency with anesthetic formulations
Every batch maintains the same smooth texture and predictable performance, supporting both practitioners and patients.
Smooth application with high concentrations
Advanced equipment reduces particle size to eliminate grit even at high drug concentrations, supporting a refined, pleasant application.
Our commitment to quality
Town & Country Compounding prepares pharmaceutical-grade topical anesthetics using premium ingredients, rigorous quality control, and close collaboration with prescribers.
Get started
At Town & Country Compounding, we’re committed to supporting both prescribers and patients in achieving the best possible outcomes through evidence-based medicine and patient-centered care.
For prescribers interested in partnering with us or patients seeking more information, we invite you to contact Town & Country Compounding.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare prescriber before using any topical anesthetic product.
References
- Kundu S, Achar S. Principles of Office Anesthesia: Part II. Topical Anesthesia. American Family Physician. 2002. Link
- Greveling K, et al. Comparison of Lidocaine/Tetracaine Cream vs Lidocaine/Prilocaine Cream. Br J Dermatol. 2017. Link
- Illg C, et al. Influence of Topical Anesthesia on Superficial Sensitivity. Dermatologic Surgery. 2020. Link
- El-Fakahany H, et al. Fractional Microneedling Enhancement of Topical Anesthesia. Dermatologic Surgery. 2016. Link
- Cohen JL. Pain Management with Lidocaine/Tetracaine Cream. JDD. 2013. Link
- Sutton E, Hanke CW. Topical Anesthetic Use in Cosmetic Dermatology. JDD. 2023. Link
- Kouba DJ, et al. Guidelines for Local Anesthesia in Dermatologic Surgery. JAAD. 2016. Link
- Relador Pak with Occlusive Dressing. FDA DailyMed. Updated 2015. Link
