July 11, 2024Prep & Pre-draw
Numbing Reinvented: Introducing IceCream™
We know PMU can be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be! That's right, get ready for a groundbreaking revelation.
Welcome to the debut of IceCream™!
Welcome to the debut of IceCream™!
IceCream™ is a new, game-changing numbing solution that sets a new standard in pain management.
My goal has always been consistently aimed at making things better for artists and their clients. Through the years, I've observed evolving challenges for both parties, driving me to continually develop innovative solutions for an enhanced experience. Today marks the thrilling introduction of IceCream™, a revolutionary numbing solution that swirls together pain management, comfort, and efficiency for PMU and aesthetics.
Assessing the Existing Landscape
In the intricate world of PMU and aesthetics, topical anesthetic numbing products are essential, especially for delicate procedures on brows, lips, and eyes. However, current options often still result in varying levels of discomfort or pain. This inconsistency, along with a lack of progress in ingredient innovation, drug delivery, and efficacy, has presented a prime opportunity for long-overdue advancements.
Resolving Current Challenges
The fear of pain during a PMU service is one of the biggest hurdles for potential clients. “Does it hurt?” is still one of the most frequently asked questions artists get during consultations! This discomfort can be very stressful for the client and artist. IceCream™ addresses this concern head-on, providing fast-acting pain control that eliminates that fear.
Currently, artists have to resort to the use of multiple numbing products throughout the procedure. Juggling between different products and brands for primary and secondary numbing creates confusion and delays in numbing efficacy, drug compatibility, and drug safety. This is why many artists even skip one or the other, causing their clients undue pain. IceCream™ simplifies this process with its powerful 2-in-1 formula, streamlining numbing both before and during the procedure.
Currently, artists have to resort to the use of multiple numbing products throughout the procedure. Juggling between different products and brands for primary and secondary numbing creates confusion and delays in numbing efficacy, drug compatibility, and drug safety. This is why many artists even skip one or the other, causing their clients undue pain. IceCream™ simplifies this process with its powerful 2-in-1 formula, streamlining numbing both before and during the procedure.
Traditional formulas containing vasoconstrictors often result in hardened skin, making it difficult for needles to penetrate and pigment to deposit properly. IceCream™, on the other hand, features a specialized and advanced formulation with purposeful ingredients. This unique blend maintains skin softness while maximizing effectiveness.
Comparative Analysis
Here’s a comparison of some of the most popular products on the market today for primary and secondary anesthetics:
IceCream™ features a unique blend of 5% Lidocaine and 0.25% Phenylephrine, offering enhanced performance and cost savings, as you'll only need one product instead of two. As an FDA compliant solution, it ensures safety and efficacy with every application. Serving as both a primary numbing agent before the procedure and a secondary one during, IceCream™ eliminates the need for separate products, saving both time and money. Its gentle, neutral pH of 6.5 ensures its safety for all sensitive areas, including brows, eyes, lips, scars, areolas, and more.
Behind the Scenes
Various numbing formulas during production & testing
The Development Journey
It was of paramount importance to me that our manufacturer aligned with specific criteria to ensure the highest quality and compliance standards. We were not willing to cut any corners in product safety! Here are the criteria that guided our choices:
FDA Facility:
We specifically sought out an FDA compliant facility, ensuring that every aspect of the production adheres to the stringent standards set by the Food and Drug Administration.
GMP Certification:
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification was a non-negotiable criteria. This certification ensures that the manufacturing process consistently produces products that meet the required quality standards.
Formulation Capability:
The manufacturer needed to possess formulation capabilities with chemists experienced in developing similar products. This collaboration was crucial to align our formula with the FDA monograph.
FDA Regulatory Compliance for OTC Product:
As an over-the-counter (OTC) topical product, compliance with regulatory standards was imperative. This ensured that IceCream™ met all safety and efficacy requirements set forth by the FDA.
Clean Water Weekly Testing Requirements:
The manufacturer had to adhere to weekly testing requirements for clean water, ensuring the purity and safety of the product.
Project Management and Quality Assurance:
The manufacturer needed to have a dedicated project manager, design and development team, strict quality control, and ongoing testing. This comprehensive setup ensured effective product design, development, and quality assurance.
FDA Facility:
We specifically sought out an FDA compliant facility, ensuring that every aspect of the production adheres to the stringent standards set by the Food and Drug Administration.
GMP Certification:
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification was a non-negotiable criteria. This certification ensures that the manufacturing process consistently produces products that meet the required quality standards.
Formulation Capability:
The manufacturer needed to possess formulation capabilities with chemists experienced in developing similar products. This collaboration was crucial to align our formula with the FDA monograph.
FDA Regulatory Compliance for OTC Product:
As an over-the-counter (OTC) topical product, compliance with regulatory standards was imperative. This ensured that IceCream™ met all safety and efficacy requirements set forth by the FDA.
Clean Water Weekly Testing Requirements:
The manufacturer had to adhere to weekly testing requirements for clean water, ensuring the purity and safety of the product.
Project Management and Quality Assurance:
The manufacturer needed to have a dedicated project manager, design and development team, strict quality control, and ongoing testing. This comprehensive setup ensured effective product design, development, and quality assurance.
The Science Behind IceCream™
Working closely with our manufacturing team, we tested and iterated over a dozen different formulas to meet the needs of our artists and customers. With feedback from field testing and meticulous adjustments, we fine-tuned the formulation to perfection!
Our innovative 2-in-1 formula can be used both before and during PMU procedures as a primary and secondary anesthetic, ensuring endless comfort. Allow it to fully absorb, and you might hardly even need to reapply.
Advantages and Application
Now, let's dive into the features and benefits that set IceCream™ apart:
Ingredients
When IceCream™ is applied to the skin, the active ingredients don't just sit there – they penetrate deeply. By blending these actives with specific inactive components, IceCream™ actually reduces the surface tension of tissues. As a result, absorption happens swiftly.
Reduced surface tension → increased absorption → improved pigment deposit
With IceCream™, there are no fillers, fragrances, or unnecessary, irritating additives—only purposeful ingredients, hand-selected to deliver results.
About the active ingredients
Lidocaine 5% HCl
Lidocaine belongs to the family of medicines called local anesthetics. It prevents pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin
Phenylephrine 0.25% HCl
Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor that temporarily narrows the blood vessels in the treated area, decreasing swelling and discomfort without skin hardening.
IceCream™ utilizes Phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor found in over-the-counter decongestant sprays, to gently constrict capillaries near the procedure site to reduce bleeding and swelling while enhancing and extending the numbing effect and duration. Unlike Epinephrine, which can discolor and lose efficacy over time, Phenylephrine offers stability, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the product for up to 24 months. The outcome: skin that is soft and plump without the tradeoff of tough and hardened skin.
Lidocaine belongs to the family of medicines called local anesthetics. It prevents pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin
Phenylephrine 0.25% HCl
Phenylephrine is a vasoconstrictor that temporarily narrows the blood vessels in the treated area, decreasing swelling and discomfort without skin hardening.
IceCream™ utilizes Phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor found in over-the-counter decongestant sprays, to gently constrict capillaries near the procedure site to reduce bleeding and swelling while enhancing and extending the numbing effect and duration. Unlike Epinephrine, which can discolor and lose efficacy over time, Phenylephrine offers stability, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the product for up to 24 months. The outcome: skin that is soft and plump without the tradeoff of tough and hardened skin.
About the inactive ingredients
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8: a synthetic peptide that is used in skincare products for its potential anti-aging properties. It's often included in formulations targeting wrinkles and fine lines.
Butylene Glycol: a common humectant and solvent used in skincare and cosmetic products. It helps to hydrate the skin and improve the texture of formulations.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose 2500: a cellulose derivative often used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in skincare products. It helps to create a desirable texture and consistency.
Chloroxylenol: an antimicrobial agent with antibacterial properties. It's often included in skincare products to help prevent bacterial growth and maintain product stability.
Hexanediol CG: a solvent and humectant commonly used in skincare formulations. It helps to improve the spreadability of products and can also provide some hydration to the skin.
Pentapeptide-18: an additional synthetic peptide used in skincare products for its potential anti-aging benefits. It may help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin firmness.
Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin: a preservative system commonly used in skincare products to prevent microbial contamination and extend shelf life. Phenoxyethanol is the primary preservative, while Ethylhexylglycerin is often used as a co-preservative
IceCream™ also contains Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Water (Aqua).
Butylene Glycol: a common humectant and solvent used in skincare and cosmetic products. It helps to hydrate the skin and improve the texture of formulations.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose 2500: a cellulose derivative often used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in skincare products. It helps to create a desirable texture and consistency.
Chloroxylenol: an antimicrobial agent with antibacterial properties. It's often included in skincare products to help prevent bacterial growth and maintain product stability.
Hexanediol CG: a solvent and humectant commonly used in skincare formulations. It helps to improve the spreadability of products and can also provide some hydration to the skin.
Pentapeptide-18: an additional synthetic peptide used in skincare products for its potential anti-aging benefits. It may help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin firmness.
Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin: a preservative system commonly used in skincare products to prevent microbial contamination and extend shelf life. Phenoxyethanol is the primary preservative, while Ethylhexylglycerin is often used as a co-preservative
IceCream™ also contains Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Water (Aqua).
Maximizing Effectiveness
IceCream™ can be used for any tattoo or aesthetic procedure, including SMP, eyebrows, eyelids, lips, areola, scars, body tattoos, fillers, Botox™, laser services, microneedling, piercing, and more!
DISCLAIMER
Please note, although IceCream™ is safe for all sensitive areas, it is formulated for external use only. Apply carefully to eyelids and avoid contact with the eye itself, as this can result in dilated pupils, blurred vision, or swelling. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly.
Do not use on compromised or irritated skin. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage unless directed by a doctor. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any medical conditions, consult your healthcare provider before use. Certain persons can develop allergic reactions to ingredients in this product. If the symptom being treated does not subside or if redness, irritation, swelling, pain, or other symptoms develop or increase, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
Do not use on compromised or irritated skin. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosage unless directed by a doctor. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any medical conditions, consult your healthcare provider before use. Certain persons can develop allergic reactions to ingredients in this product. If the symptom being treated does not subside or if redness, irritation, swelling, pain, or other symptoms develop or increase, discontinue use and consult a doctor.
Since PMU artists are not medical professionals, the regulations on using anesthetic products may vary per state/country. The regulations may vary, with certain jurisdictions permitting PMU artists to utilize over-the-counter primary and secondary topical anesthetics without oversight. Meanwhile, others may restrict the application of secondary numbing or entirely prohibit artists from administering numbing creams to clients. In such cases, clients are typically instructed to purchase and apply the numbing product before their appointment. It is advisable to consult with your local health authority and consistently adhere to all relevant guidelines.
IceCream™ is the ultimate sweet treat for skin… not tastebuds!
