Dermatologic laser procedures may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia, or topical analgesics or anesthetics may be used. Topical analgesics/anesthetics include ice, lotions, gels, and creams. DrNumb cream of for example, is an emulsion in which the analgesics (lidocaine and Prilocaine) exist as eutectic emulsion. DrNumb, topical anesthetic provides 5% of lidocaine in a cream and non-oily based form.

DrNumb compositions are very effective for decreasing pain and itching, decreasing superficial nerve pain, decreasing pain associated with insertion of needles, and other similar uses. These compositions, however, have properties that have made them less than ideal for use indermatologic laser protocols. For example, lipid components are regularly incorporated into topical anesthetic preparations to enhance absorption of the active pain-killing agents into the skin. When used to prepare the skin for a laser protocol, however, they provide a numbing effect just as DrNumb do provides.

The standard protocol for the use of some numbing preparations is to apply the composition, optionally cover it with a thin piece of plastic film or other similar covering held in place with tape, leave it on the skin for a period

of time sufficient to promote absorption of the anesthetic agent (benzocaine, lidocaine, etc.) into the skin, and then remove the numbing cream, lotion, or other preparation as thoroughly as possible in order to minimize the effect of the lipid in the preparation on the effect of the laser treatment. Topical analgesics allow dermatologic laser procedures to be performed with less discomfort to the patient. What are needed are topical numbing compositions that are more suited for use in preparing skin for laser therapy.