We noticed a couple of stories when considering topics for our recent Tattoos in the News segment for September 2023. Instead of including them in the monthly release, we decided to address them via a separate article because of the importance. One such topic, was the concept of “going under” to get a tattoo. It seems to have become a trend as celebrities from rapper Tyga to NFL quarterback Dak Prescott opted for anesthesia to get large and physically taxing tattoos. In fact, every month, hundreds of people go online from Vancouver to Toronto and perform a Google search to ask; can you be sedated for a tattoo? The answer is yes, in some cities the service is available BUT we don’t recommend that you do it. Here’s a breakdown of why you should just mentally (and physically) prepare to get a tattoo the good ol’ fashioned way – the way that the powers-that-be intended.
3 Reasons Why You Should Avoid Getting Sedated for a Tattoo
Anesthesia is Complicated
We know that people like to throw around the statistic that one in every thousand (or so) people die under anesthesia. That may have been the case a hundred years ago, but that’s no longer true. The risk of dying in the operating room (or related space) under anesthesia is extremely lean for generally healthy people who are having planned surgery – it’s about one-person for every 100,000 general anesthetics given. That being said, anesthesia is complicated. Are you certain that you don’t have any underlying conditions that could place you at greater risk? Do you really want to get a full check-up from your family physician to ask him/her beforehand to find out?
Can’t Communicate with Your Tattooist
You’re about to get a work of body art permanently emblemed on your skin. Are you sure that you want to be “out of it” when doing so? Remember, you won’t be able to communicate with your tattooist under sedation. It’s important to keep lines of communication open because questions may arise about depth of color tone, shading, lines, design, and more. No matter how much planning goes into the tattoo ahead of time, things may arise that require the ability to discuss and/or make suggestions in either direction.
You wouldn’t dare get your haircut under anesthesia, so why even consider it for something as permanent as a tattoo?
Don’t Rob Yourself of the Experience
A tattoo isn’t just art on your skin. It’s something that you earn through blood, sweat, and sometimes tears. It can be an experience that will last with you for a lifetime, so why would you want to rob yourself of that? Yes, it will be painful and uncomfortable, but that is a big part of what makes it so special. It also allows you to share the experience with friends, family, loved ones, coworkers, and anyone else who asks about it. Do you really want to tell them that you have no idea?
Source: Adrenaline Studios’ Funniest Tattoo Memes
Get a tattoo the way it was intended to be done. If located or visiting the Greater Vancouver BC or Toronto ON area you can schedule a consultation at an Adrenaline Studios near you.