Medically reviewed by Audra M. Webber, MD, FASA; chair, ASA Committee on Ambulatory Surgical Care, June 10, 2025

Anesthesia for Tattoos

Getting a tattoo can hurt. You want to do what you can to reduce the pain, but you should never do anything unsafe. Receiving anesthesia can sound like a good idea, but it can also be risky for your health and safety. Undergoing anesthesia for a tattooing session is no different from receiving it for any other elective procedure or surgery: All the same safety precautions apply.

If you’re considering anesthesia for your tattoo, make sure you’re aware of the risks. If you do decide to receive anesthesia, learn how to keep yourself safe. Here’s what you need to know.

What are my pain management options during tattooing?

Tattoo artists manage pain for you in different ways. They may recommend numbing creams or sprays, ice packs, or breathing techniques. But large or very detailed tattoos can take many hours to complete. Inking them may even require more than one session over two or more days. Some people consider undergoing anesthesia to reduce the pain, stay still for longer, and enable the artist to complete a large and complex tattoo in fewer sessions.

Can I safely undergo anesthesia for a tattoo?

You can, but you need to get the anesthesia in the right way. Anesthesia adds extra risks. Some of them can be serious and even life-threatening. Your age or medical conditions can increase these risks. Your risks also increase if people who aren’t medically trained administer your anesthesia, or if they administer it in a setting without the proper setup and equipment.

However, anesthesia is very safe when it’s administered by trained professionals, such as anesthesiologists, in the right environment.

What types of anesthesia might be used for tattoos?

There are several types of anesthesia, with different effects and risks, that might be used for tattoos. These types include regional anesthesia, monitored sedation, and general anesthesia.

Regional anesthesia for tattoos

• Regional anesthesia numbs a large part of your body, such as from your waist to your feet. You usually receive it through an injection or through a small tube called a catheter that is inserted near the part of the body you want to numb. You remain awake and aware of the tattooing, but you don’t feel any pain.

• Complications, such as damage to nerves, are possible though rare. These risks should be thoroughly reviewed with your anesthesia health care professional.

Monitored sedation for tattoos

• For monitored sedation, you are given medication to relax you, usually through an IV. The level of sedation can range from minimal (you’ll feel drowsy but able to talk) to deep (you probably won’t remember the procedure). Sedation is often used in combination with other medication to relieve pain.

• Moderate or deep sedation can affect your breathing, oxygen levels, and blood pressure.

General anesthesia for tattoos

• With general anesthesia, you’re unconscious during your tattooing.

• General anesthesia can cause many of your body’s functions, such as breathing and heart rate, to slow down.  This is the same type of anesthesia used for procedures such as appendectomies or gallbladder surgery.  Some potential anesthesia-related complications can be life-threatening, which is why you need a trained anesthesia health care professional to administer it and keep you safe.

Who should administer anesthesia when I’m getting a tattoo?

Regional anesthesia, monitored sedation, and general anesthesia should only be administered by a qualified anesthesia professional, such as an anesthesiologist, Anesthesiologists are medical doctors who receive special education and training to keep you safe. They use their expertise to:

• Choose the medications for anesthesia that are safest for you.

• Prepare for special risks based on your medical conditions or history.

• Monitor you during your procedure.

• Respond quickly and correctly to side effects and emergencies.

For example, during general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist may place an airway device in your throat to help you breathe. The anesthesiologist monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and other vital signs to make sure they’re normal and steady.

Once your procedure is complete, the anesthesiologist reverses the medication and stays with you as you return to consciousness. They monitor your breathing, circulation, and oxygen levels. They will take action to manage any side effects, such as nausea.

Where should tattooing be performed when I am receiving anesthesia?

A tattoo studio is not a safe place to receive anesthesia. You should only receive anesthesia in a setting with the proper setup and equipment to monitor vital signs and handle emergencies. It’s the same as when you get a colonoscopy, MRI, plastic surgery, or other medical procedure or surgery.

You should only receive anesthesia in places with the necessary emergency equipment, staff, and safety protocols. An anesthesiologist or other anesthesia health care professional should be the one who chooses the location. Their choice should be based on your health, the length of the tattooing session, and safety requirements.

What steps should I take before agreeing to receive anesthesia for a tattoo?

If you want to receive anesthesia, take these steps to help keep yourself safe:

• Make sure you are informed about all the risks, so you can make the best decision. Discuss these risks, as well as benefits, with the anesthesiologist or other qualified anesthesia professional.

• Only book tattoo artists who are working with an anesthesiologist or other qualified anesthesia professional.

• Ask about the location where the tattooing will be done. Make sure an anesthesiologist or other qualified anesthesia professional has approved the location.

• Review and consent to a plan for post-anesthesia care. This plan should include instructions for how you’ll recover from the effects of anesthesia before you leave.

How should I prepare for anesthesia for a tattoo?

Anytime you are undergoing anesthesia, preparation and precautions are important for your health and safety. Receiving anesthesia for a tattooing session is no different. Use the checklist below and review the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ guidance on anesthesia care for tattoo procedures for patients to make sure you are prepared.

• Undergo an evaluation with your anesthesiologist before the tattoo session. This evaluation should include a physical exam and a review of your medical history and conditions. Be honest with the anesthesiologist about your use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and any other drugs. This information helps identify your risks from anesthesia and how to reduce them.

• Follow pre-surgery directions regarding your prescription medications, supplements, and how long before your tattoo session you should stop eating or drinking.

• Make a plan for a ride home with someone you know and trust. You can’t drive when recovering from anesthesia.

Checklist: Anesthesia Care for Tattoo Procedures

Download this one-page resource on how to prepare and what to expect.

Download

What should I expect during recovery from general anesthesia?

Most side effects of anesthesia are minor and temporary.  You should learn about the side effects and prepare in advance. Your anesthesiologist knows how to manage these side effects and can help you.