As you lead up to the exciting day of getting your tattoo, you may be wondering what’s safe to consume before the session. Whether it’s general anxiety about the new ink or a doctor prescribed prescription for the drug, you might be curious about whether Xanax is safe before getting a new tattoo. Like everything else involving the medical procedure of tattooing, there are some do’s and don’ts you should be aware of.
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Will Xanax Help to Make a Tattoo Less Painful?
If you are taking Xanax in an attempt to minimize the pain of your tattoo experience, we would advise you against doing so. If along with heightened anxiety you also get heightened pain sensitivity, we understand that it may be tempting to take Xanax, but there are alternatives to this drug that will help manage your pain threshold.
Have a look at our helpful guides:
- Why Does My New Tattoo Sting? - Minimizing The Pain Of New Ink
- Does Tattoo Numbing Cream Work?
- The 5 Best Tattoo Numbing Creams For A Painless Tattoo Experience
Can You Take Xanax Before a Tattoo?
Whether you have been prescribed Xanax or are just curious about it’s anxiety-minimizing benefits, there are some things you should be aware of before taking Xanax prior to getting a tattoo.
What is Xanax?
Xanax is used to treat panic disorders and anxiety in patients, which is why it may be tempting to consider it for the anxiety that comes with a new tattoo. It alters the reaction of your nervous system and provides a calming effect.
Will It Help the Anxiety Before a Tattoo?
If you have been medically prescribed Xanax, or any other anxiety-relieving drugs, you should inform your tattoo artist of this in your first consultation but continue to take your medication in the quantity it has been prescribed to you. It will certainly help you manage any anxiety you are feeling towards the procedure.
If you have not been medically prescribed Xanax, you cannot guarantee how your body will react to the drug prior to your session and whether it will truly influence your anxiety levels. Professional tattoo artists will not tattoo clients they believe to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They have a right to refuse based on any suspicions they may have.
Will It Help With the Pain Before a Tattoo?
Xanax is not a pain reliever medication, but sometimes pain can be amplified by general anxiety and panic towards an experience. The tense experience of anxiety may also make it difficult, or more painful, to be tattooed.
There is no medication on the market that you can safely take, unprescribed, to completely eliminate the pain of tattooing without risking having your session declined due to being under the influence of drugs. For that reason, it's not worth taking Xanax to try and help the pain of a tattoo.
What Else Can I Do For My Tattoo Anxiety and Pain?
If you have anxiety about getting your tattoo or worries about pain, consider a few factors:
- Placement will influence how much a tattoo hurts - have a look at our entire collection of articles on Tattoo Pain to help choose a region that is less painful
- Some styles hurt more than others, as do some needles, so select carefully
- Your own state of mind can combat your anxiety; if you work with breathing exercises or distract yourself, you will be less anxious
- Carefully weigh whether the stress of the anxiety of the tattoo is worth getting the tattoo and speak to your tattoo artist about your general fears
- Tattoo pain is heavily influenced by your own immune system, your emotional and mental upbringing towards pain, and your body and skin health
Our Final Thoughts
Unless Xanax has been prescribed to you by a medical professional, it should not be taken prior to a tattoo session. While it may combat anxiety, it won’t combat overall pain, and could put you at risk of being declined a tattoo or any future tattoos from the shop if your body has a negative reaction to the medication. Tattoo anxiety is a state of mind, and pain can easily be combated through proper placement, design styles, and distractions. Unless it’s a part of your medical journey, avoid the Xanax before your tattoo.
