If you are going to get tattooed, you might be wondering if you can take a muscle relaxer to help with the pain. After all, no one likes pain.
You can use a muscle relaxer before getting a tattoo and it WILL help with the pain. Plus, some tattoo artists also recommend them to clients. But there are a couple of small risks of using them.
In this article, I’ll talk about the pros and cons of using muscle relaxants before getting a tattoo, and discuss some other pain management options.
Pros Of Using Muscle Relaxers Before Tattoos
Let’s start with the good news – many people have had positive experiences taking muscle relaxers before getting a tattoo.
Related: Do shin tattoos hurt?
People use and swear by muscle relaxers to make getting a tattoo less painful. And it’s true, these meds can take the edge off and make things more bearable.
Here are the pros of using them:
- Reduces pain and discomfort during the session.
- It can make the pain of getting a tattoo way more bearable, especially for those with low pain tolerance.
- It helps prevent muscle cramps or spasms that may occur while getting inked.
- It helps you sit still for longer periods during a session.
- It helps you relax and stay calm during the tattooing process.
Cons Of Using Muscle Relaxers Before A Tattoo
Muscle relaxers are drugs, and we have to be careful with medications before a tattoo.
Related: Leg tattoo hurts to walk
So, taking muscle relaxers before getting a tattoo can come with a few risks. Here are some of them:
- It can cause dizziness or light-headedness, making it difficult to concentrate and keep focus.
- You could feel super sleepy or tired, making it hard to stay awake and alert during the tattooing process
- You might end up feeling like you’re gonna hurl, which would be a real bummer while getting tattooed
- Allergic reactions are no joke and could be downright dangerous, so be careful
- Your muscle relaxer could mix badly with other meds you’re taking, so also call your doctor before taking them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some muscle relaxers can thin your blood, which can lead to more bleeding during the tattoo process. And that can affect the healing process and cause problems down the road as well.
Read why blood thinners are considered bad here.
Muscle Relaxant Alternatives For Tattoo Pain
If you’re worried about the risks of taking muscle relaxers, don’t worry – there are other ways to manage the pain of getting a tattoo.
Some of these are:
Topical Numbing Creams
These creams can be applied to your skin before the tattooing process to help numb the area and reduce discomfort.
Numbing sprays like Bactine are also good for tattoos.
Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can help you relax and manage pain during the tattoo process.
One way to do this is to take a deep breath in through your nose for four seconds, hold it for another four seconds, and then let it out slowly through your mouth for four seconds.
Distraction Techniques
Some people find that listening to music or chatting with their tattoo artist can help reduce discomfort during the tattoo process.
You can bring a friend along to keep you company too. Or you could bring a stress ball or something similar to hold onto and focus.
Verdict – Is Muscle Relaxer Good For Tattoos?
While many people use muscle relaxers just fine, they can cause the side effects we talked about. So it’s up to you to decide.
I wouldn’t recommend using them if the area you are getting the tattoo is considered a painful area – like the ribs or shins.
It’s super important to talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo if you have any medical conditions, allergies, or take any medications.
And don’t forget to talk to your tattoo artist too!
FAQs
Can You Sleep While Getting a Tattoo?
It is generally not recommended to sleep while getting a tattoo due to several reasons.
Remaining still is crucial for the tattoo artist to accurately create the design, and sleeping could lead to involuntary movements that may distort the artwork.
Being conscious and alert allows you to communicate any discomfort or pain you might be experiencing, which is essential for both you and the tattoo artist to ensure the process is safe and tolerable.
Do Muscle Relaxers Help with Tattoo Pain?
Muscle relaxers are not typically recommended for managing tattoo pain. While they can alleviate muscle spasms, they do not directly target the type of pain caused by tattooing, which is more superficial and involves skin and nerve pain rather than muscle tension.
Moreover, using muscle relaxers may lead to excessive bleeding due to their potential blood-thinning effects, which can compromise the tattooing process and the quality of the final artwork.
Do Muscle Relaxers Thin Your Blood?
No, muscle relaxers do not thin your blood. They work by acting on the central nervous system or directly on the muscles to relieve spasms, not by altering the blood’s viscosity or its clotting properties, which are targeted by blood thinners such as anticoagulants.