Painless Ink with Tattoo MD
Many people want beautiful artwork displayed on their skin but do not go through with it because of the pain that occurs during the tattooing.
Some areas of the body have a high amount of pain in nerve fibers, such as the ribs and inner arm, which can cause people to avoid tattooing these areas.
By numbing up the skin, a person can enjoy the tattoo created by their artist without having to undergo the discomfort that comes with it. A tattoo artist can also work faster and more efficiently because pain often will require multiple breaks during a session, frequent position changes, and even multiple sessions to complete the tattoo.
These issues can be avoided by numbing the skin before the tattoo.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do you use to numb up the skin?
We use a medication called bupivacaine with epinephrine. This is a long-acting type of local anesthetic mixed with a medication that constricts your tiny superficial blood vessels so that the local anesthesia works longer and the amount of bleeding from your tattoo session will be less.
Will the numbing procedure mess up the tattoo?
Not at all! The medication is placed just below the skin where the tattooing is done.
Does the numbing process hurt?
We start the process by using a tiny needle to numb the skin where the actual injection of the medication will be done, which feels like a small pinch followed by a burning sensation that lasts about 15-20 seconds. We then use a larger needle to inject the full volume of the medication into the area to be numbed, which again feels like a burning sensation that lasts about 15-20 seconds before the area
becomes numb.
What are the risks?
The medication and the procedure to numb the area are very safe. There is a limit to how much local anesthesia we can use because too much local anesthesia can cause toxicity. Therefore, we include a safety margin in our calculations, so the risk of local anesthesia toxicity is very unlikely. We also test your skin before the procedure to check for any local anesthesia allergy (which is very rare). We will also check your vital signs frequently to ensure everything goes smoothly.
How long does the numbing last?
The area will be numb for 5 to 7 hours. The time frame varies because the numbing effect can depend on the size of the tattoo and your characteristics, such as blood pressure and heart rate.
Do I have to come to your clinic to get numbed up?
Not at all! The provider will meet you 30 minutes before your appointment at the tattoo studio so that you can benefit from the maximum amount of numbing time for your tattoo session and not waste time traveling from our clinic to your tattoo artist. Because of this, it is important to let your tattoo artist know that you will be numbed up so your tattoo session can start on time.
Who will be doing the numbing procedure?
A physician or certified nurse anesthetist trained in local anesthesia and Tattoo M.D.’s tattoo-specific protocols will provide the service.
Is there a limit to how much skin can be numbed up?
Yes. The amount of local anesthesia to be used is calculated based on your weight, so it is important to provide us with the most accurate weight possible. If your weight is over or underestimated, there is a risk of either medication toxicity or insufficient medication to numb you. The Tattoo M.D. provider will also weigh you at your appointment.
Who can’t get numbed up?
It is uncommon for someone not to be a candidate for skin-numbing. However, suppose you have a history of an allergic reaction to local anesthesia, sensitivity to epinephrine, untreated high blood pressure, or a significant heart condition. In that case, this may disqualify you from our services.
I want several areas numbed up at the same time. Is that possible?
Yes, as long as the total square inch area does not exceed the maximal safety allowance. We do consider each different area a separate location in regards to pricing.
What if the size of my tattoo is larger than the allowable numbed area?
In this instance, you have several options. You can choose the sensitive areas to be numbed up, leaving the other areas not anesthetized. You can also stage your tattoo into several sessions and get numbed again at the area that will be worked on.
How much does it cost?
The charge for numbing up your skin is calculated by the number of square inches the area to numb will be. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure your tattoo so that enough skin will be numb. To calculate the number of square inches needed to numb, multiply the height of your tattoo by the width of the tattoo in inches to give the number of square inches in total. We recommend adding 0.5 inches to the area's length and width to ensure the edges will be numb. The values are rounded up or down to work with whole numbers, as it is impossible to numb the area in fractions. The charge for the service is 25.00 per square inch up to 9 inches, 20.00 per square inch for every additional square inch up to 36 square inches, and then 15.00 per square inch above 36 square inches. There is a minimum charge of 9 square inches (3-inch by 3-inch area). A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required to confirm your appointment.
Can I finance the cost of my numbing procedure?
Yes! Because Tattoo M.D. offers a medical service, you can use financing services such as CareCredit to pay for part or all of your skin numbing. You can apply at CareCredit.com to see if you qualify for financing.
