With a growing number of tattoo artists offering pain management — including topical anesthetics — for lengthy sessions, the American Society of Anesthesiologists has issued guidelines for these procedures.
The ASA urges patients to use caution when receiving an anesthetic for a tattoo appointment, ensuring the businesses use the same safety standards as would be used for any elective surgery or procedure, according to a June 23 news release from the organization.
While pain management for tattooing typically includes topical anesthetics, ice packs or breathing techniques, some businesses are opting to use anesthesia to minimize the pain and reduce the number of sessions.
The ASA has emphasized that anesthesia be administered only by a qualified anesthesia professional, such as an anesthesiologist, in a facility equipped to handle emergencies and monitor patient safety, just as is done for a colonoscopy, MRI, or for plastic surgery and other procedures.
ASA-recommended anesthesiologists follow a list of standards and statements for pre-anesthesia evaluation, basic monitoring during procedures, post-anesthesia care, and safe use of propofol.
“Choosing to undergo anesthesia for a tattoo comes with risks that go beyond the tattoo itself, and should be approached with serious consideration, like you would for any other elective surgical or cosmetic procedure,” Donald Arnold, MD, ASA president, said in the release. “Anesthesia is very safe when delivered by an anesthesiologist, who has the education and training to provide the best care, including determining the most appropriate anesthesia for each patient, monitoring their vital signs during the procedure and managing complications if they arise.”
The organization encourages patients to be informed of the risks associated with anesthesia and sedation, undergo a pre-procedure evaluation, share any medical records and health conditions with their anesthesiologist, understand they may need additional medical testing before the procedure, and review and consent to an anesthetic plan and post-anesthesia care.
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