Could CBD Help Ease the Pain of Getting a New Tattoo?

Anybody who has ever gotten a tattoo understands that the pain during the actual tattooing process is just the starting point. For the days afterwards, there is a direct level of pain that’s to be expected. Still, just because it’s standard for that area to hurt while it’s healing, doesn’t make it any easier to tolerate. And that’s where trying to find something, mainly topical, to ease the pain is necessary for some people who don’t have the best pain tolerance. Speaking of topicals, one could be using solutions that contain CBD due to its unique effects, as we’ll be discussing here today.

What is the Actual Process of Getting a Tattoo?

Getting a tattoo involves several steps, each important to ensure a safe and satisfactory experience. Before diving into those, every tattoo experience can be unique, depending on personal preferences, the complexity of the design, and the practices of the tattoo studio. Always prioritize safety and cleanliness throughout the process.

1. Idea and Design Conceptualization

• Research and Inspiration: You start by deciding what type of tattoo you want. This can be inspired by personal interests, experiences, or designs found online.
• Design Customization: If you want a custom design, you might sketch your ideas or work with a tattoo artist to develop a unique design.

2. Choosing a Tattoo Artist and Studio

• Research: Look for artists whose style matches your desired tattoo. Consider their portfolio, experience, and reviews.
• Consultation: Schedule a consultation to discuss your design, get an estimate, and check the cleanliness of the studio.

3. Preparing for the Appointment

• Health and Safety: Ensure you're in good health. Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications before your appointment.
• Skin Care: Keep the skin where you'll be tattooed clean and moisturized.

4. The Tattooing Session

• Stencil Application: The artist will create a stencil of your tattoo and place it on your skin for positioning.
• Skin Preparation: The area will be cleaned and shaved if necessary.
• Tattooing: Using a tattoo machine with needles, the artist will begin inking the design into your skin. This can take several hours, depending on the complexity and size of the tattoo.
• Pain and Breaks: Tattoos can be painful. You can ask for breaks if needed.

5. Aftercare

• Immediate Care: The artist will clean the tattooed area and apply a bandage or plastic wrap.
• Healing Process: Follow the artist's instructions for care, which usually include keeping the tattoo clean, applying ointment, and avoiding sun exposure.
• Avoiding Infection: Be vigilant for signs of infection, such as excessive redness, swelling, or pus.

6. Follow-Up and Touch-Ups

• Touch-Up Appointment: After the healing process, if needed, schedule a touch-up appointment to correct any fading or imperfections after healing.

Why is There Pain After Getting a Tattoo?

Have you ever wondered why the skin experiences a good amount of pain prior to being tattooed? Well, it makes sense when considering what happens during the tattooing process. You see, pain after getting a tattoo is very common and can be attributed to several factors, sometimes more than one even.

Factor #1: Skin Trauma

Tattooing involves repeatedly piercing the skin's top layer with a needle coated with pigment. This process essentially creates a wound, and the pain experienced is part of the body's natural response to skin trauma.

Factor #2: Inflammation

The tattooing process causes inflammation in the skin, which can lead to pain, redness, and swelling. This is the body's immune response to injury and is part of the healing process.

Factor #3: Nerve Response

The skin is full of nerves, and the tattoo needle's penetration can cause a pain response in these nerves. Different areas of the body have different densities of nerve endings, so the level of pain can vary depending on the tattoo's location.

Factor #4: Size and Duration of Tattoo Session

Larger tattoos or those that require multiple sessions can lead to increased pain due to the prolonged irritation of the skin.

Factor #5: Individual Pain Threshold

Pain tolerance varies from person to person. Some people may find the process relatively painless, while others may experience significant discomfort.

Factor #6: Healing Process

As the tattoo heals, it can become itchy and may feel sore, similar to a sunburn. So, proper aftercare is essential to reduce discomfort and ensure good healing.

How Long Does it Take for a Tattoo to Heal?

Each person's body is different, so healing times can vary. Once again. proper aftercare is critical for a smooth healing process and to ensure the longevity and appearance of your tattoo. If it doesn’t look like it’s healing properly, then it’s best to schedule an urgent appointment with your physician, just to make sure that the skin isn’t infected.

Now, the healing process for a tattoo typically follows this timeline:

1. Initial Healing Phase (1-2 weeks): During the first couple of weeks, you will experience redness, swelling, and some oozing of plasma and excess ink. This is normal. The tattoo will start to dry out and may form a scab. It's crucial not to pick at the scabs and let them fall off naturally.
2. Itching and Flaking Phase (2-4 weeks): As the deeper layers of skin heal, the tattoo will begin to itch and flake. Small bits of colored skin might fall off. This is also part of the normal healing process. Moisturizing can help, but don't overdo it.
3. Deep Tissue Healing Phase (up to 6 months): Even after the surface of the skin appears healed, the deeper layers of skin are still repairing themselves. It's essential to continue caring for the tattoo and protecting it from the sun during this period.

Why Should You Consider Taking CBD After Getting a Tattoo?

Taking CBD after getting a tattoo might be beneficial for several reasons, since cannabidiol (CBD) is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which can be helpful in the healing process after getting a tattoo.

Reason #1: Reduces Pain and Inflammation

Getting a tattoo can be painful, and the discomfort can persist for a few days. In fact, tattoos cause skin trauma, leading to pain and inflammation. Hence, CBD could help manage this pain due to its analgesic properties. To be more specific:

• Every mammal’s body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that has an important role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain and inflammation. CBD interacts with the ECS, particularly with the CB2 receptors that’re predominantly found in immune cells. This interaction helps modulate the immune response, reducing inflammation. So, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and redness associated with a fresh tattoo.
• Also, CBD has even been shown to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines (small proteins released by cells that contribute to inflammation and pain). By reducing these cytokines, CBD can help lower inflammation levels.
• Plus, CBD activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARγ), which’re nuclear receptors that regulate gene expression. Activation of these receptors can lead to anti-inflammatory effects.

Reason #2: Promotes Healing

CBD may aid in the skin's healing process. It's thought to enhance the growth of new skin cells and reduce the risk of infections. However, it's important to note that research in this area is still emerging and not yet conclusive.

Reason #3: Moisturizes Skin

Some CBD products act as moisturizers, which’s crucial for tattoo aftercare as it prevents the tattooed skin from drying and cracking. Here's how CBD can specifically moisturize your skin:

Enhancing Skin Barrier Function: CBD may help strengthen the skin's natural barrier, enhancing its ability to retain moisture. A strong barrier protects against environmental stressors and reduces water loss from the skin.

Balancing Oil Production: CBD might help regulate the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil. Overproduction of sebum can lead to oily skin, while underproduction can result in dryness. By balancing sebum production, CBD can help maintain optimal hydration levels.

Hydrating Ingredients: Many CBD skincare products are formulated with additional hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or essential oils that further boost moisture levels in the skin.

Antioxidant Effects: CBD also has antioxidant properties, which can protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. This protection can help maintain skin health and hydration.

Reason #4: Reduces Itching

As the tattoo heals, it can become itchy. CBD's anti-inflammatory qualities can also help soothe the itchiness. For instance, some studies suggest that CBD may have direct antipruritic (anti-itch) effects. It might interact with receptors in the skin that are involved in transmitting itching sensations.

How to Use CBD Properly to Help Minimize That Painful Tattoo You Just Got

As you can see, using cannabidiol for managing tattoo pain is a practice some people find useful. However, you do need to remember that, while some people find CBD helpful for pain relief, its effectiveness can vary from person to person. It's not a substitute for professional medical advice or proper tattoo aftercare. Hence, before using CBD, it's a good idea to talk with your tattoo artist and a physician, especially the latter if you’ve skin sensitivities or are taking other medications.

So, with all that being said, here are some general guidelines on how to use CBD for tattoo pain relief:

1. Choose the Right CBD Product: For tattoo pain, topical CBD products like creams, lotions, gels, salves, or even roll-ons are often recommended, especially the ones we carry here at The Calm Leaf. These can be applied directly to the skin over the tattooed area. For example, Hempzilla Broad Spectrum Hemp CBD Fresh Ink Tattoo Cream is made with 200mg of organically grown CBD, soothing Lavender essential oils, and powerful ActivAloe to help keep tattooed skin moisturized and vibrant.
2. Check the CBD Concentration: Ensure the product has an adequate concentration of CBD. Essentially, it’s that milligram strength based on the pain level you have. So, CBD-infused products with higher concentrations may provide more effective pain relief.
3. Quality Considerations: It’s important that you go with a high-quality product crafted by a reputable company/manufacture, in order to ensure that you’re getting the top option on the hemp marketplace.
4. Apply Before the Tattoo Session: Some people choose to apply CBD topically to the area that will be tattooed beforehand to help manage pain and anxiety.
5. Apply After the Tattoo Session: After getting a tattoo, apply the CBD product to the area to help reduce inflammation and pain. It's imperative to wait until any bleeding has stopped and the skin has started to heal.
6. Follow the Product Instructions: Each CBD product comes with its specific instructions regarding the amount to be used and the frequency of application. Follow these instructions carefully.
7. Patch Test: Before applying a CBD product over a larger skin area, do a patch test on a small area to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction.
8. Keep the Tattoo Clean: While using CBD, continue to follow proper tattoo aftercare to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
9. Watch for Side Effects: If you notice any adverse reactions, such as skin irritation or increased pain, stop using the product and consult with your doctor.

Whatever Tattoo You Get, There are Ways to Help Deal with the Pain!

Pain after tattooing is typically manageable and decreases over time as the skin heals, but you still need to follow the tattoo artist's aftercare instructions which can help minimize pain and promote healing. And, with the aid of CBD topicals in particular, you could help with the skin healing process, as once healed, you can then enjoy your new tattoo and plan for your next one, if desired.