Does CBD Oil Make Tattooing Less Painful?

Those who have never had tattoos before like to entertain the idea of getting a tattoo under the influence, just to ease the pain and finally get over it. And, for some time, getting drunk and going for a tattoo session was a thing among the youngsters with low pain tolerance or fear of needles.

But, nowadays, tattoo artists do not like to offer their services to drunk people. As you can imagine, things can easily get messy, and in some states, it is illegal for the artist to tattoo someone if they appear intoxicated.

But, what about being under the’ influence’ of, let’s say, CBD oil. It seems that an increasing number of people do entertain the idea of using CBD oil to calm the nerves and increase pain tolerance before getting a tattoo.

And, if you’re thinking about doing the same thing, you’re in the right place. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at the way CBD oil can ease the pain and whether it is effective when it comes to tattooing. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

CBD Oil: Quick Insight

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is a product derived from marijuana or hemp plants. CBD is a compound found in these plants, alongside THC (a compound responsible for the sensation of being ‘high’ from marijuana). CBD oil products do not contain THC, or if they do contain it, it has to be within legal limits of 0.3%. So, CBD on its own is cannabidiol known to not cause any psychoactive effects.

What Are The Man CBD Oil Types?

The main types of currently available CBD oil include;

• Full-spectrum CBD oil – the product contains high levels of cannabidiol, as well as compounds like flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Full-spectrum CBD oil is generally made from whole-plant CBD oil. The oil can contain legal amounts of THC up to 0.3%.
• Broad-spectrum CBD oil – this type of CBD oil doesn’t contain any THC, not even the legal amounts. However, it does contain high levels of cannabidiol as well as other plant compounds, like flavonoids or terpenes.
• CBD isolate – this oil contains pure cannabinoids, and is free from other plant compounds, including THC. The oil is produced when the manufacturer isolates CBD from other hemp or marijuana compounds hence the name CBD isolate.

Note (important terms explained):

Flavonoids – responsible for plant pigmentation and protection against plant diseases. Cannabis, hemp, or marijuana contain over 20 flavonoids, known for their anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects. They can often serve as natural alternatives for ibuprofen or aspirin.

Terpenes – plant-found chemicals responsible for the fragrance of the plant. The chemicals ensure the plants are protected from insects since the fragrance works as an insect-repellant. They are also known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and sedative effects.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

CBD oil production belongs to the legal cannabis industry, and brings in over 1.6 billion dollars a year; the number is expected to go up to whopping 2 billion dollars in the years to come.

As cannabis research continues, more and more companies are turning to CBD oil production. The oil has been studied over the years and proven to be extremely effective and useful for people with a variety of disorders and diseases. It has even become useful for people’s everyday use, in terms of relaxation and sleep improvement.

CBD Oil And Tattooing Pain Relief: Explained

CBD Oil and Overall Pain Management

For years, CBD oil has been studied for a variety of its applications in everyday life, from sleep improvement, anxiety and depression relief to pain management. Because the number of positive evidence is numerous, researchers and scientists have concluded that the evidence regarding CBD oil efficacy is conflicting. So, when it comes to pain management, in particular, we’ve decided to take a closer look.

For example, one study gathered several controlled trials reviews in regards to the use of cannabidiol for pain management. Over 750 publications were identified, and the conclusion is that there isn’t enough sufficient evidence to support the claim that CBD oil can provide pain relief, not even medical marijuana.

The studies were done by providing CBD oil and medical marijuana to those suffering from neuropathic pain, cancer, visceral pain, pain associated with rheumatic diseases, appetite/weight/nausea issues, etc.

The only sufficient evidence for the positive efficiency of CBD oil was in the case of neuropathic pain or pain caused by nerve damage. This is the type of pain affecting the nervous system or is caused by damage to the nervous system. At least 30% of study participants experienced pain relief. So, since tattooing pain is caused by the aggravation of the nerves and damage to nerve endings, many believe that CBD oil can in fact be useful in managing tattooing-induced pain.

CBD Oil And Tattoo Pain Relief

Note: Taking CBD oil won’t make you ‘high’. It doesn’t contain THC so it doesn’t have psychoactive effects. Taking CBD oil won’t make you feel drunk while being tattooed either. It is not something that will intoxicate you to relieve pain.

Because intoxication can make people jittery and bouncy, it is better to take CBD oil than alcohol! Jitters and sudden movements can compromise the tattoo process itself, and make it hard for the artist to do good work. Remember that it can take between 20 min to an hour for the CBD oil to activate, so make sure to plan your intake ahead.

So, we’ve seen that CBD oil and medical marijuana can help pain relief to some extent. But, what about pain management during a tattooing session. Can CBD intake decrease pain levels?

Also Read: Tattoo Pain Chart: What Is The Most (Least) Painful Place

Well, as we’ve mentioned, CBD oil tends to contain compounds other than cannabidiol. The compounds include flavonoids and terpenes, among many others. These compounds and chemicals are known for their anti-inflammatory and sedative effects, which is exactly what one may need during a tattooing session.

Cannabidiol, flavonoids, and terpenes affect the nerves sending pain signals, reduce their activity, or reduce the overall infection and inflammation caused by persistent skin and nerve damage during the tattooing process. Tattoo inflammation after the session is also a big problem in many cases, which is something CBD oil can also prevent or reduce.

In some cases, CBD oil has helped the tattoo heal much faster, and prevented infections related to ink allergies or improper tattoo aftercare.

However, you should bear in mind that these claims are completely anecdotal since there is no scientific evidence showing the efficacy of CBD oil in ink-related allergies and tattoo infections. So, to sum it up, here’s how CBD oil intake can help reduce and manage pain during and after tattooing;

If you want to know more about CBD oil preventing infections and inflammations, you can do the following things;

• Talk to your doctor or dermatologist; these professionals will know exactly how to help you and answer your questions. The doctor will introduce you to the positive effects of CBD oil, while the dermatologist will educate you more on tattoo infections and inflammations.
• Talk to your tattoo artist; in this case, you need to talk to your tattoo artists and see what they think of CBD oil intake prior to getting tattooed. Surely they’ve come to meet or work with people who have taken the oil before, so you’ll get some first-hand advice and recommendations.
• Learn how to buy proper CBD oil; if you buy CBD isolate, you’ll get CBD oil without any of the necessary, anti-inflammatory compounds. So, what you need to do is learn how to shop for CBD oil. We recommend you read the ingredients label thoroughly, check the THC content, the origin of the oil, recommended dosage, side effects, as well as other ingredients like flavorings, tea, etc.

CBD Oil And Tattoos: FAQs

1. Can you put CBD oil directly on the tattoo?

Many believe that putting CBD oil directly on the tattooed area can speed up the healing process. The reason for this lies in the belief that the CBD oil anti-inflammatory effects can reduce swelling and prevent the development of inflammations and infections. It also supposedly promotes cell growth and reduces the pain and discomfort of tattoo healing.

CBD oil is also known to have analgesic effects that promote pain management and relief. Studies show that CBD oil use results in pain relief because cannabinoids increase the effects of glycine receptors. These receptors are found in the central nervous system and affect the way the body perceives and handles pain.

Also Read: How Long Does It Take For A Tattoo To Heal: Step By Step Guide

2. Can CBD oil serve as an alternative to pain killers?

Some people take pain killers before the tattooing session to relieve or reduce pain. As we’ve mentioned earlier, CBD oil does have similar sedative, analgesic (painkiller) and pain-relieving effects to Aspirin or Ibuprofen. So, sure, CBD oil can be an excellent, natural alternative to pain killers.

However, you do need to bear in mind that the tattooing process will still hurt, despite the CBD oil. This is not a miracle pain removing oil; it simply reduces the pain levels and makes the tattooing process more bearable for those with low pain tolerance.

3. Can I use CBD oil-infused lotions and creams for tattoo aftercare?

Just like you can use CBD oil on the tattooed ares, you can use CBD oil-infused lotions and creams as well. You should use these products to moisturize the tattooed area and prevent it from scabbing and itching.

However, do not overdo it with moisturizing, especially during the first few days after receiving a tattoo. The tattoo is a fresh, open wound the first 3 days, so avoid putting any lotions on it. When you start moisturizing the tattoo, try to do it twice a day, maximum (once in the morning and the evening, after you wash it and tap dry it with a paper towel).

4. Are there any disadvantages to using CBD oil for tattooing pain relief?

There have been cases where people reported feeling more sensitive to the tattooing process after taking CBD oil. Using CBD oil made them more aware of the discomfort and the pain, and made them fidgety and hard to communicate with.

Some people also experienced breathing issues (as in, started breathing heavily). So, if you suspect something like this might happen to you, then make sure to test the effects of CBD oil long before the tattoo session. This way you’ll know how the oil affects you and whether you should use it before the tattooing.

Also Read:  Tattoo Pain Management: How to Make Tattoos Less Painful

Final Words

We hope that our little insight into the world of CBD oil was helpful. Remember; always talk to your doctor or tattoo artists before you try out CBD oil for pain management or tattoo aftercare. These professionals will assess whether you’re suitable for CBD oil, as well as your skin. You don’t want any side effects compromising your tattoo. So, do the necessary research, ask around, and finally, decide what your pain relief of choice will be.

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