Tattoo Anxiety

Getting a tattoo is an adventure, especially if it's your first one. Like any adventure, it's common to feel anxiety before and during the experience. Once you've checked that your tattoo artist is following standard safety procedures, like sterilizing her instruments and wearing gloves, be sure to inform her about any anxiety you're feeling.

Concerns

• Many people experience anxiety before getting a tattoo because they expect that the process will be painful, according to Clinton Sanders and D. Angus Vail, authors of "Customizing the Body: The Art and Culture of Tattooing." The permanent nature of the tattoo is another source of concern for many potential clients.

Facts

• Reduce the pain you experience in getting your tattoo by strategically choosing where you place it. According to the website Sin of the Skin, tattoos over areas where muscle tissue is thin, such as the wrist, feet or chest, are generally more painful, as are tattoos in any area with lots of nerve endings, such as the groin. Arms and legs are less painful to tattoo.

Considerations

• Eden Tattoo of San Diego advises entering into your tattooing session with a positive and relaxed attitude. Planning your day around your tattoo appointment and eating a moderate meal a few hours beforehand will help minimize your anxiety.

Theories/Speculation

• While there are no studies exploring anxiety as a reaction to tattooing, anecdotal evidence suggests that tattooing can contribute to an anxiety attack in some people. If you have had anxiety attacks in the past, tell your tattoo artist so she can prepare herself to stop tattooing if you begin to panic.