Patient Guidance on Anesthesia Care for Tattoo Procedures

The American Society of Anesthesiologists strongly maintains that tattooing should be approached as any other elective cosmetic procedure when anesthesia is used. As such, it should adhere to the principles of safe anesthetic care in all settings. For further information, please review ASA’s Standards and Statements included below on various aspects of anesthesia care and care settings.

For people interested in pursuing tattoos with anesthesia: 

• Patients should expect their anesthesiologist to perform a complete preanesthetic evaluation as per the standards referenced below. Patients should understand this will include possible laboratory evaluation, physical exam, and other testing appropriate for a cosmetic elective procedure.
• It is important that patients be honest with their anesthesiologist about their use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and illicit substances, medications and health conditions so the anesthesiologist can provide the safest care possible. 
• Patients can expect the evaluation either by phone or in person prior to the day or on the day of the procedure to assess if they are optimized to receive anesthesia.
• Patients should bring copies of their medical records outlining health conditions and any labs or testing that may have been discussed or required for the procedure. 
• The anesthesiologist will determine the appropriate site of service for anesthesia to be administered based on the length of tattooing planned, patient positioning considerations, patient health history, depth of planned anesthetic, and availability of appropriate equipment and personnel to provide a safe anesthetic as outlined in the referenced documents below. 
• Risks and benefits of receiving anesthesia should be discussed between the patient and the anesthesiologist prior to any administration of anesthetics. 
• Patients should be required to have postanesthetic care, including but not limited to, having a responsible adult to drive them home. 
• There should be discussion and a plan for who will be responsible for after-care and pain management of the patient. 
• There should be discussion and a plan of what will occur if there is a need to transfer the patient based on anything that may occur as a known possible risk of receiving anesthesia care. 

ASA Standards and Statements on Anesthesia Care and Various Settings for Anesthesia

Basic Standards for Preanesthesia Care

Standards for Basic Anesthetic Monitoring

Standards for Postanesthesia Care

Statement on Qualifications of Anesthesia Providers in the Office-Based Setting  

Statement on Office Based Anesthesia

If propofol sedation is used: Statement on Safe Use of Propofol should apply as well.