CBD + Tattoos: Everything You Need to Know

Is there anything that CBD can't do? From it's incredible pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, to the amazing improvements to your sleep cycle and overall mood (helps anxiety, depression & more!) CBD really is the future of well being. Well, now you can add "Tattoo Superhero" to the long list of benefits! Read on to learn all the ways using CBD helps with your tattoo - before and after getting it. 

Using CBD Oil for Pain Relief
Tattoos hurt—there’s no denying it. Thankfully, CBD oil can help relieve some of the pain you experience while getting a tattoo. Glycine receptors are one of the inhibitory receptors CBD impacts. Located in the central nervous system, these receptors play a major role in your perception of pain. Research has found that cannabinoids like CBD increase the effects of glycine receptors, thereby reducing the experience of pain.

After conferring with your tattoo artist, you can apply the CBD balm directly to the tattoo area pre-inking. If applying the CBD to your skin isn’t the best option, you can also take it in the form of CBD oil drops, an edible, or a vape. Regardless of how you take the CBD, it’s pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities could make it an ideal addition to any tattoo session.

Using CBD Oil for Pre-Tattoo Nerves
If you’re nervous about getting a tattoo, you’re not alone. It’s perfectly normal (and sane) to have pre-tattoo worries—after all, it’s permanent! However, overactive nerves can make it difficult to get through the session and could impact the final result. Not only do jittery, jumping clients make it difficult to tattoo smoothly, but they’re also more likely to experience pain more acutely.  Fortunately, CBD oil may be able to bring you some calm and peace of mind.

Research into the use of CBD oil on common stress was carried out by the University of São Paulo in 2011. The study looked at the use of cannabidiol on people who were experiencing anxiety related to public speaking. It was found that CBD “significantly reduced anxiety, cognitive impairment and discomfort”, particularly in groups of people with a diagnosed anxiety disorder. While public speaking and getting a tattoo are not the same thing, it’s reasonable to believe CBD oil would have the same calming effects before you sit down to have your tattoo done. For your reference, there are several other studies pointing to CBD oil’s use as an effective anti-anxiety agent (without the side effects of common anti-anxiety prescription drugs).

If you plan on using CBD oil to ease pain and reduce stress during a tattoo, it’s important to remember that it can take 20 minutes to an hour for the CBD to take effect, depending on the method used and concentration. Plan ahead and experiment with different CBD delivery methods beforehand so you know when and how to take your CBD prior to getting a tattoo.

CBD Oil for Tattoo Aftercare
Tattoo aftercare plays a significant role in how your tattoo looks and heals. Colourful and creative as they may be, tattoos are essentially open wounds and need to be kept clean, free from irritants, and allowed to heal in a natural but timely way.

With cannabidiol’s natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it is a near-perfect go-to for tattoo aftercare. The swelling and redness that come with a fresh tattoo are caused by the body’s natural immune response. This response is triggered in order to fight infection and to defend areas that are under attack. CBD has been shown to regulate this response through its impacts on the endocannabinoid system. CBD affects the CB2 cannabinoid receptor and inflammation-causing proteins called cytokines in such a way that prevents and decreases inflammation in the human body. In fact, CBD is increasingly being used in skin care products because of its anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce redness, itchiness, and swelling of the skin. CBD is also rich in essential fatty acids, which have been shown to protect the skin’s oil barrier, reduce moisture loss, and aid in the retention of moisture within the skin cells. The better you protect your skin after getting a tattoo, the quicker and better the healing process will be.

As an analgesic, CBD topicals and lotions can also help soothe pain in the affected tattoo area and only enter the top layers of skin and won’t get absorbed into the bloodstream, meaning the CBD remains localized and concentrated in the area to which it is applied for long-lasting pain relief. Regular application to the affected area may even provide the same pain relief as commonly prescribed, pain-killing pharmaceuticals.

CBD Oil for Healed Tattoos
Looking after your tattoo over the long term ensures that the colour stays rich and even.  Because CBD oil is naturally moisturizing and contains skin-nourishing vitamins E and A, it can keep your tattoo looking vibrant for years to come. CBD oil contains Vitamin E, an essential nutrient for the protection of cell membranes. As cell membranes cannot hold moisture when damaged—for example, after a tattoo—CBD is particularly well suited for the relief of dry skin, ultimately preventing itching that could permanently damage the piece.

Vitamin E is also widely used in the tattoo and medical worlds for its anti-scarring properties. Including it in your tattoo aftercare by way of CBD oil will help ensure your piece heals and continues to look as expected.

Finally, CBD oil contains Vitamin A, a group of beneficial compounds that includes retinol, retinal, and beta-carotene. Alongside skin-conditioning properties, Vitamin A has been shown to protect the skin from UV damage, one of the main causes for discolouration and fading of tattoos. Before, during or after a tattoo, CBD-enriched balms, creams, or ointments should be on the must-have list for anyone with ink.

If you're getting a tattoo then you need LAMM CBD - try our CBD Body Lotion, CBD Face Serum (perfect fo Face, Hands or Body) and our CBD Oil. Happy tattooing!