Neither art nor health – anesthesia in tattooing is becoming a trend and causing alarm among professionals

March 28, 2025
Anesthesia

A board-certified anesthesiologist advises tattoo fans about the dangers of general anesthetic tattoos, such as safety, expense, and planning, based on their vast social media following. Board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Tiffany Moon, who is also well-known for her appearance on the reality TV program The Real Housewives of Dallas, says she is the spokesman for the prohibition of general anesthesia during tattoo treatments.

General anesthesia, defined by the American Society of Anaesthesiologists as a procedure that renders you unconscious and oblivious to any events, has become more and more popular among tattoo enthusiasts who wish to avoid the discomfort associated with tattoo application, especially for large-format designs.

This is why anesthesia in tattooing is causing alarm among medical professionals

Dr. Tiffany Moon stated that it is “wholly inappropriate” to combine body art and general anesthesia in a recent video that was uploaded to her TikTok channel, which has 1.7 million followers. She has voiced specific concerns about the conditions under which tattoo parlors are using these anesthetics. In January, 45-year-old Brazilian influencer Ricardo Godoi died after undergoing a general anesthesia to get a huge back tattoo. Moon shared her TikTok video following Godoi’s passing. Shortly after the anesthesia started, Godoi had a heart collapse, the proprietor of the studio that was hired to ink the tattoo informed the Daily Mail.

According to Moon, it’s crucial to confirm that the anesthetist you choose to have a tattoo done under general anesthesia is board certified. It is also important that you have the procedure done in a facility that is equipped to handle emergencies. Because your life is truly in their hands, Moon stresses that you should always check the credentials of the person you are putting under. In an interview with KCBS, she stressed the importance of choosing a facility that has the same credentials, staff, equipment, and medication as a surgical office for a safe procedure, as this can ensure the safety of the patient.

What other safety measures need to be followed prior to receiving a general anesthetic?

The Mayo Clinic advises adopting healthy living choices prior to any surgery that will be performed under general anesthesia. Increasing your level of movement, maintaining a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, and quitting smoking are ways to do this, according to the medical group practice. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should discuss any medications you are currently taking with your anesthesiologist during a pre-procedure consultation.

Before surgery, the body explains that some medications must be stopped for a day or many days. You must also disclose any medication allergies you may have. Furthermore, you should receive explicit instructions regarding the duration of the fast before your treatment. It is important to remember that sedation and anesthesia relax digestive tract muscles, reducing the body’s protective reflexes to prevent stomach acid and food from passing into the lungs, as was confirmed by the Mayo Clinic.

How much does anesthesia cost for tattooing?

Romeo Lacoste, a tattoo artist at the California Dream tattoo parlor in Los Angeles, told USA Today that his studio now creates general-anesthetic tattoos for many famous customers. Additionally, Lacoste maintains that the anesthesia procedure in the parlor follows the same stringent safety protocols as in a medical facility. Lacoste claims that she has been working with several high-net-worth people and celebrities, and they have been asking about this for a while.

The company has successfully partnered with top anesthesiologists in Los Angeles, assuring top-of-the-line and safety-first methods in their operations, connecting the dots, and resulting in a good outcome. A general-anesthesia back tattoo can cost up to $35,000, which is far more expensive than a standard body-art procedure, according to Lacoste. In contrast, it will cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to have a back tattoo without being put to sleep, he claimed. This price increase is consistent with data that MarketPlace reported late last year in research titled Getting a tattoo under anesthesia won’t hurt—except the price.