Can You Get a Tattoo on Your Period? An Honest Guide

You're getting ready for a tattoo appointment you've had booked for months. But you wake up that morning and realize your period has arrived right on schedule—or, more likely, right on schedule to be inconvenient. A wave of questions and concerns might hit you.

Can you even get a tattoo while you're on your period? Will it hurt more? Will it bleed more? Will it be a problem for the artist?

Let's clear the air right away: Yes, you absolutely can get a tattoo while you are on your period. From a safety and procedural standpoint, there is no reason to cancel your appointment. However, there are a few things to be aware of that might affect your personal experience in the chair.

This is your honest guide to getting tattooed on your period, covering pain sensitivity and how to prepare for a comfortable session.

The Biggest Factor: Increased Pain Sensitivity

The most significant and widely reported difference of getting tattooed on your period is an increased sensitivity to pain. This is a real, physiological phenomenon.

During your menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations—specifically the drop in estrogen levels—can make your body's nerve receptors more active and sensitive. This means that a tattoo that might have been a 4/10 on the pain scale could feel more like a 6/10. A notoriously painful spot, like the ribs or feet, might feel even more intense than usual. This is not in your head; your body is genuinely more sensitive to pain during this time.

Debunking a Common Myth: Will You Bleed More?

A common fear is that because you are menstruating, your blood will be thinner and you'll bleed excessively during the tattoo, which could ruin the art.

For the vast majority of people, this is not true. Standard menstruation does not significantly affect your blood's platelets or its ability to clot. You should not bleed any more than you normally would during a tattoo session. (This is very different from taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin or drinking alcohol, which do cause excess bleeding and should always be avoided before a tattoo).

How to Prepare for a Comfortable Session

So, the main challenge is the potential for increased pain. The good news is, this is a problem with a very effective solution.

• Use a Numbing Cream: If you know you're going to be on your period for your appointment, or you're just worried about the heightened sensitivity, a high-quality numbing cream is the perfect way to take back control. Our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is designed to counteract this exact issue. By numbing the area beforehand, you can effectively erase the factor of hormonal pain sensitivity, ensuring your session is just as comfortable as it would be on any other day of the month.

• Hydrate and Eat Well: This is always important, but even more so during your period. Drink plenty of water, and be sure to eat a good, solid meal before your appointment to combat potential cramps and fatigue and to keep your blood sugar stable.

• Wear Comfortable, Dark Clothing: Choose loose, comfortable clothing (like sweatpants) to avoid putting any extra pressure on a cramping stomach or bloated abdomen. Dark clothing is always a good idea just in case of any minor leaks.

• Communicate with Your Artist: You don't need to make a big announcement, but it's perfectly okay to give your artist a quiet heads-up, like, "Hey, just so you know, I'm on my period so I might be a little more sensitive today." They are professionals, and they will appreciate the communication.

The Verdict: Can you get a tattoo on your period? Yes, you can. The biggest difference you might notice is increased pain sensitivity, but it will not negatively affect the quality or the healing of your tattoo.

Don't feel like you have to cancel that long-awaited appointment. By preparing with a good meal, plenty of water, and a reliable numbing cream, you can walk into your appointment any day of the month with confidence and comfort.