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7 Reasons Why Tattoos Relieve Stress

Updated: Aug 30, 2022

Did you know that getting a tattoo can actually help reduce your stress? That's right. Although tattoos are often seen as something that is stressful and painful to get, the science behind the process suggests that they can have the exact opposite effect on your body. So if you're willing to put up with a bit of initial pain for long-term gain, then getting a tattoo might be just what you need to reduce stress levels and increase your happiness. And here's why…




People have been trying to find out various ways to relieve their stress for centuries, which has created many therapeutic procedures like acupuncture, exercising, mental health management, and many more. Now tattoos have been famous for being a way of self-expression for years, but did you know that they can help keep the body healthy and safe against microbes and stress? The tattoo needle, ink, and design placement on your body can mean many different things personally, but it could even alleviate tension.


Let's have a look at the various ways how your new tattoo helps your body in reducing stress and pressure:


Therapeutic effects:

There is evidence on human fossils that some tattoos were created in areas that correspond to the points of acupuncture used in Eastern medicine. Acupuncture is popular worldwide, even today, as it helps heal some ailments, notably arthritis.


Some cultures, even today, use medicinal tattooing to cure diseases. The 5,000-year-old man Ötzi, the oldest mummified body in the world, also had tattoos along the acupuncture meridians, as his group must've believed that it would help cure his many diseases. Tattoos can also diminish the pain caused by stress and strain.


Multiple tattoos improve your immune system:

A study published in the American Journal of Human Biology asserts that when a person gets a tattoo, the body’s immune system sends out antibodies to combat the foreign material injected into the body, which causes the area to swell a bit and scabs to form. After consecutive tattoos, the body has ready antibodies formed to combat the foreign materials and hence does not have as major a reaction as it did just after the first tattoo.


Reduced cortisol levels:

The same study mentioned above reveals that during the tattooing procedure, the production of cortisol, a stress-relieving hormone and an immune response suppressant, are reduced. Cortisol is produced when the needle punctures the skin and creates pain in the area, but after a subsequent tattoo, the production reduces, hence reducing the production during actual situations of tension.


This is particularly beneficial for humans as this hormone causes many symptoms usually associated with stress, like headaches, high blood pressure, weight gain, and many others.


Tattoos help improve fitness:

Many people with stress-related issues tend to exercise, which causes the body to release 'feel-good' hormones like endorphins. The hormone cortisol also hampers the body's ability to heal and recuperate after exercising.


This is why many athletes try various methods to keep their cortisol levels low, which can be achieved by getting many tattoos gradually. This is why we can see many footballers and cricketers with tattoos, such as David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and many more.


Now you can get inked by celebrity-preferred tattoo artists in India. Book a free consultation with them now



A good way to hide body imperfections:

Many people are shy or stressed to show their scars, birthmarks, and stretch lines. Hence they elect to cover them with tattoos. This is generally seen with cancer patients or people who self-harm, who show that they have accepted their past and are ready to move on. They are also used to cover up previous tattoos if a person wants a change or wishes to hide an ex-significant other's memories.


Getting a tattoo feels good:

The tattooing process is painful for many, but the human combats the pain by releasing endorphins and adrenaline, which creates a natural 'high' and makes the person feel euphoric. This is why many people don't stop after getting just one tattoo!


Many people also get tattoos about memories or people they have lost, and the option of carrying those moments with them everywhere they go makes them happy and content.


Boosts confidence:

Tattoos are the ultimate form of self-expression. They portray a person's personality and likes in the form of an open book. Tattoos are also a great conversation starter, as people can bond over the designs and tattoos they would want in the future. For those who have experienced unfortunate times, a tattoo can be a symbol for what they have experienced and how they fought those situations.


According to a study, a tattoo can magnify a person’s self-image for a considerable time after getting the tattoo done.




Getting a tattoo can actually help reduce your stress levels, which can be incredibly important to your health and happiness in the long term. Many people turn to getting a tattoo to remember a loved one who has passed, cope with the grief of their loss, and honor their memory. Tattoos can be incredibly therapeutic, helpful for minor wounds, and a form of self-care. Getting inked can be a great way to remind yourself of your strengths and capabilities.


There you have it: some of the most important health benefits of getting a tattoo! If you want to get one, there's no better place than Aliens Tattoo Studio. We have our branches in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Vizag, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad, and upcoming new branches. Walk in today for a free tattoo consultation with our award-winning artists, and create memories for a lifetime!



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