First tattoo

[FiveNightsAtMummys]

I'm having my first tattoo in the next couple of weeks when the places re-open. Any advice? I'm having in on the inside of my arm between lower wrist and elbow area. Never ever had one before so no idea what to expect. Should I numb it before or will the tattoo shop have all that kind of stuff? Had lots of piercings and given birth so I've had "pain". Still feel like a anxious wimp though!

[CheerfulBunny]

I didn't find it bad at all. I had a small design on my outside wrist and the pain was more like scratching, bit irritating but not terrible. Was glad when it was done though. Afterwards I thought it felt like a burn, like I'd caught myself on an iron or the oven - again, irritating but not really painful. I did have something quite modest though so I'm sure people with bigger tattoos will have better advice. Hope it goes well and you love it! It's certainly an experience.

[ScarfaceCwaw]

They don't really numb it IME, no. I think you can take some OTC ibuprofen before you go in if you want.

It hurts but not in an agonizing or unbearable way. It's more painful on bony as opposed to fleshy areas. Its an uncomfortable feeling but I've got 4 tats on bony places and I don't find it difficult just to sit there and tolerate it. The best I can describe it is like an uncomfortably but not unbearably hot thing buzzing against you.

[MiddleClassProblem]

I had my first one a couple of years ago. Mines just below my wrist as they recommended having it a little lower so that the creases made when I bend my hand towards me didn’t wear it away more.

Pain wise it was similar to and injection/bee sting although a bit dragging but then their were parts I didn’t feel at all. For me when it was at it’s worst it was sort of gritted teeth pain but never for very long. I had no pain after and regularly applied Bepanthen as advised and kept it out the bath etc whilst it was healing.

But the feeling I had afterwards was amazing. It was like having autonomy over my own body. I can totally see why some people find it addictive. I haven’t got anymore but I would like to get another for DD. I’m not one to do it unless I know what I really want though.

[TheMayQueen]

They don't numb it. Most tattoo places really frown upon it, apart from bactine on super painful places like feet. But tbh I found bactine made it worse.

Mid arm isn't too bad at all. If you get too close to the wrist it hurts though.

[ScarfaceCwaw]

I'd advise being hydrated and having a snack beforehand if it's likely to take a while, just in case. I got my first one after a nine-hour waitressing shift (the genius of 19) and it involved a lot of filling. I had a blood sugar crash and went a bit wobbly about three-quarters of the way through and they had to stop and give me a Coke. But a small wrist design shouldn't take too long.

[HermioneWeasley]

Take some sweets to suck and expect it to hurt every bit as much as you’d expect it to if someone was dragging a needle over your skin

[iamtheoneandonlyyy]

Emla cream from the chemist two hours before. I'm not recommending it but I've done it lol

[TheMayQueen]

@ScarfaceCwaw

I'd advise being hydrated and having a snack beforehand if it's likely to take a while, just in case. I got my first one after a nine-hour waitressing shift (the genius of 19) and it involved a lot of filling. I had a blood sugar crash and went a bit wobbly about three-quarters of the way through and they had to stop and give me a Coke. But a small wrist design shouldn't take too long.

Yep, definitely have a decent meal. I was sitting for 7.5 hours last year having my back done, and only took a cereal bar with me. I was shaking and faint by the end.

[MiddleClassProblem]

Mine is probably about the size of a 50p and I think it took about 15/20mins. It’s a simple outline design though and all one colour.

[FiveNightsAtMummys]

I've been told the one I want will take around an hour. Nervous and excited all rolled into one!

[Pyewackect]

Had one on my backside. Wasn’t too painful but it took ages.

[OpheliasCrayon]

An hour you'll be fine. There's no point numbing it as it won't work and as others have said - tattooists generally don't like it.
I have 40+ hours worth of tattoos all over and some of the pain has been utterly excruciating (ribs. Ye gods ) but.... I love tattoos, piercings, eveyrthing and they mean an absolute massive amount to me, I love them and couldnt be without them and will continue to get more - if you really love them and feel deeply that you want it , yes it hurts but it's totally worth it !