Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Tattoo

25 replies

Mammabear31 · 07/06/2019 16:53

I want to get a tattoo but am a bit scared of the process. Can anyone explain what it feels like? I'm not great with needles - I get nervous, hot and sweaty- but I have regular blood tests and give blood as often as I can.

OP posts:
foreverhanging · 07/06/2019 16:59

It feels a bit like someone scratching the same bit of skin over and over. Different parts of your body will feel different as well.

startalovetrain · 07/06/2019 16:59

It's more of a sharp scratch than a needle pain for me. It's certainly not unbearable but can be uncomfortable. Tell your tattooist and they can help you with either numbing cream or regular breaks :) it's a 4/10 on the pain scale (otherwise people would never have more than one!!)

BlueMerchant · 07/06/2019 17:02

I agree it's not like a needle pain. It's like hard scratching.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Beauty General health
RubaDubMum89 · 07/06/2019 17:07

Tattoo pain is very much dependent on the person getting the tattoo.

For me, it was like a hard, sore scratching. Only really sharp when she went over a tendon (mine is above my ankle).

So much depends on your tolerance to pain though and the position of the tattoo

Mississippilessly · 07/06/2019 17:12

Mine is on my ankle and I'm sorry to say it really really hurt.

Hefzi · 07/06/2019 18:27

People told me that it feels like sunburn. They lied Grin It feels like someone is scratching your bones (not a euphemism): it's not a sharp pain, but the sort of feeling that makes your teeth ache. It's not painful as such, but it's definitely uncomfortable.

SweetPetrichor · 07/06/2019 18:43

I've only ever had handpoked tattoos but it definitely isn't a needle pain. I found it to be a stingy ache at the worst parts but mostly just minor discomfort. I have three handpoked tattoos on my wrists and inner arm. I was extremely anxious going in the first time but the artist really put me at ease. All the people in the studio were great. Do your research and pick a good artist and a good studio and that's one solid step in the right direction. They made my experience great every time...and give you a sweetie at the end!

Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge · 07/06/2019 18:45

Buy some numbing cream from a chemist. Cling film over the top. An hour before your appointment!

livin · 07/06/2019 18:47

It's not like an injection. I have thirty tattoos so it depends on where on your body you're having it done as to how it feels. For instance, on my upper bicep it felt like a warm buzzing, like a scratch over and over but not inherently painful. On my inner calf it was the same feeling but amplified to incredibly painful (I have very sensitive lower legs). On my shoulders it felt similar but with no pain and kind of a vibration in the bone.

The process is simple. They shave the area with a normal razor and wipe it down with an alcohol wipe. They then apply the stencil that's like an ink drawing to check you like the placement and they get going. The first few strokes will feel strange but they should ask you how you're feeling. Linework is easier than colour and shading for me but I've heard so many people say the colour/shading is a lot easier to sit through.

On your first tattoo I wouldn't have it more than palm sized. Long sittings can be hard even for those who've had lots. The more I sit, the more pain I feel and the grumpier I get so I have a rule not to sit for more than two hours at a time without a break.

Original poster
Mammabear31 · 07/06/2019 18:52

Thank you all so much. Youve all reassured me and now I really want one!

I dont want a huge tattoo, just 4 very small stars. I'm not sure where yet, but possibly on either the inside of my wrist (to one side so on the fatty bit of skin, not over the tendons) or nearer the crook of my elbow. I was thinking about the inside of my finger but I've heard that's one of the most painful places!

OP posts:
InfiniteDreams · 07/06/2019 19:00

The crook of my elbow was one of my most painful, as was the very bottom of my wrist. Anywhere else on the arm I've coped fine with. I've got a fair few and although they're painful it's a different feeling to an injection. I still cry in fear before getting an injection but I can sit like a champ for a tattoo. Don't panic :)

Angie169 · 07/06/2019 19:05

I agree with PP it's a scratch not a stab , it's a bit like a bad cat or rosethorn scratch.

The thinner the skin and closer the bone the more it will sting. So ankles, ribs , shoulder blades will hurt more than tops of arms , bum, etc.

Please please do your research, make sure you are positive about what you want ( I really would not recommend getting spouses names )
Bear in mind that bright colours fade quite quickly.
And research at least 3 or 4 different artist, go and talk to them before you make you appointment . Ask around , its the one time that i am happy to approch strangers. I ask them where and when they got there tats .
90% are happy to tell you about them .

Original poster
Mammabear31 · 07/06/2019 19:15

No definately no names or bright colours. I just want 4 very small stars, 2 hollow 2 filled in. It has a meaning to me.

OP posts:
TravellingSpoon · 07/06/2019 19:19

Ive just had my 7th and my first big one which took 4 hours. Its on the inside of my calf and ankle and parts of it were agony, but I think thats more to do with the duration of having it done.

Lozz22 · 07/06/2019 19:37

It's an addictive sort of pain. I'm planning my next one in memory of my Baby but I'm wanting something unique so I'm still designing it at the moment

Angie169 · 07/06/2019 20:35

Mammabear31 It has a meaning to me this is the most important thing,
With the one exception of the Manchester Bee anyone that has a tat because someone else has got it is going to regret it

FangsTasticBeast · 07/06/2019 20:41

Scratchy pain, my longest session was 5 hours and the last hour was agony

Original poster
Mammabear31 · 07/06/2019 20:44

Angie169 it's to represent my 4 babies - 2 asleep upstairs, 2 miscarried. 💫

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammabear31 · 07/06/2019 20:45

And I mean asleep upstairs as in upstairs in my house currently - just realised that could be misunderstood so am clarifying x

OP posts:
foreverhanging · 07/06/2019 20:48

That's lovely op.

Angie169 · 07/06/2019 22:38

Mammabear31
Sorry to hear about your miscarriages, it is a wonderful way to pay homage to all of your DCs .
You should (imo) go ahead with it .

HairToday79 · 07/06/2019 23:28

I agree with Lozz22...it's quite an addictive pain, very warm.

HippyChickMama · 07/06/2019 23:47

I've got several tattoos and the one on the inside of my wrist was probably the least painful. My feet on the other hand 🤮 so painful I almost vomited and I definitely turned the air blue. I could sit and have my wrist tattooed all day, the worst part was holding my wrist at a weird angle while it was done.

motherheroic · 08/06/2019 01:45

Don't bother with the fingers, they fade quickly. All my tattoos were painful on some level, the worst have been the ones on my stomach.

Least painful has been tattoo gun on the arm.

I have a few professional stick and poke tattoos that I swear I'll never get again due to the pain and yet I keep going back for more.

heartshapedknob · 08/06/2019 07:27

For me, it felt exactly like sunburn as the artist inked - YMMV of course. Inner elbow and inner bicep stung a bit more than other places on my arm.

Ask your artist about numbing cream before the day as not all will work with it. And take some snacks and a can of pop for when the adrenaline wears off, it helps.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread