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How painful is it getting a tattoo

58 replies

Sadless · 27/08/2022 17:31

I am thinking of getting a tattoo done but the closer I get start to worry about the pain.

Any advice

Thanks
Sal

OP posts:
YellowPlumbob · 27/08/2022 17:32

How long is a piece of string?

Location of tattoo.
How long you’re sitting for.
Your personal pain tolerance.

startfresh · 27/08/2022 17:32

Depends where and how big but in general it doesn't hurt. And if it does, it's manageable.

It's actually very addictive and kinda therapeutic sometimes. I can see how people easily go for full sleeves etc, I would but I wouldn't like the look on me.

startfresh · 27/08/2022 17:33

You can ask the tattooist to do the area (possibly with water?? But it could just be the needle, not 100%) first to give you an idea of the feeling.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Sartre · 27/08/2022 17:34

Depends where you get one, the thinner the skin the more it will hurt. My tattooist is tattooed from head to foot and he passed out getting his head tattooed because it was so painful. I imagine it’s painful on your feet and basically any bony bit. I have an arm sleeve and the inside of my arm was worse than outside, particularly sore around the wrist bone.

GetOffTheRoof · 27/08/2022 17:34

Where on the body? How big a piece? How much colouring in v line work? Any dot work? How long will have they said it will take?

WhiskeyInTheJar33 · 27/08/2022 17:34

Depends where you're getting it done. The more bony the area the more painful.

I quite like the pain of a tattoo, sends me to sleep.

UnboxedThoughts · 27/08/2022 17:36

Line work is worst for me, regardless of location - the 'colouring in' bit makes me go numb, whereas lines I don't get the chance.

Worst location was up my spine, I felt very woozy and my tatooist looked concerned for me at the end. I wouldn't do that again!

SuziSecondLaw · 27/08/2022 17:36

I have a high pain threshold (two births choosing no pain relief), and I find them excruciating 😬
It's not so much 'pain' it's that constant scratching on the same part.. It's excruciatingly uncomfortable I guess I should say, but not actually very painful.

Atmywitsend29 · 27/08/2022 17:37

Depends where you get it!
And your pain tolerance levels.

I have an arm sleeve, leg sleeve, sternum, ribs, fingers, back all done. Most painful was my kneecap and knuckles but wasn't an unbearable pain. Just hugely unpleasant.

Sadless · 27/08/2022 17:38

Thinking of having a paw print and name on the inside of my wrist. Only about 1 by 1 inch and will be just black.

Thanks
Sal

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 27/08/2022 17:38

The wrist tickled me.
it all depends on your pain tolerance

HermioneWeasley · 27/08/2022 17:38

Very fucking painful. Every bit as painful as you think having a needle dragged over your skin would be

YellowPlumbob · 27/08/2022 17:39

Underboob/ribs were the worst for me - the horrible vibration on the rib bones made my stomach churn! Everywhere else (legs, arms, back, hands), fine.

littlemissalwaystired · 27/08/2022 17:39

I have one on my inner ankle and was surprised at how really not painful it was. Just a scratch🤷🏼‍♀️

lll3333 · 27/08/2022 17:40

Black is one of the harder colours because it needs to be punched-in solid to look good. Also the wrist flexes a lot so it blurs faster over time. go for an inch higher up.

lll3333 · 27/08/2022 17:40

Watch a few episodes of 'Ink Master' on Youtube & you'll learn a lot

RagzRebooted · 27/08/2022 17:43

Mine was small and mostly lines, so just felt like a hot, scratchy buzzing. Not painful. But it really depends what and where.

ImPickleRickSpartacus · 27/08/2022 17:44

What's your pain tolerance like? If you have a low pain threshold it will probably hurt.
Stealth brag(?) but I fell asleep getting my palm and kneecap done whereas my tattooist cried when he got his palm tattooed.

DillDanding · 27/08/2022 17:45

Just scratchy, not painful.

I've had mine removed, the sessions were brief but rather ouchy.

WhosthatGirlJess · 27/08/2022 17:46

I have a very high pain threshold and the worst for me was the outside of my ankle and top of spine. My tattooist was awesome, any good artist will help you through it and offer breaks if it's really getting to you. Good luck!

Metalandtea · 27/08/2022 17:48

Depends on the area. Spine feels buzzy, elbows and inner wrists hurt like hell. Arms are ok and fingers don’t hurt too much.

Sadless · 27/08/2022 17:49

I am not to bad with pain the shop said it will take about 30 minutes to do. So not long really just abit nervous really.

Thanks
Sal

OP posts:
FelicityFidget · 27/08/2022 17:52

I have a tattoo on the inside of my wrist. It's about 3x3 inches. It didn't hurt much there tbh. It felt like a hot cat scratch and they would wipe it a lot with cold wipes to ease the pain.

I also have a large tattoo on the top of my foot. That definitely required a bit more grit to get through.

Just go for it.

Atmywitsend29 · 27/08/2022 17:59

I'd recommend having it done above where the wrist creases/bends as it would be less painful and easier to heal :)

Sadless · 27/08/2022 18:12

I have never thought about having a tattoo before and was talking to my 17 year old son who's planning a full arm one for when he turns 18. He's not telling it will be really painful and how brave he would be to get one. My husband has got tattoos on both arms but he was probably off his face when he had them done at 18 ( I didn't know him then). I will do some research and sure it can't be that bad loads of people have them and by the replies it definitely seems different for different people on different parts of the body.

Thanks
Sal

OP posts: