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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask just how much a tattoo hurts?

92 replies

Giraffe31 · 01/03/2017 12:45

I know that obviously it does hurt but I'd really like to get one. Just a small one on maybe the inside of my wrist?

So how much does it REALLY hurt? I'm a complete wuss when it comes to pain but I have nothing to compare it to. So AIBU to ask what the level of pain is comparable to?
Thanks!

OP posts:
BaggypantsCrimplesnitch · 01/03/2017 15:31

The pps who described it as being like being scratched with a bramble were closes to how I'd describe it. And taking a simple painkiller about an hour before is a good idea.

Also it hurts a lot lot more if you're premenstrual. I thought that was bollocks, but I found out it's true! Shock

mrsBeverleygoldberg · 01/03/2017 15:33

I did research and the pain travels more effectively at the nerve endings, so it hurts more at the ends of your body. I was going to get a tattoo on my foot, but the tattoo artist confirmed not to as it would really hurt more than say my arm, or thigh. Use ametop for your wrist as the tattoo on my wrist hurt more than my arm/shoulder one.

HermioneJeanGranger · 01/03/2017 15:36

I have one on my upper back/spine - the only bit I found painful was the shading, and then it was a bit tender for a couple of days.

Noodoodle · 01/03/2017 15:39

Footyfan really? I was told it by a tattooist (not one that was tattooing me). I would wonder why they're not more readily used.

Gizlotsmum · 01/03/2017 15:46

Have one tattoo on each wrist. I found it really hurt ( but still want another one). My tattooist said areas next to none hurt more ( and I am slim ) I also don't consider my pain threshold particularly low...it really does just depend on you. A good tattooist will stop as often as you need.

Footyfan16 · 01/03/2017 16:29

Noodoodle
Yep, the creams are used very often, the issue is not that the tattoo artist doesn't allow it, it's more that the chemist won't sell it to you if you say what it is for. Also, Elma cream is expensive. Enough to cover an area the size of a mobile phone will cost you about £6-£7

ENormaSnob · 01/03/2017 16:43

I quite liked the pain. Well, more discomfort really.

Mine is inner aspect of ankle/foot.

Next one booked in for end of april!!

amusedbush · 01/03/2017 17:09

My big tattoo on my shoulder/arm hurt when the final white shading was blended into the other colours.

Grin

The white highlights are the worst!

To ask just how much a tattoo hurts?
BeastofCraggyIsland · 01/03/2017 17:18

I have 3, all quite small, and they were all fine, definitely a scratchy/burning sensation rather than 'ouch' type pain. One on my hip bone was a bit nippy when right over the bone but I barely felt the one on the back of my neck.

GrapesAreMyJam · 01/03/2017 17:44

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Unicorn81 · 01/03/2017 18:00

I have 2 and didnt feel pain as such, more scratchy like others have said. I have one in the middle of my back and one on my stomach. Also considering a wrist tat but cant decide on what i want

Sallystyle · 01/03/2017 18:04

The one on my finger- hurts like hell
The one on my ear- didn't hurt at all
The ones on my arms- hurt, but not unbearable
My wrist- hurts enough

I am having a test patch next week to get one lasered and I'm shitting myself over the pain I know is coming.

BeyondUnderthinking · 01/03/2017 18:07

The worst pain I found was when my breastbone was done. The tattooing was fine, but the vibration gave me an awful migraine Grin

EdmundCleverClogs · 01/03/2017 18:09

I've had a few. Most painful was the ones close to the bone - ankle and collarbone. The latter especially, ouch Confused. Upper arms and back, stinging but certainly manageable, I've never had a tatt done that made me say 'never again' (in fact, would love to get started on my sleeve if darling child would like to stop breastfeeding soon).

I know someone who had one done on their foot and has sworn off anymore due to the pain, but having no experience of it myself I don't know if it's that bad.

hairypaws · 01/03/2017 18:12

I have 5 and find them very painful. I would love another but just can't face the pain again. It's not a constant pain and some bits don't hurt at all but oh my, the bits that do hurt, really hurt.

littlemissM92 · 01/03/2017 18:15

I have one big one right down ribs and one under my boob! It doesn't hurt !!

mrsBeverleygoldberg · 01/03/2017 18:31

That was funny amusedbush! I swore never again but now (3weeks...) I'm wondering about the next one...

Sallystyle · 01/03/2017 18:44

Someone here must have had a tattoo lasered? If so, please tell me it doesn't hurt as much as I think it is going to?

I want to turn my upper arm into a half sleeve. I just need 3 sessions to break up some black in my year old big tattoo that I'm starting to not like.

ImBrian · 01/03/2017 18:47

I have half my arm and leg covered plus some smaller ones. The only one that was painful was on the heel of my foot and I wouldn't get anything else on my feet. Everything else was just scratchy and slightly more nippy in some places then other. Mine are more painful the day after, like bad sunburn plus I swell quite a bit!

notMarlene · 01/03/2017 18:49

Tattoos hurt. It's part of the deal.

What you're after will probably take about 10 or 15 minutes tops, you'll be fine!

If you were after something big, in full colour in your ribs it'd be reasonable to worry about coping but a few short lines is nay bother.

OTOH teeny tattoos don't age that well at all, because there's a lot of movement in that area they don't always heal optimally and the continual UV expose makes them age more quickly than those that are covered more often. It's currently a very popular placement, so rather faddy and will become dated, however lovely the design. Is an awfully visible placement too. TBH I'm a bit Hmm at the idea of using a corporate logo to "express your personality" but maybe that'd just me.

notMarlene · 01/03/2017 18:51

Typo-tastic, sorry.

PoppyLivesOn · 01/03/2017 18:59

My pain threshold is low. I just had my first tattoo 2 days ago and I was surprised by how little it hurt. Just like a scratch. A bit hot afterwards like sunburn but I'm already planning another one.

Danicc · 01/03/2017 19:07

I always think the itching as it's healing is a lot worse than the tattoo pain itself.

notMarlene · 01/03/2017 19:14

Yy the itching. Urgh.

bakedbeansandtuna · 01/03/2017 19:21

I've got one on my lower back, love it and like scratching, no big deal.

As an earlier poster says, lasering is much more painful, like hot spitting fat from a pan!!