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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your tattooing experiences?

46 replies

HopefullyAnonymous · 09/12/2018 10:04

I’m booked in on Tuesday for my first one and suddenly having an attack of nerves! It’s a largish one on my thigh expected to take a few hours. Any tips? Would it be considered rude to have headphones in as a distraction? Is the pain that bad? I really want it done so trying to rationalise with myself before the anxiety takes over altogether and I cancel the appointment 😬

OP posts:
LanceStatersGold · 09/12/2018 10:07

Pain affects everyone differently with tattoos. I’ve never felt mine but husband cried during his. What’s you pain threshold like usually?

Make sure you eat plenty beforehand and keep water on hand.

You’ll be fine!

Fishandthechips · 09/12/2018 10:11

Thigh tends to be one of the least painful places. My thigh was probably the easiest of them all and ive got a fair few.
Be aware that the first few minutes are the most painful as your body gets used to the sensation and then its generally a lot easier after that.
Make sure you eat a good breakfast beforehand and take some sugary snacks in case you start flagging. Nobody ive got tattooed by minded headphones. I suspect a lot of them prefer it to chatting as they can concentrate better.
You will be absolutely fine! People wouldnt get their whole bodies covered in them if it was that bad an experience...

Greypaw · 09/12/2018 10:14

I've had a few, all were fine except the one on my foot which was rather challenging, not helped by the fact I hadn't eaten enough and I came over quite faint. I had headphones in for my first one. The sensation just feels like intense stinging nettles to me.

JacquesHammer · 09/12/2018 10:17

Would it be considered rude to have headphones in as a distraction

Nah, just tell your artist you’re a bit nervous (which they’ll be very used to!) and want the headphones in.

Is the pain that bad?

Everyone’s threshold is different but I don’t believe it’s unbearable.

Make sure you eat plenty beforehand and have boiled sweets/bottles of drink (I like Pepsi for a quick sugar rush during longer tattooing sessions!)

Enjoy Smile

Purplejay · 09/12/2018 10:19

I think for me it can get a bit wearing after a couple of hours so don’t be afraid to ask for a break if you need it. The first few minutes are the worst then you get used to it but after a long time it also gets a bit sore, especially over a big area.

I wouldn’t expect thigh to be too bad at all. I have a couple on my calves and they were fine, it’s easier if you can watch - I find it fascinating. I also have my whole back done which took a few sessions. Some areas are more sensitive than others and close to my sides and the lower middle of my back were the worst.

I always looked forward to my next session. I would love more.

Purplejay · 09/12/2018 10:22

Oh and to add, I am sure headphones would be fine. I quite like listening to the chat, seeing/hearing about what others are doing, and they usually have music on anyway.

I take a couple of paracetamol before I go and take a cold drink with me too and a snack for a long session (though mine were good at offering tea) 👍

Wetdressinggownsleeve · 09/12/2018 10:29

I had a few small tattoos before I had a large (9 hours over 2 sessions) one, so I think you're very brave haha.

Don't be worried to ask for a break, they will be checking on you regularly anyway. If your in a funny position and are uncomfortable then tell them, the pain will be so much harder to ignore if your also uncomfy. Take sugary drinks and snacks. Eat them even if your not hungry.

My limit is about 4 hours, which I found out during a 5 hour session Grin. Once you've had enough, tell them.

Wetdressinggownsleeve · 09/12/2018 10:32

Purplejay - yes, same with my back, I didn't know where my kidneys were until... oh my god. I'm now well aware of where they are!!

Buggeritimgettingup · 09/12/2018 10:34

Thighs are fine I genuinely fell asleep during my thigh piece (6 hours) take sugary food and drink with you then if you snack you'll be less likely to feel wobbly
Enjoy!

Junkmail · 09/12/2018 10:38

I had my half sleeve done in one sitting and I’m not gonna lie—the pain was intense. Usually that sort of tattoo is done in more than one go but the artist I chose was travelling so I had no choice. I had headphones—I think it’s fine and quite normal. My artist said to me “it’s gonna hurt but you’ll get through it” which is true. It’s not intolerable. You’ll be fine. And for me it was worth it anyway. My tattoo is really meaningful and important to me. Don’t stress about it—you’ll have a beautiful piece of art to enjoy forever after. Just be careful about how you treat it after and follow all your artist’s aftercare instructions fully. You risk fading and excessive touch ups if you don’t allow it to heal properly.

citiesofbismuth · 09/12/2018 10:38

No alcohol the night before as it can cause more bleeding.

I found hydrocolloid healing gel from boots to help with healing and it also lessens the pain.

Zfactorstar · 09/12/2018 10:42

I have a large thigh tattoo. It doesn't feel like kitten cuddles and bunny hugs but it's one of the easiest places to get tattooed. Just remember to follow your tattoo artist instructions on after care.

BarryTheKestrel · 09/12/2018 10:42

Headphones will be fine, just let them know. I usually read my kindle in the down periods where conversation has dried up/no other clients in etc ,but me and my tattoo artist have the same taste in music so I enjoy listening to whatever he already has on.

Your thigh should be fine as it's a quite fleshy part of your body. I find it hurts more near the bone/tendon areas.

For me the pain is a warm sting rather than actual pain, but I also know my threshold is around 4 hours so if I'm having a big tattoo I'll only book 4 hours at a time as beyond that I struggle to block out the continuous nature of the pain.

Don't forget drinks and snacks. Ask for a break if you need one.

Lauren83 · 09/12/2018 10:43

I have a big thigh piece it was probably my least painful one as it's quite fleshy, my ribs and sternum hurt the most, i usually just chat to the tattooist although I'm sure if you wear headphones they won't mind

WestBerlin · 09/12/2018 12:13

The thigh isn’t bad at all. I’m heavily tattooed and usually have full day sessions when I go, and I had no problems sitting through my arms or my legs, although it is down to individual pain tolerances.

Worst place for me was my ribs, that was satanic.

JacquesHammer · 09/12/2018 12:15

My worst was the tops of my feet.

I’d go through 48 hours of labour again rather than foot tattoos again Grin

ShowOfHands · 09/12/2018 12:16

I'm getting my first in January.

On. My. Ribs.

Tombakerwasthecurator · 09/12/2018 12:17

I have one on my thigh. Wasn't too bad. I almost passed out with pain getting the one on my back done.

IJustLostTheGame · 09/12/2018 12:18

This is going to sound a bit odd but hypnobirthing helped me go into the 'inking zone'.
The outline is the stinging bit but the shading isn't bad at all. And the one on my thigh was by far the least painful. I was sat up, laughing, chatting and watching the while way through.

Frosty66611 · 09/12/2018 12:23

I had my first one done recently (on my forearm). It was very painful for the first 10 minutes (but not unbearably so and I knew I had no choice other than to let him carry on). It felt to me like the sensation of something really sharp like a nail being dragged along my skin over and over again. He kept stopping every few seconds to add more ink to the needle so that gave me a bit of a breather each time. After the first 10 mins I got used to it and just zoned out with my eyes shut. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be really happy you did it once it’s done

Frosty66611 · 09/12/2018 12:24

Ps the tattooist told me that the most painful area is on the ribs or the calves but the thighs and forearms are usually the least painful x

WonderTweek · 09/12/2018 12:29

Ahh I'm sure you'll be fine. I sat for four hours for my ongoing sleeve project yesterday, and barely felt it. You only really feel pain the second they start tattooing and then you get used to it really quickly. It obviously depends on your pain threshold etc, but I reckon you'll be fine having your thigh done. It's quite fleshy and nicely cushioned. Grin

Seconding those who advise to eat well prior to the appointment and to bring a sugary drink and maybe some snacks. I'm not usually a coke drinker but I always bring a bottle of coke to swig on for the sugar kick. I'm sure you can bring your own music but I really enjoy the random chats with my tattoo artist and would feel a bit weird with headphones in. I always want to bring a book but thought it might be rude so I just browse my phone and read him some funnies I find on Mumsnet. Smile

Good luck!

Original poster
HopefullyAnonymous · 09/12/2018 13:50

Thanks everyone! One more daft question, what to wear?!

OP posts:
Original poster
HopefullyAnonymous · 09/12/2018 13:50

I really can work myself up into a stress about anything 🙈

OP posts:
JacquesHammer · 09/12/2018 13:51

what to wear?!

Something comfortable and easy to slip on/off.

Joggers or something!