To ask anyone who's had a rib tattoo..

[ouchgoestheweasel]

How awful is it, really? I have a high pain threshold but I'm not sure if I'm mentally prepared for the pain 🤣 it's going to be quite large and stretch round my side and underboob. I'll attach an image.

1. is it really awful?

2. any tips for managing the pain, staying in the chair!?

Had my sternum and ribs done on both sides. Neither were painful (I don't use numbing cream).

I am almost completely covered.

I have one down my full right side and it barely bothered me getting it done.

I was doubled over from the minute I went into labour though so I think there’s no rhyme or reason to people’s view on pain

I always think someone has seaweed stuck to them if I see a rib tat on the beach.

I have my full right side, ribs to hip. Ribs didn't hurt at all. The bits near my stomach were more painful.

My rib tattoo hurt the most of all the ones I've had but to be honest I think it was down to a heavy handed tattooist and his filling in skills or lack there of.

My most recent tattoo was from my hip to just onto my lower ribs, up my side - not as high as that pic and no underboob.

It was ok - a few places made me wince but it wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it would be. I’m a fairly slim size 8-10, padded around the bum and thighs but no padding around my ribs really. I think I’ve got a high threshold though as I’ve had both feet done and didn’t find them painful at all.

I have a small ratio of my husband’s date of birth, in Roman numerals on my rib. It didn’t hurt at all.

*tattoo

My rib tattoo hurt most of the four I've got (foot, thigh, lower back). My tattoo artist commented that my skin puffed up on one section straight away, almost like it would when tattoo'ing the inside of an elbow, so don't know if that had anything to do with it.

I have one full side piece, which barely hurt and I spent a lot of the session giggling because the vibration against my ribs tickled.

I then got a single word tattooed on my other side and it hurt like hell.

So I conclude that different bits of the same person can be different sensitivities!

I have a tattoo on my ribs that has a lot more solid colour that what you want.

I didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as people say, it's supposed to be one of the most painful places...... definitely not!

Round/on my elbow...... now that's a whole other level of pain

I had my ribs and sternum done, a large tattoo that took 8 hours, 6 hours in 1st sitting. I can't say it didn't hurt but it certainly wasn't as painful as getting my wedding ring tattoo covered up!!

I’m covered in them, I usually barely feel them.

But ribs? Christ.

The noise. The sensation of it on my bones.

I can only sit for an hour at a time (my first session was 3 hours and I gave up after 90 mins), yet any other body part I can sit for 6 hours.

Numbing cream increases infection, doesn’t really work that well and can fuck up the ink - my friend owns a studio and has a blanket policy to not tattoo anyone who uses it.

I was lying down, not sat up.

Prepare to have your boobs out.

Ex colleague has a floral tattoo going from just under her boob to top of thigh. She came in to work full of energy drink but happy to do a 6h shift on her feet after her sittings! They weren't short sittings.

She's covered & I'm pretty sure she said it wasn't her most painful tattoo.

I've had both my ribs done and found my foot more tricky to keep still due to pain/reflexes. It was 20 years ago though so I've probably forgotten how bad it was.

I do remember the rattling noise and being really hungry afterwards. Ultimately, if you really want it done you'll go for it and it will be worth it.