Tattoo Pain

Well the short answer is yes it hurts... and the long answer is getting a tattoo hurts of course, your having a needle injected into your skin at an incredible speed.

Tattoo pain can be described in so many different ways depending on the person who's had it done, people have described it like a cat scratching your skin, a hot needle being dragged across your skin and some even say it's like having your skin cut open. So as you can see people have different pain thresholds when getting tattoos, for example if your young and haven't experienced much pain in your life and it's your first tattoo then it's going to be a very painful experience but if you're getting long in the tooth and have broke some bones or had stitches then it's not going to be that bad.

So you might be thinking I'm not getting a tattoo if it's going to hurt that bad but what you have to remember is that if you really want one and its the perfect design for you then a few hours pain for a lifetime of pleasure is really worth it.

Here are some tips to help you with tattoo pain.

1. Under no circumstances should you have a tattoo when drunk, most tattoo artists with not tattoo you anyway as it can make you bleed excessively and you might make the wrong tattoo choice.

2. Do not have a tattoo when your hungover as your nerves will be a lot more sensitive and you will FEEL THE PAIN trust me I know.

3. Don't have a tattoo when you have a cold as that too can increase the pain levels.

4. Get some numbing gel, some people swear by it but I have tried it myself and it only seem to work for the first 10-15 Min's so would be OK for a small tattoo.

The best advice I can give is to be focused and distracted after the first 10-15 Min's of getting the tattoo you seem to be able to switch off to the pain, its still there and your aware of it but you kind of get over the first initial shock.

Cope With and Minimize Tattoo Pain

While there is no way to anticipate the amount of pain you will experience, arriving with certain amount of determination will almost certainly guarantee you that it won't hurt as nearly as much as you expected.

Getting a tattoo involves piercing the skin, and so there is going to be some pain involved, no matter how small the tattoo and no matter where it is on your body. The amount and type of pain experienced is highly variable depending on each individual's tolerance to and acceptance of pain.

While tattooing, the needles puncture the skin at a very fast rate and at a variable depth. The outline is usually the most painful work, because the needles are being used to create a nice solid black line that will define the tattoo, and so it is inserted deeply and carefully to ensure complete and effective coverage. The shading is usually not as painful, but this also depends upon the depth of penetration and the desired effect.

The pain you feel is generally as a slight burning or hot scratching sensation. Generally, the tattoo is more painful if applied to areas of the body where there is less muscle and fatty tissue covering bone, like wrists, ankles, chests, and other normally sensitive body areas. Upper arms are usually the least painful, while the ankles and sternum can be quite sensitive.

The tattoo pain is certainly not unbearable, here are some tips for coping with and minimizing the pain:

Find a reputable tattooist that you feel comfortable with to get the tattoo work done, the confidence you get from a tattooist can minimize your pain to the highest.

Don't show up drunk or on drugs.

Go in with some determination and accept the fact that a few hours of discomfort without giving the tattooist a hard time will help ensure that you get a first-rate tattoo.

If you feel you can't take the pain anymore, tell your tattooist. Take a short break, or come back in a few days.
Tattoos don't have to be applied all in one sitting. Break up your session if needed.

Listen to music or let your imagination go wild during the procedure, a certain degree of distraction set by your self will help you put less concentration on the pain.

After all, the pain you experience while getting tattooed is a unique and certainly bearable pain. Take the opportunity to enjoy a new and unique experience that will mark the emergence of a "new you" from the tattoo studio.