Tattoos can be painful, but the level of pain varies depending on factors such as size, placement, and the individual’s pain tolerance. Numbing creams are available, but their effectiveness and safety are debated. It’s important to communicate with the artist and take care of yourself during the process. Many people find the pain worth it for the end result.
Depending on who you talk to, you will hear a variety of answers to this question. The short answer is yes, tattoos hurt, to some extent. The experience of tattoo pain varies widely, depending on the placement of the tattoo, its size, the skill of the tattoo artist, and the client’s pain tolerance. Many tattoos are more irritating than painful, especially during the healing phase when they tend to get very itchy. You certainly shouldn’t let fear of pain dissuade you from getting a tattoo, although you may want to think about placement if pain is a big concern for you.
The size of a tattoo will have a big influence on how much it hurts. Extremely large tattoos hurt when your skin gets irritated and raw, which is one reason a tattoo artist may arrange multiple sessions for one large piece. A small to medium sized tattoo may not be very painful, because the endorphins kick in quickly and carry the client through the tattoo.
Placement is also very important and tattoos on bone or near nerves will hurt. This includes ankle tattoos, tattoos along the spine, and work around the collarbone and nape of the neck. Fleshy areas of the body tend to be less painful because the tattoo needle doesn’t hit a bone. Knowing that tattoos can cause pain in sensitive areas, you might want to have an artist do a dry run of the needle on the area first, to see how painful it is.
Some companies sell numbing creams for tattoos, a practice that has met with a mixed response from the tattoo community. Some artists think that because tattoos hurt, it’s not unreasonable to numb the skin beforehand. Others are concerned that these compounds could compromise the integrity of the inks used or could increase the risk of infection. More importantly, numbing creams take a while to work and wear off quickly, so they may not be as effective as the body’s natural tools for fighting pain.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s response to pain is slightly different. You can reduce the potential for a painful tattoo by talking to your tattoo artist about your concerns and eating a healthy meal beforehand to settle your stomach. Also stay hydrated, as this will promote quick healing of the site. You should never be ashamed to ask for a break in tattooing, and you should notify your artist if you feel weak or uncomfortable. Tattoo artists understand that tattoos cause pain and that different people handle discomfort differently, and they won’t criticize you for asking for a break.
While getting a tattoo, it can be helpful to breathe deeply and think about the meaning behind the tattoo to distract yourself from any pain. It can also be helpful to know that many tattooed individuals say they don’t remember the pain of a tattoo after receiving one; in fact, many people feel great after the completion of a tattoo, even if they experienced brief discomfort while it was being applied.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
