Getting a tattoo is a big step for a lot of people. In some cases, their family might be completely against tattoos as quite often they say that people with tattoos are pre-judged. However, in many cases, those who end up getting a tattoo walk away with increased self-esteem and self-confidence. I’ve heard a lot of people that walk away with a new tattoo feel as if it was a moment of “rebirth” so to speak. Regardless of all of this, one of the most common questions asked is if getting a tattoo hurts.
While many will downplay getting a tattoo, you must keep in mind that you are putting needles and cuts on your skin. It’s undeniable that cutting yourself hurts. Some people have higher pain tolerance and getting a tattoo is no big deal. However, those with a lower threshold of pain, then you may want to avoid getting something like a full-back tattoo as your first tattoo.
If you are thinking about getting your first tattoo and you’re unsure of which place on your body will hurt the least, we have prepared you with a list of the least and most sensitive parts of the body. This will help you determine where to get your first tattoo, so you can get to see how it feels like. Also finding an experienced tattoo artist that can ease the process can help tremendously.
While many will downplay getting a tattoo, you must keep in mind that you are putting needles and cuts on your skin. It’s undeniable that cutting yourself hurts. Some people have higher pain tolerance and getting a tattoo is no big deal. However, those with a lower threshold of pain, then you may want to avoid getting something like a full-back tattoo as your first tattoo.
If you are thinking about getting your first tattoo and you’re unsure of which place on your body will hurt the least, we have prepared you with a list of the least and most sensitive parts of the body. This will help you determine where to get your first tattoo, so you can get to see how it feels like. Also finding an experienced tattoo artist that can ease the process can help tremendously.
Least Sensitive Areas to get a tattoo
The shoulders and arms are some of the least sensitive areas of the body to get a tattoo. Perhaps therefore it is the most popular location? Who knows. For muscular and “plus-size” people, getting inked can be less painful in those areas as well. On the contrary, skinnier frames might have a little extra sensitivity in those areas, but still not as much as other highly sensitive areas of the body.
The thighs are also considered to be less painful areas. The downside of this is some people may have stretch marks around their thighs, and this increases sensitivity since you are getting a tattoo over scar tissue, which in turn is more painful.
When you have never been tattooed and are not sure what to expect, it is a good idea to stick with the areas of the body that are considered a bit less sensitive. Even if you have a high tolerance for pain, this is something that may be new to you and it is better to see how much you can tolerate before choosing to get tattooed on a section of your body that is more sensitive.
The thighs are also considered to be less painful areas. The downside of this is some people may have stretch marks around their thighs, and this increases sensitivity since you are getting a tattoo over scar tissue, which in turn is more painful.
When you have never been tattooed and are not sure what to expect, it is a good idea to stick with the areas of the body that are considered a bit less sensitive. Even if you have a high tolerance for pain, this is something that may be new to you and it is better to see how much you can tolerate before choosing to get tattooed on a section of your body that is more sensitive.
The Most Sensitive Parts of Your Body
Areas of the body characteristically bonier such as feet, hands, ribs, even armpits have less adipose or muscular tissue for protection and are characteristically more sensitive. The rule seems to be: if you are ticklish in that area of your body, your first tattoo there won’t be the best idea.
For tattooists, as well as for customers, the neck or rib cage are quite challenging. Not only is the discomfort substantial for the customer, but the tattoo artist must battle with getting it right while you're breathing, talking and possibly moving from time to time because of the pain. With each inhale and exhale, there is a risk of missing the needle and having to improvise or correct the design.
A rib cage tattoo is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly and requires an experienced tattoo artist but is also recommended that the customer has experience being tattooed. However, they are often requested by people who want to place a symbol close to their hearts or prefer the tattoo in a more discreet place. The closeness of skin and bones in this and other areas of the body generates some extra sensitivity that can create the sensation of being punctured in the bone, so the sensation can be quite different, but, if your dream is a rib cage tattoo, don’t quit, just keep in mind that it won’t be all hearts and flowers (no pun intended).
Surprisingly, the ankles and feet are, for the same reasons, very sensitive areas to get a tattoo. At the same time, they are popular areas, especially among women, who are looking for their first tattoo and, although it may be painful, they get through the process and love the results.
For tattooists, as well as for customers, the neck or rib cage are quite challenging. Not only is the discomfort substantial for the customer, but the tattoo artist must battle with getting it right while you're breathing, talking and possibly moving from time to time because of the pain. With each inhale and exhale, there is a risk of missing the needle and having to improvise or correct the design.
A rib cage tattoo is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly and requires an experienced tattoo artist but is also recommended that the customer has experience being tattooed. However, they are often requested by people who want to place a symbol close to their hearts or prefer the tattoo in a more discreet place. The closeness of skin and bones in this and other areas of the body generates some extra sensitivity that can create the sensation of being punctured in the bone, so the sensation can be quite different, but, if your dream is a rib cage tattoo, don’t quit, just keep in mind that it won’t be all hearts and flowers (no pun intended).
Surprisingly, the ankles and feet are, for the same reasons, very sensitive areas to get a tattoo. At the same time, they are popular areas, especially among women, who are looking for their first tattoo and, although it may be painful, they get through the process and love the results.
How long will the pain last?
There are people who believe it is a good idea to get drunk before getting a tattoo so that they will not have to experience as much pain, but this is just a myth. Alcohol makes your blood thinner and that means you can start bleeding a bit too much during the process. It could cause a lot of frustration for you and for the artist.
While it’s normal to experience some pain during this process, you can do a few different things to improve the experience and feel a bit more comfortable the whole time you are getting a tattoo on your skin.
Eat before your appointment: Getting a good night’s rest and a healthy meal with freshly squeezed orange juice before getting a tattoo is the best idea ever. Not only you’ll boost your immune system, but you will go to the tattoo parlor feeling much more relaxed and ready for the session.
Feeling dizzy and dehydrated while performing a tattoo is a common phenomenon. It happens because the body is facing a constant "external threat" for a long time and reacts generating a mild fever. Preparing yourself to eat healthy and drinking lots of water can help you recover faster.
Numbing Cream: Some creams and ointments can reduce the pain of getting a tattoo. Check with your tattoo artist about its use and recommendations about these products before applying them because while applying a tattoo or starting to tattoo, the area is typically cleaned with alcohol and other products that could interact with the numbing ointment.
At the end of the day, There is no such thing as a pain-free tattoo, it’s part of the experience, and in the long run, you'll feel proud of having endured the process and will be able to brag about having the design you've always dreamed.
While it’s normal to experience some pain during this process, you can do a few different things to improve the experience and feel a bit more comfortable the whole time you are getting a tattoo on your skin.
Eat before your appointment: Getting a good night’s rest and a healthy meal with freshly squeezed orange juice before getting a tattoo is the best idea ever. Not only you’ll boost your immune system, but you will go to the tattoo parlor feeling much more relaxed and ready for the session.
Feeling dizzy and dehydrated while performing a tattoo is a common phenomenon. It happens because the body is facing a constant "external threat" for a long time and reacts generating a mild fever. Preparing yourself to eat healthy and drinking lots of water can help you recover faster.
Numbing Cream: Some creams and ointments can reduce the pain of getting a tattoo. Check with your tattoo artist about its use and recommendations about these products before applying them because while applying a tattoo or starting to tattoo, the area is typically cleaned with alcohol and other products that could interact with the numbing ointment.
At the end of the day, There is no such thing as a pain-free tattoo, it’s part of the experience, and in the long run, you'll feel proud of having endured the process and will be able to brag about having the design you've always dreamed.