How to Overcome the Pain of Getting a Tattoo

When it comes to the art of tattooing, the ancient saying 'no pain, no gain' seems quite appropriate in this context. Every type of tattoo causes some level of discomfort, at least a little. However, if you approach your tattoo session with the right knowledge and apply a few simple tricks to reduce pain, you'll likely be able to manage the discomfort easily. You may even be surprised at how smoothly you get through the process without much trouble!

To calm your nerves, it's helpful to talk to an expert about getting a tattoo. If you've never gotten a tattoo before, the best way to prepare mentally is to dispel any mystery surrounding the art form. It will be much easier to walk into your tattoo appointment feeling less anxious – the more relaxed you are, the smoother the experience will be. Try talking to someone with a lot of tattoos or a staff member at the tattoo shop and hear about their valuable experiences. Most people are happy to share their insights.

• Each person's pain tolerance is different. While getting a tattoo is certainly uncomfortable, the pain is nothing compared to childbirth or kidney stones. Most people you talk to will confirm this to be true.

Be aware of which tattoo locations are the most painful. The level of pain experienced during a tattoo session is largely influenced by the area of your body where you decide to get inked. If you're looking to minimize the discomfort, aim for areas that are less sensitive. Although everyone’s body reacts differently, in general:

• Areas with more muscle (like the arms, legs, and upper chest) and areas with more fat (such as the thighs, hips, etc.) tend to be least painful.
• Sensitive areas (like the chest, armpits, face, and groin) and areas that are "stubborn" near bone (such as the scalp, face, collarbones, ribs, hands, and feet) are often most painful.
• Some online articles will show helpful charts that indicate pain levels for different body parts.

Understand which tattoo styles are the most painful. Not all tattoos are created equal. The pain you experience also depends on the style of the tattoo you choose. Except for a few specific styles, in general:

• Smaller and simpler tattoos are less painful to get than larger and more detailed ones.
• Single-color tattoos tend to hurt less (and take less time) compared to multi-colored tattoos.
• Monochrome areas are more painful since the tattoo artist needs to work on those spots multiple times.

Consider bringing someone with you to the tattoo shop. You don’t have to go through this painful experience alone. If possible, invite a friend or family member to accompany you. Having someone who cares about you nearby can make the tattoo process feel easier – you’ll have someone to chat with about your fears beforehand, and they’ll encourage you when the pain becomes unbearable.

• If you’re not shy, consider making the tattoo appointment into a social event. Many tattoo shops allow small groups to hang out in the hallway or even in the room where the tattooing is happening, as long as they are polite. Having a cheering squad – or even someone cheering you on – can turn your tattoo experience into an unforgettable memory.

Of course, you’ll be dealing with multiple needles and some blood loss. Modern tattoo machines, which resemble guns, have several specialized needles. These needles repeatedly puncture the skin so the ink is absorbed and etched into your skin. This process will leave many small artistic cuts where you want your tattoo. Most people lose a small amount of blood during this process. If any part of the procedure makes you feel faint or nauseous, it's best not to watch closely.

• Don't hesitate to communicate your concerns with the tattoo artist. If they are experienced, they will be happy to help you get through the process with as little pain as possible.

Stay calm. It can be tough to relax once the tattoo artist starts their work on your body. However, if you can, try to ease yourself into a comfortable state to make the experience more manageable. Take deep breaths, chat with your friends or family, or even engage with the tattoo artist. These tips will help you relax and distract you from the procedure.

• If you feel too anxious to go to your tattoo appointment, don’t hesitate to call ahead and ask if you can bring anything to help calm your nerves. For example, you might want to bring an MP3 player to enjoy some soothing tunes while you get inked. Many tattoo shops will be okay with this as long as what you bring doesn’t interfere with the artist's work.

Make yourself as comfortable as possible. Depending on the size and detail of the tattoo, you may be in the shop for several hours. During this time, it’s important to prepare so that your tattoo experience is more enjoyable. Here are some basic tips to consider:

• Have a light meal before the session. Don’t forget to drink one or two cups of water to stay hydrated.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to sit for a while without feeling restricted.
• Bring along anything you might want for entertainment during your appointment (like an MP3 player, audiobooks, etc.)
• Use the restroom before your session begins.

Squeeze or bite something to alleviate the pain. Tightening your grip on something in your hand or biting down on an object can significantly reduce pain. This technique is often used by women to help manage pain during childbirth, and it can be quite effective. Many tattoo shops will provide you with something to help with this, but if not, you might want to bring one of the following items:

• Rubber ball
• Exercise grip
• Mouth guard
• Chewing gum
• Candy
• Cloth, wooden spoon, etc.
• Be cautious not to bite down on anything hard, as it could harm your teeth.

Focus on steady breathing, especially during the sharp pain phases. Even something as simple as controlling your breath can greatly improve your endurance during a tattoo session. Try to exhale deeply every time the pain becomes overwhelming. You can either exhale or make a soft noise with your mouth (like a quiet hum). Regularly exhaling throughout the tattoo process will help you "overcome" the pain more easily. This is why many health experts advise exhaling when lifting weights.

• On the other hand, if you breathe incorrectly, the tattoo experience is likely to become more painful. Resist the urge to hold your breath during the intense moments – doing so will help distract you from the pain.

The less you move, the better. You may feel the urge to shift around, especially when the needle hits your skin during painful moments. Try to remain as still as possible. The less you move, the more precise the artist can be, and the faster the session will go. After all, it’s difficult for artists to work on a canvas that keeps shifting.

• If you really must move, inform the artist beforehand so they can pause and remove the needle from your skin. You definitely don’t want to accidentally cause them to make a mistake – after all, the tattoo will be on your skin for life.

Don't hesitate to take a break during the session. Most tattoo artists will inform you about this before they begin. However, it's worth repeating: you should feel free to ask for a break if the pain exceeds your tolerance level. Most artists won't mind accommodating your request as they don't want your tattoo experience to become overly painful. So, don't be afraid to take a 1-2 minute break and resume the process afterwards.

• Don't feel awkward about asking for a break. Most tattoo artists work with clients who have different pain thresholds, and they've "seen it all" when it comes to pain reactions. Remember, you're paying for the tattoo, so do whatever you feel is necessary for your comfort!

Consider taking an over-the-counter painkiller (but not one that contains blood thinners). If you're feeling extremely uncomfortable with the pain from the tattooing process, you might want to try taking a small dose of an over-the-counter pain reliever available at your local pharmacy. However, you should not take any medications containing blood-thinning agents or those with side effects that can cause blood thinning. Taking a small dose of these drugs is not necessarily harmful for the tattooing process, but they can increase bleeding.

• Effective over-the-counter pain relievers that don't contain blood-thinning agents include acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol or paracetamol). Other common painkillers include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium. While these can help with the pain, they do have blood-thinning effects.

Don't attempt to dull the pain by getting drunk. While the idea of drinking alcohol to get through the tattooing process might seem appealing (especially if you view it as a social event), this is actually a bad idea. Most reputable tattoo parlors will refuse to work with someone who is completely intoxicated. The reason for this is that drunken clients tend to be loud, disruptive, rude, and make hasty tattoo decisions they may regret once sober.

• Furthermore, alcohol is known to be a mild blood thinner, which can lead to increased bleeding during the tattooing process.

Follow the aftercare instructions provided by the artist. If you feel some pain or discomfort a few days after getting your tattoo, don't worry—this is completely normal. Once the tattoo process is finished, the artist will give you detailed instructions on how to take care of your tattoo. Be sure to follow these recommendations carefully to minimize pain and speed up healing.

• You can refer to this guide on tattoo aftercare for more information. While there may be slight variations in the exact steps suggested by the artist compared to the article, generally speaking, you should keep your tattoo clean, protect it from scratches or allergic reactions, and apply antibiotic ointment regularly until it heals.
• Avoid touching your wet tattoo with unsterilized hands or any objects. If you accidentally touch it, gently wash your hands with soap and water. Transferring bacteria to the tattoo wound could lead to infection and pain, plus it could alter the texture and appearance of your tattoo.