Do tattoos really hurt that much?

Question

I know this is probably a stupid question as it depends on pain threshold etc and will be different for everyone, but in your experience what was it like? Also, where is the most painful place to get one done? And the least painful? Any advice / help to take the plunge is greatly appreciated! FYI I am after a small shooting star on my inner left wrist.

Cheers

PS If you can recommend a good artist in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, that would be helpful.

Answer 1

I have a very low pain threshold and I have 5 tattoos so it can't be that bad!! Seriously I am a real chicken but to be honest it feels a bit like sun burn rather than pain as such. It does hurt a bit more over bony areas, I would think that also on the inside of your wrist it would be quite sore as well as it is a sensitive area and lots of veins so I think it would be a bit sore. I had the least painful one done on my thigh but it was quite sore over my hip. Have a chat with all the tattooists in your area and see what they say, go with the one you feel most comfortable with, ask to see examples of their work and make sure they have their health certificates etc.

Answer 2

Hiya,
I have a couple of tattoos.
Your right it depends on where you get it done and what your threshold is like.
I have 1 large 1 on my hip and a smaller 1 on my ankle.
The one on my ankle hurt more even though is smaller.
Your ankles boney so it hurs more.
A friend had 1 done last month on the bottom of her back and she said it really hurt,especially since thats where your trousers/skirts etc rub.
On the chest is supposed to hurt and on the back of your shoulder.
Its not the colouring in that hurts,its the out line and depending on how big your tattoo is you could limit this pain by choosing a smaller tattoo.
I dont know any tattooists in Newcastle but im sure you will find what you are looking for either on the web or in the yellow pages.
Make sure you go to some-one who's not a bsckstreet tattooist,meaning,some-one who just gives you the tattoo,make sure they have their certificates and use the proper equipment.
Check them out first before you get 1 done.
christy

Answer 3

I have 3 tattoos two on my lower back and one on the inside of my wrist. My first one did hurt abit and the second was alot less bad but the one on my wrist to be honest did not hurt I do not know if it is because my body got used to the pain, but the places where there is less skin on you will probably hurt more. Once the tattoo is done though there is no pain. I think really it all depends on the person. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hey,

I have a chinese dragon up my spine and to be honest when I was in the tatoo parlour I was so scared but although I would say it was sore, Its not hell. Its a pain u can live with thats y so many people have tatoos. My tatooist told me to think of it as a burning sensation or a heat ( this may sound crazy but it helped) U also need to relax once ur in the chair its easier as well, the outline is the sorest, but the colouring in is fine, So dont stress as far as the pain goes I think that although my dragon was sore i think, feet, wrists would be the sorest but I could be wrong, Good luck hope this helps x x x

Answer 5

For me after the first half hour, its not so bad. They are painful, so dont listen to anyone telling you their not...

My brother in law is an artist and has done some of my work as well as most of my husbands. I have an extensive tattoo in the small of my back. I have had 2 stages on it so far and have another 2 to go. For me it hurt less when they were over bone, and more when they were in soft spots.(which is typically the case)

Good luck with it, i feel like my tattoos were worth it, I just adore them.
:)

Answer 6

I got mine on my shoulder delt muscle. It didn't hurt very much other than the simple pain as the tattoo was being applied. The artist was very good, and they told me how to care for it very well so it wouldn't get infected. But I am in the US so I can't help you on the Newcastle artist. But before you get one, I suggest you go talk with some that you find there. They will definitely be able to help you, I'm sure

Answer 7

Hi - as sooo many people have already mentioned, it hurts more on boney parts. My tattoos on my left hip and the outline was quite sore to do, I actually got a bit jumpy, but you do get used to it. Mines about 3" sq and took about an hour / 90mins I think. Def meet your artist first and go away and have a think before committing because it is a big step. I met my guy on a recommendation from a friend and he was great. Good luck! :O)

Answer 8

I had my name in Japanese tattoed on the lower of my back, above my bottom.It's about 2inches x 1/2 inch. It took 3 minutes to do and didn't hurt, it felt more like an annoying scratching feeling. I think a larger tattoo would have hurt, this was just enough not to bother me. Don't know of any artists in Newcastle but the one I used in Warrington was Saz's if you're ever in the area.

Answer 9

Inner thigs, belly and armpits hurt the worse. I had one done on my forearm, and it was proper painful.
Look at it when the artist is doing it, when you can anticipate the pain, it hurts less.
My advice to you is dont worry about the pain. Worry about getting something thats trendy, coz that will get boring quick, and you'll just look lame as **** having a tattoo everyone else has. Dont get them to fit in. Also look around a lot for a good, patient and clean tattoo artist. A lot of people call them selves that, but they aint. Definately ask to see their portfolio. Artist who dont have one hasnt got anything good to show.

Answer 10

Yeah they hurt, but in a good way. It almost feels like it's a stinging more of a pain, sometimes it feels like it's hot. Different parts of your body will feel different, as the softer parts of ones skin like the inside of arms, hurt more than others AND require more ink to make them look good. A double-edged sword. But, once the needle stops the pain is pretty much over and you'll want another one almost immediately. Get something that means a lot to you or perhaps draw it yourself. Cheers!