What was your tattoo experience like?

Question

I'm considering getting a tattoo and want to know from others, why did you get one? On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad did it hurt? Do you ever regret it?

Answer 1

hmmmmm, why did i get one? how's about why have i gotten 3 so far and can't wait for the next one?

i got my first tatt when i was in my early 40's. it was the symbol that Blue Oyster Cult made famous, the sign of the astrologer's staff. that went on my right upper arm.

next came a tatt for my left upper arm--a picture of Totoro, the King of the Forest in Japanese mythology.

lastly, i got the Marilyn Manson lightning bolt on my upper right back.

the older i've gotten, the more i delight in the permanent adornment of the body---the Maori people are masters at this. so by the time i croak, i'll probably be covered with tatts.

on a scale of 1-10? probably a 2 or 3. most of the areas i've gotten tatts on aren't that painful. areas that are close to the bone, like the ankle, are much more sensitive. areas on the head, face, neck, nipples, genitals, etc would also be much more sensitive.

have i ever regretted it? no. i purposefully got my tatts in places that are easily covered up. there is still a bias against tatts in our society although its not as bad as it once was.

think carefully about what you want and where. i'd steer clear of names of boyfriends, girlfriends, etc. tatts can be removed but it costs a fortune.

oh--yes, i almost forgot. do your research on your tattoo artist! don't just walk into a shop and let the guy behind the counter start tattooing you! talk to people who have had tatts---everyone i've known is eager to talk about their tatts. find out who does the best work.

the tattoo artist i want to use for my next one is a real pro---he has done almost a full body suit on himself--and the detail and colors are phenomenal.

do your research on the artist, choose your design and location carefully, go through with it---and enjoy your tatt!

Answer 2

I have several tattoos, including a couple of relatively large ones. Small one on my upper back, behind my shoulder, I barely felt at all. Pain around a 2-3. One very large one (10 hours) which basically covers one side of my back, including my side and my butt, hurt quite a bit, but that could be because the artist was grinding away for hours at a time.

I have a tiny one on my thumb which I regret occasionally, because it's so public. All of my other tattoos are in places that are easily covered by clothes. No arms or legs. I never regret those.

It's true that the pain is addictive. It's very empowering, plus you tend to forgive and forget until your next one.

Also, what may sound stupidly obvious, is that it only hurts when the needle is in your skin. And if you've ever been to a tattoo studio you know it sounds like this: Bzzzz. bzzzz. bzzzz. In other words, they are not grinding on you nonstop. You get some time to breathe in between. And as soon as the needle is out you feel relief. It's not like when you're sick or have a headache and the pain is unrelenting.

Answer 3

My tats represent some of my beliefs and one is a memorial for a boyfriend and i don't regret any of them. Of my five tats about the only one that really hurt was the first - maybe about a 6 - a belly button wreath - but later I found out that tattooer had a bad rep for going way too deep - and it took the longest to heal and it scarred some. The rest - maybe a 3-4. I just got permanent eye liner which is basically tattooing it on but they use an anesthetic cream for that - more uncomfortable than painful. Otherwise I have found if it starts getting too irritating - like when they are filling in a larger area - just start controlling your breathing and kind of meditate and it makes it easy.

Answer 4

I have 6 tattoos and I'd say 5 of them were a 1-4. The one on my left wrist was a 6. That one didn't really feel that good. But the one on my right wrist didn't hurt at all. I guess I knew what to expect. For me the actual tattooing doesn't really hurt. The part I don't like is the constant wiping. After a while the area starts to get irritated and uncomfortable.

Answer 5

Do not get any tattoos you cannot cover up. No matter how cute you think that wrist tattoo is or the one your neck looks cool, do not get it till you are out of residency. Seriously. No physicians that I have seen have tattoos that are visible. They do have tattoos and I've seen them underneath their scrubs, usually on their arms and are covered 99% of the time. None of them have any tattoos on their neck, lower arms, face, etc. The one that does have a tattoo is a former cop. The biggest issue would be getting through medical school and getting your residency. After that, you have more freedom to do what you want. In fact, I wouldn't do anything till you have more clout since you will probably join a surgical group as a surgeon.

Answer 6

Which time? Each one was a different experience. I got them because Ive always wanted tattoos even from a young age (They say your body is a temple.. my tattoos are the decoration)... got my 1st at 19 and I just got tattoo #15 at the end of July (Im 32 now) They all hurt... as to what degree it depends on you and your pain tolerance And I have never regretted any of them

Answer 7

I have 2 tats now. One is an Amy Brown faery on my upper arm. Pretty good size. Very detailed. Certain parts smarted some. But it goes numb, and no problem. Feels like scraping. The other one I have is a shamrock with flames. I got that one for my dear friend who died of cancer last year. It is above my breast. Probably both were a 4. But it didn't hurt like I thought it would. The fear and not knowing is what scares most out of getting tats. I told my artist to keep going no matter how much I complained. But it wasn't that bad. I do not regret getting them as I put alot of thought into what I wanted. Tats should mean something to you. I don't recommend getting something you cannot live with the rest of your life. Choose wisely.

Answer 8

I got my first tattoo about 8 or 9 months ago and it was about a 6. It is a fairly good size, about 3" x 4". It didn't hurt as much as I thought, and it didn't hurt so much that I wouldn't get another. I am actually planning another one in a few weeks that will be twice as big. Just don't let the pain be the deciding factor, either it's worth the pain or it isn't.

Answer 9

1, and no regrets here. It does depend on where you get the tattoo - some places are definitely more sensitive than others. Also, a large tattoo is going to hurt more that a smaller one. It feels more like an irritation - like someone scratching your sunburn.

Answer 10

My tattoo is on the middle of my back, 8 inches by 12 inches, and went over the top of an older, deeper one. I got it in 3 sessions that took a total of 16 hours. I got it to cover a home-made one I got that was crappy.

It felt liek a million bees stinging me for the first minute or so. Then it gets HOT. Two days later you forget how much it actually hurt. In fact, I'm a wimp and I will get more.

When you get it done, follow the shop's care directions. Pick a good shop with a good reputation... they will give you quality work that you will never regret.

Also, get your tat somewhere you can cover with a blouse and skirt/ dress shirt and slacks. Trust me.

Best of luck!