does it hurt to get a tattoo?

Question

i want a tattoo on my sholder but i dont like needles so i was wondering if you could feel it that much

Answer 1

It's a good hurt though. After a short time the area actually goes numb. Just don't get it directly oner the shoulder blade. Tats on the bone hurt like h e double L!!!!

Answer 2

First of all everyone that has already answered that seems to have actual experience with tattoo's has indicated that it hurt. I would agree.
I don't like needles, either. I had to get a series of vaccines last year, and everytime I went in, I was mortified. Sweating, shaking, the works.
I had heard so many things about how a tattoo feels before I actually got one, that I had no idea what to expect.
Some said it hurt like h*ll.
Others said that it was almost enjoyable at times, at others a mere annoyance.
The day before and the day of right up until the actual moment, I was a nervous wreak! What if I can't handle it? What if I pass out or vomit?
I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself down as best as I could, I knew if anything would get to me it would be the anxiety.
It hurt, but I was able to focus my attention somewhere else - I just sort of spaced out and stared at magazines. And then - presto! It was done. I was stoked, and although it hurt, it wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined.
Good Luck, I'm sure you will do fine. Remember, anything you get permanently on your body, you will have to pay for a little, but it's worth it.

Answer 3

Tattoo needles are nothing like normal hospital needles. When you get a tattoo, the artist uses a hand-held buzzing machine with a tiny needle in it to deposit the ink.

Most people I've asked said it feels like a cat scratching you over and over again. I don't really feel pain the way most people do (pressure hurts me, but other things don't), and I find the feeling of getting a tattoo pretty annoying.

Answer 4

I hate going to the doctors to get shots.

But I have 15 tattoos.



Not liking needles really shouldn't have anything to do with it.
When they say "needle," they don't mean some 3-inch thing that they're going to be stabbing you repeatedly with.
It's a small cluster of needles, and only the tips will be going into your skin, and even then, they only go in far enough to push the ink into several layers of your skin. It's really not that bad.


But yes, it hurts.

Some places on your body also hurt MUCH more than others.




If you REALLY want the tattoo, you shouldn't be concerned about the pain.
Also, don't decide where to put your tattoo based on where everyone says it hurts the least.

Answer 5

Tattoos are, at worse, irritating while being inked. I have a large one directly over my spine, fully colored; it took about 3 hours straight. Did it hurt? Not really. The biggest chance of it hurting is if you obsess over it, which so many people do. Usually the artist has SOMETHING for you to do, either watching tv or looking at art on the walls, etc if possible (depending on the location you are being tattooed of course). Most "tattoo pains" are self fullfilling prophecies.

I have a friend who is a self proclaimed "pain wuss" and terrified of needles. She had a fully colored cross inked onto her shin and was amazed how little it hurt. It's really more annoying than anything.

It's not at all like a medical injection. One thing, they prick your skin only a few layers down, not fully into the muscle as with the others. Also, its a small powered needle which feels more like a vibration than anything. There is a very light pricking sensation.

Now, will it hurt after wards? Yep. But it's going to feel more like a scrape or a bruise. It'll hurt in the shower but nothing that's going to send you into fits of pain and in the ER for Vicodin. It's going to leak a bit of ink for the first few hours, it's going to ache a little, and usually within a few days, it's over. Again, it feels a bit like a bruise.

A big help is to keep it slathered several times a day, as much as possible, in a good, dye/fragrance free lotion such as Lubriderm. Do this for at least the first week and you will be glad you did; it makes the healing process so much easier and allows the tat to heal nicer. Keep it out of sunlight for at least the first week, preferably the first month. If you go out alot in the sun, it's a good idea to wear sunblock or sunscreen over the tat to prevent premature fading (not to mention it's a good habit anyway). And above all else, do NOT scratch it. It will probably itch at times while it's healing/scabbing over - if it does, put lotion on it to soothe it but don't scratch it. You could cause infections, delay healing and even damage the artwork.

Also, find a good tattoo artist with a good reputation. If you see someone in the store for example with a nicely done tattoo, ask where they got it done. Ask friends. Research online. Look at the artist's portfolio. It may seem like alot of work but this is going to be more or less permenant. The same goes for $ - tattoos are not cheap if done by a good artist. Not saying an expensive tattoo is a good tattoo, but a good artist is never cheap. Consider this an investment - artwork on your body. Even if you want something cute, simple, easy - find a good artist. You really only get one shot at getting this part right - coverups don't always look so great either.

Of course you want an artist that has a clean shop, everything packaged and sterile; an artist that you feel comfortable talking to, who is willing to answer concerns, show you their portfolio and work with you in general.

And last but not least - really consider what you are having tattooed. Looking online for examples is a good idea, but it really should mean something to you.

Answer 6

Yes you can feel a tattoo. the tattoo process is very quick though as the needle goes up and down very quickly.
Chances are you are working yourself up more then you should.
The more you relax before getting a tattoo, the easier it will be for you to get it done.Just remember when you do get a tattoo, look through their portfolios. When you are ready, just breathe and relax and bring someone with you can talk with.

Answer 7

Of course it does... I am afraid of needles too.. I do however have 2 tats.. It hurts but it isn't the type of needle hurt.. Oh and hint do not ask a tattooist if it hurts some will charge ya a buck every time you ask.. I say get one if it is truly what you want the outcome is way greater then the pain.. make sure you get references to a tattooist first though..

Answer 8

I don't like needles either, but tattooing needles are not like the usal kind - they look nothing alike.

It does hurt, how much depends on when you get the tattoo, how big a tattoo it is and how good your pain threshold is. The pain is like a deep scratching sensation

Answer 9

Depending where the tattoo is positioned depends on how much it hurts...also how it hurts...!

I've just had one on my stomach done and it tickled like hell!!!
If you wanna cheat, you can get some topical anaesthetic like Ametop, put it on an hour before you go and by the time the gun's a buzzing you shouldn't feel much at all - just an odd vibration...!

A life lived in fear - Is a life half-lived.

Answer 10

i got a tattoo on my shoulder and i didnt find that it hurt that much i hate needles as well my advice is try not to think of the needle