Which hurts more: outlines or shading?

Question

My friends and I can't agree. Which part of tattooing hurts more: the outline or the shading/coloring? My friend claims that the outline hurts more because it's usually done with a heavier hand. I think that the shading is the most painful because sometimes it takes several passes with several layers of color. What, in your personal experience, hurts more?

Answer 1

For me its shading, because the first time I got one and the outline was done, I was like "ok...this isnt too bad" until that man started shading...OH MY GOODNESS...lol...I'm always ready for the outlining when I go in for a new one but for some reason I always forget the pain of shading and then when it happens it always hurts...I guess it all depends on the person...so I'm sorry to say that this argument with your friends may never be resolved.

Answer 2

I have a tattoo from the back of my neck to the edge of my shoulder and had it all in one 3 hour sitting. The outline was a walk in the park compared to the shading, especially when the tattooist kept going back to the same parts it was making my entire body shake. It was definitely worth it though and am going back for more, I suppose it depends on your pain threshold, if you are worried about the pain get a tattoo that won't take too long as it was bearable for a while but after about an hour it was hell!!! Best of luck.

Answer 3

I have 15 tattoos, and for just about all of them, the outline is usually worse.

Not because of a heavier hand, but because once you get past the outline, your endorphines kick in, and you just don't feel the coloring as much. It's your body's way of naturally relieving the pain.



Unless, of course, you're getting a piece on your ribs... because in this case, it hurts the whole time!!

Answer 4

I would have to say the outline hurts the most...the shading is a piece of cake.

Answer 5

Outlining, shading depending on what they are using for shading, a flat or a round shader, round shaders hurt more. But outling is the worst only because all of the needles are at a fine tip.

Answer 6

i think it depends on where you are getting the tattoo. i have had my outlines tickle before. outline usually does hurt more but you are right about when shading is done in the same spot over and over again. i guess it all depends on the specific situation.

Answer 7

I think the outlines hurt more because its the first time the needle hits your skin. At least with the shading, you are prepared for the pain that comes.

Answer 8

I have a tattoo on my wrist and my personal experience was the outline that hurt more. I think it really just depends on where and how large of tattoo you are getting.

Answer 9

i have 7 tattoos.....2 touchups....and no doubt its the outlines....ouch....once youve done that...like everyone says.... it gets numb and the shading u barely feel....for me all 9 times it was the outlines....the ones on the butt were the easiest...the more the fatty spot the less it hurts...the closer to the bone the more it hurts...i have 1 on my stomach by my belly button...and 1 on my waist...those were the worse and most painful....good luck and dont worry...it'll b ok

Answer 10

It really all depends on the person. i've worked in this industry for several years now, and i can say that the rule of thumb is their is no rule! it's all about placement on the body some spots hurt WAY more than others. but some people thing liners hurt more and others thing mags hurt more. this question really has no right or wrong.