How much does getting a tattoo actually hurt.?

Question

Is it really that bad, what does it feel like?

I'm thinking about getting one on the underside of my forearm

Answer 1

I have one on the underside of each forearm. That is one of the more painful spots.
But it is such an exquisitely beautiful sort of pain! Very addictive!

Answer 2

Getting the outline done felt like a cut with a razor. Filling in the color was the same but across a much wider area. Parts with thin skin like my wrist were pretty intense but the further up my arm it went the less it hurt.

Tattoos are not supposed to feel good - they are a right of passage in a sense, a trial by pain, proving yourself to the world.

But the trial is more scary than it is painful. If you want a tattoo, the pain issue may affect placement of the tattoo, but should not be the deciding factor in your decision whether or not to get one.

My 2 cents

Remember a tattoo is permanent. The procedures required to remove it are much more painful than getting a tattoo. Many more sessions are also required.

The general public views tattooed persons differently. Some employment opportunities may be lost if the tat is not able to be fully covered by clothing. I would definitely recommend that you stay away from hands, lower wrists, face, and the neck (where it can't be covered with a collar.

Please ensure you go to a reputable shop. They should have an autoclave for disinfecting their equipment, new needles for each customer, and the ink should be dispensed into individual paint cups. Not only will this prevent getting infected with HIV or Hepatitis B and C, but the quality of the tattoo when finished.

I have seen way too many Garage chicken scratch tattoos. If you are going to modify your body permanently, it should be done correctly and safely.

end of my 2 cents

Answer 3

Comming from someone with a half sleeve and various other tattoos, I will tell you the TRUTH. I dont give a **** what people say, all tattoos hurt....TO SOME DEGREE. Depending on where it is, and who is doing the tattoo, the amount of pain you experience can vary greatly. Some tattoo artists are more "heavy handed" than others, which tends to make it hurt more. Placement is another big factor, as some areas of our skin are more sensitive than others. A tattoo on your hand will likely hurt more than one on your bicep. Some of the worst places are the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, and shoulderblades. But if it is done professionally, and in an okay spot, it feels like somebody scratching a sunburn. Not that bad that it should deter someone who wants one. Go for it man.

Answer 4

I fell asleep while getting mine. So obviously it didn't hurt all that much, lol.

A lot of it depends on location. The fleshier the area, the less it will hurt. And it doesn't ... hurt exactly. It's an annoying pain. Completely managable, but after time it starts to go numb and it's just this monotonous feeling.

Areas like the ankle, the back of the neck, over the spine .. where the needle is closer to bone, are the most painful.

Areas like the back of the shoulder, the bicep, the thigh, etc .. fleshy .... are relatively painless.

Edit: For the narrow minded moron who posted above me, if you have nothing to contribute towards the question, why post? Just looking for points, and not intelligent enough to join in a discussion elsewhere? Gotcha ;)

For the record, a tattoo is usually a personal choice, for a personal reason. Mine is on the back of my shoulder, and isn't seen by anyone I don't want to see it. How on earth does it make me uglier lol? It's covered. It's for me.

And those who have seen it are quite complimentary ;)

Answer 5

Neither of my tattoos were what I would say "painful" a couple of times it was mildly uncomfortable, but not bad. I would say at the WORST if felt like getting a cat scratch on sunburn. But, I got both of my tattoos in places that are not sensitive in the way that the underside of your arm is... which happens to be one of the most painful places! For your first tattoo, especially if you're worried about the pain which probably shows you don't have an extremely high tolerance for such, i would suggest a less painful placement

Answer 6

Ribs, armpits, ankles and feet hurt a lot -- deep, hot pain right into your bone. Upper/lower arms don't hurt all that much -- kind of an annoying burning feeling. Wrist, barely a bee sting. Back of neck, painful enough to make you dizzy.

Far worse than the pain, though, is the itchy period that follows. And you can't scratch or it'll make your tattoo look crappy when it heals.

Answer 7

I won't lie....and don't listen to other people, it does hurt. But it's not an unbearable pain. And once you're done, the pain goes away. It feels like.....honestly like someone is taking a scraper to your skin and digging out your skin. Okay that sounds worse than what it is. But it also just feels like a bunch of needles poking you at the same time. When they do the outline it doesn't hurt that bad, its when they do the coloring or shading. Its more just annoying than anything.

Answer 8

If you are a wuss, it's bad.

If not, then it just feels like a bee stinging you until a little while after the tattoo artist is finished. Not a big deal at all, I had one done once and almost fell asleep.

I hope you don't get a tattoo. You will probably regret it. If you must get one, I hope you get one where it won't show, at least when you are wearing business clothing.

Answer 9

Pain depends on the person. And the location of the tattoo, as someone else mentioned. If you want it bad enough, it doesn't matter...your first will be the worst, and from them on it's pretty easy to do. Just spend the time to choose something you really want, not just something you pick out upon going into the shop. Tattoos are awesome, just remember, they are forever!

Answer 10

Everyone has a different tolerance for pain. I have tattoos on my back and on my left ribcage (stretching from under my arm to the top of my hip), and for me the pain was fairly tolerable each time I had work done. I also felt that the pain was something similar to a burning sensation.

However, I do know of other people who had a difficult time with the pain, so to be honest it really varies from person to person.

Answer 11

getting a tattoo does hurt. It depends where you have it and the pain threshold you can handle. The closer to the bone hurts more. The pain stops when the needle stops. getting a tattoo is no more painful than having a baby!