I want a tattoo on my lower back. How bad does it really hurt?

Question

Has anyone had one on their lower back and does it hurt? I would like a butterfly by the way. Any suggestions of what should go along with it? All I can think of is some sort of abstract design. Thanks guys!

Answer 1

Ohhhh boy its gonna HURTTTTTTTTT you!!! and u will be in pain for a long time and might damage u r spine. i wouldnt go for it.

Answer 2

Ok, first off, those of you who say that lower back tattoos cause spinal damage and prevent you from having epidurals are MORONS. Unless the tattoo artist is a complete IDIOT and is using a three-inch needle and shoving it into your spine, a tattoo on your lower back will cause ZERO problems. And an epidural is NOT done that low on the back. I should know, I had an epidural when I had my daughter.

That said...yes, the lower back is sensitive. I have a rather large tattoo there, but I used something called Emla cream. It's a topical numbing lotion and it numbs your skin for roughly 45 minutes. It's prescription but some tattoo places have it on hand. Your doctor may prescribe it if you beg. lol. If you can't get the numbing lotion, then just grit your teeth and bear it. It's not that bad if your tattoo is on the small side and only takes less than an hour to do. Mine took 3 hrs. All in all, the pain is worth it if the tattoo means something to you and you won't regret it 20 or 30 years from now.

Answer 3

Some people like the feel of getting tattooed, but different people have different pain tolerances. My mom has a tattoo on her lower back, and it's pretty big. She said that it hurt the least in the center, and that it was the worst on her sides where she has fat (not saying that my mom is fat, because she isn't ). So I'm guessing that the lesser amount of fat that you have, the less it will hurt. No one think that I'm talking bad about being fat, because I am fat. Hope you have luck with what ever you get. Oh yeah, and my mom got something with butterflies and dragonflies. I think it looks real good, but she's wanting to add on some humming birds. That's basically all that I can help you with, but I guess you can go to bmezine.com or something and look around.

Answer 4

Get something unique, if you do it. Ladybugs, butterflies and flowers are "played out". Get something that will still have meaning when your 50. Yes, it hurts on the lower back, it seems that section is extra sensitive. It also depends on the size of the tattoo. I would suggest going to tattoo website and look at photos. Hopefully, from there you can combine a couple tattoos to make one unique abstract look for you.

Answer 5

All tattoos hurt, but the exact pain felt will vary based on the location and your tolerance to pain. No one can tell you how bad its really going to be...and generally tattoos aren't bad. What is bad is hyping yourself up and expecting it to hurt. Don't tense up...just relax.

To go along with the butterfly, you could do a number of things. I don't know what you like to make more precise suggestions, but try flowers or vines, starts and moons or even ask the tattoo artist if they have any filler art you could look at to get a good idea. Good luck.

Answer 6

If you really want the Tattoo then the pain shouldn't matter. All Tattoos hurt some more than others. Try having the Butterfly above a colorful Orchid.

Answer 7

I have a butterfly tattoo on my lower back and it hurt but is was my second tattoo of 4 so far and it was not my most painful one it is the biggest ( it's an outline of a butterfly with black tribal lines that cross eachother on both sides with pink and blue stars around it it's kinda hard to explain) but I have a small hibiscus flower on the top of my foot and that one was the smallest and most painful.. you will get through it all tattoos are painful but they are worth it! just keep thinking of the final result and you will do fine.. good luck!!

Answer 8

You should be okay on this one, unless you have a low tolerance for pain. Keep in mind however, that unless you have already had children, or you aren't planning on one at all, you might want to reconsider or try another area. That is a part of the body that will stretch serverely later on (from pregnancy, or even weight gain), and your abstract design could be deformed. Something else to consider besides just pain.

Answer 9

I have a few tats, and they never hurt being put on. The bad part is the itch when the skin is healing. I covered them with a gauze patch and some skin lotion. They didn't hurt going on since I had them done by a pro. An old biker dude. It cost a bit more than the other shops, but a cheap tattoo ain't a bargain. Hell, my eagle is over twenty years old and still looks pretty sharp. Good luck with the tat. Make it a good one.

Answer 10

it does hurt but it's not the worst tattoo pain i have ever had either. anything on the spine hurts like a mofo tho. i would suggest looking at other people's tattoos to see what else could go with it. please don't get tribal. you could get it landing on a flower or something... if you're going to get a realistic butterfly. just look around before you go to get it. good luck!

also the person who posted below me who said that you can't get an epidural is incorrect see the following link from the mayo clinic website:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lower-back-tattoo/AN01357

Answer 11

It all depends on the person... some say it hurts like hell and others say it don't hurt at all... I have a Scottish flag on my lower back that took 5 hours to do and I don't think it hurts that much... Look at it this way "a little bit of pain for a life time of memories"...