Thinking about getting a tatoo, but concerned about some stuff. What to do?

Question

I'm thinking about getting a tatoo, but how much is it for a small one? and I never dealed with needles and shots. at the age of 14 i was scared to get a flu shot. i know pathetic. but also when i was younger my doctor purscribed me a cream that would numb the pain. so do you think i could use that to help with the pain?

Answer 1

Amount it hurts - depends on where you get the tattoo. If you get it near a bone, like your ankle or hip or small of our back, it will hurt more. If you get it on a more fleshier part, it will hurt less. However, it does hurt and the amount really depends on your tolerance for pain. It hurts no worse than child-birth, so if you were able to get through that, then you may manage to get through the tattoo process.

Price - depends on the size and the agency you choose, along with the quality of the artist. It is art work if done correctly. You can expect to pay between $50.00 - $75.00 for a small tattoo. Again it really depends you what you consider small versus what the artist considers small.

Numbness - in the state in which I reside, you can not use any substance on the skin to diminish pain. You can not be drunk, high on anything, if you are then the artist is not, by law, allowed to work on you. As for topical medications, most likely a reputable artist would not use that on you. It may also interfere with the end results of the tattoo and then you may not like the results.

If you're going to get a tattoo, be sure of what you want, be still and focus on something other than the pain. Perhaps you can wear headphones and listen to music to help you drift away as you are worked on, if they allow it.

Good luck and choose wisely.

Answer 2

No you should not use Emla cream. It will potentially affect your skin and your tattoo artist will have a harder time tattooing you because your skin may not take the ink as well. Many artists will not work on you either if they know that you used Emla cream.

You addressed several things in your question:
price - varies on the artist....mine was only 4"x2" and it was $500 because of the design and who the artist is
needle - I got a tattoo and I have a needle phobia. It doesn't feel like a needle. The needle groupings are penetrating your skin at a rate of approx 250/second

I would just deal with the pain of the tattoo if you truly want the tattoo. I was freaked out about the pain prior to my tattoo as well but it ended up not being as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Answer 3

nope, no cream. try pulling out a few arm hairs ata time, thats what it feels like...for the first hour. After a 2.5 hours, it begins to feel like someone scraping a fork over you. 'small' is a relative term , but if it's smaller than a silver dollar, it'll probably take about 45 minutes to an hour. If you do not see the artist wearing gloves, run. If you do not see an autoclave (needle sterilizer) run. If the artist does not open the utensils in front of you, run. Ask around. Most people enjoy talking about their tats, ask them where they went. Dirty places don't stay in business that long, watch for artists that move around alot. Ask an artist to see his book, or portfolio, to see what work he has done.

Once you have a design picked out or brought in, they copy it to a paper and then put it on you that leaves an outline on your skin, kinda like a temporary tattoo . that's what they go by

at 14 you really should wait though. It may be pretty embarrassing to have a tatoo of something you think is so awesome now, and yet...in a few years you may regret it.

Answer 4

You wont need a pain killer. If you are concerned about the little pain you will feel (which is more like dragging a sharp needle across your skin slowly with light pressure) then I suggest you find a reputable tattoo parlor and talk to the customer that are there and get their opinion on the discomfort if any they have felt. It really doesnt hurt that much in the meaty areas of your body. It stings only when you get close to bony areas of the body. Good luck

Answer 5

you're not going to find many tattoo artists that will give you something to numb the pain. but the good news is, you should be able to find an artist that is willing to work with you about the fright and the pain of it. it's really not that bad, i have three tattoos. i would reccommend getting you're first on a meaty part of your body, because the bonier that spot, the more it hurts.
as far as price, my tattoo artist says this, a palm is $100, half a palm, $50 and 1/4 a palm, $25. they don't get much cheaper that that, plus the more colors and details up the price. i have a 1/4 palm sized mouse, but it has like 6 colors and lots of detail and it cost me $65.

Answer 6

If your not 100% sure you want a tattoo don't get one. Most important is making sure that the tattoo parlor does good work, I got a tattoo from a place in my town because it had the shortest waitlist for an appointment. Now I know why...it was poorly done and I had to go back 2 times to have it fixed and darkened. As for the pain...I think it's part of the experience...bite the bullet or don't have it done :P:P:P

Answer 7

Really think twice about your tattoo. I got one at the age of 15 and somewhat regret the body location. But if are super convinced and want one, then the pain is part of the thrill & excitement. Take a friend with you and hold on to his/her hand. And add a few shots of tequila...that always help to ease any pain.

Answer 8

I would consult the artist before I used any cream on the area to be tattoed, just in case it might lead to infection or soemthing. If you really want a tattoo, you will find the money and you will put up with the discomfort. If you can't , then you aren't really into the tattoo.

Answer 9

i think it could help, but i wouldnt recomend using it without asking the tattoo artist if it could result in causing an infection. as for the cost that depends on where you go. some artist will do it for free if you buy them the ink and new needle. most small tattoos go from $40 and up. could be less if you know people or if its really really small.

Answer 10

You can't use the cream that numbs your skin during the tattoo getting process...I've asked. Also, make sure the place you go to is reputable. Don't forget to ask for samples of your artist's artwork...if someone is there he/she's worked on, ask to see theirs. Also make sure that the tattoo artist unwraps a fresh package of sterile needles just for you. Otherwise, don't trust it. Hep. C is just waaaaay too common in parlors.