I'm about to get a tattoo. HELP!?

Question

Okay so I finally picked out a design for my first tattoo (its going to be a rose) and its going to go on my back by my shoulder. Two problems. I am extremely extremely afraid of needles. And I have an extremely low pain tolerance. I need to get this tattoo because I always back out of everything and I need to prove to myself that I can deal with the pain and go through with it. But I was just wondering if anyone can tell me exactly what it feels like to get a tattoo?? I'm soooo nervous! Any tips?

Answer 1

I know you're nervous and all but you should do your best to relax before you get in the chair or whatever and try some deep breathing techniques or something while you're getting it done. Or bring someone with you to talk to you or failing that, talk to your artist while he's doing it. I'm buddies with my artist and we talk about all sorts of stuff while he puts down the ink.

If you are so worried about the pain, try taking some tylenol an hour or so before you get in the chair. Personally, I take excedrine for headaches because it has both tylenol and aspirin in it, if I am going to get a tattoo on a fleshy part of my body( tattoos on my bony areas don't bother me) but after a while you don't even notice pain from the tattoo gun's needle, seriously your body's natural pain relievers will kick in.

It might bother you when the artist goes to fill in the outline, color the tattoo in. I don't want to scare you from getting this tattoo but he/she will dip the gun's needle in the ink and it's gonna be similar to a jackhammer on your shoulder drilling that ink into your skin. I liken it to a child with a crayon bearing down on the paper, making the color as dark as possible. And this is gonna happen over and over til you're done. I don't know what your artist will use, but mine fills in an area with color, then he wipes my tattoo to see if he missed any areas and whatever it is that he uses to dampen the paper towel that he wipes with feels so good, so soothing to the tattooed area, it makes you forget about the tattoo gun.

Seriously, you will be ok. I hope I helped.

Answer 2

Getting a tattoo does hurt. The good news is that it only hurts 10-20 seconds at a time, because the artist can only do so much before they have to dip into the ink again. It's usually nothing a good, slow exhale can't take care of.

Then after about 10-15 minutes the endorphins kick in and you sort of space out and the area goes numb all at the same time.

Afterwards it just feels like a sunburn, if even that. Sometimes there's kind of a bruised feeling. But really, I'm the biggest pain wussy in the world and I have several. I would honestly take a tattoo over a cartilage piercing anytime.

Answer 3

First of all, everyone I've talked to who's been nervous - which is just about *everyone* - has reported afterwards that they feel pretty silly worrying so much afterwards. So, you're hardly the first person to be on edge. Don't think that there's anything wrong, cowardly or odd; it's only human.

A regular poster who got a tat similar to yours, at least size-wise but in a different (more painful?) location also has a deathly fear of needles; she's getting additional work later this month. I'm not very fond of needles either. I'll go back for more, but still me getting a shot at the doctor or dentist gives me the heebie-jeebies. That area, the back by the shoulder, is a medium-low pain area, and I've got work going into medium to high places coming up.

As far as pain, it's much like having a semi-bad sunburn and then dragging stiff brush over the area. It does hurt, I won't lie to you, but in 5-15 minutes the endorphins will kick in. It won't stop hurting entirely. It will be a really dull roar though. If you do other areas like the arm, you'll be surprised by how trivial it is.

I got my first ink on my shoulderblade (see my 360 for specifics), it was more annoying later on. It also very much does not feel like a needle. A needle is used, sure, but it doesn't go in that deep - think millimeters. I'll take that 10 times out of 10 over a novocaine shot.

I'm also one with, at least theoretically, a low pain tolerance. Redheads are supposed to, and I have no illusions of being some macho tough-guy. Don't feel afraid to ask for a break from the artist if it does get to be too much. If nothing else, they might like a break from the work after an hour or so.

I will recommend that you eat a normal meal beforehand; don't stuff yourself. In case the pain is a bit much, no food will might make you pass out. Have no caffeine, alchohol, aspirin or any kind of blood thinner. If you can, bring a (tattoo-friendly) friend along for moral support. This is also good as it's sometimes tricky to drive with a bandage on your shoulder, plus the endorphins made me feel really loopy.

Oh, one more thing, since a previous poster asked about it: after the initial heady rush of endorphins, you may have a little crash. Loss of blood sugar & wearing off of the body's pain suppressors might make you a little depressed or just plain tired.

Answer 4

As far as fear of needles goes, getting a tattoo done doesn't really involve anything that's like a needle in the sense of getting an injection. Yes, there are needles loaded into the tattoo equipment, but to look at them you wouldn't think 'eep! needles!'. (Plus, of course, you won't be looking at them 'cos the tattoo will be on your back.)

In terms of pain, the sensation could be described as a hot scratching feeling - sort of like a cat scratch in slow motion. It's certainly uncomfortable but not excrutiating, and people pretty much always find they can deal with it, however nervous they were beforehand.

My advice would be: don't take anything for 'pain' ahead of getting your tattoo done - be it medication or alcohol. Anything you take could interfere with the tattooing process (e.g. thin the blood) and in any case, no reputable artist would want to tattoo anyone who'd been drinking. Do tell the artist you're nervous about pain, because they can often help by starting with, for example, shorter lines in the design so you can get to grips with what's involved. They'll understand; lots of people have similar concerns.

I hope this helps - enjoy getting your tattoo!

Answer 5

first of all, if you're afraid of needles and have low pain tolerance, you shouldn't be getting a tattoo, seeing as it's an ink-filled needle being stabbed into your body over and over again. Second, if you really need to prove to yourself that you can deal with pain.... I don't know why you would do that. The world isn't exactly the happiest place, and I'm sure you've gone through some hurtful experiences throughout your life. The fact that you got through those experiences and became the person you are today should be enough proof that you will be able to confront whatever obstacles rise up in the future. Also, there are other things that you can do to prove to yourself that you can deal with pain, if you really feel it necessary to assure yourself of your tolerance level. Third... imagine the worst shot you've ever gotten. Now imagine that shot being put into your skin hundreds of times until your tattoo is done. That's how much it hurts.

If you're really set on doing this, the best advice i have for you is to take painkillers. If the place that you're planning to get your tattoo done offers numbing cream, make sure you take it.

Good Luck!!

Answer 6

i am not a professional by any means. but i am female and i do have 5. one of mine is on my back between my shoulders. i am not going to lie, like some would, it does hurt, but not the kind of hurt that you are thinking. it hurts while it is being done, but after it is over, so is the pain. my advice is to go to a tattoo shop and ask if you can watch someone get a tattoo. talk to them and let them know what you want and what your fears are. also, going with a small tatt the first time is a very good idea. and, since it will be on your back - you are not going to have to watch them do it, so the fear of needles shouldn't play a big part in this. another thing to think of is where you are going to have this done - make sure they sterilize everything after each tattoo and that NEW needles are used on each customer. do some research and just remember - these are permanent, but well worth it

Answer 7

I have a needle phobia, and I'm a big wimp as well and i got one and am getting addition to it on the 23rd....not sure if I'm the one that Etrigone was referring to...comforting thing re: the needle fear is this: It doesn't feel like actual needles. The needles are entering your body at a speed of approx 250 pulses per sec - too fast to feel like a shot or single needle and they are only entering your body at 1/16th of an inch. Take a look at a ruler and see how small that is. To me it felt alot like bee stings. Granted it's not the most comfortable feeling but it's bearable. I didn't run out of the place screaming like I thought I was going to. :) I was able to take about 1-1.5 hrs. The next "round" I'm doing is going to take 1.5-2 hrs...hopefully less. Eat a good meal beforehand and bring a friend to hold your hand if you can. I literally made my friend hold my hand haha. A good thing to do is this...did this when I had my daughter and when I got my tattoo...stare at a dot on the floor or wall and really concentrate on it and concentrate on your breathing. Take slow deep breaths and just keep concentrating on the dot. That helped me alot. Try not to think...just kind of let yourself zone and just keep staring at the dot. Best of luck to you! It won't be as bad as you think, seriously... I'm bringing my same friend to my appt on the 23rd again haha. We're going to dinner and then I'm off to get inked. Somewhat helpful if your friend has a tattoo already so they also know what to expect. Make it a fun event for yourself if you can. :)

Also - don't listen to the poster several above that told you that it's agonizing pain and such...would that many people have tattoos if it was that horrible? You'll be ok...
good luck...

Answer 8

Hi Julie........ALMOST everybody has given you great advice (no alcohol, no drugs) and there's not much I can add. It IS natural to be nervous. I'm having a lot of work done next weekend and I can make the hair stand up on my arms by just thinking about it....but I have an advantage over you, I've been under the needles before so I know what to expect. I know that once he starts and I get settled in it's all good. I have only had the outsides of my biceps tattooed but the closest thing I can compare it to .....it's like having tiny little sparks falling down on you over and over. They go out as soon as they hit the skin...but there's always more of them falling and hitting.. It doesn't hurt so much as it is annoying. The next day (and for about 7 to 12 days later) its going to feel like a sunburn. The key is to relax, listen to music or talk to a friend to distract you. Use the best artist you can find. Go to my 360 page and click on the dragon tattoo in my blog, (my secret addiction). My dragon was 12 hours old in that picture...no scabs..no bleeding.

I am doing 8 to 9 hours under the needles next weekend so I've been doing my research.....here is the best article I could find on pain as charted by body location

http://www.tattooz.net/default.cfm?sitem...

Good luck you will do fine

Answer 9

Hi, i did the same thing last year. i kept backing out of everything so my friends took me to the tattoo parlour and i got a tattoo done on my back near my shoulder. Seriously that place does not hurt...as long as its not near the spine. I'm also afraid of needles and hate being in pain...my friends told me all sort of scary stuff but when the tattoo guy was doing my tattoo i asked him if that was the extreme pain i was supposed to be feeling and he said ye its not going to get worse than this so i was ok. It didn't hurt. I'm thinking of getting a second one soon...
Good luck!

Answer 10

It kind of feels like a little tiny cat claw gentle scrapping over the skin. The repition in the same area hurts more then the actually needle, and once it stops it feels a lot better.

The noise is actually what makes people nervous I think. I am not going to tell you its a comfortable feeling, but it's not like getting blood work done hundreds of times over.

Best of luck, and don't force yourself into just to prove that you can do it. If you can't that doesn't make you weak or a coward, everyone has to do things in there own time, and tattooing is not for everyone.