Tattoos and needle phobia??

Question

My boyfriend is scared to death of needles, he's not scared of the pain, its unexplainable, there is just something about needles that he is afraid of, he cant even listen to somebody talk about shots or piercings, let alone see them, the major problem is that he really wants to get over this fear so that he can get a tattoo, anyone have any suggestions or know of any good reading that will help?

Answer 1

In regards to China's answer, I emphatically disagree!

Most tattoo parlors will have NOTHING to do with you if you're under the influence of alcohol when you go to get a tattoo. It heightens stress and thins the blood (which means there would be more bleeding), and it also opens them up to the problem of you coming back all pissed off when you're sober and realize what you did. If he wants a tattoo, he needs to do it sober.

Conditioning is the best way to get over a fear. Slowly but surely, expose him to situations where needles are present. Go to the mall and watch someone get their ears pierced. Watch shows on TV about tattooing. Talk to a tattooist and see if he can watch someone get a tat, or maybe the tattooist can just help answer any questions or just alleviate his fears. Then, when it comes to tattoo time, he doesn't have to watch if it still bothers him. Put on headphones and look away. Obviously he'll still feel it, but he doesn't have to watch the needle come in contact with his skin.

Answer 2

has he ever been to a tattoo shop? that may help. i am not "afraid" of needles but if i see a hypodermic needle (the kind for shots only, not for sewing or any other kind of needle) i get light headed and feel like i am going to pass out and throw up. i don't knwo why but that's just the way it is. tattoo needles are not like that at all. they are more like long pins (like you stick in a pin cushion) so maybe you could tell him that. have had quite a bit of tattoo work done and have never had a problem with the tattoo needles. blood on the other hand is a totally different story!! have him look at these links and see if it makes him queasy
http://www.tattooxp.com/Needle/needles3a.jpg
http://tattooflash.info/shop/needles/needles.jpg
http://netvoice.be/os/images/1-10F.jpg

i hope that helps and i hope he'll be able to get a tattoo!

Answer 3

I agree with Yankeebird
Gotta be conditioned if he wants one that bad. Wearing headphones is a really good idea, as the sound of the tattoo needle goin is really intimidating. He should also have it somewhere he wont be able to watch. Give him loadsa support while hes having it done to calm him n reassure him.
Watching tv shows about it could make it worse tho, cuz they always tend to include all the negative aspects aswell, like tattoos gone wrong, or infections like Hepatitus etc.

I used to think i was absolutely petrified of needles, but it turns out its just vaccinations and blood tests. I peed my pants at the idea of having a piercing, but when i got my ears pierced i wasnt nervous at all, so i had them done twice more, got my belly button periced, my nose pierced, then my lip and then my tragus, and then followed with a tattoo, and i wasnt nervous about any of them!
Your fella may be the same, he won't know until he actually goes to get it done.
Still have panic attacks, vomiting and fainting when i gotta have blood tests tho!

Answer 4

ok, I pass out at the sight of a hypodermic needle. I also have a fairly large tattoo on my lower back. Trust me, the tattoo gun doesn't feel, or look anything like a needle a doctor would use. I think he will be able to stand it just fine. Good Luck! http://tattoo.about.com/library/bltest44.htm this might help also. Tell him not to be afraid to get what he wants, just go for it.

Answer 5

I'm awful with needles and had no issues really with getting my tattoos. The first one I was a bit light headed, laid down for a few and got right back to it. Since then, not a problem with tattoos but still don't deal with needles very well.

They are different fears IMO.

If he gets a tattoo in a place on his body that allows him to lay down, it might help.

Answer 6

I am the same way. It is a phobia of needles. I had my tat done 4 days ago. You can tell him it really is not that bad. It is NOTHING like getting a shot or having your blood drawn. I just kept looking the other way and I did fine. I was in the chair for 2 hours and no problems. Take it from someone who once hid in a hospital so she couldn't get her finger pricked, it really isn't that bad. Good luck on the tat!

Answer 7

I'm also afraid of needles, but tattoos are different because the needle goes in only a 16th of an inch below the surface of the skin. Tell him he will be fine.

Answer 8

I have a needle phobia too and was able to get one. My phobia stems from a traumatic childhood event...if he really wants to get the tattoo, my suggestion is this...learn as much as he can about tattooing...equipment, process, procedure, etc. The more you know, the more prepared you feel. Also, talk to different artists....really go to one that he feels comfortable with.

When it was over and done with...it wasn't that bad...really...

Best of luck if he really wants to get the tattoo...

Answer 9

well heres somthing just practic get him used to it talk about that stuff alot go on the inter net and find ways heres one think of the most calming place you can dont look at the needle and that should work

Answer 10

If he does not like the idea of getting a tattoo-- reinforce his repulsion by bringing him to a homeless shelter to see what a tattoo looks like when it turns 50 or more.