Pain Releif for use during a tattoo???

Question

I have 1 tattoo on my lower hip/backside. I almost died. I know I am a wimp. I admit it ok. I want another tattoo, but I'm terrified of the pain. Please help. No jokes about my wussines, I already know. I have delivered 5 babies and it doesn't come close to that excruciating tattoo experience.

Answer 1

Etrigone is right - take a friend or two to distract you during the tattoo. Be sure to drink LOTS of water the days before, during, and after the tattoo. Have a good meal about an hour or so before your session. When you take a break during the tattoo, have some sugar (like a hard candy or sugary gum).

Ibuprofen (Advil) is the best choice because it's a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory. Because it helps reduce swelling, your tattooed skin will be less sensitive. Two of my four tattoo artists have offered me Advil before a session; the other two recommended it.

I use Advil in combination with a topical lidocaine gel called Topicaine. Apply Topicaine to the area where you'll be getting tattooed about 30-45 minutes before your appointment to allow it to absorb into your skin. Don't skimp, slather it on! Your artist will need to wipe it off before starting the tattoo, but that's OK. Re-apply it between stages - like between the outline and the shading, shading and color - and wait about 5-10 minutes with the gel on before getting started again. Use a sterile tool to reapply, not your hands (try one of those tounge-depresser sticks most artists use for their Vaseline). I haven't had any adverse effects on my tattoos from Topicaine (no extra fading, color issues, et cetera), and it really helps me get through those longer sessions. For me, it means the difference between crying pain and mild discomfort.

Answer 2

I've always been under the impression that giving birth was more painful than getting a tattoo, but obviously I don't have the same personal experience you do.

You probably already know not to take anything like aspirin due to it's blood thinning effects. Can you take a friend along, or maybe some music to distract you? When my gf got hers in about the same side (lower right back/hip) she asked me to talk to her through it, and that seemed to help a lot. A chatty friend could give you the same aid.

Other than that, are you having a normal meal ~1 hour before? Getting enough sleep beforehand? A friend also tried having some kind of relaxing tea (chamomile or valerian) beforehand and that seemed to help a little.

Best of luck to you; sorry I can't give more advice.

Answer 3

Try http://tatbalm.net it is a all natural tattoo pain relief balm, it works in minutes and last longer than most tattoo pains, it also have many natural healing oils to help to lessen the time you might have some discomfort. You just rub on the location before the TAT it simple easy and works great.

Answer 4

I wouldnt take any pain killers before you go for your tatt. I would pick a less sensitive area. like your shoulder blade or shoulder. That will not hurt nearly as much.
Plus the artist has alot to do with it. They can make it hurt a lot more than it needs to. I might look for another artist and ask ppl that he has done work on about the pain...

Just a suggestion.

Answer 5

I agree with etrigone. My artist told me I could take some ibuprofin about and hour before hand just to take the edge off. I also informed her that I do take medications for arthritis. I know she wouldn't touch my skin if she thought that I would have problems with taking them. Ask your artist. They may have some suggestions on what you can do to ease the pain.

Answer 6

there is nothing that can take away the pain but your lower hip is very painful place to have your 1st tattoo chances are the next place wont be as bad i have one on my calf it was very sore but all my others were not to bad good luck!

Answer 7

well, whenever i get my eyebrows waxed, i pinch the skin in between my thumb and pointing finger. believe it or not, it gets rid of alot of pain, because your brain is focused on that part of your body since your pinching it.
that may not help though lol.
maybe see if you can get it numbed...?
if not.
then you will just have to go through it , if you want it that bad.

Answer 8

Definately don't use anything that will thin your blood.
Either pick a less sensitive spot and suck it up, take an ibueprofen :)

Answer 9

use Advil or something like that without aspirin in it Aspirin thins your blood

Answer 10

bite the bullet