what is the best distraction for the pain during a tattoo?

Answer 1

I like to hum a song.
Sometimes I do long division in my head.
Also the artist working on you should help you out by talking to you.

Answer 2

Forget booze, they won't let you get a tattoo when you're drunk anyway. Don't take any aspirin either, because it thins the blood and you will bleed too much.

I've been tattooed 11 times so I know all about it. Some parts of the body hurt more than others. When I got my lower back done, and when I got my ankles done, I was in a cold sweat it was so painful. When I got my arms done, it didn't hurt that bad at all. Everyone is different though. You might experience more or less pain just because everyone feels things differently.

The only thing you can do is breathe slowly and steadily, and hold very still. Relax into the feeling. It's going to hurt and you just have to take it. Think about anything that makes you feel calm and relaxed. No matter how much it hurts, don't jump or whine or screech, like I've heard some girls do! If you really need the tattoo artist to take a break, you can ask for one. But my advice is to just let them do their thing, and get it over with. Also, if you take the pain and just relax, your brain chemistry will actuallly change. Your brain will release endorphins and you will get this incredibly great feeling. You will feel satisfied and calm and a bit euphoric. It should last a few hours, sometimes even the next day. To me, it's the best part of the tattoo experience, aside from being excited over the fact that I have a new tattoo! Good luck :)

Answer 3

For me, it depends on the degree of pain. Or, as said above, location.
1st off, be aware the first 20 minutes or so will hurt. Whether it is a little hurt or a big hurt is up to where it is gonna be and how you react to pain, but it will hurt. After that time endorphins should have settled in and you will find it doesn't hurt as much. Its bearable. You can sit there for as long as the tat will take. You will feel better.
For the pain - do not take anything. No booze, no drugs. It masks your bodies reactions, and a reputable tat artist will want you just as you are, so you can take breaks when YOU need them. Also, make sure you eat. Tattooing on an empty stomach is a very bad idea.
For the pain, I use a few techniques. Deep breathing, regularly. I count my breaths, and make sure I do not hold my breath. I concentrate on EVERY muscle, and make sure they are all relaxed. Clenching musles, anywhere, will only make it worse. Its like meditating, or pregnancy excercises. And it works, really well. Then, I listen to whatever music my tat artist is playing. Since he is the artist, and he is pushing ink into my skin, I let him pick the tunes. I ask him questions. I talk to him, or the guy next door. I use the conversation as an opportunity to debate something, learn about new tunes, and distract myself from my body.
If it is a big pain, right over a bone, I focus on numbers. I divide the biggest numbers in my head I can come up with. I List stuff. Somehow, forcing yourself to think logically helps. I make myself stay still, and breath regularly.
I do not mind the pain. I like that it hurts, because a tattoo is a life changing event, and it should hurt.
you will find what works for you. LOL, during my first tat, when he was right over my sternum, I verbally recited multiplication tables into 6 digits. My tat artist had to stop for a min, cause he was laughing so hard.

good luck

Answer 4

I have found that listening to music works wonders. Do not under any circumstance have alocohol or other blood thinners before getting it. You will end up ruining it before it even gets out the door and most reputable studios will not do it anyway. Do not get tattooed on an empty stomache. Also, it might help if you get it somewhere where yo can't watch it going on. A wise lady once said, "Safe art does not hurt." This means that if you goto a professional, you should not feel too much pain.

Answer 5

I count. Sounds silly, but it works. From my experience, the needle was never on my skin for more than 10-20 seconds a a time, so I would just count. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - then the artist would wipe or dip in ink, and repeat.

Does sound wierd, but it helps the time go my and distracts from the pain. Try it.

Answer 6

actually, I would never want to pleasure myself in a tattoo shop, or in front of a doctor while giving birth, that to me seems extremely perverted. I would much rather man up while getting a tattoo and deal with the pain as it is part of the experience. why are so many people wanting to find ways to cheat through tattoos? If you want to get a tattoo, actually have the guts to get it. If you dont have the guts then just stay home. Oh and like the other couple of ladies said, while your giving birth, your really more focused on other things, like getting the baby out of somewhere it really doesn't fit. Your crotch burns like hell, you feel like your riping from anus to belly button and like you gotta take the biggest dump of your life. I dont want to rub my clit while Im taking a dump either. Oh and when I was in labor the last thing I wanted to do was anything that was sexual, that's what got me in that situation. No kids huh???

Answer 7

I have an artist that likes to talk. We have simular interests so we gab through the whole thing. Depending on how I'm sitting, I can see the front of the shop and I like watch the comings and goings of other customers. I can also watch the artist in the next station work. I find that just distracting enough to work through the pain:)

Answer 8

I've never gotten a tattoo, but I've heard from many people that eating something helps distract you from the pain... maybe you could bring your fav snack.

Also, singing might distract you, or maybe you could even bring an i-pod along so that you can listen to your fav music, That might help!

Good luck =)

Answer 9

When I was taking Lamaze classes in preparation of my daughter, I realized that in all my years of getting tattooed, I'd already figured out how to distract myself from the pain! You just pick a focal point on the wall or something (shops usually have lots of artwork on the walls, which helps), and you concentrate on that instead of how much it hurts. Good luck...

Answer 10

the best thing i have found is to read a book. some people like to watch while being tattooed but it hurts worse in my opinion. i just try to not look at all and get into a really great book so i won't even realize that there's anything going on.

Answer 11

Have water or tea or something you can drink if the position permits and a friend along to talk to. Don't take any pills before hand and don't be afraid to ask for a break or to shorten lines if it's too much for you. Talk to your artist also, if you are both relaxed the time will fly!