If I can handle a giant rose tattoo on my foot, do you think I can handle a full back piece?

Question

My first tattoo was a tribal butterfly on my left foot. Small, simply, pretty. My second, now three days old, was a beautiful black rose on the top of my right foot. Let's put it this way, it's so freaking big that my heavily tattooed artist thinks that I am a badass for going through it (something about the foot being the worst place painwise for getting a tat). My next will be a fairly large fairy on my right calf, but that's not to be worries about.

What I want to know is weather or not I'll be able to handle the fairy wings that I want covering most of my back. That is the tattoo I really wanted and have wanted for years, but it's just so big that I'm not sure I could handle it. You think it would be easiest to go and get the outline done, then shade in one wing, then the other? Or better in one long sitting? I'm NOT the girl that goes numb after 20 minutes, quite the opposite. It starts out all fine and dandy then slowly goes into and "ouch ouch ouch" sensation.

Answer 1

My back piece didn't hurt at all to me it felt like a big back massage, like you get from the electric massagers. However I would think if it's a complicated or detailed tattoo any artist is going to make you do it in stages if it's that large.I would suggest talking to your artist about what he/she feels is best time wise, and how many segments he/she feels you need. Also remember to ask your artist(at the beginning of your sessions) to let you know when he is at a good stopping point periodically throughout your sessions so that you can be the judge if you can sit longer or if you need a break.

Answer 2

You know your ability to handle pain,
better than anyone else. If you are using
the same artist as before, ask him ......
he knows a little about your tolerance also.
The back is not so bad, for most people..
just along the spine is sensitive. The design
you want doesn't sound like it would take a
really long time. You can take a break
whenever you need to. If it's going to be all
black and gray...maybe outline and come back
for the shading and details. Your artist may
need a break as well. Your artist will be the
best judge of the amount of time it will be taking.
He can best help you with planning for the sitting.
Post it on here when you are ready. I'd love to see it.

Answer 3

I have both feet tattooed and my back, neither hurt as much as my inside ankle bone tattoos. I know most people think spine work is exceptionally painful, but it wasn't for me, the closer to my sides, the more painful, the spine was no more painful than my arm, but pain is relative to the person.

I had my back piece done in three sittings, so if yours is big I imagine that's what your artist will want to do. The outline of my back piece took around four hours, and to be honest by then I was tired and it was getting painful and uncomfortable having to remain in the exact same position. Plus, the artist gets tired too, and a tired artist wont be at their best.

The only downside is if like me, you're impatient, it's annoying having to walk around for a few months with an unfinished tattoo. You have to wait at least two/three weeks before sittings to give the skin chance to heal properly.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Answer 4

Do it in multiple sittings, sections at a time. There are the reasons that you will get tired, the artist will get tired, etc. but one of the worst parts for me getting the entire fill in done in one sitting was the healing afterwards. When it is a large area in a place that is hard to reach, taking care of it is really, really hard and the itching almost drove me over the edge.
I don't go numb after awhile either and by the end, especially on spine work, it was breaks, breathing every few minutes. But honestly - once it's over it's over. It's more of the what happens when it's over part that was the biggest issue for me. I need to have touch up done and detail added, but will do that in sections, because of the healing issue.
Just something to think about :)

Answer 5

Well, I literally just got my foot tattooed maybe three days ago, and I would have to say that the pain was the worst out of any of my tattoos (and I have my entire side tattooed.) The skin on your foot is thicker than the skin on the rest of your body since you're always sliding your shoes on and off, and shedding skin cells. Looks cool though! See, I guess it's easier for me to deal with the pain because my fiance is my tattoo artist, and so when he tattoos me, I feel safe? I don't know. I also made sure other people were there to talk to me and to get my mind off of it. I think it also depends WHERE on the foot. Mines directly on the top of the foot. It hasn't convinced me out of getting other tattoos, just never on my feet again.

Answer 6

i have had both of the tops of my feet tattooed and they ARE definitely the most painful tattoos by far... EXCEPT the spine! i have a full back piece (check out my 360 pictures) and the only part of the back that hurt more than the feet was my spine. the rest of the back was fairly mild for the most part. i, too am not one of those girls who goes numb... the pain tends to intensify and i usually end up sitting for 2-31/2 hours at a time and it is no picknick.
good luck!

Answer 7

Most women can handle pain better than men. Just do the tat in multiple sessions so that it won't be that painful for you.