tattoo help...?

Question

i want a tattoo but i'm deathly afraid of needles after the doctor literally stabbed me with a vaccine.
i want either a small sun on my back or a butterfly on my lower back but does it really hurt that bad?Should i just suck it up and walk the pain off? is it possible to get anesthesia for it? okay that might be weird to ask but still...
what do y'all think?

are there needle alternatives? would getting a tattoo on my lower back hurt more since it's on my spine?
thanks to everyone who's answered so far,i appreciate it:)

Does anyone have any good ideas about what tattoo should go where?if i do get one i do not want it to be stupid looking...

nah forget the butterfly idea...
would a star between your thumb and pointer finger look dumb?
keep up the good answers!thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Most tattoo places use a topic anesthesia for the pain. to warn you, you will bleed a little but not to much. the closer you are to the spine, your nerve center, the more the needle will hurt. don't just walk the pain of. Persistant pain can be sign of an infection. Those can happing from improperly cleaned needles but more often from not keeping the bandage clean after. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

My husband has been a tattoo artist for 15 yrs and I have too many to count. Most tattoo shops DO NOT use numbing cream but there are some who do. It only works once the skin is broke (after the tattoo has started) and it doesn't numb it completely, just takes the edge off and just for a few minutes. It's still questionable as to if it hinders the healing process so that's why alot of tattooists don't use it. A tattoo machine doesn't look like a needle at all. If you have a fear of needles, you won't have to worry because it looks more like a pen with a motor at the top of it. As far as the pain goes, it's all relative. You are wanting something small so it won't take long to do. By the way, the lower back, although very popular is, indeed, called a tramp stamp, so keep that in mind. One thing I suggest to people is try to take your mind off of the pain. I have to read something so that I focus on that instead of the pain.
As far as what one response said, your tattoo will be sore for a couple of days, like a localized sunburn. That DOES NOT mean that it is infected. and, you don't need to keep a bandage on it the whole time it's healing.
You'll be fine but make sure you look at the artist's portfolio. All tattoo artists are not built the same.

Answer 3

About the needle problem, just don't look at it, and either bring along an iPod to listen to, or strike up a conversation with the tattooist to keep your mind off the pain the best you can.

It does hurt. I'm pretty sure you can't get any anesthesia. I have not had a tattoo before (though I really want one), but I have heard the pain is like ant bites and cigarette burns. It may be different for everyone though. I recommend you ask around and find out what people say the pain feels like. If you still want to get a tattoo after that, go for it!

Good luck! :)

Answer 4

My husband HATES needles. He has 3 tattoos and plans on getting more. I'm not so scared of needles but find them somewhat intimidating, and I have 2 tattoos and plan on getting more also.

Tattoos hurt. That's a given. It really depends on where you get the tattoo at, for the extremity of the pain. I have a tattoo that's 4 in long and 2 1/2 in wide on my right shoulder blade. It took about 2 hours to do and that was my first tattoo ever. It hurt for about the first 2 minutes, it stings, but after awhile it went kind of numb and I got used to the feeling.

My other tattoo is on my lower back. It's about 8-9inches wide and 3-4inches long. I got that tattoo about 5-6months ago. It took about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to do. It wasn't bad at all. After awhile it does get sore and you're just wanting it over with but if you're very determined about tattooing your body, and are perfectly sure that you want whatever design you're wanting, it's worth the pain.

There are some tattoo shops that do numb you before piercings or tattoos. It's not a shot or anything, just novacain(sp) type of stuff. It's a cream they put on you. It doesn't always work completely though.

Overall, tattoos hurt, but it's not a life changing experience type of pain. The aftercare part of it, it'll feel like a bad sunburn for the first week or so ( mine did anyway ). I think that's probably the worst part of it all is caring for the tattoo and dealing with the soreness. Goodluck in whatever you decide.

Answer 5

i'm scared of needles too so i understand and have a very low pain tolerance. i have 4 tattoos so far. lower back, upper back, inner wrist, and inner ankle. my lower back tat was the first, the biggest, and least painful. it's not going to feel nice but the pain is worth it if it is something meaningful. to me it feels like a combination of a cat scratch and someone holding a blowdryer too close to your skin. it gets really warm. but everyone is different. im not a fan of butterflies but its your tattoo and as long as it has meaning for you then do what you feel comfortable with. no such thing as tattoo anesthesia and do NOT drink alcohol before hand in attempt to numb yourself. it thins your blood and will make you bleed like crazy. afterwards follow your artists care instructions. don't let it get dry, a&d works great. and make sure you go to a clean, and reputable shop. good luck and think it through before you get anything. if you aren't sure, wait.

Answer 6

No u have to be straight as a arrow to get a tatt done , the back can be very painful too.

you can take it slow they will take breaks for u if it gets to intense.
It dont last but a couple hours in the shop then relativly pain free afterwards.

Answer 7

If you freak out by mosquito bites, get a henna tattoo. I do know of an artist that used lanacaine, a topical anesthesia, used by doctors, prior to a minor topical procedure. If you don't have the Balls to do it don't.

Answer 8

ouch!!!!!! ya I'd be to big of a scardy kat but if your deathly afraid I woudn't recomend it ......I know you probaly don't want to here this but it's really up tp you only you can make that decision.....you have to ask yourself can I handle that much pain! sry thats all I could do! Best Of Luck

Answer 9

Tramp stamps are awsome. Lower back may hurt a little, the more fatty areas arent as bad.

Answer 10

i think you should do what you want.but tattos are spoussed to hurt.if you are afraid of needles.just do your plan anesthesia if they do that but i dont know if they do.just follow what you want to do.if i were you i would give a little more time to think more.