If it’s your first time getting a tattoo and the horror stories of pain are scaring you off, it’s most probably not going to be as bad as you think. If you’ve had a tattoo before and simply want the tattoo without the pain, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find out more about how to make tattoos hurt less.
If you’re looking for a quick solution- try tattoo numbing cream.
How does it feel to get a tattoo?
Tattoos are essentially a needle stabbing your skin repeatedly. This isn’t as bad as it sounds though, the needle is very thin and your tattoo artist will make you feel as comfortable as possible to help negate the pain.
People report that tattoos feel like:
- Stinging
- Scratching
- Burning
- Vibrating
- Dullness
The tattoo pain will vary depending on the type of tattoo you’re getting and where the tattoo is placed. The longer the session, the more painful the tattoo will typically be. For example, if you’re going for a 3-hour session with a lot of detail and colour, your tattoo process may be more painful. How to make tattoos hurt less? Try to get your tattoo in a specific place that doesn’t hurt as much!
Some of the most painful places to get tattooed include:
- Face, neck and ear
- Armpit
- Inner, upper arm
- Inner, outer elbow
- Inner wrist, hands and fingers
- Nipple
- Lower chest
- Stomach
- Ribs
- Spine
- Hip
- Groin
- Inner and outer knee
- Ankle
- Top of foot
- Toes
If you choose anything from this list, you may need to come prepared with some of the following tips.
How to make tattoos hurt less
Buy some tattoo numbing cream- Some artists have the opinion that tattoo pain is part of the ‘tradition’ of getting a tattoo. Some will offer it, but some won’t.
Pick a body part with more skin and muscle- Boney areas of the body will be significantly more painful to tattoo, so choose wisely.
Choose an experienced and licensed tattoo artist- Whatever you do, don’t try tattooing yourself at home, or get your friend to ‘practice’ on you. Tattoos are a cosmetic procedure, where you could potentially get infected if not treated properly.
Get plenty of sleep- Your body can heal faster if you have had ample sleep. This will help the aftercare of your tattoo more than the pain you initially experience.
Avoid painkillers- as tempting as it may be, painkillers can thin your blood which may prolong the tattoo session and make the whole experience a lot more bloody than it needs to be.
Don’t get a tattoo if you’re feeling unwell- Your tattoo will take a lot longer to heal if you’re unwell and you will be more sensitive to pain.
Stay hydrated- Tattooing on dry skin will hurt much more than tattooing on hydrated skin.
Eat a meal- Your tattoo will hurt more if you haven’t eaten. This is because low blood sugar increases your sensitivity to pain.
Avoid alcohol- Alcohol will increase pain sensitivity, dehydrate your skin and thin your blood. It’s essentially a recipe for disaster- just don’t do it.
Pain is a mind game- You can significantly change your pain threshold by distracting your mind. Come prepared with some headphones and listen to a podcast.
Wear loose clothing on the tattooed area- Wearing loose clothing will mean that your tattoo won’t be irritated when you finish.
The procedure of getting a tattoo is only half of the painful experience. How to make tattoos hurt less also means making sure you take aftercare precautions. This will ensure that your tattoo will keep a beautiful appearance and help your skin heal. We also have a blog on tattoo aftercare.
Thank you for reading our blog ‘How to make tattoos hurt less’. If you’re looking for a quick way to lessen the pain of tattoos drastically, take a look at the Tattoo Numbing Cream Co's website.
