Getting a stellar and meaningful tattoo is a dream of many, but as the old saying goes, it’s a no pain-no gain game. Whether you’re looking for a small piece, or are perhaps planning on covering your whole sleeve, the pain is imminent. Anyone who says that getting a tattoo doesn’t hurt at all is either lying or is superhuman.
So, rather than thinking about whether or not you’re capable of enduring through the accompanying stings, you should think about how to deal with tattoo pain. It’s definitely not rocket science, and therefore anyone can alleviate some of the discomforts by using a few simple methods.
Here are a few tips and tricks on how to handle tattoo pain:
What Does Tattoo Pain Feel Like?
If you have a fear of needles, then you might stumble upon some psychological issues. However, it’s important to remember that tattoo needles don’t go nearly as deep into the skin as syringe shots.
The pain itself feels like someone is dragging a needle across your skin accompanied with rather annoying buzzing sounds. It’s definitely not a painless experience, but on the other hand, it’s completely tolerable. The amount of pain you’re going to feel depends on several factors, mainly on your own tolerance and the location of your tattoo.
Learn About Tattoo Locations
Some areas of your body hurt more while others hurt less when tattooing. It’s crucial for you to know your own pain tolerance and it’s essential that you choose the tattoo location accordingly.
In other words, if you’re aiming for less painful interventions, areas with a lot of muscle and fat would be a good choice. That includes legs, arms, hips, and upper pectorals.
More sensitive areas such as underarms, face, feet, and genitalia naturally hurt the most. If you’re getting your first tattoo and are planning on getting a piece on some of these areas, it’s recommended that you consult the artist and talk about your decision. The last thing you want is to give up in the middle of the session due to having a low pain tolerance.
How To Reduce Tattoo Pain
There are plenty of things you can do in order to alleviate your suffering, and the vast majority of these methods don’t require anything special.
For example, squeezing something with your hands or biting onto something while getting a tattoo is proven to be quite an effective way of battling against discomfort. Gum, soft candy, stress-relief balls, and even a grip exerciser are all great items to utilize during a session.
Breathing exercises can also be of use, especially if you’re dealing with unbearable pain. Try exhaling when you feel the worst pain, and make sure you resist the urge of holding your breath because too much of it can lead to dizziness and even nausea.
If Nothing Else Works – Pain Medications
If you find the pain unbearable, a small dose of painkillers could be of help. Make sure you DON’T take medications that contain blood thinners as they can cause you to bleed more than usual during the session.
Tylenol would be a solid choice. Don’t drink alcohol before, during, or after the session; it’ll do more harm than good.
Pain is something you cannot avoid during a tattooing session, but it’s definitely something you can alleviate. Make sure to speak with your artist before doing the session itself, and don’t hesitate to tell them how you feel about the whole idea. A good tattoo artist will always know how to set up the environment and make the experience as painless as possible.
If you want to know more about tattoos and similar subjects, check out our other articles!
