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Mar 2, 2024 · If you think your tattoo might be infected or you're worried that your tattoo isn't healing correctly, contact a healthcare professional. If your tattoo isn't what you expected and you're thinking about removing it, talk to a dermatologist about options for tattoo removal.
- Overview
- Tattoo pain chart
- Factors that affect pain
- What it feels like
- How to minimize pain
- Things to consider
- The bottom line
Getting a tattoo generally involves some pain, but the tattoo’s location and your personal pain tolerance will affect how much it hurts. Generally speaking, the most painful body parts to ink are bony areas, or areas with thin skin or that have a lot of nerve endings.
Tattoos are among the most common body decorations globally. According to a 2010 study, a whopping 38 percent of people 18 to 29 years old have been inked at least once in their lives.
A natural question to ask is, “Does getting a tattoo hurt?”
While most people will say yes, in reality this is a complex question to answer.
Tattooing involves repeatedly piercing your skin’s top layer with a sharp needle covered with pigment. So getting a tattoo is generally always painful, though people may experience different levels of pain.
People who are biologically male tend to experience and cope with pain differently from those who are biologically female. In addition, the various parts of the body experience different levels of pain when tattooed.
Most painful
It’s likely most painful to get a tattoo on a part of your body with many nerve endings, close to bones without much fat, or where your skin is very thin. Pain in these areas may be high to severe.
Least painful
Areas that likely cause the least amount of pain when tattooed tend to be padded with some fat, have tight skin, have few nerve endings, and aren’t close to bones. Pain in these areas will be low to moderate. Some of the least painful spots include:
Sex
Research suggests that people who are biologically women experience sensations of pain more intensely than men. This may be due to physical and chemical differences between women’s and men’s bodies. On the other hand, scientists have also found that women are more accepting of pain than men. However, there’s no specific research suggesting women experience more pain while getting tattoos than men or vice versa.
Experience
Research suggests that people who have had tattoos may have a higher pressure pain threshold compared to those who have never had a tattoo.
Age and weight
While not supported by research, it’s possible that age and weight may make tattoos more painful. Older skin may be more likely to bruise or feel pain than younger skin. Heavier people may have looser skin, which could also be more sensitive to tattoos. Conversely, people with very low body fat might also feel more pain.
The way you experience pain and the placement of your tattoo can greatly affect how it feels to get inked.
Again, this hasn’t been proven scientifically, but certain types of pain are well-known in the tattoo community.
There are a few general sensations commonly felt when getting a tattoo. Being familiar with these sensations before getting tattooed can give you an idea of what you can expect to feel and how to tell when your pain isn’t normal.
Common types of tattoo pain include:
Here are a few tips to minimize tattoo pain:
•Ask your tattoo artist to take breaks when you’re having trouble dealing with the pain.
•Choose a very experienced tattoo artist. Insist on seeing their certification and checking out their equipment beforehand. Your tattoo artist should always wear clean gloves and use sterilized equipment.
•Don’t eat before you get your tattoo if you’re getting your stomach tattooed.
•Follow tattoo aftercare instructions such as washing your tattoo, wearing loose clothing over your tattoo, and applying ointment and moisturizer to reduce pain and the risks of complications after your tattoo is finished.
•Make sure you’ve gotten enough sleep before your tattoo. Having had sufficient sleep before a tattoo will make it easier for you to endure the pain.
Tattoos may take minutes to hours to add to your body, but they last a lifetime. Pain should be only one consideration of getting a tattoo. Removing a tattoo is a much more time-consuming and painful process, and has mixed results.
Before getting a tattoo, consider:
•risks of infection, allergic reactions to dyes, scarring, and blood-borne diseases
•whether you’ll regret the design of your tattoo
•whether the appearance of your tattoo might change if you gain weight or become pregnant
•the placement of your tattoo, and whether you want the option of hiding it under clothing
Getting a tattoo is a painful experience for everyone. But there are factors affecting how much pain you as an individual experience while getting inked. Things like sex, skin condition, and tattoo placement can affect how much it hurts to get a tattoo.
Make sure you’re aware of the pain, complications, and risks of tattoo regret before you head to the tattoo parlor.
With every puncture, the needles insert tiny drops of ink into the top layer of the skin. Tattooing causes a small amount of bleeding and some pain. As they create tattoos, tattoos artists usually don’t use medicine to ease pain, called anesthetic. The process of getting a tattoo breaks the skin.
According to the Mayo Clinic, red, yellow, blue, and green pigments tend to be the most allergenic. Symptoms of an allergic reaction from tattoos can include a red rash, hives, and severe...
Feb 14, 2023 · Factors affecting pain. Which areas hurt most? How long does the pain last? How to reduce pain. Tips for your first tattoo. Tattoo removal pain. Summary. Tattoos are very...
Jun 29, 2017 · I got a tattoo a few years ago on my ribs. I've never had any skin issues with it, but I've heard rumors that inks can be carcinogenic and lead to other health risks. Does anyone know more about long term tattoo effects or experienced any?
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Apr 12, 2019 · It’s normal to experience some swelling, redness and soreness after getting a tattoo, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and most people won’t notice any health issues...
