People want to know about the most painful places to get a tattoo either because they want to avoid those areas or they want to get tattooed right in one of them. So, which camp do you belong to?
If you are new to getting inked, you probably belong to the former group and want to get your first tattoo on some part which is least likely to hurt. Well, all tattoos will hurt, but the pain is tolerable and completely worth it, as any tattoo enthusiast would tell you. No matter whether you are aprehensive or are looking to test the limits of your pain threshold, you are at the right place. In this post, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about tattooing and the pain you could feel after getting one. We’ve also included some suggestions for reducing pain when getting tattooed. But first, let’s tackle the most obvious concern.
In This Article
Does Getting A Tattoo Hurt?
Yes, getting tattooed hurts. Tattoos are inked with specially designed needles that prick your skin at a very fast speed. The speed is fast enough to pierce your skin but slow enough that it does not tear. Therefore, there is no bleeding during the tattoo process. Tattooing requires the needle to go beyond the superficial layer of the skin. This layer is known as the dermis. The dermis is capable of healing itself. That is why a tattoo must go beyond the dermis to stay permanent.
What Kind Of Pain Does Tattooing Cause?
The kind of pain you feel when getting tattooed varies from person to person. Some people may not even blink at the pain while others may bawl their eyes out. It is important for you to figure out your pain threshold and inform your tattoo artist about the same. Pain can be described in many different ways. While this hasn’t been proven scientifically, these are a few types of sensations that tattoo pain has been described as:
- Burning: This feels like something hot is being pressed against your skin. It is not very intense, but it is a noticeable sensation. This is usually due to the tattoo artist working on a particular area for quite a bit of time.
- Dull: This is said to be the best pain you can feel while tattooing. It is a muted pain that you can easily distract yourself from. You may feel it once or twice, but it does not last long.
- Scratching: This feels like being scratched by a cat or getting a paper cut. It is not intense, but it does hurt a fair bit.
- Sharp: Sharp pain is also known as stinging pain. This is an intense pain that is caused by the tattoo needle drawing fine designs and going a little deeper than normal. This is the pain that may make you pass out if it gets too intense. It is commonly felt in places with thin skin and right above a bone where there is not enough muscle.
- Vibrating: Vibrating pain is described as a pain that moves along with the vibrations of the needle that you feel in the bone. This is mainly caused by the needle piercing too close to the bone. The nerves around the bone pick up the on vibrations and cause a vibrating sensation around the area with the pain. The most common areas where you may experience this kind of pain are the outer wrist, ribs, ankles, and knees.
Related: What Causes A Tattoo Rash? How To Treat It?
What Are The Most Painful Places To Get A Tattoo?
Getting a tattoo is going to be painful no matter where you get it. But, certain areas hurt way more than others. Think twice before getting a tattoo on any of the following places:
1. Armpit
The armpit is one of the places that hurt the most when getting a tattoo will hurt a lot. It is also considered to be the most difficult place to get inked. Many tattoo artists advise against an armpit tattoo.
Pain level: 9/10
2. Ribcage
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The ribcage is a structure full of bones. It also moves every time you take a breath. This can interfere with the tattooing process and cause extreme pain.
Pain level: 9/10
3. Ankles, Shins, Feet, And Toes
The skin on ankles and shins is very thin. You will feel an intense, sharp, and vibrating pain in these areas.
Pain level: 9/10
4. Nipples And Breasts
Nipples and breasts are some of the most sensitive areas of your body. While they are mostly muscle, they also have lots of nerve endings that make them extremely sensitive to pain.
Pain level: 7/10
Related: 10 Best Breast Tattoo Designs And Ideas For Women To Try
5. Groin
The groin is filled with nerve endings that make it sensitive. It is also connected to various lymph nodes, which just increases the pain level.
Pain level: 8/10
6. Elbows And Knees
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Elbows and knees are areas with the least amount of muscular padding. The bones lie beneath very thin, sheer skin. Tattooing on the elbow, knee, elbow ditch, or knee ditch may cause a sharp, intense pain.
Pain level: 8/10 for elbows, 10/10 for knees
7. Hips
The pelvic bone, which lies in the hip region, is covered by a very delicate layer of skin. If you are thin or have less fat around the hips, getting a tattoo on your hips may hurt a lot. It is described as a sharp, intense, vibrating pain.
Pain level: 8/10
Related: 40 Beautiful Semicolon Tattoo Designs And Their Meanings
8. Neck And Spine
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The neck and spine are very sensitive parts of the body. Thousands of nerves pass through them, and the pain felt here is quite intense. While the pain on the back of the neck might still be bearable, getting a tattoo on the front of the neck is intensely painful.
Pain level: 7/10
9. Head, Face, And Ears
The head, face, and ears have almost no cushioning of muscle or fat. As they are so close to the brain, many nerves run through these areas.
Pain level:8/10
10. Lips
The lips and the inside of the mouth are crowded with nerve endings. These areas are generally super sensitive and bleed at the slightest pressure. Applying a tattoo needle here is bound to be both bloody and painful.
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Pain level: 6/10
11. Hands And Fingers
Hands and fingers experience quite a bit of wear and tear due to constant contact with the outside world. These are also places with lots of major nerve endings. Their boney structure may cause a lot of pain during the inking process, and their constant movement may hinder the healing of a tattoo.
Pain level: 8/10
12. Stomach
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The stomach is quite a painful area to get a tattoo. Some might say they don’t feel pain here, but it largely depends on your shape and lifestyle. People who have higher weight generally have looser skin, and tattooing on loose skin is very painful. On the other hand, people who have lower weight and tight skin will not feel as much pain. If you sleep on your stomach or are ticklish, you may want to reconsider getting a tattoo on your stomach.
Pain level: 6/10
13. Inner Thigh
The inside and back of the thighs are some of the most painful places to get a tattoo. Some major nerves pass through your thighs, which don’t see much movement or contact with external forces. Therefore, there is a chance that they may heal without any major hiccups.
Pain level: 7/10
14. Inner Bicep
The inner bicep is a highly sensitive area. It also experiences quite some wear and tear due to the constant friction it undergoes. The thin, delicate skin there is quite sensitive to pain.
Pain level: 6/10
Now, check out the places that are comparatively less painful to get a tattoo.
What Are The Least Painful Places To Get A Tattoo?
Getting a tattoo is painful. But, there are places on your body that may hurt relatively less when getting tattooed. These include:
1. Upper Or Outer Thigh
The upper or outer thigh is one of the places where you feel the least pain. The pain felt from tattooing here is a dull background pain.
Pain level: 4/10
2. Forearm
The forearm has thick skin and is padded with muscles. This place is an ideal canvas for a tattoo artist.
Pain level: 3/10
3. Shoulder AndOuter Bicep
Shoulders and outer biceps have thick skin and lots of muscles, making them less susceptible to pain.
Pain level: 4/10
4. Upper And Lower Back
The back, in general, is not a very painful place to get tattooed. If you are a person who is boney, you may feel more pain around the shoulder blades and atop the spinal cord.
Pain level: 4/10
Tattoos generally hurt. But, there are a few factors that stand out when considering tattoo pain. Check them out in the next section.
What Factors Affect The Pain Caused By Tattooing?
- Placement: The placement of your tattoo plays an immense role in the pain you feel. If it is on a place where the pain level is generally high, like the ribs or fingers, it will be quite painful.
- Skin Sensitivity: If you have generally sensitive skin, it can be a problem when getting a tattoo. Sensitive skin bleeds easily and hurts a lot.
- Mental Preparation: If you are not mentally prepared or get queasy at the sight of blood or needles, the pain from tattooing might feel overwhelming and nauseating.
- Age: An older person may have sagging skin. Older skin generally bruises quickly and bleeds more compared to younger skin.
- Experience: People who have already gotten a tattoo before feel less pain compared to people who are getting a tattoo for the first time.
- Health: Health issues like blood pressure problems and blood-related disorder scan make tattooing a complicated and painful process.
The good news is that you can take steps to reduce and manage the pain that you experience when getting tattooed. Find out more in the next section!
How To Minimize The Pain Caused By Tattooing?
- Have a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep will make you feel more comfortable and prep your body for a tattoo. You will also be more relaxed and less anxious when you are well-rested.
- Stay sober! Alcohol thins your blood, which is bad for the tattooing process. Apart from this, getting a tattoo under the influence of alcohol may lead to some less than desirable results.
- Ask your tattoo artist about numbing creams. Using a numbing cream may reduce the pain.
- Don’t eat right before getting a tattoo on your stomach.
- Make sure your tattoo artist is experienced and certified.
- Take some candy or your earphones. Music and food can distract you from the pain and the tattooing process.
- Follow proper aftercare. Tattoos require time and care to heal properly. Follow the instructions properly to avoid post-tattoo pain.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during the process.
- Bring a companion. Don’t bring too many people but someone who can boost your morale.
- Be sure about your tattoo. Make sure that you are completely committed to getting a tattoo. If you are skeptical about getting a tattoo, you may be skeptical about the process, which may cause pain.
Here are some more things that you can do before getting a tattoo to make the process more comfortable.
What To Do Before Getting A Tattoo?
- Stay Hydrated: Make sure that you drink loads of water. Tattooing takes quite a bit of time. Make sure that you are hydrated so as to not take water breaks when getting inked. Hydrated skin also takes to ink faster and more easily.
- Eat Well: Getting a tattoo takes time and energy. Not eating before a tattoo may cause low blood pressure and make you feel lightheaded. Have a good meal full of proteins and carbohydrates before getting a tattoo.
- Plan Ahead With Your Tattoo Artist: Talk to your tattoo artist about the design and placement of your tattoo and how to take care of it so that it heals quickly.
- Wear Comfy Clothes: Chances are that you will need to be at the tattoo studio for a good few hours. So, might as well be comfortable, right? Dress comfortably and in something that will give the tattoo artist easy access to the body part you wish to get tattooed
- Avoid Alcohol AndBlood-Thinning Medication: Alcohol and medicines like Aspirin thin out the blood. Thinner blood increases your chances of bleeding. This means that while under the influence of certain medicines or alcohol, even small tattoos may bleed profusely.
- Choose Your Tattoo Artist Wisely: Make sure to find a tattoo artist that is able to understand your ideas and is someone who follows the rules. It is important to see if he is using clean equipment and new needles each time. Make sure that he is a certified tattoo artist.
- Do Not Get A Tattoo While Sick: If you have a cold or a fever, it is best to postpone getting your tattoo. If your body is not in a healthy condition, you may risk the tattoo getting infected and delay the healing process.
- Be Mindful Of The Timing: Tattoos take time to heal. Be mindful about when you are getting a tattoo. Don’t get a tattoo if you are planning on swimming in the foreseeable future. Tattoos need a few days away from water and sunlight. Plan your schedule in a way that won’t hinder the healing of your tattoo.
Infographic: Tips For Tattoo Aftercare
Finally, the design you have had in your mind for months has come to life, and you now have a cool new tattoo on your skin. But what happens next? How do you take care of it so it heals properly and looks just like you want it to? Everything you need to know about taking care of a tattoo right after getting inked is listed in the infographic below. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
A tattoo could be a representation of your thoughts and feelings. Or it could simply be an expression of your love of art. Whatever be the case, it hurts less to be thoroughly informed about it than it does actually to get it done. In this article, we have detailed a pain chart that tells you about the least and most painful places to get a tattoo. We have also provided additional information about it to give you a little more insight into the world of body art. Lastly, research your artist and studios, and book a consultation to discuss designs, processes, and prices before getting your tattoos.
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Jyotsana Rao
Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She… more
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