Do Tattoos Hurt: How To Predict And Minimize Pain - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribeDo Tattoos Hurt? How to Predict and Minimize Pain

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kirsten Nunez on May 30, 2019

What to expect
Pain predictor
Pain duration
Minimizing pain
Tattoo removal
Takeaway

The level of pain you’ll experience with a tattoo depends on many factors, including the area being tattooed and your individual pain tolerance.

Yes, it hurts to get a tattoo, but different people have different thresholds of pain. It won’t feel the same for everyone.

The level of pain also varies depending on:

the tattoo’s placement on your body
the size and style of the tattoo
the artist’s technique
your physical health
how you prepare

Let’s look at what you can expect from the tattooing process, along with ways to minimize the pain.

What does it feel like to get a tattoo?

During tattooing, one or more needles insert ink into the dermis, the second layer of your skin.

The needles are attached to a handheld device that works like a sewing machine. As the needles move up and down, they repeatedly pierce your skin.

This might feel like:

stinging
scratching
burning
vibrating
dullness

The type of pain depends on what the artist is doing. For example, you may feel stinging when your artist adds outlines or fine details.

The length of your session will also determine what you feel. Longer sessions, which are required for large and intricate pieces, are more painful.

In this case, your artist may divide your session into two- or three-hour sittings. The number of sittings depends on your tattoo design and the artist’s experience.

It’s also more painful to get tattooed on certain parts of the body. If you’re concerned about pain, think carefully about where you’ll get tattooed.

What areas of the body are the most and least sensitive?

Different parts of the body have different levels of sensitivity to pain.

The least sensitive areas are fleshy parts with more muscle and skin. Areas with few nerve endings are also less sensitive. Bony areas with little fat and many nerve endings are the most sensitive.

Here are the less and more painful spots on your body to get tattooed:

Less painful	More painful
outer upper arm	forehead/face
forearm	lip
front and rear shoulder	ear
upper and lower back	neck/throat
upper chest	armpit
outer/front thigh	inner upper arm
calf	inner and outer elbow
inner wrist
hand
finger
nipple
lower chest
stomach
ribs
spine
hip
groin
inner and outer knee
ankle
top of foot
toes

How long does the pain last?

Your tattoo will be somewhat painful after your appointment.

Here’s what you can expect:

Days 1 to 6. Your tattoo will be sore and swollen. It might feel like a moderate-to-severe bruise or sunburn.
Days 7 to 14. You’ll feel less soreness and more itchiness. Your tattoo may feel like it’s burning, which is irritating but normal.
Days 15 to 30. Your tattoo will be significantly less painful and itchy.

After your session, your tattoo might keep oozing blood for up to two days. It’s best to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during this time. NSAIDs can thin your blood, which may increase bleeding and slow healing.

Typically, the outer layer of your skin will heal in two to three weeks. The deeper layers can take up to six months.

The total healing time will depend on the size and placement of your tattoo.

Once healed, your tattoo shouldn’t hurt. If pain persists, or if the area is red and warm, visit your doctor to make sure you don’t have an infection or allergic reaction.

Are there ways to minimize the pain?

To reduce tattoo pain, follow these tips before and during your appointment:

Choose a licensed tattoo artist. Experienced artists usually take less time to finish tattoos. Before your appointment, meet the artist to get a feel for their personality and the shop’s hygiene.
Pick a less sensitive body part. Talk to your artist about placement. (See the table above.)
Get enough sleep. Your body can handle pain better after a good night’s rest.
Avoid pain relievers. Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen for 24 hours before your session. These medications can thin your blood, which may prolong the tattooing process.
Don’t get a tattoo when you’re sick. Sickness heightens your sensitivity to pain. If your immune system is struggling, your tattoo will take longer to heal.
Stay hydrated. Getting tattooed on dry skin hurts. Before your session, keep your skin hydrated by drinking enough water.
Eat a meal. Low blood sugar increases pain sensitivity. Eat beforehand to prevent dizziness from nerves or hunger.
Avoid alcohol. Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol heightens pain sensitivity, dehydrates your body, and thins your blood.
Wear loose clothing. Dress in comfortable clothes, especially over the area you’re getting tattooed.
Breathe deeply. Stay relaxed by practicing steady breathing.
Distract yourself. Bring your headphones and listen to music. If your artist is open to conversation, or if you’re allowed to bring a friend, talk to them to distract yourself.
Ask about skin-numbing cream. Your artist can recommend a numbing cream for getting tattooed.
Communicate with your artist. If the pain is too much, let your artist know. A good artist will let you take breaks.

After your session, follow your artist’s aftercare instructions. Good tattoo aftercare will promote proper healing and reduce the risk of infection.

Does tattoo removal hurt?

Tattoo removal hurts, but the level of pain depends on the tattoo’s location on your body.

Here are some methods for getting a tattoo removed.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is the most common tattoo removal method. For this treatment, your skin is numbed with local anesthesia. Strong pulses of light break up the tattoo ink, and your white blood cells remove the ink particles over time.

Some people say this treatment feels like a rubber band snapping on the skin.

You may have:

redness
bleeding
blistering
crusting

The wound should heal within five days.

Typically, 6 to 10 sessions are required to lighten a tattoo. The sessions are done six to eight weeks apart, which gives your white blood cells time to get rid of the pigment.

Laser therapy can lighten a tattoo, but it may not completely remove the ink.

Its effectiveness depends on:

ink type and color
the depth of the ink in your skin
your immune system
the type of laser used

Laser treatment can also cause side effects like discoloration, textured skin, and scarring.

Surgical excision

Surgical excision is effective for removing small tattoos. It involves cutting out the tattoo with a scalpel and stitching up the wound, which creates a surgical scar.

A doctor will use local anesthesia to numb your skin, so you won’t feel the tattoo being cut out.

After the procedure, the wound may feel like a sunburn. Your doctor may recommend cold packs, lotions, or medication to help you manage the pain.

The wound will heal in about seven days.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion uses a rotating wheel or brush to “sand” the top layers of tattooed skin. This creates a wound that allows new skin to grow.

Since dermabrasion is painful, you’ll receive local or general anesthesia.

You might have:

redness
swelling
burning
aching
tingling
itchiness
scabbing

Your wound will heal within 10 to 14 days, but swelling may last for weeks or months.

As with laser therapy, multiple sessions of dermabrasion are necessary to lighten a tattoo. Dermabrasion is most effective for smaller pieces.

Takeaway

Getting a tattoo will hurt, but people have different pain thresholds, so it’s hard to predict exactly how painful your tattoo will be.

Generally, fleshy areas like the outer thigh are less sensitive to pain. Bony parts of the body, like the ribs, are more sensitive.

If you want to get a tattoo, think carefully about where to place it. Take the time to research your artist and design. Tattoos are a big commitment, so it’s important to prepare and plan.

Discuss any concerns you have with your tattoo artist. A good artist can suggest ways to minimize your pain and discomfort.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dermabrasion. (n.d.).https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/dermabrasion
Hunter D. (n.d.). Can you take ibuprofen or painkillers before getting a tattoo?https://authoritytattoo.com/painkillers-and-ibuprofen-before-a-tattoo/
Hunter D. (n.d.). Least painful places to get a tattoo.https://authoritytattoo.com/least-painful-places-to-get-a-tattoo/
Hunter D. (n.d.). Stages of the tattoo healing process — A day-by-day walkthrough.https://authoritytattoo.com/tattoo-healing-process/
Hunter D. (n.d.). Tattoo pain — How much does getting a tattoo hurt? (n.d.).https://authoritytattoo.com/how-bad-do-tattoos-hurt/
Inked Mag Staff. (2018). 8 tips to make tattoos hurt less.https://www.inkedmag.com/culture/8-tips-make-tattoos-hurt-less
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067
Surgical excision for unwanted tattoos. (n.d.).https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-treatments/surgical-excision-for-unwanted-tattoos
Tattoo removal. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tattoo-removal

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Kirsten Nunez on May 30, 2019

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media