tattoo pain

[lumination]

bonjour people, its my 18th birthday next monday and i've booked an appointment to get a tattoo that i've wanted ever since i was 15....BUT.... whats the pain like? anyone know?! becuase i'm nervous! lol

xx

[B00]

It mostly depends where on your body you have it done, and how great your pain threshold is- but it honestly won't be as bad as you think.

You can get some cream from the chemists which numbs the area. Slap it on thickly an hour or so before your appointment and put a giant plaster over it- this allows the skin area to sweat and absorb the cream. It really does work well, but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it, though describing it to the chemist should get you the same thing...lol

Lastly- good luck and have a good birthday :-)

[natalie_1982]

Happy Birthday lumination, hope you have a good one.

I think the pain of a tattoo depends on the area where it is done, I had mine done on my hip a few years ago and remember that when the needle got near soft fleshy bits it was much more sensitive. I would liken the pain to dragging a needle around on your skin, not unbearble or agonising in the least.

One thing I would say, which no doubt your parents have already rammed down your throat, but please, please, please think about whether you want to be stuck with it for the rest of your life, becaus you will. Sounds stupid, but at 17 I thought I'd always appreciate it and even when I grew out of liking it (which happened within about a year) it would remind me of my youth, etc etc but I still hate it LOL. And of course, make sure the palce you are using is reputable x

[lumination]

thank you, i may try that.

[lumination]

and thanks natalie, my mum totally agrees with it though, it has history and its not a thing you can grow out of, i've given it lots of thought. thank you for your time though! and draggin a needle...hmmm sounds...great fun lol. its on my lower back so i hope thats not bad

[carrust]

No tattoo=no pain, risk of infection & regrets in years to come!

[Velvetee]

Each to their own, but I don't like tattoos, I think they look pikey.

[Greedyfly]

I have a fairly high tolerance for pain so tbh it didnt hurt at all first time, I did have to get it redone which was uncomfortable. My wimpy sister had one a few months ago and it hurt her but it wasnt unbearable. Just as everyone else has said it does depend on the area and your tolerance really, I have most definatly felt worst pain. I think the only reason people dont like the feeling is because its prolonged, but after a few minutes it sort of numbs down. I must admit though a year later I really regret my tattoo - not the design, just where I had it. I wish I had it somewhere it was covered. Good luck Happy birthday.

[pinkkitty]

like greenfly i have a high pain threshold, and almost a full sleeve of tattoos. As others have said it depends largly on where you have it done - the tattoos on my upper arm and the top of my back barely hurt at all. The one on my foot and the ones on my wrist and lower arm smarted a little more. The longer your tattoo goes on the more painful it gets - after about 2 1/2 hours any tattoo will really start to hurt.
If i had to liken it to something i'd say it feels like a slight scratching sensation, or sunburn. It definitely doesn't hurt as much as a burn, or say, a cat scratch. The needle vibrates, and combined with your body's natural endorphins it helps deal with the discomfort. A good piece of advice is to make sure you eat something before you go, and have something sweet in your bag just in case. The amount of adrenaline you produce from nerves and pain relief can leave you feeling light headed and shaky if you don't eat - but if you eat, you'll feel just fine.
I hope none of this is putting you off! I've spent about 14 hours in the tattooist's chair so far and have more planned for January. I love getting tattooed, and i hope you will too!

Kitty. xx

[aniani]

I think the name of the anaesthetic cream in Emla

[R1Geezer]

Any pain is as nothing compared to the mental pain you will suffer when you no longer want it there. In later life it will look like an embarrasing smudge. Think very carefully.

[madmaggot]

The skin grafting to remove the ugly thing will hurt much more!
Wait until you've grown up and see if you still want to draw over yourself when you're a big boy/girl; most kiddies grow out of it.

[tufty7]

I also would err on the side of caution , If you really do want one have it so you can cover it up, no facial or neck ones!! , because you may want to get another job one day and believe me, Tattoo's do put prospective employers off,

I visit a relative in a old persons home, Sometimes Sitting opposite is a old man who is in a bad way , he has love and hate tattooed on his fingers , it looks so sad, he is not able to love or hate anyone now, but gives an insite into who he felt he used to be although it looks absolutely daft now...... its your skin , your look , do what you want .........

[sonic81]

the pain can depend on your tattooist iv had a tattoo on my leg that hurt like crazy by one guy.Went to a diff guy the next time for a large piece and could hardly feel a thing.DONT just go into any old shop and get it done because there are a lot of cowboys out there.Ask people u know who have tattoos already and try to find out a bit of onfo about the tattooist first.hope u enjoy getying inked.

[kestrelg]

Stop and think about it before you do it.
The blood transfusion service can't accept donations from people with tattoos or body piercings and they are desperately short of donations.
If you go ahead with the tattoo and at some time need a blood transfusion have the courage to say " I can't accept something I'm not prepared to give"

[shazzzz]

compaired to child birth a tattoo is a walk in the park

[B00]

kestrelg- what a crock of rubbish....lol

Can't accept blood donations if you have a tattoo or piercing? LMAO!!!!

Incidently lumination- you used to be exempt from donating blood if you have had recently had a tattoo or a piercing done, now however in most areas even that ruling is relaxed.

[kestrelg]

message to Boo read my answer again you moron, I didn't say you could not accept a donation if you had a tattoo. I said you were not allowed to give a donation .

To all tattoo fans If you want to risk Hepititis or any other blood diseases including HIV then go ahead your brain is already half dead.

[sara3]

if you have a tattoo you can't give blood for 12 months.

lumination, if you've made up your mind think about where you're placing the tattoo. how you feel at 18 isn't the same as how you'll feel at 40. at least make sure you can cover it with a t-shirt. there will be special occasions (ie; weddings) when it is inappropriate to show tattoos, and you'll be stuck looking for something suitable to wear.

and I'm speaking from experience.

[lumination]

well i got it on 29th dec 08 and im still over the moon with it! dont think ill ever get bored its so awesome!