| Pain is part of getting a tattoo. For some people | | | | is not very large, it can be more painful to receive |
| the pain is even an important part of the | | | | than a simple tattoo if the tattoo design is |
| experience because it allows them to more fully | | | | intricate and is filled with color. Once again, an |
| connect with their physical existences. Regardless | | | | intricate color-filled tattoo requires more needle |
| of your attitude about the pain of the tattooing | | | | work and causes more pain than tattoos based |
| process, you are certainly interested in how much | | | | on simple one-color lines. |
| it will hurt as you anticipate your first tattoo. | | | | With some planning, you can lessen the impact of |
| The first thing for you to understand is that pain | | | | pain on your tattoo experience. First, you should |
| is subjective. This means that people feel pain in | | | | not allow yourself to become overly fearful of |
| different ways and cope with it according to their | | | | the pain. If you are committed to getting a tattoo |
| own abilities. For example, if you are particularly | | | | for sound reasons, then you should accept the |
| worried and nervous about pain, then you are | | | | pain as a part of the process and visualize |
| preparing your brain to interpret the pain in a | | | | yourself dealing with the pain in a positive fashion. |
| strongly negative way. You may have heard of | | | | You can try considering the pain as an element of |
| people referring to their pain tolerance. Some | | | | a ritual experience that will add to the meaning of |
| people say they have a high tolerance to pain and | | | | your tattoo. |
| others are quite aware that they have a low | | | | Bringing along moral support is always a good idea. |
| tolerance for pain. Much of your tolerance for pain | | | | Friends or family members can help distract you |
| will derive from your mental preparation for the | | | | from pain by offering encouragement and |
| experience and your acceptance that getting the | | | | pleasant conversation. Tattoo studios are typically |
| tattoo will hurt. | | | | accommodating of guests and allow one or more |
| In addition to individual attitudes toward pain, | | | | supporters to be present during a tattoo |
| some concrete factors do influence how much | | | | application. |
| getting a tattoo will hurt. | | | | If you are getting a large or complex tattoo, you |
| 1. The location of the tattoo - Some places on | | | | should also consider that it does not necessarily |
| the body are more sensitive than others. The skin | | | | have to be done all at once. Your tattoo artist |
| over less fleshy and more boney areas such as | | | | should be sensitive to your level of discomfort |
| the ankles is often reported to be a more painful | | | | and be willing to offer you breaks. Also you and |
| area to get a tattoo. Although few people get | | | | your artist could work out a schedule of multiple |
| face or head tattoos, these are sensitive areas | | | | tattoo sessions so as to spread out the work and |
| that can be more painful than other parts of the | | | | the pain. |
| body. | | | | Finally, topical anesthetic creams are available that |
| 2. The size of the tattoo - Logically, a large tattoo | | | | may be helpful in lessening the pain by numbing |
| will be more painful to have applied to the skin | | | | the skin. This option would have to be discussed |
| than a small tattoo. Large tattoos require the skin | | | | with have your tattoo artist to get his or her |
| to be pierced by the tattoo needle more. | | | | opinion about the effectiveness of such products. |
| 3. The complexity of the tattoo - Even if a tattoo | | | | |