10 MOST PAINFUL PLACES TO GET TATTOOED
It’s a well known fact that getting a tattoo hurts. For the most part, all of these places listed below are extremely painful and you should definitely be aware of that before you go in to get these areas inked. A lot of the pain comes from a lack of cushion of muscle or fat within these areas, therefore causing the needles to consistently go over thin layers of skin and bone repeatedly. When it’s just skin and bones, you know it’s going to hurt. But don’t worry, once you get through the pain, you’ll be walking away with a piece that makes it all worth it. No pain, no gain. So check out this list below to see some of the top ten most painful places to get tattooed.
Sternum
The sternum is painful for similar reasons as the chest, but the sternum also extends down to the stomach causing the painful vibrations from the chest to extend downwards, as well. Two words: not pleasant. (Tattoo by Alex Lap)
Inner Arm
As with many of the other painful areas of the body, the inner arm is going to really hurt. The thinness of the skin is again the culprit, and the nerves will react instantly to any shader needle. While some areas just throb and hurt, this feels more like a scratching burn. Be prepared! (Tattoo by Russ Abbott on Durb Morrison)
Hands
The hands, fingers and knuckles especially, are extremely boney and filled with ligaments. Also, because the skin on your hands is so thin, it’s going to be extremely painful. (Tattoo by Ron “570” Russo)
Ribs
No. Just no. The outline, shading, and highlighting pretty much all equally suck when getting your ribs tattooed. The skin is so thin over this already highly sensitive area and the bones are spread out leaving areas of grooves and direct bone for the needles to graze over. You’re definitely going to need breaks during rib sessions.
Chest
There is a tremendous amount of bone in the chest. Unless you’re really working on those pectorals, the skin is going to be thin and directly against that boney chest area. Oh, and did we mention that the needles vibrations will suddenly be a hell of a lot more noticeable this time around? Yowza! (Tattoo by Marco Galdo)
Elbow
They don’t call it the “swellbow” for nothing. The elbow is not only going to hurt, but to get the ink packed in properly you’re going to be sitting at an awkward angle with your arm bending every which way, and then when it’s all said and done, your elbow will swell like crazy. (Tattoo by Luke Jinks)
Feet
The feet are pretty manageable at first, but as the tattoo session goes on, it’s going to really start to hurt. The very tops of the feet will be the absolute worse. And be prepared for some serious shading and highlighting to kill.
Armpit
What could be worse than the inner arm? The armpit, of course. Think razor burn, level: tattoo needle.
Back of the Knee
Many people believe that the knees are ridiculously painful, and though getting your knees inked is going to hurt, nothing is going to compare to the pain of getting the back of your knee tattooed. Just like with your elbow ditch, the back of the knee is layered with thin, malleable skin and a significant lack of muscle. Ouchville, population: you.
Head
Needles vibrating and stabbing you in the head repeatedly is not going to be a very enjoyable experience. Though the skull is said to not be as painful as many may believe, it still is going to be an uncomfortable session.
Getting a stellar and meaningful tattoo is a dream of many, but as the old saying goes, it’s a no pain-no gain game. Whether you’re looking for a small piece, or are perhaps planning on covering your whole sleeve, the pain is imminent. Anyone who says that getting a tattoo doesn’t hurt at all is either lying or is superhuman.
So, rather than thinking about whether or not you’re capable of enduring through the accompanying stings, you should think about how to deal with tattoo pain. It’s definitely not rocket science, and therefore anyone can alleviate some of the discomforts by using a few simple methods.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO HANDLE TATTOO PAIN:
WHAT DOES TATTOO PAIN FEEL LIKE?
If you have a fear of needles, then you might stumble upon some psychological issues. However, it’s important to remember that tattoo needles don’t go nearly as deep into the skin as syringe shots.
The pain itself feels like someone is dragging a needle across your skin accompanied with rather annoying buzzing sounds. It’s definitely not a painless experience, but on the other hand, it’s completely tolerable. The amount of pain you’re going to feel depends on several factors, mainly on your own tolerance and the location of your tattoo.
LEARN ABOUT TATTOO LOCATIONS
Some areas of your body hurt more while others hurt less when tattooing. It’s crucial for you to know your own pain tolerance and it’s essential that you choose the tattoo location accordingly.
In other words, if you’re aiming for less painful interventions, areas with a lot of muscle and fat would be a good choice. That includes legs, arms, hips, and upper pectorals.
More sensitive areas such as underarms, face, feet, and genitalia naturally hurt the most. If you’re getting your first tattoo and are planning on getting a piece on some of these areas, it’s recommended that you consult the artist and talk about your decision. The last thing you want is to give up in the middle of the session due to having a low pain tolerance.
HOW TO REDUCE TATTOO PAIN
There are plenty of things you can do in order to alleviate your suffering, and the vast majority of these methods don’t require anything special.
For example, squeezing something with your hands or biting onto something while getting a tattoo is proven to be quite an effective way of battling against discomfort. Gum, soft candy, stress-relief balls, and even a grip exerciser are all great items to utilize during a session.
Breathing exercises can also be of use, especially if you’re dealing with unbearable pain. Try exhaling when you feel the worst pain, and make sure you resist the urge of holding your breath because too much of it can lead to dizziness and even nausea.
IF NOTHING ELSE WORKS – PAIN MEDICATIONS
If you find the pain unbearable, a small dose of painkillers could be of help. Make sure you DON’T take medications that contain blood thinners as they can cause you to bleed more than usual during the session.
Tylenol would be a solid choice. Don’t drink alcohol before, during, or after the session; it’ll do more harm than good.
Pain is something you cannot avoid during a tattooing session, but it’s definitely something you can alleviate. Make sure to speak with your artist before doing the session itself, and don’t hesitate to tell them how you feel about the whole idea. A good tattoo artist will always know how to set up the environment and make the experience as painless as possible.
