Tattoos generally hurt less in areas with more fat and muscle because the padding cushions the needles from nerves and bones, while bony spots or areas with thin skin (like ribs, ankles, or spine) are typically much more painful due to direct sensitivity. However, very loose skin from significant weight loss can sometimes increase pain, and personal pain tolerance and skin thickness are major factors, meaning some heavier people might find certain areas sensitive, while skinny individuals can have surprisingly low pain.
Large tattoos on areas like the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms may shift or stretch, altering the design significantly. However, gradual weight loss gives the skin more time to adapt, often reducing the extent of these changes.
This ends up making your skin more sensitive which can increase the amount of pain that you experience. On the other hand, if you are very skinny, you may also experience a bit of discomfort when getting a tattoo. This is because those with less fat on their skin do not have as much to protect bones and nerves.
Everyone is different. Some heavy people are easy because they have great skin, and some don't because they have issues with stretch marks and scars. Some skinny people are easy, and some are like tattooing leather. Usually, it's generally easier unless say the person has had severe weight loss.
Clients with higher body weight will usually have looser skin, which can be painful to get tattooed. This makes areas like the stomach more painful. Clients with a lower body weight won't have as much fat near their bones, which will make tattoos on their ribs, hip bones, etc. more painful.
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around the size of your palm or a bit larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but size varies greatly with design complexity, artist experience, color, and placement; expect a detailed piece with color or shading to be smaller, while a simple linework design could be larger.
For a $500 tattoo, a tip of $75 (15%) to $100 (20%) is standard, with 20% ($100) considered a great tip for excellent work, and more appreciated for complex, custom designs or lengthy sessions. Tipping is a strong sign of appreciation for the artist's skill, time, and effort, similar to other service industries, with 15-25% being common.
Mild burning: Some people describe the pain of a tattoo as a mild burning sensation, similar to that of a sunburn. Lot of scratching: Others compare him to a lot of scratching or redness. Vibration: In some areas, particularly the areas of bone, you can feel a vibration similar to that of a tunnel boring machine.
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.
Forearm. The forearm is one of the least sensitive places to get tattooed. There is fat, thick skin, and few nerve endings, giving it a low score on the tattoo pain chart.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
The 30-30-30 rule for weight loss is a simple morning routine: eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, then do 30 minutes of low-intensity cardio (like a brisk walk) to help with fat loss and appetite control, according to this article from Moshy. Popularized by Tim Ferriss and wellness podcaster Gary Brecka, this method aims to kickstart your metabolism, increase fullness, and burn fat by leveraging your body's depleted glycogen stores after sleep, but it's not a magic bullet and works best as part of a balanced lifestyle, note Healthline and this article from bodyandsoul.com.au.
Weight loss should not be a deterrent to getting any new tattoos. However, if you are afraid that the shape or design that you want might change too much after weight loss, then it might be best to wait until you've lost a considerable amount of weight or reached your goal before getting some new ink.
Like with weight gain, a small amount of weight loss won't noticeably affect the appearance of your tattoo. However, if you lose 40 or more pounds, there will be some changes, especially if you lose it swiftly. The skin may sag, get papery and thin, and shift. Anything that affects your skin will affect your tattoo.
Yes, a $50 tip on a $300 tattoo is a good tip, falling slightly below the standard 20% ($60) but representing a solid 16.7%, showing appreciation, especially if you had a good experience; however, tipping $60-$75 (20-25%) is generally considered excellent for great service, so $50 is a respectable amount.
Among the rest of the Stories & Ink team, the most painful places to get a tattoo include:
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around palm-sized or slightly larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but the actual size heavily depends on the artist's hourly rate (usually $100-$200/hour), design complexity, color, and location, allowing for 2-5 hours of work, potentially resulting in a detailed forearm piece or a smaller chest/back design, rather than a full sleeve.
In short, yes. You should always strive to tip your tattoo artist. “Often, tattoo artists are renting a chair or space and give as much as 50% of their earnings to the shop owner,” Sinatra says.
Like any tattoo session, tattoo touch-up costs can differ based on the size of your tattoo, the complexity of the tattoo and touch-up, and the reliability of the tattoo studio. Some studios offer a complimentary service for the first touch-up, while others may charge a reduced rate.
Here are some important things to avoid before a tattoo:
Remember: this change will only truly be noticeable if you've lost a significant amount of weight. Normal weight fluctuations ranging from two to five pounds won't result in any changes at all. And any other healthy weight loss, such as ten to twenty pounds, will likely not lead to significant tattoo changes.
The tattoo artist may have guidelines for how long to wait. Effectiveness: Numbing creams can work well on the outer layer of skin but may be less effective in areas with thicker or deeper layers of skin, such as the ribcage, elbows, or knees.