Being heavier can make tattoo pain somewhat worse, as excess weight stretches out the skin more, which makes it more sensitive. Age can have a similar effect, making the skin thinner. Skinny people can also experience higher pain levels, as their bones have less padding.
Only in cases of extreme weight loss or weight gain will you see a noticeable difference in a tattoo design. Weight change has virtually no effect on the tattoo unless the weight gain or loss is like 100 pounds.
It has been shown that women have a lower pain threshold and a lower tolerance than men to most types of nociceptive stimuli; therefore, women report increased pain sensation and further greater sensitivity to both clinical and experimental pain [21].
Some people say it can feel like multiple bee stings or even being scratched over and over for an elongated period of time. The degree of pain varies from individual to individual since we all have different nerve endings and feel and process levels of pain differently.
There are no disadvantages to using Lidocaine, says dermatologist Dr. Anna Avaliani. If your tattoo shop doesn't have it, you can get 4% or 5% Lidocaine over the counter yourself. And if you think you might be super sensitive, you can get up to 20% Lidocaine prescribed by a doctor to numb things out even more.
Anywhere on your body that has a little more muscle would be the best spot for the first tattoo. Generally speaking, an area will feel less uncomfortable the more body fat there is in that location. Therefore, some good spots to target are your calf, bum, bicep, and thigh.
Expect about half an hour to an hour for a simple, small tattoo. Keep in mind, however, a small tattoo with lots of color, line work, details, or a tricky placement could take several hours. Small tattoos are great for people who don't want to go through a lengthy tattoo process, but still want some cool ink.
So, it is up to you and your comfort level as to whether you should get a tattoo while you are losing weight. In most cases, it may be best to wait until you are close to your ideal weight, but smaller tattoos or tattoos in areas that are less prone to stretch will be perfectly fine.
Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.
"Numbing cream is typically considered safe to apply before tattoo treatments, especially in areas that are particularly sensitive," she says. "However, the numbing cream may or may not be effective depending on the type of ingredients used.
For those worried about pain, Lavriv says tattoo newbies should start small. "I always recommend getting a smaller piece — under an hour — as a first tattoo," she says. "Tattoo pain is a very subjective thing and while it can feel like not a big deal to some people, it can be excruciating for others.
A closer look at the US data shows that 39% got their first tattoo between 15 and 19, and one in four went under the needle after they turned 30. A survey from Remember a Charity also found that 5% got their first tattoo after turning 60.
Take a smaller element of a larger design and make that your tattoo. The simpler your tattoo design – especially your first design – the better. That's especially true for smaller tattoos, but it's a good rule for tattoos of any size.
With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.
You do not want the scabs picked off. The scabbing stage can last a few days. The tattooed area is unlikely to still feel sore after about two weeks.
A Tattoo needle penetrates 5 layers of the epidermis
That may sound like a lot of skin, but in reality it is only 1/16th of an inch, about 1-2mm. That's pretty tiny. It goes through five layers of the epidermis, through the dermal layer, and into the topmost layer of the dermis.
Even though needles produce tattoos, it doesn't feel like you're getting stabbed. It's nothing like getting a shot, either. The artist is actually drawing on your skin, so it feels like that — but more burn-y.
Most likely you will bleed a little bit… but most people only bleed a tiny amount. The bleeding usually comes out as sweat like dots of blood or just lymph coming out of your skin.
Contrary to what you might expect, many people report that the shading hurts significantly less than the outlining of the tattoo. If you've already made it through your line work, pat yourself on the back. You've likely conquered the most painful part already.