The least painful areas for a tattoo generally have thick skin, lots of muscle/fat, and few nerve endings, with the outer shoulder, outer arm (bicep), outer thigh, forearm, and calf consistently rated as the most comfortable spots, especially for first-timers. These areas offer more cushioning than bony spots like the ribs, spine, or feet, though pain is subjective and varies by individual.
Generally speaking, areas with few nerve endings and more fat and muscle, such as the thighs, lower back, shoulders, and upper arms, tend to be less painful when getting inked. Although these spots may still be uncomfortable for some people, they generally cause less discomfort than more sensitive areas of the body.
Your arms and forearms contain a lot of thick skin, muscle and have very few nerve endings! This makes it one of the best places to get a tattoo if you are looking for a spot without too much pain. This spot also offers a fantastic area for tattoos, with many beautiful and vibrant designs going perfectly.
Upper Back
The skin there is thick, and there is plenty of cushion between skin and bone. For the least painful tattooing experience, don't pick a design with heavy detail on the spine and keep it under the neck. While the shoulder is bony, this spot is also relatively easy to get tattooed.
Your upper back, outer shoulders, and thighs have the fewest nerve endings. They also have thicker skin, so it's easier to sit through the sharp or stinging pain of a tattoo.
5 body parts where you should NOT get a tattoo
Many people turn to topical numbing agents to minimize pain before and during their tattoo session. These creams or gels contain lidocaine or benzocaine, which are local anesthetics that temporarily numb the skin. Apply the cream about 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment to give it time to take effect.
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.
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.
Lidocaine can block pain signals, causing you to feel less discomfort when you get a tattoo. It won't be completely painless, but most people find that over-the-counter lidocaine tattoo prep gels and topical anesthetic creams can significantly reduce the pain they feel during a tattoo.
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.
Here are some important things to avoid before a tattoo:
Not all tattoo artists are opposed to numbing creams, but some avoid them, primarily because of their effects on the skin. The last thing a tattoo artist wants is to trigger an allergic reaction in a client or compromise the quality of their ink.
In the same way that having more fat can help a tattoo feel less painful, having thicker skin can do the same. Thicker skin can protect the underlying nerves and bones from feeling the needles as intensely.
Generally, people describe the discomfort as mild to moderate, on par with getting scratched or sunburnt. The level of pain can also depend on the location of the tattoo — with areas closer to bones or with thinner skin being more sensitive.
Line work is more intense concentrated pain while shading is much broader. Shading goes over already raw and worked skin multiple times. Because of this the constant penetration of the needle required for shading can intensify the discomfort, making color-heavy tattoos more challenging for some individuals.
Eating before your tattoo session is crucial, as it helps stabilize your blood sugar and prepares your body for the mild stress that comes with the procedure. Skipping this step can lead to dizziness or nausea, which may hinder your overall tattoo experience.
A $1000 tattoo can range from a large, detailed piece (around 6-10 inches or palm-sized with complex shading) to a significant portion of a larger project, like a half-sleeve or a sizable back/chest piece, often requiring multiple sessions, depending heavily on artist skill, complexity, color, and location, as rates vary greatly.
The artist quotes a price for the tattoo based on various elements: including details in the specific design, the placement, or the size. A lot of times, time will also be a factor in this.
Many consider 20% to be a typical and well-appreciated tip for good service. However, if you're exceptionally pleased with the artwork and the overall experience, tipping more is always a welcomed gesture. Your decision often reflects the quality of work, the overall experience, and the level of service received.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help take the edge off the soreness. You may want to avoid aspirin, as it can thin your blood and potentially increase bleeding.
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