So you’ve decided to get a tattoo. You’ve researched designs and contemplated whether or not you’re ready to have something inked into your skin permanently. Maybe you’ve talked to friends and family who have gotten tattoos to see what they think about your design idea or to simply hear more about what the tattoo process is like. Maybe you’ve already talked with your tattoo studio and had a consultation with a tattoo artist to make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to design and style. You’ve done all the research and prep ahead of time that you can think of, but there’s one thing holding you back when it comes to booking that final tattoo appointment—the pain.

It’s no secret that getting a tattoo can hurt. Needles are involved, after all, and depending on the area of the body you get tattooed, as well as your pain tolerance, the tattoo needle can hurt. For most people, the pain is worth it, though, to end up with a uniquely stunning tattoo that you can proudly show off for years to come.

If you’ve never gotten a tattoo before, you might be wondering what to expect when it comes to the pain level. While there’s no way to know for sure how much getting a tattoo will hurt for you since it varies so much from person to person, there are a few things you can keep in mind as you are preparing to get your first tattoo to give yourself an idea of what to expect.

Pain Tolerance is Key

No two people on the planet are exactly the same, and that’s the case when it comes to pain tolerance, too. It’s difficult to predict how painful the tattoo experience might be for each person because each person is so unique. Some people have a very high pain tolerance, so they can endure a quite painful experience, and some people have a lower pain tolerance, meaning that they experience pain a bit more easily than others.

Having some sort of idea about your own pain tolerance is helpful when determining where you want to get your tattoo and how big of a tattoo you want to get during your first tattoo session.

It can be hard to compare pain tolerances because different procedures can elicit different levels of pain. If you’ve had piercings in the past, this can help you gauge how high your pain tolerance is, though it’s important to note that piercings are quite different than tattoos. If you’re squeamish when it comes to needles, then getting a tattoo might be a tricky proposition, but the pain might not be as bad as you are anticipating.

Whatever your pain tolerance, it’s important for you to realize your own limits and determine what level of pain is worthwhile for you to come out on the other side with an amazing tattoo. No one else can tell you how you’ll feel when you get a tattoo, so it’s important to go into the process with an understanding of yourself and how you react to pain.

Other Factors That Affect Tattoo Pain

In addition to each person’s individual pain tolerance, there are other factors that can influence the level of pain you might feel when getting a tattoo. 

Age can actually affect the level of pain you feel when you get a tattoo. There have been studies that suggest that pain becomes less painful the older you get. It’s hard to know exactly why this is the case, but just like your brain makeup changes over time, your pain tolerance can change over time, too.

Sex can also influence how much pain you feel in general, and when getting a tattoo. Although research is still being done to find out the specifics, men and women typically experience pain differently and have different pain thresholds. Your biological sex can, therefore, affect how you feel the pain of getting a tattoo.

Thoughts can also affect the level of pain you feel when getting a tattoo, just like they can influence many different aspects of our lives. If you go into your tattoo session bracing yourself for the pain that’s to come, you might actually end up with a more painful experience than if you relax and stay open to whatever experience is coming. That’s a lot easier said than done, but the mind can play an important role in whether or not you experience pain when getting your tattoo.

Pain Varies by Tattoo Location

The location of your tattoo can greatly affect the pain you feel during the tattoo process, too. This is due in part to certain areas of the body that have more nerve endings than others and also due to whether an area has more fat and muscle versus bone.

Some less painful areas of the body to get a tattoo are the outer and upper thighs, buttocks, forearms, shoulders, and back. Some areas that are reportedly more painful when tattooed are the neck and face, rib cage, ankle, shin, hands, toes, feet, knees, and spine.

As with everything we’ve already mentioned, this can vary so much from person to person. While one person might find a tattoo on the forearm to be easy, breezy, and pain-free, another person might find it more painful than when they got a tattoo on their ankle. The level of pain varies from person to person, though there are some common areas that are commonly understood to be more or less painful areas to get tattooed than others.

Getting a new tattoo is an exciting prospect, so try not to let worries about the pain of the tattoo process cloud your mind the closer you get to your tattoo appointment. Most people find that the pain of getting tattooed is well worth it when they finally have that amazing new body art to show off forever on their skin.

If you have questions about the tattoo process or are ready to take the plunge and schedule your next tattoo appointment, contact us today. Our expert team at Certified Tattoo Studios is here to help you through every step of the process.