05 Getting A Tattoo: Does It Hurt?
Description
This article is from the Tattoo FAQ, by Stan Schwarz with numerous contributions by others.
05 Getting A Tattoo: Does It Hurt?
This is the first question in this FAQ because it's usually the first
question that people ask. The answer is yes. Having needles pierce your
skin *does* hurt. But what you *really* want to know is, "How MUCH does
it hurt, and can I handle it?"
It's not nearly as bad as what you might imagine. The pain comes from
the cluster of needles on the tattooing machine piercing your skin very
rapidly. This sensation, however, doesn't feel like the poking pain of
an injection--it's more of a constant vibration. You will be amazed at
how quickly your body releases endorphins, (pain killers), which dullens
the pain significantly.
The pain will also vary according to where on your body you get worked
on. Skin right above bones (collarbone, anklebone, etc.) tend to be more
painful than other areas. In addition, certain types of needles seem to
hurt more than others. I personally think the needles used for outlining
produce a sharper, more noticeable pain, while the needles used for
shading seem to be much more like an electrical buzz (nearly painless).
Remember, you are volunteering for the experience. The amount of pain
will depend on your psychological attitude.
NOTE: Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief
purposes prior to your tattoo sessions. Both aspirin and alcohol thin
your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the
clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing as well. In
addition, artists do not appreciate dealing with drunks and is illegal
in many states.
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