If a tattoo is something that you want to do, you will need guidance for tattoo pain and coping with that discomfort, if that is your first tattoo. It is quite significant to remember that every one of us can handle pain in a different way. It is hard to explain how much a tattoo can hurt or even how to handle it as there are a lot of different methods and variables which come into play.
No person should sit down in a chair next to the tattoo artist without first understanding that this intimate type of art involves some pain. With saying that, there are several steps that you can make in order to minimize the amount of pain and discomfort involved in getting your skin inked.
Everyone that ever planned to get a tattoo probably wondered about the pain which is involved in the process – perhaps more specifically, how can you deal with tattoo pain? Also, add to the fact most of the pain also depends on the place of the tattoo.
So, we concluded that it depends on the location of your tattoo. If you want to know how painful a spot is going to be to tattoo, you can press that spot hard. If you press down on a nerve or a bony spot, it is going to hurt. While getting tattooed on fleshy parts that don’t have a lot of nerve endings, such as the upper arm, dealing with the pain is going to be simple.
The good news is that you can take that slight discomfort. Just take a look around you at all those people that were once inked, and you are going to see how most of them endured and survived the process, and that some have gone back over and over again for even bigger and more detailed designs.
Here are some tips for a painless tattoo:
- Don’t drink before the session.
You may think that a few drinks before the tattoo session will help you with your pain tolerance, but it is not a good idea. Tattoos and alcohol have a close relationship in popular culture. Additionally, to the logistical problems of drunken tattoo selection, alcohol thins the blood, and that leads to more bleeding than it is necessary. This means that getting tattooed while drunk has opposite effects. Thinner blood will also be a factor in how well the skin accepts the tattoo ink.
- Feed and hydrate yourself properly.
It is a good idea to eat well before you go to the tattoo shop. A stomach full of food will provide you with added stamina and make it easier to manage the pain involved. The tension which is involved in getting tattooed ramps up the metabolism and burns a lot of calories.
Drinking great amounts of water is good advice for life generally, but it is of great importance before getting a tattoo. There will be subtle changes in your body chemistry, which can dramatically alert the tattooing experience. So, you should start maximizing your water intake at least 12 hours before you get tattooed.
- Think about the placement, size, and type of tattoo.
There are places that plain hurt more than others. If you look to ease up on that pain, you should do your best to avoid several of the most painful tattoo placements, such as the forearm, elbow, or head.
If you are getting a tattoo for the first time, you may not want to cannonball in with full-on tattoo sleeves – you may only want to start with something on the more simple side and something smaller.
Likewise, a tattoo with a lot of different colors or large solid areas usually takes longer to complete. This means more pain. You may also want to go with mono-colored line art if you are nervous, and you cannot handle pain.
- Get the proper rest.
Just like feeding well, getting a tattoo burns up a surprising amount of energy, so that is why you have to get the proper rest. Ensure that you get a full night of natural sleep before the session. This is particularly important with bigger tattoos, which will take several hours to complete.
- Talk with someone during the session.
Talking to others while your tattoo is being inked will be a terrific distraction, which may speed up the process, as well as block the pain. You may also find the perfect conversationalist in your tattoo artist; many tattoo artists like to get to know their clients better. A lot of people also find things such as breathing techniques, meditation, or good music can help keep their minds off the pain.
- Take breaks every time you feel the need.
If the tattoo session is going to last for several hours, you have the right to ask for a short break. Several sections of the skin are more sensitive than others. Serous tattoos applied to your chest, ribs, hands, or also feet may have a well-earned reputation for being exceptionally painful. So, don’t be afraid to ask for a break when you feel the need.
- Take painkillers if you have to.
Luckily, there are several topical anesthetics approved by FDA, and specifically designed for tattooing. They are great for pain management during and also after the tattooing session. You can discuss anesthesia with tattoo artists in advance. Also, taking a Tylenol or two before or during the session may be helpful a lot – but, be careful with painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen as they can thin the blood and cause more bleeding than usual.
- Follow the instructions for aftercare given by your tattoo artist.
Aftercare is last, but not least. You should follow a good aftercare program to make sure quick healing, and most importantly, listen to your tattoo artist. He or she knows what they talk about.
