How bad is the pain when you get a tattoo?

The short answer to that is, It depends. Because the tattooing process involves the insertion of needles into skin, a certain level of discomfort is almost inevitable.

Several factors will determine the level of discomfort you will feel, if any.

1) Your pain threshold, which is the point at which you begin feel pain. This is a subjective phenomenon. It differs from person to person both in intensity, and in the time the pain takes to subside.

For the vast majority of people, the tattooing process is well within their tolerance level, with discomfort described mostly as an itchy feeling, or a burning sensation.

2) The part of the body which is being tattooed can determine the level of discomfort experienced.

Generally, the less fleshy the area, the more discomfort you are likely to experience. Body areas where the skin is close to the bone, such as ankles, knees, face, elbow, toes, and lower back, are especially prone to discomfort, while fleshy areas like the thigh, shoulder, buttocks, and upper arm, are known to offer the least discomfort.

3) The quality of tattooist you visit can determine how any feelings of discomfort are addressed. An experienced tattooist will implement pain relief measures, such as the use of creams and ointments, if you inform him/her of excessive pain or discomfort during the process. It is essential therefore, to choose well, when searching for a tattoo parlour.

4) Your mindset/mental state is a strong determinant of pain tolerance. Enter a tattoo parlour with a positive, determined state of mind, and this can have the psychological effect of limiting feelings of discomfort in the tattooing process. The use of music as a relaxing tool is well-known and ancient, so you may wish to go along with your ipod.

In conclusion, a January 2008, survey conducted online by Harris Interactive estimated that 14% of all adults in the United States have a tattoo. That's nearly 40 million people! You simply would not have that many people with tattoos across the land if it caused unbearable discomfort.

Most people with tattoos say the process was not as painful as they had feared, and the vast number of people with a beloved tattoo on them, should give you the confidence and inspiration to realise that you too can handle it.