There's a certain amount of pain associated with having a work of art permanently applied to your skin. The degree of pain that you experience is related to two things, your individual level of tolerance and the way in which you deal with pain in general. Those of you who swear that you don't feel any pain and those of you who claim that you actually enjoy the pain can stop reading. You likely won't find anything useful in the rest of this article.

It's been said that women have a much higher tolerance for physical pain. After all, many women have had the painful pleasure of delivering very large babies through very small exit points! The pain associated with getting a tattoo is, in some ways, like having a baby. The pain for both is prolonged, but the pain eventually ends in both cases. Proper breathing is key when delivering a baby and women are taught breathing techniques in Lamaze class. Proper breathing is also important when getting a tattoo. Some people have a tendency to hold their breath when experiencing pain. This can result in lightheadedness and possibly even fainting. It's important to try to relax and breathe as normally as possible when getting a tattoo... in through the nose and out through the mouth. Don't blow your breath out, just exhale normally through your mouth.

People have different ways of dealing with the pain that comes with getting a tattoo. Some prefer having someone close by to talk to and if nobody is available, they'll chat with the tattooist throughout the session. Chatting distracts them from the pain. Others (like me) prefer getting lost in my thoughts and listening to the music in the tattoo salon. I find it difficult to hold a conversation while needles are piercing my skin. Finding a good method for dealing with the pain is personal.

Because of the pain associated with getting a tattoo, many people never go back for another after their first one. Yes, getting a tattoo is painful, but the pain is over when the tattooist is done. Breathing properly, trying to relax during the procedure, and finding a personal distraction will help reduce the degree of pain that you experience. When it's over, you'll have a work of art that you can admire forever!