I’m getting ready to get my first tattoo and I get super nervous everytime I think about it. I’m having a friend come with me so they can help distract me. However, I think I have a low pain tolerance and all my friends with tattoos seem to have a higher tolerance than me. I plan to take some extra strength Tylenol beforehand to help and my friend recommended a gel to put on after for soothing/healing. Any other recommendations? It’s a fairly small tattoo on the inside of my forearm so I don’t think it will take very long.
Oh man, my inside of the forearm tattoo didn’t hurt at all, really. It was like someone was dragging the end of a paper clip along my skin. Uncomfortable, but very doable. And it was < 30 minutes bc it was a pretty simple lettering. Good luck!!
Oh man, my inside of the forearm tattoo didn’t hurt at all, really. It was like someone was dragging the end of a paper clip along my skin. Uncomfortable, but very doable. And it was < 30 minutes bc it was a pretty simple lettering. Good luck!!
Oh good! That makes me feel a lot better. I think mine will take 30ish mins so I think I can handle that. Thanks!
I have the lowest pain tolerance and my tattoo was no big deal. It’s on my stomach, so different spot, but I felt little pokes and heat and then it was over. I would gladly get another.
I don’t think you should take any medicine unless your artist says it’s okay.
I agree it feels like a paper clip (the scratchy end, not the loop) being drug across the skin.
You don’t need to do anything special. Just make sure everything is spelled correctly, it’s lined up evenly, and ask your artist what you should put on it while it heals.
I got a 4-inch tattoo on my shoulder. In the moment, it was uncomfortable, but I wouldn't say it hurt. It wasn't uncomfortable enough to prevent me from researching my next tattoo options when I got home. I will say, though, I almost passed out. I'm not really sure why, and I was unprepared for that. However, my tattoo guy was and hooked me up with gobstoppers, water, and a nice fan. I was fine a few minutes later.
Post by firedancer10288 on Apr 18, 2023 19:54:02 GMT -5
I just got a tattoo in the same spot last month and it didn’t hurt at all. The next day it felt like a rug burn, but it was fine. Tattoos have come a long way since my first one in 1998! I can’t believe how quickly this one healed.
Post by litebright on Apr 18, 2023 19:59:55 GMT -5
I don't have a particularly high pain tolerance and my back tattoo was very doable. I wouldn't go so far as to say it didn't hurt, but there were definitely moments where it was more pressure than pain and at certain points the sensations were even enjoyable for me. I focused on my breathing and got through it fine without any distractions.
Good luck and I hope you're very happy with how it turns out!
Post by emilyinchile on Apr 18, 2023 20:07:11 GMT -5
Ditto the suggestion to check the Tylenol and anything you want to put on afterward with your tattoo artist.
I have 5. They do hurt, but it's not intolerable. The exact level of pain has been pretty different based on location, but none has been so bad that I've had to ask them to stop or anything like that. I totally understand being nervous, I just got one a couple weeks ago after not having had one in like 7 years, and I was sooo nervous, but you're going to be just fine!
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
Well, I know they definitely don’t recommend ibuprofen or aspirin because they can cause more bleeding.
I think I am going to get myself one this summer for my birthday. It will be a line from one of the last poems my dad wrote before he died, in his handwriting. "And the odyssey begins again" I think the entire stanza would be too much.
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
It’s the safest pain reliever to take with a tattoo but I will just wait to see what the tattoo artist says and if I even need it.
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
It doesn't thin your blood, so it's a better option when you are doing something that involves bleeding. I also don't think it's true that it doesn't do anything - I prefer Ibuprofen, but when I was on blood thinners I took Tylenol and it would help.
OP I agree with everyone else that tattoos aren't too bad! I have one on my inner wrist and it hurt but not badly - I have a paper cut on my hand right now that is far more painful! The tattoo was not something I enjoyed or anything, but it was also completely tolerable and since it was small it didn't take that long.
I have two others (lower back and hip) but I got them 20+ years ago so I don't really remember how they felt, but I don't remember them being awful either.
Small of back : 1 part hurt (but not for very long and it was near my spine) Right back shoulder blade : didn’t hurt at all - only thing was it was time consuming (4ish hours) Left top shoulder : easiest one of all - no pain Left outside ankle : super simple outline that took 20ish minutes and was pain free.
Post by starburst604 on Apr 18, 2023 20:54:45 GMT -5
This is timely! I got a horrible ankle tat at 18 and after years of feeling shame I’ve decided to cover it with a new tat. Just today I contacted the tattoo parlor I want to work with by e-mail with pics of what I’m covering and what I want (mine and DD’s birth month flowers entwined) and am waiting to hear back. Good luck with yours! I’m cautiously excited.
It’s been so long I don’t remember much about how it felt, except that it was sensitive around the bony areas. Forearm sounds less painful.
I have 30 or 31. I lost count. Anyway, that area is one of the least painful areas you could get one. As others have said, it just feels like a scratch, especially in that area. It'll be tender like skinning your knee for the rest of the day, but by the next day it will be just fine.
ETA - you can see the one I have in that area in my signature pic. My entire arm is full now.
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
I wouldn't say easy to overdose- goal is generally <3000mg/day and not to exceed 4000mg/day (less if there's underlying liver issues). So someone could take 6 extra strength tylenol a day (1 every 4hrs or 2 every 8 hours) and not exceed the 3000mg recommendation- I think that's sustainable.
As long as OP is aware of whatever meds she is taking that may contain acetaminophen in it (like some cold med combos)
Out of curiosity, why Tylenol? I think of Tylenol as the pain medicine that doesn't do anything (unless combined with something else) and yet is easy to overdose and become dangerous.
Well, I know they definitely don’t recommend ibuprofen or aspirin because they can cause more bleeding.
And now I know something new thanks for all the feedback and good luck with the tattoo!
Post by dreamcrisp1 on Apr 18, 2023 23:58:53 GMT -5
For me, the sound of the machine is the worst part. I wear my AirPods and drown out the noise. My ankle was my most painful tattoo but it’s all bone. Otherwise I just find it uncomfortable and annoying. Long ones got a little painful because it felt so repetitive.
And I cannot wait to get more tattoos once this baby is born. It’s been too long.
It hurts more the closer you get to a joint. So on my thigh, it didn’t really hurt until we got close to my knee, for example. I think your forearm should be fine.
Post by verycontrary247 on Apr 19, 2023 6:49:48 GMT -5
If you're really nervous about the pain you should ask your artist about numbing cream. I'd be extremely surprised if someone in the shop doesn't have any.
I think I am going to get myself one this summer for my birthday. It will be a line from one of the last poems my dad wrote before he died, in his handwriting. "And the odyssey begins again" I think the entire stanza would be too much.
My next one (last one) will also be from something my dad wrote! He wrote a goodbye letter and the last line was "Goodnight my darlings, goodnight" there was more but that is the piece i think I will use.