Pain threshold of tattoos in women. The most painful places for a tattoo

The decision to get a tattoo requires some courage. In addition to the drawing, it is also necessary to choose the place of its application to the body. It is necessary to know the most painful areas for tattooing, so as not to regret the decision made after the first needle prick. The thickness of the skin, along with other factors, determines the final result of body art, since its thickness varies in different areas of our body. The tattoo can be very painful if you choose a sensitive area of the body to apply.

If you want to save yourself from the upcoming pain, but have not changed your decision to get a tattoo, view the presented selection of areas where getting a tattoo is the most painful. Also ask your chosen tattoo artist which areas are most painful. You can bypass these areas and get a tattoo on a less sensitive part of your body.

zone behind the ear

This is a very popular and at the same time very painful area. If you take a closer look at the area behind the ear, you will see the bone and a thin layer of skin that covers it. During tattooing, the needle can penetrate the skin and prick the bone, which is very painful. Take this fact into account before deciding to get a tattoo behind the ear. In addition, the tattoo artist may suggest that you apply an anesthetic cream.

Spine

Complex and exciting patterns look very beautiful, descending from the side of the neck down the back along the spine. However, the area of the spine, like the area behind the ear, is in very close contact with the vertebral bone, which makes tattooing even more painful compared to other areas. If the desire to make a chic tattoo along the spine is stronger than the upcoming pain, look at the original drawings presented in the photo. An anesthetic cream can help relieve pain during a tattoo.

Ankle

Ankle tattoos are very popular among guys and girls. If the tattoo rises from the ankle to the lower part of the calf, then it can be very painful, since in this area the skin is very thin and the bone comes out much closer than in the rest of the body. Tattoo artists use special painkillers that reduce pain but do not completely eliminate it, especially during the healing process.

Elbow

The bend of the elbow can be compared to the bend of the knee. The thin skin and proximity of the bone make these tattoos quite painful. If you have long dreamed of a tattoo with a spider, a star, a web, which are now at the peak of popularity, think about the size and complexity of the drawing. It is they who determine the duration of the tattooing procedure, and at the same time the duration of pain.

Ribs

Tattoos on the ribs look very chic and attractive. However, one should not forget about the soreness of this zone due to the proximity of the bone to the surface of the skin. When getting a tattoo on the ribs, tattoo artists take several breaks, as some simply cannot stand such pain for a long time.

Ask your tattoo artist to take a break if the pain becomes unbearable. Most the best remedy coping with pain is self-control and painkillers.

Legs

Legs are a rather difficult part of the body for tattooing. The sensitivity of this zone varies depending on the rise along the leg. If you want a stylish leg tattoo but can't stand the pain at all, try getting the tattoo a little higher, where the skin gets thicker and there's less bone. So you will reduce the painful factor to a minimum.

Irina Mironchuk

There is no result without pain - when it comes to tattooing, you can’t say more precisely. This process is very painful (at best, you will a little painfully). However, armed with knowledge and a certain technique, you will be able to control the pain during tattooing.

Steps

Part 1

Before getting a tattoo

Talk to someone who understands the issue. If you have never had a tattoo, then The best way mentally preparing for it is to find out as much as possible about the process by talking to people who have a lot of tattoos or directly with the tattoo artist. Most of them are willing to share their experience. Forewarned is forearmed.

The pain threshold is different for each person. While getting a tattoo is painful, it is nothing compared to the pain of childbirth or kidney stones. You can verify this by talking to knowledgeable people.

Know the most painful places. The intensity of the pain depends on where you are going to get the tattoo. If you want to reduce pain, consider getting a tattoo on a specific body part. The pain threshold is different for everyone, but the general rules are as follows:

Know what kind tattoos cause the most painful sensations. Remember that different tattoos cause pain of different intensity. In most cases:
- The simpler and smaller the tattoo, the less painful the process of applying it will be.
- A single color tattoo will be less painful (and take less time to apply) than a multicolor tattoo.
- The part of the tattoo filled with a certain color will be the most painful, as the tattoo artist needs to process it several times.
If you want to get a tattoo, take a friend or relative with you so you don't have to be alone. You don't have to go through this alone. The presence of a person who can take care of you will ease the pain of getting a tattoo (you will be able to tell this person about how you feel, and he will cheer you up).
- If you are not a very shy person, bring a whole company with you. Many tattoo parlors allow friends to be in the lobby or even in the room where the tattoos are done. Such a group of like-minded people will support you and you will not be hurt so much.
Know that needles will be involved and there will be some blood. The modern process of tattooing involves the use of a special machine, with which the tattoo artist quickly pierces the skin with a needle, introducing ink under it. Due to numerous skin punctures, the tattoo site bleeds a little. If you can't stand the sight of blood, turn away and don't look.
- Tell your tattoo artist about your feelings - good specialist sure to help you get through the tattooing process with the least amount of discomfort.
Part 2
During tattooing
1. Calm down and relax. So you will be less hurt. Take a few deep breaths and talk to a friend, relative or even a tattoo artist. This way you can relax and stop worrying about what is about to happen.
  - If you are very tense or nervous, call the tattoo artist ahead of time and ask if you can bring items to help you relax. For example, you can take your MP3 player with you to listen to your favorite songs and thus relax. In many tattoo parlors, you can do anything, as long as it does not interfere with the work of the tattoo artist.
2. Make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, you can spend several hours in the salon. Although the therapist will take breaks during which you can get up and walk around, do certain things that will allow you to go through the entire procedure with more comfort.
  - before visiting the tattoo parlor, eat and drink water (1-2 glasses) to avoid dehydration and possible fainting;
  - wear loose and comfortable clothing;
  - bring items that will allow you to relax (audio player, something to read, and so on);
  - take a shower before visiting the tattoo parlor.
3. Squeeze something in your hand or teeth to relieve the pain. By tensing the muscles, a person significantly reduces pain (this method is used by women in labor to reduce pain during childbirth, and, it is worth noting, it works quite well). Many tattoo parlors have items that can be squeezed; otherwise, bring such an item with you. Here's what you can take:
4. Control your breathing to reduce pain. Try to exhale when you feel a lot of pain. You can either exhale or make a sound (low hum). Exhalation allows you to reduce tension and pain (which is why during strength training exhalation is done when lifting weights).
  - On the other hand, improper breathing will only increase the pain. Do not hold your breath when you are in pain - this will only increase the pain.
5. Move as little as possible when in pain. The less you move, the more accurately the tattoo artist will apply the tattoo, which means the procedure time will decrease (think of an artist who draws on a moving canvas - it will be very difficult for him to draw anything).
  - If you still necessary move, warn the tattoo artist about this in advance so that he removes the machine from your skin; otherwise, the tattoo may be damaged.

People whose body is covered with tattoos cause a feeling of delight and fear. Bright pictures of dark basements, a large number of needles and huge masters who make these tattoos appear before my eyes. In fact, everything is not so scary and absolutely safe.

Every person who has made at least one tattoo was afraid to apply it because of pain. If you pay attention to people who completely cover their body with a tattoo, it becomes clear that these painful sensations are not so intense.

The most painful places

There are always a lot of rumors around a person’s fear about pain. Some say that the pain was very strong, while others say that they did not feel much. Still others fainted as soon as they saw the needle, while others were able to overcome their fears.

The technique of execution is to conduct ink under the skin. Most people don't bleed at all. In addition, the master constantly wipes the skin, so a person will not even see a drop of blood. The only time limit is if a person has recently used drugs that thin the blood.

Everyone has their own pain threshold. Someone walks freely with sprained ligaments, while others, on the contrary, lose consciousness from a small scratch.

Most painful places

shins.
Knee.
Feet.
Ribs, as well as the abdomen and chest.

Pain that can be endured

Forearm.

Pain is comparable to a mosquito bite

Shoulders.
Upper thigh.
Hands and wrists.

It cannot be said for sure that tattoos do not hurt at all or are very painful. Sometimes it can just be discomfort. A person can easily and simply endure everything if he has an understanding of why he needs it.

Other factors that affect the pain of the procedure

There is no such thing that a person does not feel pain at all. After the session, people who have tattoos claim that this does not happen. There are several reasons that determine how painful the procedure will be.

The experience of the master is very important. The longer he applies tattoos, the more likely it is that the master will complete the task faster and better.
The more modern the equipment of the master, the better the quality and less pain.
The duration of the session and the size of the tattoo. The more time the master performs the tattoo, the greater the load on the body. Sometimes a tattoo is applied in several stages. The maximum time for applying a tattoo is five hours.

Preliminary preparation

The most important thing in getting a tattoo is making a decision. You don't have to spontaneously draw on yourself. Additionally, it is desirable to prepare for the tattoo.

For example, it is advisable to stop taking coffee and alcoholic beverages a few days in advance.

To facilitate the session, you must follow the following rules:

In order to avoid dehydration throughout the day, you need to drink water.
Before the session, you need to eat. It is not advisable to get a tattoo on an empty stomach.
Consider the necessary clothing. It should, if possible, not cover the necessary part of the body.
A good night's sleep will help calm the nervous system.
In the pharmacy, you can buy special ointments that, after tattooing, will soothe the skin. Please note that the preparation should not contain aspirin.
Take some chocolates. They will help maintain the energy balance in the body.
Drinking coffee on the day of tattooing is possible, but not more than one cup.
You should not get a tattoo if there is any doubt about what kind of sketch you want to make.
Do not get a tattoo during a cold and fever.
It is not advisable for girls to get tattoos during menstruation.
It is advisable to come to the session either by yourself or together with one close person. It is not advisable to bring a large support group.
If the pain is so strong that you cannot stand it, then it is necessary to extend the procedure next time.

For faster healing of wounds after tattooing, special ointments can be used. Don't forget to take care of your tattoo.

A professionally executed tattoo will always be the subject of admiring glances, even for those who are not particularly supportive of such changes. However, in order to acquire one, you need to go through a rather painful procedure, and it’s better to ask the price first, but can you calmly wait for the session to end. Does it really hurt to get a tattoo?

How is the tattoo process

In simple terms, tattooing is nothing more than traumatizing the skin, followed by the introduction of dyes that will remain there forever. Modern ones use only electric tattoo machines in their work, due to which the effect on the skin is noticeably reduced, and the pigment is evenly applied under the skin. Depending on the pattern, the specialist selects the required number of needles.

What factors influence pain

Each person has their own pain threshold, but, as a rule, in all cases, the procedure for applying a tattoo is not a pleasant one. She is painful, but tolerable.
Equally important is the master performing the application. You can make a tattoo with the same tool in the same place, but changing the master will cause a change in sensations in one direction or another.
How large sizes has a tattoo, the more painful sensations you will have to experience. You will survive the application easier than a voluminous and well hammered tattoo.
directly related to the pain scale. If you find it difficult to choose, you can guide the distance of the tattoo from the bone.

Which location is best for a less painful procedure

If the desire to inflict does not leave you, and pain is the only thing that stops you, you should know where it is most painful to get a tattoo. You need to choose those places where the fat layer is the most. Let's say it can be buttocks,. The thinner the skin becomes, the stronger the discomfort will be. Vessels and nerve endings are located closer, and the needle can penetrate to the very bone.

When asked if it hurts to do, everyone will have their own answer. The level of pain will depend on the specific area. The same principle applies here: thinner skin the more painful.

What will help you easily transfer tattoos

Thanks to the wide experience of people who have undergone the tattooing process, a whole range of measures has been collected that can significantly facilitate the procedure:

Before the procedure, take a shower, drink a glass of water.
Try to relax, calm down and be distracted by a conversation with the master.
Agree in advance the opportunity to bring your own musical accompaniment to the salon, or something that can switch your attention.
You can squeeze an object in your hands or teeth that will help you overcome particularly acute moments. It can be a rubber expander, a towel, etc.
Watch your breath, exercising out at a time when it will be especially painful. Don't delay him.
If the pain becomes extremely difficult to endure, ask the master to take a short break.
If the pain is difficult to tolerate, agree in advance on the reception of a specific pain medication.

The use of anesthesia - pros and cons

During a session, anesthesia is either applied or not. It all depends on the beliefs of the master and the wishes of the client. Some refuse due to the fact that the drugs affect the regeneration of the skin.

Many calmly do without painkillers, as the process is quite tolerable, and is completely tolerated without additional drugs.

But in situations where large-scale and long-term work is planned, anesthesia is more likely to be needed.

To use an anesthetic drug or not is an individual decision. Perhaps you wish to fully experience the ritual or just pick up the place where it does not hurt to get a tattoo.

Many have long wanted to get a tattoo, but do not dare: there is an opinion that it is very painful. People often say that it is the fear of unpleasant sensations that stops them.

Let's not dissemble: yes, it will hurt, but how much depends on many factors.

There is a theory that a person gets a tattoo at a certain time in his life - when he wants to change himself, the attitude of those around him and the world around him. Therefore, for him, in fact, it is not so important what kind of drawing it will be, in what place and how much it will hurt. It's more of an act of self-expression.

Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been tattooing for about 20 years

We talked to experts and found out what they depend on and how to minimize them so that the cherished tattoo does not cause much discomfort.

Why getting a tattoo hurts

Often we can get a scratch or a small cut without feeling any pain. Why doesn't this work with tattoos? In this case, it all depends on the pigment: how exactly it gets under the skin and what path the paint molecules take, penetrating into the tissue.

Human skin has two layers:

The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin, which is less sensitive and constantly renews itself.
The dermis is the second layer, which is located under the epidermis and is not capable of noticeable renewal. The dermis contains various glands, hair follicles, blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as sensory cells and receptors that the epidermis does not have. They are responsible for pain.

When paint molecules penetrate the dermis, receptor cells send pain signals to the brain, telling us that the body is damaged and something threatens our safety. This is a vital function. But it's one thing when it's a single signal (for example, a climber injured his arm while clinging to a rock), and another thing is when this whole series of 80-150 pulses per second (during tattooing). In the latter case, this is evidence of increased danger for the brain. And such a state, by definition, cannot be painless for everything. However, experts believe that the widespread opinion about unbearable pain is not entirely justified.

The depth of penetration of the needles under the skin is so small that a tattoo can be compared with an abrasion when falling on asphalt in terms of the severity of skin damage. Many women say that epilation is much more painful.

Where is the most painful place to get a tattoo?

Each part of the body reacts differently to the tattoo artist's needle. It all depends on the characteristics of the structure of the skin and the concentration of nerve endings in it.

Choosing a place for a tattoo and trying to avoid acute pain, they are usually guided by principles that apply in ordinary life. It is more painful where the bones and tendons are located closer to the surface of the skin (ribs, wrists, knees, elbows) or where the skin is more delicate (armpits, folds of the arms and legs, inner thighs).
Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been tattooing for about 20 years

Here are the most painful parts of the body for a tattoo:

ribs and chest;
head;
inner surface of the thigh;
the inner surface of the shoulder near the elbow;
Feet;
inner surface of the wrist;
fingers;
armpits.

Yurchenko Yuliay/Shutterstock.com

1. Ribs and chest

Tattoo artists and people with tattoos recognize that this is one of the most painful places. The increased feeling of pain is due to the fact that there is no thick or muscle on the chest that would soften the sensations from needle pricks.

Another reason for increased pain is that with each inhalation and exhalation, the ribs move slightly. Because of this, the discomfort increases every time the needle touches the surface of the skin, which does not get used to pain after several injections, as on other parts of the body.

However, the worst begins after the session. If in most cases the discomfort disappears after an hour or two, then in this case they persist much longer. Sometimes people may experience constant pain for six or more hours.

It hurts the most on the ribs, nipples and, I think, the skull. I have a lot of tattoos, including on the ribs under the heart. This was where it hurt the most. I did not tattoo with a typewriter, like most people, but in the old way - with a bamboo stick. A lot depends on this too.

Irina Saratova has been tattooing for 15 years

2. Head

The abundance of nerves and a slight fat layer makes this part of the body one of the most painful for a tattoo. Some salon clients complain that it feels like they are drilling into your skull. For those who still want to decorate their head with a pattern, tattoo artists are advised to overcome the psychological and physical pain barriers.

3. Inner thigh

Getting a tattoo here is painful for physiological reasons: when walking, one leg rubs against the other, which interferes with the rapid healing of the wound and causes it on the skin.

Contrary to popular belief, most women endure pain. better than men. Probably, there are some mechanisms that help to endure childbirth.
Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been tattooing for about 20 years

4. The inner surface of the shoulder near the elbow

Two of the three main nerve endings of the human body are located in this place, which is why it hurts like hell to get a tattoo here. Each time the needle touches a nerve, pain is felt throughout the arm. In other words, one gets the impression that you are getting a tattoo on its entire surface at once, driving dozens of needles under the skin at the same time.

5. Feet

There is no fat or muscle on the feet, and in most places the skin is wrapped around the bone. As a result, the nerves in this area are exposed and especially sensitive.

6. Inner surface of the wrist

Most people opt for word tattoos or designs that require constant needle-to-flesh contact. And it's not the most pleasant experience.

7. Fingers

This is one of the most fashionable places for a tattoo, but to get even the smallest design on your fingers, you have to endure a lot of pain. There are many nerve endings in the hands, since the main purpose of this part of the human body is to feel the world around us.

8. Armpits

Here, many people want to have a tattoo, because if you wish, you can easily hide it from the eyes of others, showing the drawing only when you want. But the problem is that the skin here is especially delicate and sensitive, which increases pain.

It is undesirable to choose one of these places as the first tattoo, as this experience can be sad. To beat a tattoo on especially sensitive parts of the body is for experienced tattooists who perfectly understand what they are doing. For beginners, it is better to choose other places.

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo?

Getting a tattoo on the softest spot (we are talking about your buttocks, of course) is the most comfortable option. But most people are not ready to decorate this part of the body with a pattern, so let's move on to those places where the tattoo looks more advantageous.

Someone with a reduced tolerance for pain will experience less pain when tattooed on the following body parts:

outer surface of the thigh;
forearm;
caviar;
back.

1. Outer thigh

In this place, a thick fatty layer and rougher skin, which minimizes pain.

2. Forearm

Perhaps one of the most popular places for tattoos. Stuffing a drawing on the shoulder is not very painful: you quickly get used to the discomfort, and the wound process in the vast majority of cases passes quickly and without complications.

There is a misconception that small drawings are much less painful than large ones. I disagree, since in the first case the master has to work with one small area, why skin it becomes more irritated.
Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been tattooing for about 20 years

3. Caviar

This part of the body consists entirely of soft tissue, which acts as a kind of buffer for needle pricks.

4. Back

The skin on the back is thick and there are not as many nerve endings as in other areas. Moreover, lying on his stomach, a person relaxes, which also reduces pain during a tattoo session.

If the tattoo involves a small amount of work, then in fact most of the body is quite tolerant of injections: arms, legs, stomach, back. Here you need to understand that everyone is different: what is damn painful for one, for the second is just a slight injection. For me personally, the most painless places are the buttocks, calves and forearm. When I get a tattoo there, it feels like my cat is just slowly and tediously scratching the same place.
Irina Saratova has been tattooing for 15 years

How long will you have to endure pain in a tattoo session

As we mentioned at the very beginning, pain sensations directly depend on the time during which receptor cells send pain signals to the brain. It is in your interest to keep the session as short as possible. However, its duration is also affected by the complexity of the work, the qualifications of the master and other external factors.

There are generally accepted rules: a professional will not tattoo you for more than three to four hours. If it is not possible to complete all the work during this time, he will appoint additional sessions.

A tattoo is often more scary than painful. In the process of application, the sensations are sharp for the first 10–15 minutes, then the body gets used to it and for the next three hours it quite calmly endures “suffering”. Therefore, the session usually does not last longer than four hours, although everything is individual.
Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been tattooing for about 20 years

To reduce pain during the session, it is recommended to use painkillers (for example, TKTX, Dr. Numb, Painless Tattoos Cream). They are suitable if you are doing a large tattoo. Before buying, be sure to consult with the master - he will tell you which tool is suitable for your case.

Feeling less pain also helps with the right attitude. During the session, you need to calm down and deeply. Calling a friend for support or listening to your favorite music can help you feel more at ease.

How long after the tattoo session will the pain be felt

The most intense pain from having special ink injected under your skin usually lasts during the tattoo session and several hours after it. Perceptible pain can persist for several days (up to a week). After that, it should get easier.

If after seven days the pain does not subside, and the part of the body on which the tattoo appeared pulsates and looks reddened, this is a cause for concern. You should see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure there is no infection or take action if necessary.