Places where it hurts to get a tattoo. The most painful places for a tattoo

Many people have long wanted to get a tattoo, but are hesitant: 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 lie: yes, it will hurt, but exactly 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 others towards 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 doing tattoos for about 20 years

We talked with experts and found out what they depend on and how to reduce them to a minimum so that the treasured tattoo does not cause much discomfort.

Why does getting a tattoo hurt?

We can often get a scrape or a small cut without feeling any pain. Why doesn't it work out like this with a tattoo? IN in this case it all depends on the pigment: exactly how it gets under the skin and what path the paint molecules take to penetrate the tissue.

Human skin has two layers:

• The epidermis is the outer layer of skin, which is less sensitive and is constantly renewed.
• 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 the ones responsible for painful sensations.

When paint molecules penetrate the dermis, receptor cells send pain signals to the brain, telling us that the body is damaged and that something is threatening 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 when it’s a whole series of 80–150 pulses per second (during tattooing). In the latter case, this is evidence for the brain increased danger. And such a condition, by definition, cannot be painless for everything. However, experts consider the widespread opinion about unbearable pain to be not entirely justified.

The depth of penetration of needles under the skin is so small that a tattoo, in terms of the severity of skin damage, can be compared to an abrasion caused by a fall on asphalt. Many women say that hair removal is much more painful.

Where is the most painful place to get a tattoo?

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

When choosing a place for a tattoo and trying to avoid acute pain, they are usually guided by principles that apply in ordinary life. It hurts more where the bones and tendons are closer to the surface of the skin (ribs, wrists, knees, elbows) or where the skin is more delicate (armpits, crooks of the arms and legs, inner thighs).

Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been doing tattoos for about 20 years

Here are the most painful parts of the body to tattoo:

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

1. Ribs and chest

Tattoo artists and people with tattoos admit that this is one of the most painful places. Enhanced feeling pain is explained by the fact that chest there is no thick tissue or muscle to soften the sensation of needle pricks.

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

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

It hurts most on the ribs, nipples and, I think, the skull. I have a lot of tattoos, including one on my ribs under my heart. It was in this place that it hurt the most. I did the tattoo not with a machine, 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 small layer of fat makes this part of the body one of the most painful for tattoos. 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 design, tattoo artists advise overcoming 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 fast healing wounds and causes on the skin.

Contrary to popular belief, most women tolerate pain better than men. Probably, some mechanisms are at play that help to endure childbirth.

Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been doing tattoos for about 20 years

4. Inner surface of the shoulder near the elbow

This place contains two of the three main nerve endings human body, which makes getting a tattoo here painful as hell. Each time the needle touches a nerve, pain is felt throughout the entire arm. In other words, you get 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 covers the bone. As a result, the nerves in this area are exposed and especially sensitive.

6. Inner wrist

Most people choose word tattoos or designs that require constant needle contact with the flesh. And it's not the most pleasant experience.

7. Fingers

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

8. Armpits

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

It is not advisable to choose one of these places for your first tattoo, as this experience can be sad. Getting tattoos on particularly sensitive parts of the body is for experienced tattooists who understand perfectly well what they are getting into. Beginners are better off choosing other places.

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo?

Getting a tattoo on the softest place (we're 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 design, so let’s move on to those places where the tattoo looks better.

Someone with a low pain tolerance will experience less pain when getting a tattoo on the following parts of the body:

• outer thigh;
• forearm;
• caviar;
• back.

1. Outer thigh

In this place there is a thick layer of fat and more rough skin, which reduces pain to a minimum.

2. Forearm

Perhaps one of the most popular places for tattoos. Getting a design on the shoulder is not very painful: you quickly get used to the unpleasant sensations, and in the vast majority of cases the wound process goes quickly and without complications.

There is a misconception that small drawings are much less painful than large ones. I don’t agree, because in the first case the master has to work with one small area, why skin she becomes more irritated with him.

Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been doing tattoos for about 20 years

3. Caviar

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

4. Back

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

If the tattoo suggests small volume 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 hurts like hell for one person is just a slight prick for another. For me personally, the most pain-free places are the buttocks, calves and forearm. When I 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 during a tattoo session?

As we mentioned at the very beginning, pain sensations are directly dependent on the time during which receptor cells send pain signals to the brain. It is in your best interest to keep the session as short as possible. However, its duration is also influenced 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 within this time, he will schedule additional sessions.

A tattoo is most often more scary than painful. During the application process, the sensations are acute for the first 10–15 minutes, then the body gets used to it and for the next three hours it tolerates the “suffering” quite calmly. Therefore, a session usually does not last longer than four hours, although everything is individual.

Alexander Maryshev, tattoo artist, has been doing tattoos 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 getting a tattoo big size. Before purchasing, be sure to consult with a specialist - he will tell you which product is suitable in your case.

Feeling less pain also helps the right attitude. During the session you need to calm down and deeply. You can call a friend for support or listen to your favorite music - all this will help you feel more at ease.

How long after a tattoo session will pain be felt?

The worst pain from having special ink injected under your skin usually lasts during the tattoo session and for several hours after it. Noticeable pain may persist for several days (up to a week). After this it should become easier.

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

Does it hurt to get a tattoo?

There is no clear answer to this question, and each tattoo owner describes his feelings differently. But the following factors significantly influence pain sensations.

If the fear of upcoming pain is very great and even prevails over the desire to decorate yourself with a tattoo, then there is hardly any need to rush. If you have repeatedly put off going to the salon because you are afraid of pain, then it is likely that your intuition is hinting at the wrong choice of design or a hasty decision. And if you have long and firmly decided to become a tattoo bearer, then no fear of the painfulness of the procedure can stop you.

All about wrist tattoos

You can also get small tattoos that will replace or complement the rings, for example, a massive tiger head or an elegant crescent.

Tattoos on the inside of the wrist can be a little painful, however, girls are increasingly choosing this place for permanent decoration. Here you can get a tattoo phrase, a world map, small heart or…

Rock musician's guitar

From the place where the tattoo was applied. As a rule, some of the most painful areas are those located closer to the bone and also contain a large number of nerve endings. It is believed that the most painful places for tattooing are the genital area, chest, ears and eyes. Neck tattoos are painful to do in the area of ​​the vertebrae, but due to the thin and sensitive skin, the sides and front of the neck may be more painful. Leg tattoos are painful to do in the area of ​​the ankles and feet - due to the small layer of subcutaneous fat and large quantity nerve endings. Wrist tattoos are painful to do in places with thin skin and in the area of ​​the bones. In addition, the areas of the ribs, armpits, elbow and knee joints, and spine are painful. Where is it not painful to get a tattoo? It is believed that the areas of the body that contain the largest layer of fat between the bones and skin are the least painful. The most common places where it doesn't hurt to get a tattoo are the shoulders, since this area contains fat and a small amount of nerve endings. Also, the pain in the calves and buttocks is not severe, although tattoos on these parts are not so common;

The second enemy is your own laziness. Good master will give you a set of instructions for caring for the “new thing”. Follow them strictly because the first two weeks are decisive. Consider it like postoperative period. Will you ride a bike with a non-healed leg? Make no mistake, a tattoo is traumatic. Thousands of injections per minute, penetrating the epidermis and placing pigment into the dermis. Once you have decided, it is better to approach the issue seriously.

On a note

• Skin is living tissue. It changes and stretches. Even with perfect care The tattoo needs to be updated approximately every 3-5 years. It will cost the same as getting a new one. And it will hurt just as much.
• When applying a tattoo, moles are avoided and hidden in the design.
• Hair at the tattoo site continues to grow.
• If you have a scar or scar, it should not go away less than a year after the injury, before the area can be covered with anything.
• You must come to the session sober, well-fed and well-rested. You shouldn’t drink the day before either: it will hurt more, the bleeding will increase, and the healing process will slow down.
• Mild fever and dizziness after a tattoo session are normal, and this is the only by-effect(except for pain and swelling), which is possible if all sanitary conditions and care rules are met.
• Between sessions on the same zone (for example, if you are doing a “sleeve”), at least two weeks.
• You can remove 90–95% of a tattoo with a laser. It will be more painful, longer and more expensive than the tattoo itself.

Mini style guide

Other factors influencing the pain of getting a tattoo.

• Needle configuration Modern equipment is no less important.
• Duration of the session. The more time a specialist spends on work, the more stress the body experiences. Optimal time, during which the client will feel most comfortable - up to 5 hours.

It is believed that the areas of the body that contain the largest layer of fat between the bones and skin are the least painful. The most common places where it is not painful to get a tattoo are the shoulders, since this area contains a layer of fat and a small number of nerve endings. There is also not much pain in the calves and buttocks, although tattoos are not so common on these parts.

The question of whether it hurts to get a tattoo plagues not only those who are just about to decorate their body with a tattoo, but also those who have already gone through one procedure and are determined to get another part of the body.

Yes, if this is not your first time on our website, then you know that the section describes in detail where it is most painful to get a tattoo. However, the body part is not the only criterion for how strong the sensations you will receive during the procedure. When answering the question of whether it hurts to get a tattoo, you need to pay attention to the following factors.

I Experience and qualifications of the master

This is perhaps the main and most obvious factor that can affect the pain of the process. The artist must not only be able to transfer the sketch well to the body, but also be able to use pain-relieving ointments and pause if necessary. For various types The drawings are suitable, and all this affects the sensations.

II Place for tattoo

As we have said before, a lot depends on the part of the body on which the tattoo is tattooed. If the sensations on the chest or arms are quite moderate, then during the procedure on the eyelids, feet, armpits, or even it may seem that you are in hell. The degree of sensation in a particular area of ​​the body depends on two main aspects:

• the number of nerve endings located in a given area;
• the amount of meat or fat between the skin and the bone (the closer the skin is to the bone, the more painful it is to get a tattoo)

Of course, any pain can be endured, and a little later we will give some tips on how best to do this. But, if you are too sensitive, think twice before scoring ultra-sensitive areas of the skin.

III Pain threshold

It is no secret that all people have their own degree of sensitivity to pain. It is believed that men endure any discomfort more steadfastly, which is logical. Therefore, representatives of the fair sex are mainly interested in the question of whether it hurts to get a tattoo. In any case, pain tolerance develops over time and can be trained, so if the first tattoo was difficult for you, then the third one will not bring much discomfort.

Pain map tattoo

IV Duration of the procedure

The more complex the tattoo, the more time it will take to implement it. To draw all the small details or paint over a solid surface, the master will have to work on the same area for some time. This involuntarily leads to the fact that this zone irritated by the needle, which certainly increases pain. That is why great work are distributed over several visits to the tattoo artist. You can always take a break and finish the work while the skin heals.
These are the main factors that influence how painful it is to get a tattoo. If you're still afraid and unsure whether to subject your body to such stress, here are some tips on how to ease the sensation.

Internal mood

Don't burden yourself with pain. A tattoo is far from the most severe thing that we have to endure every day. Muscle pain after sports training, sensations during hair removal, childbirth, in the end - in comparison, the sensations during tattooing are more like tickling.

Music, cinema, TV series, books

Usually one session takes several hours, and when we are not busy with anything, we involuntarily begin to concentrate on our sensations. Therefore, the most logical thing in this situation is to simply distract yourself. Believe me, the master will only be happy if you occupy yourself with books or music. I don't think there are artists who like to chat while working. Therefore, do not hesitate to use any methods that will entertain you, but will not distract the tattoo artist.

Pain relief methods

Some salons offer clients the service general anesthesia for the duration of the session. This procedure is associated with some risk, so it is best to avoid it if possible, and there is no great need for it. Today, every professional tattoo artist uses special tattoo ointments, gels and sprays based on benzocaline and lidocaine during work, which not only reduce pain, but also reduce skin irritation.

Stay on your toes

Before visiting a tattoo parlor, you need to sleep, have lunch, and take a shower. You should not come to the master tired, sweaty and hungry. Under no circumstances should you drink alcohol or drugs before a session (and never, ever). All this is not only unpleasant for the artist, but also directly affects the sensations during the procedure and, most importantly, the healing process after it.

Do you know other ways to deal with pain? Share in the comments. Finally I will say that the best remedy combating discomfort - endorphin is a happiness hormone secreted by our body. The joy that a well-made tattoo brings us is enough to endure any torment!

The desire to have a cherished design on your body can be overshadowed by the fear of the procedure for applying it. Tattoo pain map will help you understand the degree discomfort in one place or another and make the right choice.

The idea of ​​self-expression through tattoos is quite strong for many people, so they are willing to go through some tests to make their dreams come true. The degree of pain is a relative concept, so you shouldn’t give up your desire because of childhood fear: just study the pain map.

To ensure that getting a tattoo does not turn into torture, and the result does not lead to disappointment, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations experienced craftsmen, medical consultants and advice from psychologists.

The most sensitive areas of the body

For beginners who are just going to the salon to apply their cherished tattoo, there is an unshakable rule: you need to start with a small sketch. And not only: study the pain map and the list of anesthetics.

Printing a large pattern takes a long time. In addition, the risk of affecting those areas of the body that are indicated on the pain map as very painful increases.

Therefore, the client must objectively assess what period he can endure, and what period he no longer has the strength (and possibly the means) to endure. If you dream of a whole panorama with many details, you should start with a small independent fragment that can be continued if necessary.

• Least painful
  The areas that will cause the least pain are those that have a hard epidermis, sufficient fat layer, muscle area and distant nerve endings. These places include the shoulders, forearms, inner elbow, buttocks, lower back, legs in the calves, etc. The sensations during the procedure can be described as minor tingling and mild discomfort.
• Moderate
  Such areas include the back, abdomen, thigh, collarbone, scapula, etc. It is worth noting that the collarbone area consists of a section of skin that covers the bone without a fat layer. Dull pain is due to the absence of a large number of nerve endings, so the picture is here hurts more than tattoos on the thigh or outer forearm.
• Most painful
  These places include hands, feet, knees, elbows, ribs, nipples, neck, head, etc. The skin here practically covers the bones, there is no or very little fat layer, and the nerve endings come close to the epidermis. That is why beginners are advised to be very careful when choosing these places on the skin for tattoos. Attention should be paid to the place in the center of the contour upper lip, in the corners of the lips and eyes when performing tattooing. These areas are considered the most sensitive.

The degree of pain in each individual case is individual. It’s not even a matter of gender, although in the case of tattoos, men’s pain threshold is considered much higher than women’s.

Pain Map for Guys

Each person perceives external influences based on the characteristic characteristics of his body. The decisive factors are the location of the nerve endings, the amount of fat, the degree of skin density and its resistance to temperature changes. All this has serious physiological implications.

Yet the most important factor is fear. If you defeat him with the help of self-hypnosis and tune in to fulfilling your cherished desires, then you will leave the tattoo parlor truly happy. As practice shows, a very small percentage of people are limited to one tattoo, so the pursuit of happiness is a contagious process.

Video about the most painful places for tattoos

As a rule, salon visitors decide on a place for a tattoo even earlier than on the design and color. However, if you have a rough idea of ​​WHAT to apply, but don’t yet know WHERE, there is a fairly clear set of criteria and details that can prompt you to make a decision. Where does it hurt to get a tattoo and how to decide on the area to be applied? Now we'll tell you.

The first step is to decide on the meaning of your future tattoo. And here the most important thing is what kind of meaning you specifically put into it. Then answer the question: do you want to show off your tattoo to others? Places for tattoos are divided into open - those that are difficult to hide, and closed - those that are visible only when you want it.

For example, a tattoo on the face will always attract attention, most likely negative. Such experiments are characteristic of extraordinary, extravagant people who are ready to challenge society and are not afraid of the reactions of others.

There are also borderline options, such as the neck or lower leg. In this case, the tattoo will peek out from under the clothes, which often causes interest. Conservative places for tattoos The chest, stomach, shoulders, back and feet are considered.

Many fans of the art of body painting disagree and ignore such a property of tattoos as practicality, although, in my opinion, for most this is extremely important. Unfortunately, we live in a world of stereotypes where a tattoo or piercing can cause problems at work or in the family. Therefore, before applying an image to an open part of the body, make sure that this will not create unnecessary obstacles for you.

The second important criterion, especially for girls, is the pain of the tattooing process. You can read about this in detail in the article, but now let’s say that the most painful places for a tattoo can be considered the face, ribs, area behind the ear, stomach and some parts of the back. In general, this moment is individual and the degree of pain perception is different for each person.

I consider aesthetics to be the most important parameter. The plot that you are going to transfer to the body should look perfect on the body. Here it is worth taking everything into account: size, color, shape, various effects. Therefore, before the master starts working, do a test translation and evaluate how correctly you have chosen the place for the tattoo.

In this section, we evaluate places for tattoos according to the three most important criteria from our point of view. We bring to your attention the final table with the results. Already chosen a place? Write where you decided to get a tattoo!

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