Tattoos have a reputation of hurting badly, but it is not the case for everyone. Pain levels vary from person to person and body fat content. Yes body fat. A tattoo done on a fleshy part of the body usually hurts less than one done on a bony part. For instance, a tattoo around a bicep is less painful than one done on the lower back. The lower back also has a substantial amount of nerve endings that can trigger pain. With all things taken into consideration, the bottom line is still each individual’s pain tolerance.
The amount of pressure applied to the needle and depth of the tattoo should be monitored. Amateur artists can sometimes press too deeply into the skin causing more pain. A tattoo needle should only go in about 1/16th of an inch into the skin. Some signs that an artist has gone too deep are: scarring, bleeding ink, ink underneath the skin, and uneven lines. This can cause undue pain and unsatisfying results. Thick lines that are not composed of several thin lines are usually a sign of amateur work. Take a look at an artist’s book and customer reviews before deciding to have them do your work. Someone with experience will charge more, but will also have the experience to do the job correctly.
Long hours in the chair can also contribute to the amount of pain felt. Larger tattoos require more time. This being said, there is no need for the entire tattoo to be done in one sitting. Pushing your body will only bring pain tolerance levels down. Wait a few days or weeks between sessions to give the body a break. It is also o.k. to ask for a five minute break during the session. Sessions lasting more than a few hours are usually uncomfortable and painful for most people.
