Customs of self-identification have long been rooted in world cultures. By applying symbols to the body, people not only expressed their individuality, but also determined their belonging to a particular tribe, belief system or caste. In the modern interpretation, little has changed. Unless the procedure itself has become more accessible and has become widespread. For people who decide to take this step for the first time, one question most often arises: how painful is this process, and how to reduce pain?
Do you always feel pain?
The formation of pain sensitivity limits is influenced by many internal and external factors. This is a personal pain threshold, and the state of he alth at the time of the tattoo, and the place of application, as well as the scope of work and the duration of a single session. Arriving at a tattoo parlor sleepy, hungry or tired, you risk getting much more pain than under normal circumstances.
Therefore, before you dare to modify your body, study the approximate map of pain, analyze your condition andsoberly assess your own capabilities. There is only one truth: regardless of gender, age and degree of “downtroddenness”, tattooing hurts everyone and always. It's just a matter of intensity and how to reduce the pain.
Pain Map
This is a kind of "guide" to the pain points of the human body. It is based on the anatomical features of the female and male organisms. Three factors play a special role in the pain map:
- proximity of bone tissue location;
- skin thickness;
- number of nerve endings and blood vessels.
These indicators are more or less stable and the same for everyone. The subjective factor is the content of subcutaneous fat, as well as the volume and elasticity of the muscles. In women, the height of the pain threshold at individual points depends on the menstrual cycle: the closer it is to its completion, the more painful the procedure will be perceived. Therefore, it is better to plan a trip to the master so that he falls for the first two weeks.
The following areas are considered the most painful:
- knee and elbow joints;
- ribs;
- chest and underbust area;
- front of neck;
- head (forehead, temples, crown);
- wrists and ankles;
- brushes;
- coccyx;
- along the spine;
- inner thighs;
- intimate areas.
If you have no experience yet, and you are just going to get a drawing on the body, when choosing a "canvas" be guided by the followingclassification. To better explore your own pain potential, start with less sensitive areas. Overestimating the capabilities of the body, you will only create problems for yourself and the master.
Does it hurt to get a tattoo: reviews
Due to life experience, everyone develops their own associative array regarding the impact of the needle on the skin. For some, the procedure is similar to acupuncture, for others it resembles electroacupuncture. Someone compares a tattoo by the nature of pain with epilation, and someone - with scratching with a dull blade.
However, most agree that the duration of the session affects the sensations. At first, out of habit, the pain is felt acutely. Then you get used to it. But if you have to sit for a long time, it starts to seem like a little more - and you will crash dead. Often this is the result of psychosomatic reactions. It is known that color tattoos are more painful than black and white ones. Clients often complain about the soreness of finishing touches. For example, from creating highlights with white paint.
Preparing for a tattoo
To make tattooing bring a minimum of discomfort, follow simple recommendations. Their execution partly determines whether the tattoo will hurt.
- Sleep well. Poor or insufficient sleep is the culprit for low blood pressure and fainting.
- Drink more water. The day before the scheduled procedure, normalize the water balance, based on the parameters of the body. Moisturized skin adheres better to paint.
- Stay away from blood-thinning foods. Suchproducts threaten excessive blood loss during the session. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol. Aspirin is also advised to refrain.
- Prepare your skin. If you have a dry skin type, it is recommended to start using moisturizers a week in advance. It is unacceptable to come to the session if you have sunburn.
- Eat well. To minimize the risk of passing out, a nutritious lunch should be provided. Feeling hungry, a person is prone to a drop in pressure and dizziness. If your session is going to be long, bring a snack with you.
Tattoos on arms
For representatives of both sexes, the most popular "canvas" are hands. Does it hurt to get a tattoo in this place? There is no single answer. The anatomy of the hands is complex and each area has its own sensitivity.
- Wrists. Most often, girls become the owners of drawings on this part of the body. Small images of initial complexity are used as thumbnails. As a rule, these are symbols and pictograms. Despite the fact that the skin here is thin, the coverage area is small, so you simply do not have time to howl in pain. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on your wrist? Tolerable.
- Brushes. In addition to the fact that the skin is thin, it is located close to the bones. It also contains many nerve endings. Girls prefer to fill small patterns on the phalanges, but boys prefer massive sketches on the entire back of the hand. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on the hand? Large drawings hurt.
- Forearms. The muscles in this part of the body are more developed, and the skin is thicker. On the inside, you can't reach the bones. But on the side faces, the sensations are slightly unpleasant. The painfulness of the procedure often depends on the scale of the work: if you stuff a half-sleeve, then be prepared for the fact that at one moment the pain will make itself felt. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on the forearm? Tolerable.
Tattoos on legs
The second most popular place to decorate was the legs. The option is convenient for those who, on occasion, want to hide their tattoos from prying eyes. On the question of whether it hurts to get a tattoo on the leg, there is no consensus, as in the case of hands.
- Hips. Anatomically, girls tend to be more tolerant of pain when working with a needle in this part of the body. The reason for this is estrogen and a higher content of subcutaneous fat. But for both women and men, tattoos on the inner thigh remain invariably painful. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on the thighs? Tolerable/painful (inner surface)
- Shins. Depending on which surface the pattern is stuffed on - back or side, the pain syndrome varies greatly. Since the back is protected by the calf muscles, the procedure feels more than bearable. The situation is different with the front part, because the skin is much thinner and closer to the bones. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on the lower leg? Tolerable.
- Knees. Tattoos in this place are a relative rarity. The reason is simple: the concentration of nerve nodes, coupled with ultra-thin skin. Does it hurt to get a knee tattoo? More like!
Upper Body Tattoos
Getting a pattern on the upper torso is a bold decision. Typical for extroverted natures who will not miss the opportunity to show off a unique sketch.
- Clavicles. Girls love tattoos in this place, they look neat and feminine. Often these are simple but elegant images. Despite the small coverage area, the process of applying paint here can seem very painful, because the bones show through from under the skin. The only good thing is that it doesn't last long. Does it hurt to get a collarbone tattoo? It hurts.
- Neck. As in the case of brushes, the approach to applying a tattoo on the neck for guys and girls is different: for the first, this is often a continuation of the tattoo on the chest with a high density of clogging, while the second is content with small, neat drawings. On the front and back surfaces, the sensitivity also differs in favor of the latter. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on the neck? Tolerable/painful.
- Head. Option for the most courageous. For a tattoo in such a place, you need to be prepared both mentally and physically. The skin here is thin everywhere, and the concentration of nerve endings rolls over. Does it hurt to get a tattoo on your head? It hurts terribly.
How to relieve pain
First of all, you need to prepare your body. Then you should put your thoughts in order, because during a panic, all feelings, including pain, become aggravated. You can invite a friend along to make things feel less stressful. A good master is usually friendly himself, which helps to relax. If you feel that the pain becomes unbearable, take a break. As a rule, large-scale drawings are divided into several stages with a weekly interval. If you are completely intolerant of pain, use local anesthetics. Good tattoo studios have drugs in their arsenal.
Ointments and sprays work equally well:
- Dr. Numb;
- Tattoo soothe;
- Face and Body Professionals.
During the procedure, try not to concentrate on the measured buzzing of the machine and not to watch how drops of blood appear. Chat, listen to music, scroll through the tape. The main thing is not to get hung up on your own body.
