Pain is synonymous with getting a tattoo. The larger the tattoo and the more intricate the design, the more pain you’ll have to endure. But, getting permanent and symbolic body art is something that any amount of pain is worth enduring. If it is your first time getting a tattoo, talk to people who have been through the process, or to a professional tattoo artist. Try to discern the experience and ask for pointers on how to make the process less painful. Here are some tips that could help you better cope with pain.
As the leading retailer in tattoo numbing products, we offer a range of creams, aftercare soaps and more. Our signature tattoo numbing cream will numb the area you are about to get tattooed, ensuring that you can completely relax during your session. Walk into your next tattoo appointment with confidence because you know it will be pain-free. Order tattoo numbing cream online now!
Consider The Location Of Your Tattoo
People have different levels of pain tolerances, so learning how to minimise tattoo pain with careful location consideration can pay dividends. Pain from tattooing is generally tolerable. However, some areas of the body are more painful to tattoo than others and this opinion can vary from person to person. Areas near bones like knees, hands, feet, head, neck and rib cage are more sensitive. The least painful areas to tattoo are the buttocks, arms, thighs and shoulders where the bone is amply padded with flesh.
Wearing Loose Clothes To Minimise Tattoo Pain
Choose to wear loose and thin clothing for the session, especially if the tattoo is going to be covered. Not only will this prevent tattoo pain, but also minimise the chances of further frustration, such as itchiness, infection etc. after completing your session.
Examples of possible solutions during a tattoos healing process is to wear sleeveless t-shirts or tank tops. If the tattoo is going to be on your thigh, wear baggy bottoms, or shorts.
Drink Plenty Of Water & Stay Hydrated
Another method of ensuring a tattoo is as pain-free as possible is to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, not just during the application, but beforehand and afterwards too. Well-hydrated skin is easier to work on and will hasten the process, cutting short the painful part of getting a tattoo!
Avoid Alcohol A Day Or Two Before Your Tattoo
It may seem like a strange tip to minimise tattoo pain, but ensuring there is no alcohol within your system during your tattoo session can be hugely beneficial. Firstly, there is a large chance the artist will refuse to begin tattooing if aware of a customers intake of alcohol, due to the life long commitment of a tattoo and drunken decisions.
Secondly, alcohol thins the blood, increasing the risk of bleeding heavily, not generally a reason to stop tattooing, depending on the amount, but should be avoided where necessary.
Eat Before A Session
Simply put, hunger causes faintness, pain causes faintness, the two together can be a recipe for disaster. There is a wide list of reasons as to why a healthy diet can be beneficial for your lifestyle, and this is no different for tattoo sessions. To minimise tattoo pain, be sure to have eaten a nice, hearty meal an hour or two before.
Avoid Movement & Relax To Reduce Pain
It may seem like common sense to most, but during long sessions, you may feel the urge to scratch an itch, adjust how you’re sitting and more, but this can be detrimental to your tattooing experience. Avoid too much movement or wiggling while the artist is at work.
Too much movement will distract tattoo artists from their application process, thus lengthening the session, and increasing the pain. Think twice before placing your tattoo in an especially tickly area of your body, or make the artist aware before moving; they’ll understand.
Lie down, put your feet up, get comfortable. Breathe in and breathe out. Think of a luxurious spa or falling asleep at the beach (easier said than done). Relaxed muscles and skin are more pliable and easier to work on than tensed and stiff skin.
Call For Breaks If Needed
As one of the most forgotten aspects of a tattooing session is calling for a break. Minimising tattoo pain can be as simple as asking the artist for a timeout. Some may see this as frowned upon or a less tough option, but breaks are in fact, totally normal.
If your tattoo involves intricate detailing or is large scale, breaks may even be a necessity in achieving the art you’re looking for, as the hours of sheer concentration can be gruelling for artists and customers alike.
Minimising Tattoo Pain During Aftercare
Listen when the tattoo artist gives you aftercare instructions, it is for your own good. Follow the medication regimen, avoid water and the sun and keep your new tat clean and aired. Our product range is designed to make aftercare as easy as it is painless, view our range today.