What does getting a tattoo feel like?
I told my therapist the other day, “I really enjoy getting tattooed, not just getting tattoos- that probably means something clinically that I’m subconsciously thinking-“
“No, not at all,” she goes. “It’s not harm you’re doing to your body, so it can easily be a form of self-care.”
Huh, I thought. It is a form of self-care. But why? Why do some people jump at the thought of the tattoo gun touching their skin (tattoo artists included), and others find it meditative? I suppose it comes down to pain tolerance.
Nonetheless, here is what I think getting a tattoo feels like.
[A statement from a young person who first tattooed herself at 15 (not an expert- simply was an angsty teen with a tattoo needle and ink) and got 20 [professional] tattoos over the last five years- take it for what it’s worth]
Hi, it’s me, Brooke 😊
Quick Answer
Personally, I don’t think tattoos “hurt”. I actually find them quite relaxing and meditative. Since the tattoo gun is so repetitive, I seem to fall into this state of relaxation, even tiredness. And no, it’s not “I’m about to pass out so I’m going to go to bed” pain, at least for me.
Fun story: I fell asleep at the table during my sternum piece (full color) at a tattoo convention because I was so tired.
I’d say it feels like the typical cat scratch, but that time your cat scratched you and the claw got a little bit stuck so it grabbed your skin. Ouch. That hurt to write. Especially for someone who’s saying tattoos aren’t bad. Anyways… my point is that it’s not a pain, its more of a burn.
People often compare getting tattooed to cat scratches and sunburn, which you’ll see is a popular response with the public.
If you’re committed to getting a tattoo, then the pain is just a mere blip in the experience. It shouldn’t scare you off from getting one, although it is helpful to know what to expect. Know that pain thresholds are different for everyone, so one opinion might be completely different than yours.
Think, do I have a high pain tolerance? How bad did it hurt when I stubbed my toe the other day? How bad did it hurt when I got my ears pierced? Am I squeamish with needles for bloodwork or do I breeze by? Your answers will probably clue you in.
First of all, it depends where
How bad a tattoo actually hurts depends on what part of your body gets inked.
So far I’ve had tattoos on both of my arms (all over), sternum, back of my neck, thigh, ankle, foot, and hand. I’ve tattooed myself (stick & poke, once again, angsty teen) on my hand, inner/upper arm, wrist, ankle, and I’ve used a tattoo gun on my foot.
Sensitive areas with less fat are likely to hurt more, such as hands, feet, spine, elbow, etc.
Tattoo Gun or Stick & Poke?
One thing I can say for sure is that the pain differs greatly depending on if I’m giving the tattoo or not. Also, consider the fact that when I tattooed myself it was stick and poke, which I’d say hurts considerably more (since it takes a heck of a lot longer). A tattoo gun is quick and monotonous, unlike stick and poke where you can feel each sensation.
The level of experience your tattoo artist also has a lot to do with how much a tattoo hurts. Speed adjustments on the tattoo machine and inserting the needling too deeply are two mistakes tattoo artists make that lead to more painful tattoos. Overall? Make sure your artist know what they’re doing.
I Asked the Internet What Getting a Tattoo Feels Like
But my opinion isn’t satisfactory enough for me to feel comfortable hitting “Publish” for this blog post. So I asked the internet. Here are some of the responses I got as to what getting a tattoo feels like:
“Like a prolonged cat scratch. Being scratched by jagged nails.”
“It feels like I need to solidify my will” (from a tattoo artist)
“Rip out a little hair on your arm, it’s the same idea.”
“Nonstop bee sting.”
“I’m the worst for this cause my answer is literally “it feels like a tattoo”. It’s not like a cat scratch or a sunburn, though maybe similar to both, it feels like it’s own thing. Even going from a machine to a traditional sashibo, a when asked “how’s it feel?”, the response back is always “like a tattoo”. It is distinct and difficult to accurately compare, something that needs to be experienced in order to be understood. At least in my opinion” (from a tattoo artist)
“It’s like an uncomfortable itch you can’t scratch. Like the feeling goes to my toes and i can’t help but feel uncomfy and want to move around.”
“Heart pounding, sterile needle buzzing, chatter in the background. Aspirin, check. Gum? Check. Headphones? Inserted. I’d rather be lost in a playlist at this point. The pain always makes me squirm at first meet between the sterilized needle and my unmarked skin. Accustomed my skin to the back and forth scratching.”
“A mere flesh wound”
“Cat scratch + sunburn!”
“It feels really calming/ centering. painful sometimes but sitting through it just brings my thoughts and everything together.”
“A constant brushburn or beesting.”
“Yummy stings.” (?)
“It’s kinda like really aggressive scratching and poking but the general sensation is pretty much like a brush burn. The worst is when they go over a spot they were just at.”
“A tattoo feels like therapy without seeing a therapist. But physically it just feels like a deep scratch and afterwords a sunburn.”
“When you go to get a dental cleaning and they accidentally pull the tool across your gum.”
My lovely Facebook friends
Well, there you have it. Here’s what getting a tattoo feels like. Now enjoy a photo of my most recent tattoo of the beloved Frida.
