How much do tattoos actually hurt?
 

I am planning to get the first letter of my name on my shoulder area... area opposite to the armpit? Since i heard this spot hurts the least.

My friend told me it did not hurt at all, but she is a girl so it may be different for guys and girls.

So how much does it really hurt relatively? I have had some painful experiences in the past.

Imagine getting sliced with a razor blade over and over, about a thousand times each second for as long as it takes to get the tattoo. If someone said it didn't hurt, they are lying to you, or got a tiny little tattoo with no shading.

I admit, mine didn't hurt so bad at first, while he was doing the lines. In fact, it feels kind of good in between lines, when they wipe away the ink and blood, and add vaseline... I guess it appeals to my sadistic side ;) But after about 6 hours when he was finishing up the shading, holy SHIT that shit hurt!

That said, you are just going to get ONE letter, and the shoulder is definitely less susceptible to pain than some body parts. So you'll be fine. They'll probably be done in half an hour.

After your first tattoo, you will crave the pain. Not a day goes by that I don't think of my next one.. I can't wait! Might be this winter, if I can save up for a trip and another huge painful session :(

it hurts but not enough to make you bitch out and not get it. when the artist does a long line on my arm holy crap i felt it and damn did it ever tingle badly. after a while it gets numb and it doesnt hurt at all, just dont think about it too much and talk to the artist or w/e to get your mind off it.

i think the part that hurt the most for me was my tricep because i have alot of meat there... also when we took few minute breaks and he started again.

Also like what skinnypup said once you get one you crave more!!!!

Depends where the tattoo is. It can feel like razor blades, or like someone poking you with a sharp pencil. If its on bone, it'll hurt. If its on muscle/fat it won't hurt as much unless its a sensitive area (like under your arms).

I have 2 on my spine and both hurt since its basically right on bone.

I have a bunch of piercings and none of my tats hurt as much.

The chest hurt most for me, since yours seems pretty simple you should be in and outta there quick so it wont be too bad

Doesn't hurt.

To each their own, it really depends. I have about 20 something hours of work on my body from arms to chest to leg and I can honestly say none of them hurt and I didn't even break a sweat. I personally really enjoy the feeling and miss it dearly. There are definitely parts that are not as comfy as other parts for example really close to the armpit but even then it was nothing. Don't think size matters too, I'm 5'11 and 150 lbs so im a thin dude. I've seen guys who are huge and roided up get tattoos on their arm and almost start to cry.

If you are just getting a letter, you will be fine. After about 4 hours or so when they are doing the shading, it starts to hurt since its going over the same wound over and over again. Like others have said..I cant wait to get another one.

thanks for the feedback guys

i will post my experience soon

^^
sounds good post pics too! Oh and enjoy, seriously it's just fucking awesome.

I got mine done on the inside of my hip. Like people have said, it depends where you get it. Parts of mine didn't hurt at all (actually tickled from the buzzing) but other parts hurt a lot. I just clenched my jaw and waited for the shading to be done. Mine only took about an hour to do (it's relatively small).

I think the most painful thing for me was while it was healing (my grandmother's dog kept stepping on me while I was sleeping). And then it got itchy lol.

You sound like a pussy. Don't even bother getting one if you're that scared of getting such a small tatoo.

everyone is nervous about their first one.... well most. but after it starts getting done then its fine.

more than you can handle pal

Wow... dude do you a penis ?

If you're that afraid of a bit of pain, you're best not to get a tatoo.

Actually yeah now that I think about it, the days of itching (that you are not supposed to scratch) is actually WAY worse than the few hours of piercing pain.

lol yup the itching is a B*TCH!!! i peeled a bit of mine when it scabbed and it was a dumb move cuz i still have to go back and do touch ups for the peeling i did.

I lucked out. I accidentally ripped off a piece of the scab (it got caught on my jeans), but I didn't have to go back to get it touched up. Not that my uncle would have cared. I can't wait to get my next one though. Still need to finish the design.

You mean masochistic side.

As far as tattoo's hurting -- they probably hurt a bit when you get them, but not nearly as much as when you turn 50 and realize you've covered your sagging body with indecipherable blobs of ink.

Yes, because it's totally inappropriate for anyone over 50 to have tattoos. It means you are going to hell!

You're so thick -- I wasn't passing judgment, but rather pointing out the fact that tattoos do not age well. Plus, what are the chances that at age 60 most people would want some bullshit chinese characters on their back, or an armband made of barbed wire?

That being said, old people with tattoos look like scum.

Compared to this?
Fucking judgmental prick.

It does hurt and depending where you want on the body, the hurt meter varies.
;)

I said I wasn't passing judgment, referring to my previous post which you took out of context (ie., I simply meant that tattoos often deform into incomprehensible blobs).

My next post was very much judgmental, but I think somewhat justified.

The older generations were not generally accepting of tattoos, so they were very much only embraced by fringe groups. Hence, my belief that old people having tattoos is scummy is fair -- as a kid the only old people I saw with tattoos were pretty shady.

Then as a kid, you sure didn't grow up around very many war veterans. Both of my grandfathers proudly served in WW2, and both have tattoos to show for it. Neither of them are shady. And my 50+ year old uncle has tattoos, and he is one of the nicest people I have ever known in my entire life.

And tattoos only turn into incomprehensible blobs if they are not properly cared for for decades - much like skin becomes discolored and wrinkly if not cared for properly. In extreme cases, they can go after a few years. And they can always be touched up anyway.

Please quit spouting off your ignorance and hatred in this otherwise useful thread.