Talisman

You’re sitting down for your first tattoo and you hear the hum of the tattoo machine as it starts.

You’re still taking in the sights so you don’t really pay it much attention. But as the artist brings it closer to your skin, its pitch seems to get higher and higher and you suddenly remember that a cluster of needles are going to be repeatedly puncturing your skin for at least half an hour!

Now you’re breaking out into a cold sweat and you get that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. You put on a nervous smile and start making small talk, thinking that you can distract yourself.

But all the while the only thing running through your mind is, ‘It’s gonna hurt, it’s gonna hurt, it’s gonna hurt’.

And this is normal. Absolutely normal.

Whether you are a gruff war veteran or a wide-eyed teenager, there’ll always be the anxiety that comes from anticipation. (Actually, the only people who don’t worry are women who’ve given birth … because they know that nothing can be as bad as that! ).

But then the tattooing begins …

And after a minute or two the pain subsides, your skin starts becoming numb, and you find yourself relaxing.

What’s the secret? Why do tattoos hurt less than we think they will?

The secret lies within your beautiful body which loves you very very much.

You see, it loves you so much that it produces these wonderful things called endorphins: its very own version of morphine.

Yes, these are the little buddies (proteins to be precise) that give you that elated feeling after a tiring jog, gratifying sex, meaningful meditation, or fruitful acupuncture. They are the closest you can come to getting high legally.

And since one of their roles is to control pain, endorphins are why after a few minutes of tattooing you begin to unwind and embrace the process.

And equally important: they are what make tattooing so addictive. If you’ve ever heard someone say how they actually ‘like’ the pain involved in getting tattooed … it’s the endorphins speaking.

OK, but how much does it hurt, really?

Getting tattooed has been likened to experiences ranging from a light scratching sensation to a bee sting. Some people say it hurts all the way through, while others actually fall asleep during the process. It will all depend on you, so there’s no way to really find out except to go ahead and get one.

But here are some factors to consider:

1. Your tolerance to pain: You know how you usually react to pain. That’s most probably how you’ll react to getting tattooed. So if a mild bruise makes your day come to a standstill, then getting a tattoo will be a challenge (one you can meet nonetheless).
2. Your anticipation of the pain: Many people work themselves up way more than usual, causing their blood sugar levels to drop, which can leave them feeling dizzy/clammy/uncomfortable. This isn’t really a problem though. A small break and some electrolyte-filled juice will sort things out.
3. The location of your tattoo: The less flesh on the area you get tattooed, the more it is said to hurt. So theoretically, getting tattoos on your hands, feet, ankles, ribs, lower back, and groin will hurt more than getting tattoos on your shoulders, upper arms, outer thighs, etc. 
4. The skill of your artist: An untrained artist can go too deep with the tattoo needle, causing unnecessary pain and serious skin damage. This is one of reasons why you should only go to reputed artists. 

There are ways to control the pain, but…

There are creams and medicines on the market that can numb the pain you feel while getting tattooed. But tattoo artists don’t usually recommend them (we certainly don’t).

This is because most of these drugs thin the blood, affect blood flow, or change the skin’s shape and/or texture.

And all this affects the quality of the tattoo you get.

The point is: it’s not about the pain

The takeaway point here is that you need to focus on the tattoo, not the pain.

If you’re getting a tattoo that has meaning for you, the pain doesn’t matter. You are marking yourself for life and that can be a beautiful, exhilarating, almost spiritual process.

Focus on that. Anticipate that.

Find a skilled artist and choose a design that you resonate with; the endorphins will take care of the rest.