Tattoos are becoming more and more popular across the world, but getting inked isn’t a comfortable experience. It’s always painful wherever you choose, although the pain is worse in some areas of the body than others.
The machine is full of tiny needles that pierce the skin repeatedly, dropping ink with every puncture – which is why it’s so sore. If you’re thinking of getting your first tattoo, or one in a new area, a tattoo artist has revealed the most painful places to get inked, and some tips to cope with the pain.
Most painful places to get a tattoo
“It is important to realize that any tattoo hurts, and to not go to your appointment with false expectations. With that being said, there are definitely some areas that hurt more than others,” Mentor Dedham said.
According to the tattoo artist at LL Tattoo, a studio in Switzerland, these are the five most painful places to get a tattoo.
1. Gentitals
Top of the list is genital tattoos, which are regarded the most painful due to the number of nerve endings in the area, which can send pain signals throughout the entire body. The skin is also very thin, which makes it incredibly sore.
2. Armpit
Next up is the armpit, which is a notoriously painful area for the same reasons, thin skin and lots of nerve endings, making it very sensitive. On top of that, it’s very close to the lymph nodes, which causes further discomfort, and healing is difficult as it’s an area that’s constantly moving.
3. Ribcage
Third on the list is the ribcage, which is a very popular place to get inked. When the needle hits the ribs, it causes a sharp pain because there’s hardly any flesh there. The rib area also expands and contracts with your breathing, heightening pain when combined with the vibrations of the needle.
4. Elbows and knees
Another painful place is elbows and knees, because there isn’t much muscle or fat. This means the tattoo needle gets very close to the bone, which hurts a lot. The skin is very tough here too and not very elastic, and frequent movement makes healing difficult in the same way as the armpit.
5. Hands and feet
The fifth most tender area to get inked is hands and feet, especially the palms and soles. Again, they are very thin and have a lot of nerve endings, while also being subject to movement which complicates the healing process.
“If you’re getting your first tattoo, some of the less painful areas are your outer forearm and upper arm, as they are fleshy areas that are low on nerve endings,” Dedaj added.
Tips to cope with the pain
If you are worried about the pain, here are some things the tattoo artist recommends doing to help you cope.
- Eat before and during your tattoo: Having an empty stomach can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy. Drinking fizzy drinks and eating sugary snacks helps as this raises your blood sugar levels.
- Get a good night’s sleep: A well-rested body will be able to cope with the stress and pain better, so it’s important to sleep well the night before your tattoo.
- Use a numbing cream: Numbing creams or sprays can take the edge off while getting inked, as they temporarily block the nerve signals in the skin.
This information was provided by tattoo artists at LL Tattoo, a studio in Bern, Switzerland.
