Tattoo Pain Guide: What It Feels Like and How to Cope

Tattoos hurt, but plenty of people handle them: about a third of U.S. adults have at least one, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. How much it hurts depends mostly on where the tattoo goes, how long the session runs, and how rested and calm you are. This guide covers what to expect and what actually helps.

How much do tattoos hurt?

For most people, the honest answer is less than they feared, but more than nothing. The feeling is usually described as a hot scratch, a sting or a vibrating burn. It's sharpest in the first few minutes and over bony areas. As Healthline puts it, tattoos "tend to hurt the most around sensitive areas with more nerves and less flesh." Pain tolerance varies widely from person to person, and it has nothing to do with toughness.

Which tattoo placements hurt the most and least?

This is a general guide. Your experience may differ.

Healthline lists the forehead, neck, spine, ribs, hands and fingers, ankles and tops of the feet among the most painful areas. The most painful spots are often also the hardest to heal and the quickest to fade, so they're rarely the best choice for a first tattoo.

What does a tattoo feel like?

• Linework usually feels sharpest, like a fine, hot scratch along the skin.
• Shading feels broader and duller, more like a burn or abrasion.
• Color packing and solid black fills often feel the most intense over time, because the artist works the same area repeatedly. Large blackwork fills are a good example.

Many people find the sensation becomes more manageable after the first several minutes as they settle in. Long sessions are a different challenge: after a few hours, skin gets tender and patience runs thin. That's why big pieces are split into multiple sessions.

What makes tattoo pain worse?

• Lack of sleep. Tired people tend to feel pain more.
• An empty stomach. Low blood sugar makes lightheadedness and fainting more likely.
• Dehydration.
• Alcohol or recreational drugs. Besides thinning the blood, they're a legal dealbreaker: Washington rules bar licensed artists from tattooing anyone who appears to be under the influence (WAC 246-145-015).
• Sunburn or irritated skin. The same rule bars tattooing over sunburn or skin lesions, so protect the area before your appointment.
• Anxiety. Tension and dread amplify how much pain you feel.
• Being sick. If you're ill, reschedule. It's better for you and the artist.

How can you reduce tattoo pain?

Before your appointment

• Sleep well for several nights beforehand.
• Eat a real meal an hour or two before, and bring a snack and water.
• Skip alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen for about 24 hours. Healthline notes that they can thin your blood. Ask your artist whether acetaminophen is OK, and don't stop prescribed medicines without your doctor's advice.
• Choose a lower-pain placement and a manageable size for your first tattoo. See our first tattoo guide.

During the session

• Breathe slowly and steadily. Long, controlled exhales help many people stay relaxed. Holding your breath makes it worse.
• Distract yourself. Headphones, a podcast, an audiobook or easy conversation with your artist all help.
• Take breaks. Ask whenever you need one. Artists expect it.
• Stay still and communicate. If you need to shift position, say so first.
• Keep your blood sugar up with snacks and water during breaks.

Can you use numbing cream for a tattoo?

Possibly, but talk to your artist before you buy anything. Some artists won't work on numbed skin, or want to know exactly which product you used, because they find it can change how the skin takes ink.

Safety matters here. In March 2024 the FDA warned consumers about topical pain relief products marketed for cosmetic procedures, including tattooing. It advised against over-the-counter products with more than 4% lidocaine, against applying them heavily over large areas or on irritated or broken skin, and against wrapping treated skin in plastic. High doses can cause serious problems such as irregular heartbeat, seizures and trouble breathing. Follow the label exactly, and talk to a doctor before using a numbing product for a large piece.

What if the pain is too much?

It's always OK to:

• Ask for more breaks
• Stop and finish another day
• Split a large piece into more sessions

Speak up right away if you feel faint, lightheaded, nauseous or shaky, or if your breathing speeds up. A good artist will stop, help you lie back, and give you a minute with water or something sweet, and will never shame you for your pain response.

What's the best first tattoo if you're worried about pain?

• Placement: outer upper arm, outer forearm, calf or outer thigh
• Size and length: something that can be finished in two hours or less
• Style: simpler line-based designs rather than large solid fills
• Artist: an experienced artist. Efficient, confident work is often gentler and quicker.

Does it keep hurting after the tattoo is done?

A fresh tattoo feels like a moderate sunburn for a few days: sore, warm and a little swollen. Itching usually follows as it heals. Pain that gets worse instead of better, spreading redness, pus or fever can signal infection and needs a doctor. Our aftercare guide explains what's normal and what isn't.