Hey tattoo people, a question for you...

LadyIvysMom
LadyIvysMom Posts: 391 Member
in Chit-Chat
Getting my first tattoo on Saturday. It’s fairly small and going on my upper back, near my shoulder blade. My tolerance for pain is pretty high so I’m not too concerned about it but I am curious as to what to expect.

Be brutally honest, how much pain can I expect to be in and how long does the pain usually last for? What would you compare the pain to? How much should I eat before going in? I’ve heard that it’s important to have a good meal beforehand.
«13456

Replies

  • _the_feniks_
    _the_feniks_ Posts: 3,412 Member
    I don't find them painful. I rather enjoy the feeling. Although the collarbone wasn't a lot of fun. Any pain associated stops once the needle leaves the skin. You don't need to eat a huge meal, just your normal intake is fine. Enjoy it!
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    I have one in the same spot you are getting yours. It doesn't hurt that bad, kind of like a stinging sensation. I am addicted now though.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I didn't find it painful at all. I got mine in the same place you will be getting yours. Take a couple of ibuprofin an hour before you go if you think you need a little something. I do have a high tolerance for pain.
  • still_crafty
    still_crafty Posts: 682 Member
    I don't find them painful. I rather enjoy the feeling. Although the collarbone wasn't a lot of fun. Any pain associated stops once the needle leaves the skin. You don't need to eat a huge meal, just your normal intake is fine. Enjoy it!

    ^ This exactly. I have one on my upper back between my shoulder blades. I didn't think it hurt at all. If you're getting a small piece it will be over before you know it.
  • ReesesPuffs
    ReesesPuffs Posts: 169
    I must be masochistic because i find the pain of getting a tattoo quite nice
  • PBsMommy
    PBsMommy Posts: 1,166 Member
    I have tattoos all over my back. Neither shoulder hurt that bad. There were a few spots where it hit that muscle and it twitched a bit and then he hit another spot that sent a chill type feeling down my whole arm. So certain spots felt "weird" but as far as pain, it wasn't that bad. You are probably imagining it to be worse than it will be honestly. Know if it goes toward the inside under your arm or anywhere near you ribs, that is definitely a more tender spot than most, but not unbearable,. But that's just my opinion. Good luck and congrats!:drinker:
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    Yucky poo.....kidding you will be fine. They are addictive just sayin'
  • CuteAndCurvy83
    CuteAndCurvy83 Posts: 570 Member
    I got my tattoo in the same place, and honestly the most painful part for me was sitting still..LOL
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i have one right on my right shoulder blade. barely felt it. the skin back there is pretty thick and has very little nerve endings compared to the rest of your body.
  • Cassie8877
    Cassie8877 Posts: 177
    i Have two tattoos on my shoulder blades! the first one hurt a bit but it was my first tattoo and i wasnt sure what to expect! But just make sure you know what your second tattoo is going to be! hehe :) they are VERY ADDICTING!!! have fun! :) i want another one sooooo bad!!!!!
  • SVCat
    SVCat Posts: 1,483 Member
    I've had sessions where they worked on me for 5 & 6 hours each...it was a little painful at times, but it defintely turned me into a little whiney bit(ch towards the 5th & 6th hours. And I think I have a high pain tolerance.
  • GreekByMarriage
    GreekByMarriage Posts: 320 Member
    I have a dragon between my shoulder blades over my spine... It wasn't too painful, only a little uncomfortable. The painful part was them using one of those brown papertowels to wipe it every so often... I told the guy to go get some bounty before I ripped his head off! LOL!

    I will say, be ready to feel like they are tattooing on the wrong spot. The fact that it is over the spine gives some weird feelings... it felt like he was tattooing me on my lower back at times... I made him show it to me in the mirror so I knew he didn't screw up the placement.

    Also, taking a shower... if you let the water from the shower hit it directly it feels like a very BAD sunburn... I would avoid turning your back to the shower for a couple of days, just let the water run over it.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    It's not too bad. After a couple hours it tends to get a little sore but they'll usually break it up into a bunch of sessions. If you're getting something small you won't have to worry about that one bit.
  • PBsMommy
    PBsMommy Posts: 1,166 Member
    They are addictive just sayin'

    Completely agree. I remember when I said, "Oh, I am only going to get this one" ... Pssshhh
  • klynn08
    klynn08 Posts: 151 Member
    i have one on my foot, and i am such a baby when it comes to pain. I thought it felt like i was getting stung over and over again. The pain stopped as soon as he stopped doing the tattoo. Obviously when you tattoo over bone it hurts way worse. I ate before hand just so that i wouldnt pass out. Goodluck, you will be fine, and im sure it will come out great
  • zora182
    zora182 Posts: 31 Member
    Super tolerable spot. I have one there. My worst ones were on the tops of my feet. I like the pain of it.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    I guess people tell you to eat b/c they don't want you passing out. I've never heard that.

    You will experience a lot of pain while the needles are touching you but the second he stops so does the pain. It's really not bad at all. The amount of pain you feel while the needles are touching will just depend on how many nerve endings you have in that particular spot. But once the artist is finished it really just feels sore, not really in pain.
  • sgaranzuay
    sgaranzuay Posts: 34 Member
    I echo the great majority of comments already submitted. If you can handle a mild/modest amount of pain, you'll be fine. I also have one on my upper shoulder blade area. It hurt, but not so much I ever considered stopping. Also, it's worth a little pain...i've had my (one and only) tattoo for 22 years now and I still love it!
  • Mandykinz2008
    Mandykinz2008 Posts: 292 Member
    I have one on my lower right back and it wasn't bad. Mainly just felt like someone scratching me. I also have one that stretches down my right rib cage (took about 3 hours)..quite honestly that one hurt like a b*tch! The worst pain, I have found, is the first 15 minutes (if yours takes longer)..after that there's a numbing sensation that kinda takes over. Still feel it but not bad. You're going to be fine..short amount of pain for something you want and will last forever.
  • mommyrox05
    mommyrox05 Posts: 238
    I don't find them painful at all. I would just say that it's a little uncomfortable after a while...and kind of annoying-all of my pieces are good size tho. If you have a high threshold for pain and it's small it probably won't evn fase you. :happy:
  • bltrexler
    bltrexler Posts: 180 Member
    I didn't find it painful at all. I got mine in the same place you will be getting yours. Take a couple of ibuprofin an hour before you go if you think you need a little something. I do have a high tolerance for pain.

    DONT take ibuprofin as it is a blood thinner, take tylenol instead. Eat normally,bring a book, and gum. I have many large pieces and I usually read and chit chat. I don't find it to be painful. I think the worst part is getting stiff after a few hrs but it sound like yours wont take that long.
  • gshoemaker06
    gshoemaker06 Posts: 264 Member
    I have one on my hip. The pain isn't too bad, my tattoo took a little bit over 2 hours to finish, but it never got out of control. It general it feels hot, not so much sharp. The best way to describe it, at least in my opinion, is like a rug burn. The pain is only there during the actual tattoo process.

    However, when it did hurt is when he was right on my hip bone. I'm pretty bony on my hips and it was very noticeable. It starts out somewhat uncomfortable but the more it happens the more it starts to hurt. It just felt like it was shaking my whole body. It's annoying, but easily tolerable.
  • Drea_ann
    Drea_ann Posts: 65 Member
    As long as they are not on your ribs, it shouldn't be too bad.

    Feels like needles (getting a shot)

    the worse part is after, because the skin tries to reheal, and it's itchy.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    That's where I got mine and I'm a wuss. It barely hurt at all. Have you ever gotten a brazillian wax before? That hurts a million times worse.
  • SeaChele77
    SeaChele77 Posts: 1,103 Member
    One of mine was quite painful - upper back. When it hit the spine and shoulder blade it hurt!!
    The other 3 didn't really hurt at all, but I purposely did not place them near bone. LOL
  • dirtydmvkid
    dirtydmvkid Posts: 184
    I have them all over. I wouldn't call it "pain" though, especially since its small and on your back. I have a shoulder piece that lasted a grand total of 5 hours and it only started to hurt for the last 30minutes simply because the skin was so raw. I wouldn't be worried about yours. Eat and drink like normal.
  • jmoneycgt
    jmoneycgt Posts: 80 Member
    The after care is the most annoying part. With the spot you picked, make sure either you can reach it pretty well or you have someone to help you.
  • Dianemustang
    Dianemustang Posts: 77
    minimal pain as the skin is thicker - if you have a fair tolerance it should be a breeze - the after pain is mopre of an annoyance....the worst one I ever had was the top of my foot - yep, that hurt like a B***H! good for you!
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,490 Member
    I`d never have a tattoo...Disgusting things..
  • GmeB
    GmeB Posts: 70 Member
    I have 5 in various places.the shoulder blade area was the least pain I ever felt.

Categories