How Much Do Tattoos Hurt? Pain Chart

The biggest question marks that come to mind for any tattoo client is going to be, is a tattoo gonna hurt? And to that we can unequivocally say, "Yes!" But it hurts a lot less than you would probably expect. It feels more like a constant scratch and vibration more than an actual stabbing or piercing type of hurt. And the answer to that question is, "It kind of depends." Depending on how big the needle is, the location of where it is on your body, and how long the tattoo is, it is going to vary based on your personal pain threshold and it's more likely that pain tolerance will increase over the time that the tattoo's been on. The idea is to know beforehand what it can feel like so that there are no real worries or doubts when you are sitting there getting your tattoo.

Using this guide, we break down tattoo pain by body part with a helpful chart, we discuss the factors behind our tolerance (both physical and mental), and we cover ways to handle tattoo discomfort prior, during, and after your appointment. So, whether you are getting your first tattoo ever or are looking for info about what your ribs or knees are about to go through, here is what you should expect.

Tattoo Pain Chart: Pain Levels by Body Part

Low pain (1-3/10) includes the outer area of the upper arm, the forearm, the calf, and the outer side of the thigh. Pain levels here are typically low because the skin is thick and the muscle is dense with few nerve receptors. Many of our first-time clients choose to place their pieces here and report that the pain feels like low-level static, allowing them to breathe easily. The shoulder and the upper and mid-sections of the back also fit into this category; they are often recommended for larger pieces or those with fine detail due to their larger surfaces.

Moderate (4-6/10 pain level): These include the inner forearm, chest, upper back near the spine, and ankle. The skin in this zone is a bit thinner and sits closer to bone, so the vibration of the needle can be felt. These are easy for most people to deal with, but generally for tattoo sessions under two hours.  High (7-8/10 pain level): Pain level is a lot higher in areas where the skin is even thinner, stretched over bone, or has a large cluster of nerves, like the ribs, sternum, inner bicep, behind the knee, or neck.  Extreme (9-10/10 pain level): Pain is at its highest in spots where the skin is very thin, right over bone, and has the most nerve concentration. This includes the kneecap, elbows, feet, hands, and head. These areas are typically only recommended for experienced tattoo collectors who are very familiar with their bodies' reactions.

What Affects Your Tattoo Pain Tolerance

Some biological aspects to consider when talking about tattoo pain. The thickness of your skin on different parts of your body varies, as if your dermis layer is thicker it typically hurts less. Another aspect of the process that plays a role is how hydrated your skin is. Skin that is well-hydrated accepts ink more easily and bleeds less, which means you'll experience less irritation overall. The effects of hormones should also be mentioned: if you're stressed (the body produces higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol during times of high stress), your skin may feel more sensitive; for this same reason many women find their tattoo pain is worse when menstruating.

Sleep and nutrition are also underrated factors that affect your pain levels. The more rested you are when your appointment begins, the higher your pain tolerance will be; being tired will lower it. You should also eat a good meal one or two hours before your tattoo. This will help keep your blood sugar stable and prevent feeling faint and nauseated, both of which would make you much more sensitive to pain. Additionally, do not consume any alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to your session. Drinking thins your blood, causing it to bleed more during your appointment, and makes you even more sensitive to the needle. This is why all reputable tattoo parlors recommend abstaining from alcohol before your tattoo. Your mood and how you prepare mentally also have a measurable impact on pain levels. Being stressed or anxious will cause your pain to spike, while having a calm, focused mindset and keeping your breathing steady will help keep things under control.

How to Manage Pain During Your Tattoo Session

Breathing exercises are a great ally. It’s the old chestnut of four counts in, two counts hold, and six counts out that gets your body into deep parasympathetic mode, and that’s when you will truly start to feel the pain decrease. I find listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks can take your mind off the fact that you have a needle. Chatting with your artist is good as well, but allow them focus when they are hitting detailed parts of the tattoo.

While lidocaine-containing numbing creams are on the rise and most artists won’t mind you applying them (as always, ask first), applying it 45-60 minutes beforehand, covered in cling wrap, takes the bite out of the first hour or so. It won’t last for the length of the session, but the first hour or so can be the most intense. If you’re planning for the long haul, break breaks. Stand up, stretch, snack, and refocus on the art (and maybe try to keep from thinking about what’s happening to your leg right now). It all adds up to the difference between an afternoon well spent or an afternoon where you need to bail.

What to Expect During a Tattoo Session

It takes the first few minutes the hardest because your body hasn't warmed up yet. For some reason, that initial hit of adrenaline can really help take the edge off. After 5-10 minutes, your endorphins kick in, and for me it becomes a rhythmic buzzing that almost feels meditative. The outline is much worse, as the liner needle gets further into the skin with a more acute point, causing more pain than shading.

After three hours, discomfort really kicks in as your endorphins are all used up and skin gets chafed. Artists will check in with you and try to alleviate any discomfort. You will probably need a break, which is very normal. Don't be shy to ask for one! An artist wouldn't think less of you, because all professional artists take breaks for this reason! You'll have a mild sunburn, where the tattooed area will be sore and may feel a little warm, slightly swollen. This goes away by a large degree the next 24-48 hours.

Tattoo Pain Differences Between Styles and Techniques

Each different style of tattoo will affect the skin in a slightly different manner. The style of the tattoos will definitely have an impact on the amount of discomfort you feel. Single-needle, fine line tattoos tend to hurt less than other styles, as the needle only produces a sharp, point sensation on the skin that can be compared to a cat scratch. Tattoo styles that require color packing and solid black fills are more irritating and painful than single needles, because the tattoo machine must pass over the tattoo area multiple times, using a large magnum needle to pack in the black or color. Traditional tattoos that feature bold lines tend to sting more than single, fine-line ink because the tattoo artist is using a larger, thicker liner needle that pierces deeper.

Dotwork and stippling are done via rapid poking and poking again; people find them less painful than line work due to how the needle lifts between each poke, so it’s almost like a microsecond break. Also called hand-poke (or stick and poke), these are sometimes touted as more comfortable than tattoos done by a machine. This varies by person, but they do make a duller, more diffuse sensation; they take longer to finish, and that might add up. Another technique called whip shading (usually used in fine line and blackwork) may be the easiest of all shading techniques because the needle only lightly skims the surface of the skin.