There is this test you can do to practice focussing away from the pain. Grab some icecubes and hold them in your hand for 60 seconds, focus on your hand and notice how much this will start to hurt after some time. Most people wont make the full 60 seconds. Repeat this test again only this time focus on another body part such as your toes (wiggle them if you have to) by letting your brain focus on a different body part actively from the one that is in pain you will be able with some practice to reduce the amount of pain you are feeling. The second time around you will quite easily be able to hold the icecubes for a much longer duration.
i smoked weed 2 hours before a tattoo on the strip in vegas it helped minimize the pain without thinning my blood and i drink a lot of water in general. What's the best tattoo that any of you have got?
Mannn, I wasn’t hydrated either smh and my stomach tatt was the worst feeling in my life 😂45 min of hell I tapped out for the shading and told myself it could possibly be my last one Lmaoo I’m considering getting tatted again after like 5 years but I’m lowkey scared af 🤦🏽♂️😭😂
@@scpe7901 word and it’s crazy because I didn’t think about any of that 🤦🏽♂️ lol it was horrible bruh, mentally and physically I wasn’t prepared at all smh Lmao going to be a long time before I get back to my torso 😭
Areas I have tatted are both arms, both hands, my chest, front and back of my neck, and now I’m getting my head done. The head by far has been THE WORST and I WILL be using a numbing cream to finish it all. Yes, pain is apart of the experience, BUT there is nothing wrong with using a numbing cream to make it easier for you and your artist. Don’t worry about what the keyboard warriors say and do what will make you happy.
I have my head tatted too the back hurt more than the sides, plan on doing the top too. No numbing cream for the initial but I’m definitely using it for the top, worst pain ever. Have both sleeves and hands and neck and chest. Plan on doing my back in the next couple of years before the top of my head.
@@Jonnystone5 TKTX Green lasts for a good 3 hours if applied properly. I use a 3mm or so covering just spread over the area (not rubbed in) & covered with self adhesive clear plastic (the same stuff they use in hospitals to hold canullas in place but on a roll that can be bought from Amazon for around £10 for a 20m roll that is 15cm wide - can get wider rolls as well) for at least 90 minutes before the stencil is applied. That way it soaks into the skin fully & is a lot less likely to be wiped off during the stencil prep & whilst the artist is wiping. My artist also uses a spray as well once the piece has started & the cream has started to wear off, which does the same job but is safe to use on broken skin as well. With the combination of both spray & TKTX cream, I have sat for 5 hours without feeling a thing.
The full stomach is probably the number one tip in my opinion, I could feel with both of my tattoos that as the hours marched on, I could feel my body's tolerance for the pain beginning to drop as the pain scale started tipping, as my blood sugar went down I became way more sensitive to every needle movement. 😬😖 By the end of the session I was almost shaking as I could feel my blood sugar totally down, if I had to get tattooed on an empty stomach I can only imagine 😮💨😵
that’s how i was. i was getting a tattoo and it took 6 hours. hour 1, i was doing pretty good, full stomach, didn’t feel much. hour 5, i was shaking uncontrollably in the chair, i was constantly freezing my ass off, and i was mentally and physically exhausted
I did absolutely none of these for my 6 hour session, I marinated in the pain with no distractions, with blank walls, and I couldn't even see the tattoo being done. Was in bad shape for the last 30 minutes, but worth every second. Almost halfway through my chest piece.
That is why you should eat something beforehand and during the suction you should actually have some type of sugary food with you like soda or like he said water
From personal experience, the numbing cream really works. I had a really hot shower, as hot as I possibly could make it! I shaved the area I was getting a tattoo on, applied the numbing cream, and then wrapped myself in cling wrap. I left this wrap on Until I got to the tattoo artist where we removed the wrapping and wipe the cream off. It left the skin a little red, but when the tattooing began, I could barely feel anything other than the vibration against the skin. And I was getting the sternum tattooed, coloured in. So, to say the least, this tactic really helped.
@@serendipity9441 any good numbing cream. Works a treat. Just had my RIBS done and when the tattoo gun touched my skin, was just a dull pressing. Hot shower. Numbing cream. Wrap in cling wrap. It will get warm. It’s working. It’s a life saver.
Agree with this. Also the percentage of Lidocaine in the numbing cream is crucial. My wrist tat only used a cream with 5%, and it absolutely killed. Next time I used 60% and I couldn't feel a thing, just a buzzing, like being at the dentist!
The water tip is great, but I would advise taking a sugary drink along with you too. I've had lots of tattoos but for some reason my last one I only took water with me to drink and I got the serious shakes. The pain wasn't awful but my blood sugar totally crashed and I felt like shit, I was shaking uncontrollably and felt weak as hell. Definitely throw a sugary drink or some sweets in your bag!
I get this way fairly early, even if my tattoo doesn't suck, and I couldn't agree with this advice more! Soda or gummy bears are always in my tattoo kit xD
I like taking water and dried fruits and jerky with me any time you take a break just eat a couple pieces and it will hold your blood sugar a lot better.
I've had two sessions on a sleeve so far. The first session was 6.5 hours of lining and I followed all the advice here. Yes it was still a bit painful in some areas and definitely started getting uncomfortable after the 4 hour mark, but this stuff definitely helped. Contrast with my latest session. I worked the night shift and went straight to the tattoo appointment in the morning right after finishing work. Had two coffees on the way to keep me awake. Let me tell you my pain tolerance was significantly less that day. About two hours in it became almost unbearable. I sucked it up and got through 3.5 hours of heavy colouring and shading. I thought I could handle it, but after no sleep, no food, too much caffeine and not enough water or anything to keep my blood sugar up, no amount of willpower could get me through any more of that.
For my first tattoo, I'm so happy I did all of these things. I didn't see this video. But I actually did everything. I scheduled an early appointment. (I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. I didn't want to wait a long time to get it.) I had a big breakfast. I don't drink alcohol. I didn't take pain killers or use numbing cream. And I always drink tons of water. I was really relaxed. Also because of where my tattoo was, I couldn't see the needle. So I had no choice but to stare at the wall. My mom came with me (cause it was my first and she wanted to be a part of it) so it was fun to have her filming and taking pictures. I just looked around at the tattoos on the wall. Talked to her. And it didn't bother me at all. I love it and am so excited for my next tattoo.
I used the numbing cream on parts of my leg sleeve. It only lasted an hour but it eased into the pain instead of all at once. And never applied it a second time. I think it was more of a mental help than anything.
Eating a good meal beforehand is so important! I left an hour and a half before my appointment in Ikebukuro in order to make time to eat but got lost on the trains, ended up having to skip dinner and..ouch!
Water and food are very important. As someone who's heavily tattooed i can attest to this. However I have been on oxy and fent while getting a tattoo and I fell asleep.. so that one didn't hurt as much as the others haha. My biggest advice is just breathing and focusing the needle as more of a 'vibrations' throughout your whole body. Instead of focusing it on one place. Kind of a mind over body mentality
I know everyone has different pain tolerance, but when i got my tattoo I kept waiting for it to hurt. everyone told me that getting such a big tattoo as my first one was going to kill my arm, but it just never hit that hard. I would say that at it's worst point, it was like a medium sun burn. it runs from the crest of my shoulder to about 2/3 the way to my elbow. What no one told me and it really was the thing I needed to know was that the next week my arm itched like a freaking beast. about 1/3 the way through the session, I actually pulled out my kindle and was reading. my tattoo is full color, and I was in the chair about 6-1/2 hours .
I'm almost the same, but in my case while I do feel the pain, it's just not that unbearable? My last tattoo was also a 6-7ish hrs big and colorful piece (on my calf) and honestly it was quite alright, I mean sometimes the needles felt like a scalpel slicing through my skin, especially around the ankle, but nothing that made me think that I should stop. My tattoo artist couldn't believe I sat through the whole session without complaining nor moving, and said I must have a mutation in my cells to be this tolerant to pain lolol So we must have similar mutations in our cells, internet stranger
I've been in chairs for almost over 40 hours now give or take and those were some of the best naps I've ever had,yes I fall asleep during my ink sessions because the gun running over my skin feels amazing,it's a drug.
Yeah I barely felt my tattoo artist's hand during that 6 hrs, just the needles. Now that it's healing there's only a thin layer of peeling, no bruises or scabs, and even the insane itching didn't last more than a day. I guess I'm lucky and he's an amazing artist
@@runaway_36 my best friend and her now wife have been doing my ink since me and her were 16 give or take,and her wife just did a bone collector for me and it turned out absolutely amazing,I've never been to a shop and I don't ever plan on it.
Had my 4th all day session yesterday (10-6 ish), which will be around my 10th sitting. Not as much experience as alot of people, but more than some. Things I have found work miracles for me are; A) don't start with a huge sitting. Your body gets drained and towards the end of a long sitting it gradually worsens. B) food and drink - eatting big the night before as well as the morning, and avoid alcohol the night before if you can. C) speak to your artist if you are nervous - most are happy for you to watch a movie while they work if it keeps your mind off the tattoo. D) a good night sleep helps more than people give it credit for. E) back to food and drink - if your artist is okay with it, I would suggest eatting/drinking something sweet. When your sugar levels drop so does your pain tolerance. F) if you can avoid numbing cream, do so. It doesn't help after the first couple mins, and can make the tattoo take a fair bit longer as it effects how that area of skin takes the ink. G) don't be shy to say if you need a break. Some places hurt much more than others, and it depends on the person as to how they take it. You will hurt far less, and the 5 mins can be the difference between being able to do a 3 hour sitting Vs being able to do 5.
I got my first tattoo the other day and it didn't hurt that much, it just felt like a slightly sharp rubbing. The after pain of getting the tattoo hurt more than it did getting it. I kinda enjoyed the pain and I want more. I think it's better if you go in expecting the worst pain possible, that way when it's not bad compared to what you expected you're relieved.
The water one is very true, I had a guy come in for some work years ago from a long weekend of drinking,he came in an extremely dehydrated state and his skin just shredded on the first line, I changed needles turned down my power, switched machines even and it made no difference, I could smell the alcohol still coming out of his pores and sent him home, became in a few weeks later and didn't drink beforehand and came fully hydrated and it was like a new client and skin, this point couldn't be more valid!
I’ve recently used the green TKTX cream and it’s awesome made my leg feel like my mouth after a trip to the dentist lol was a really deep numbing too! I was numb for about 4 hours worth of a session and even longer in the areas that weren’t tattooed. you dry shave the tattoo area before you go to your session to open the top layer of skin a bit and apply the cream and cover it with cling wrap about hour to an hour and a half before hand flap it doesn’t dry up l. When you get to the session they’ll just clean it off, apply the stencil and go to town. Best method I’ve found for larger sessions. But only downside I found was once you tattoo over an area and break the skin the cream doesn’t really work in that spot as well after that. So when you go back over that area for any reason during the session it can be as painful as a normal tattoo. So for me it just gives me a good bit of relief for my larger session. Get 3-4 good full hours done before the normal tattoo pain sets in. 🤘🏻 makes the 8-10 hour sessions a lot more bearable
Completely disagree about numbing creme, it is a game changer, especially on more painful areas and larger tattoos, even if it only lasts for the first hour that’s more than enough to get your adrenaline flowing and really helps to get into the actual tattooing process, personally I’ve found they work extremely well at first and wear off gradually, but unbroken skin will stay readily numbed for quite a while, reapplication isn’t really always necessary, but if so you can easily numb an area you’re not currently working on, these products also work more effectively on broken skin, so it doesn’t take as long to work, also, just apply it before the appointment…lol, usually just one pre application helps immensely, and definitely always ask for your artists opinion and use whatever product they suggest, everything else i totally agree on!
I'm not sure I can properly explain it but I found watching the needle while my artist creates the tattoo helped to lower the pain substantially. I think it's because I'm watching the artwork come into fruition in real-time. Whereas, looking away, you don't get a visualization of the progress and have more or less just the reminder of the pain.
I feel that "watching your tattoo come to life" tip helps a lot, however with my current back piece the apprehension where the artist is going next makes me spine muscles flinch when hes on it so I'll fully agree that seeing it helps a lot. I used numbing creme yesterday on this back piece. Helped so much on the tender areas, felt so relaxed when he started on those areas! Numbed for about 4 hours
Yes, similarly, for me, getting tattooed from behind where you cannot see is a mental pain trigger, you just feel vulnerable. MY most painful was the back of my calf, it only took an hour but it felt like forever. It caused me to make strange siren noises, which was better than whining, and it made everyone laugh, but later, realized, it was the not being able to see what was going on.
You’ll be good to go. Once you get one tattoo, it becomes addicting. I’m 75% covered head to feet 😁 Try and zone out and listen to good music so you don’t hear the machine. I cheat and pop perc pills before every tattoo and I usually fall asleep depending on what part of my body is getting inked. Good luck and stay blessed 🙏🏽
I'm getting my first tattoo, finally lol. For my 45th bday of my daughter's name who has went on to be with the Lord. Was a little nervous for a few reasons but now just excited. Thanks for the tips. I'm bad about drinking water sometimes so I totally would have went in dehydrated. Distractions always helped when in labor with all 5 of my my kids so good advice 👍🏼 let's see how it goes.
Perfect timing Mike as I will have another tattoo tomorrow. My artist offered a numbing cream before he starts putting the white ink and I said yes immediately. 😅
@Andrew Duggan the problem is no one wants to earn anything anymore. I love the personal challenge of sitting it out, my armpits were by far the worst but I got through it. Keep breathing and eat well before and you're fine. These people want all the rewards with none of the work
@Andrew Duggan Im in no way a tough guy, but you don't have to be. It's just having the will to sit it out. I'll be honest though I did have to tell him to give me a few minutes on 2 occasions, only ever time I've asked for a break and I've had everywhere apart from my palms done. Talking of palms a friend of mine recently had his palm blasted by a dude called Luke Ashley who specialises in them. I'd made a bet that he would tap out but he stuck it out. He's not a tough dude, in fact he's quite the opposite but he still managed to sit for it so it goes to show it's not really about how you look or how big your muscles are, that stuff doesn't make you tough, your mind does
Getting my first one today and I'm a senior citizen. So excited and this helped so much. Been hydrating for 12 hours, will be 24 by the time I reach the chair. THANK YOU!!
Just got my first tattoo last week. It was a 5.5 hour session to start a Legend of Zelda half sleeve. I followed all the basic steps, but what saved the day more than anything was "painless tattoo" creme. As long as applied correctly, the first 2-3 hours will completely painless. After the time, the pain will slowly ease in. Very much helped for my first time, and the artist said it was perfectly fine to work with. I'll be using it going forward even though I was easily able to take the pain for the last 3 hours or so. I wanted to finish the top part even, but we ran out of time.
5hrs is honestly not that bad at all in terms of pain, its after 5hrs that the pain curve increases drastically. The pain is part of the process you shouldnt skip it imo
@PortuguesePirate99 well the next session was like 6 hours, and the one after that around 5. Stuff works sporadically and most of the 2nd and 3rd sessions hurt 80% of time. It is what it is and sure I can't take it, but why? I even started reselling the cream and buying in bulk. Win win for me really.
@@dwcjr327 ohh yeah 100% getting stuff reworked as a continuation piece or touch ups few weeks after hurts like bitch😂 but personally one and done pieces that last that long never hurt me. I see some guys getting 10hr sessions on back to back days and have no clue how they put up with that lol. My body part that gets tatted swells twice the size the next day and hurts 😂
For me, I tend to find a spot on the ceiling to stare at and zone out. Or I like to think of the needles gliding through my skin, rather than constantly pricking it. Not sure why, but it helps me. I also always have a routine before, eat a big meal, have a snickers, drink lots of water, drink an orange soda and bring water to drink in the session. It helps beyond belief. I have a 14"(h)x12"(w) tattoo on my hip (basically a 5th of my height since I'm 5'2") that was complete over 3 long sessions. It all did wonders.
I can vouch for the zoning out tip. My last tattoo hurt so much when I was focusing on it. But luckily the shop had a lot of stuff in it, so I spent most my time focusing on all the cool stuff instead
1. Get plenty of rest the night before 2. Eat a healthy, good sized meal before 3. Drink a good amount of water and avoid caffeine 4. Save a good playlist that gets you into a flow state 5. Focus on your breathing during the parts that really hurt 6. Don’t be a pussy and use numbing cream, that shit wears off before any large session is over, then you’re really fucked when you have to deal with the pain. This goes for pain killers, Tylenol, alcohol, or any other crutch you might have in mind. All of this will cause your blood to thin, thus bleeding a lot more than you should. Tattoo artists don’t like to tattoo on a pool of blood (go figure) so don’t be that person. 7. Don’t take breaks if you don’t have to, the more stop and start, the worse the pain gets when you come back to it. I have been getting tattooed since 2007, full Japanese body suit, so take this for what it’s worth.
My misses is getting a half sleeve. 5 hour session yesterday in absolute agony and going back today for the second half. She bought some numbing cream for this one so let's see how she goes
@@justpassingby3409 numbing cream didn't do anything but she found it easier than the previous one because she new what to expect the second time round
I have 2 full sleeve tattoos and what helps me is meditating the night before and the morning before the tattoo as well hopefully this can help first timer people getting there tattoos
The numbing cream is good if u apply it about an hour before u start and wrap in cling wrap and when u get there unwrap it right before you go and it will last about an hour so at least for a bit it won’t hurt at all
With tattoo numbing creams you put it on 2 hours before you show up at your tattoo appointment. The tattoo artist doesn't do it you do it yourself at home before you get there. And you will generally get an hour and a half to three hours depending on the person of numbing. And for some areas like the shin or under the arm near the armpit it is definitely worth it.
The best and only thing that works for me is focusing on one spot in the shop. Wether it be the floor , a picture of some art , other people being tattooed. Just locking in on one object does it. (I have never tried numbing cream but they seem to work) Overall tattoos hurt and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise lol
about the painkillers: first of all always check with a doctor, pharmacist or nurse (depending on the country) before first time use! most NSAID like Aspirin, Ibuprofen and such will thin your blood, so do check if the one you wanna use is suitable. Paracetamol (not an NSAID) is one of the drugs that doesn't influence coagulation
@@j2cksonn Tylenol has Paracetamol as active substance, that should be fine for getting a tattoo. as always don't take it if you haven't taken it before and know it agrees with you. don't overdo it though, Paracetamol, like any drug has adverse effects if you take too much. if in doubt check with a medical professional also you might wanna consider checking out breathing exercises, they helped me and a couple of people I know a lot with the pain
@@MiguelJuarez-mn4wp Yes, Ibuprofen has anticoagulant (blood thinning) effects, which is why you'd wanna avoid it when getting a tattoo, because it's not really desirable to increase the bleeding tendency
I loved these, I'm getting my first tattoo in a month and am afraid of the pain, knowing there is something I can do to help, well it helps the anxiety.
I had my upper arms tattooed and during the session I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep kind of like twilight sleep , It was a very nice experience I can't really explain it in words
these are spot on. i, personally, have an issue with going to an appointment early in the morning just because i find it hard to eat just as i wake up so i need a bit of time for my stomach to settle. my routine usually consists of everything that you said. drink as much water as i can and generally keep well hydrated a week prior to the appointment and avoid heavy alcohol consumption. a beer won't kill anyone. use some body cream on the area as well up until the night before. i shave the area at home the night before because i can use shaving cream and the skin will calm down from any redness till morning. eat! just eat as much as you can before the session. bring water and something to eat. have something sweet as well. i personally prefer bananas as they also help with muscle cramps if you have to sit in an uncomfortable position for long. take a nurofen 40 minutes before. helps with pain and swelling. make conversation with your artist. it helps time to pass by, you will probably have an interesting conversation hitting many topics and it will distract you from what is happening. great vid!
Followed the advice of scheduling early in the morning and staying hydrated made my hand tattoo unusually pleasant, and the artist even liked how well my skin was taking in the more brighter colors. Thank u 💓
Bring a good buddy is the best tip you gave! Not only will he/she help with the pain but he/she will tease you when the pain kicks in and you make weird faces or sound hahahhaa you and your buddy will have memory for keeps!
I’m a 65 year old lady and disabled (MdDS) having my first Medal Tattoo 🎖on my inner forearm today (10 years). I’m so excited it’s been a hard slog with MdDS and no meds but my tattoo, that I have always wanted when I was young is my prize. So excited, who cares about the pain. Only 5 hrs to go. My 2 grand boys are coming to celebrate with Nana after school 🎉
Most numbing cream last alot longer than 30mins, usually takes 30mins to 60mins to set. Last usually 2-4 hours and you can carry on applying it through your long tattoo session
@@itsmiggie TKTX and Ebanel 520 but you need to wrap them with Saran Wrap and let it sit for an hour at least. They work though. Best on fatty areas because fat absorbs and holds lidocaine the best.
@@itsmiggie TKTX is much more potent because it adds in epinephrine which makes it a lot better. It was too strong for me unfortunately and I got a bad rash from it. It did numb though. Just broke me out in the process.
We need more reacting videos, they are easy to make * i find it very good for feel less pain(maybe it's silly but worked for me)- i dont watch at tattoo very often( i take a look at tattoo then watch in other direction for 15-20 minutes then watch tattoo for a minute and repeat, seeing that progress every 15 mins boost me)
Last week I had a 5-hour tattoo session on my ribcage, what helped me was focussing on my breathing, I breathed in when the artist was tatttooing and breathed out when he wasn't, it made it more bearable for me
I could only speak for myself but the the pain distracts me from getting distracted. This could be because all of my tattoo sessions were in the evening when my adrenaline levels were lower. The only two things that helped reduce the pain for me was looking at the needle while it was raking against my skin, or using numbing cream if allowed.
Right! If i distracted myself or talked during my session i noticed i got way more twitchy. After multiple wobbly lines, i finally used numbing cream and oh man it made such a difference. I value clean lines more than my ego.
5 months ago I had an appointment to get a big piece on my left arm. 1 hour before, for some reason I was feeling a headache about to come so I took an advil and during my tattoo session (wich was 5 hours in total) I was barley starting to feel some pain at the last 10 minutes
Oh, AND (from what I understand!) It GREATLY reduces your pain tolerance/threshold if you're hungover 👍 A moderate night of drinking the night prior can be fine, but over indulging can make it super painful!
For me, the evening/next day after having the tattoo (i get mine in the morning) is more painful than actually having the tattoo done. But with the right cream and washing it twice a day helps a lot. My first tattoo took at least 2 weeks to stop hurting. My second and third took around 6 days to stop hurting
Yeah I have to agree as well. I had a 4 hour session and the night of and the next day sucks ass. I could hardly sleep. Of course didn’t take any medicine or pain relief although I did want to chug some vodka but just kept tossing and turning 😂
Keeping a conversation with the tattoo artist helps because you can build a trust meaning you trust that person with what they’re doing to your body. Spent a whole hour talking I even forgot I was getting tatted 😹
Only one of my 4 tattoos hurt, which was my back tattoo. I also have a tattoo on my left inner forearm, by my thumb on the same hand, and my right calf. Here’s my theory. Since I was able to see those 3 being done, I was able to expect it. With my back I obviously couldn’t see it.
@@EvolveINK i got a small one on my chest a half sleeve of butterflies on my right arm just got a half sleeve done on my left forearm today and a dragon my thigh .
Got my first tattoo 3 days ago and I did my best to follow your advice, it came out fantastic!! Originally, I was supposed to get it July 2nd, but I fell ill earlier that week and had to cancel. Sucked, because my appt was set at noon just around the time I ovulated, so my blood, pain tolerance, skin thickness, energy levels, etc would have been ideal. It also meant I'd be healed up in time to swim during my start-of-August camping trip. Unfortunately, I did get sick. But I went this time, 3pm, ate well, drank water, was exfoliated, moisturized, and shaved, and now I have my mom's most iconic sketched kitten on my ankle ❤❤❤❤❤
Just found your channel and I like it ! I have about 40% of my body tattooed over many years . You are absolutely right on with your tips. Those all help immensely! You just caught yourself another fish lol sub earned .
We have a friend that will play guitar and we sing while tattooing, or we just put on some oldies and karaoke, we have a blast while tattooing like this and some lively conversation helps. Distraction is our painkiller. 👍
I recently got my first tattoo in Vegas and didn’t watch this before but most of what he said rings true to me because I had no issues with mine. I walked in honestly a little late in the day got a medium sized tattoo on my shoulder about the size of a large phone or small tablet I was hydrated was distracting myself by texting reading and of course talking to my artist and sat as still as possible with the whole thing taking like an hour and a half and very little pain.
I spent 11 hours getting my left arm sleeve in one session! It was a little tough! But getting a large tiger's face on my stomach was definitely no party! But I would definitely do it again. I love it! I have 6 tats on my head that I've had to recolor 3 times because of sun fading. Something to think about if you tattoo in places exposed to the sun. ATB Sam Adler from Vietnam
A skull with red and yellow flames on the sides, a skull that appears to be breaking out of the top of my head, a American flag on the back of my head,a Vietnam service ribbon underneath that, a Vietnam phrase meaning crazy under that, a skull with wings behind my left ear and a Harley motor behind my right ear. Not to mention a few neck tattoos.
Just got a 4 hour long forearm tattoo 4 weeks ago I didn't take any pain killers or creams I usually like to watch it come to life that helps also I love to just chat to my tattoo artist shes cool and helps with the pain and passing the time.
best tip for me that helped the most was just having a conversation with the artist himself or another person yu have with yu. honesty probably because it distracts yu from the actual tattoo for a lil while. my first tattoo i was having mad conversations with my artist n it dead wasn’t that bad it jus felt like a sunburn
Just sat through a 5 hour tattoo and it hurt a lot more (not as bad) then my first one. 1. Didn’t have as much water or food as I did the first time. 2. The crease of the elbow sucks haha Numbing creams don’t work at all
after watching this, I'm still just gonna go in with no pain meds or numbing cream, I feel like going through the pain and earning that tattoo makes it worth so much more
In my case I get fasinated by the work itself and the process so I would be watching thinking how amazing the techniques are and how the body's actually able to absorb the ink it's really interesting and I love tattoos so I guess that helps but fingers crossed I'm able to get an apprenticeship as it's something I've wanted to do since I was young
Confirmed on the caffeine tip. I drank a coffee and 2 Red Bull’s before an afternoon appointment and it was brutal. I was anxious and the pain felt unbearable. And every time I’ve used numb cream I’ve got infections. My skin does not like it.
@@EvolveINK Im done with my clock with the eye on the middle and compass with some birds flying tattoo in my inner forearm. I would say that, man! I really thought this was excruciating pain all throughout. But I was surprised that its not really bad. For me it felt like a toothpick is poking my skin on the lining part. The shading part was not so bad either. But i felt the friction, becomes hot like sunburn on the skin. It stressed me all night thinking about my session. And after the first poke on my skin, I said to my artist that, is that it?? Wow! I am exaggerating about the pain.🤣
I used the lidocaine gel on my ribs when I got a tattoo, put it on before I left the house, lasted about 30 minutes, enough time to do the rib part. Totally works
Numbing cream is the shit. Don't use fast acting cream they don't work. Apply 2hrs before, even though it says 45min before. Don't take it off til your artist is ready to go. If done right, it'll buy you 1.5hrs. Once it's wears off, you're so far into the tat just hold and bare down for the rest. Also it doesn't fully wear off for like 5 or 6hrs so you're still getting some of the numbing effects after you start feeling pain again
yes. numbing cream can do wonders as long as it is a good quality numbing cream. i actually made a whole video about tattoo numbing cream. check it out! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xY7tvFpJj5c.htmlsi=GzI8P5B_EaBc2gVX
Just got a ton of line work on my chest and stomach and full torso. Have a couple more sessions to go but something that’s helped me immensely is listening to music LOUD. And smoke a wax pen! No joke I got stoned and jammed my favorite bands and tbh metal is what I chose to get me through it. I was in a lot of pain but still being occupied somewhere else in my brain and mind. I was able to sit 4 hours with no breaks.. The dudes getting tattooed next to me were saying I was a savage and my artist called me a champion and tbh I could’ve kept going but my artist was done for the day! This shit helps! My first session I couldn’t last two hours. But Then I ate a big meal, and put my airpods in for my second session and it was way better. Eat a big meal, stay hydrated, listen to music, watch a show, and remember why you’re doing it. It’s pain but pain is always temporary. I also kept telling myself to “Accept the pain” There’s no way around the pain truly at the end of the day, you’re gonna just have to accept it for what it is. But let your pain be a teacher and in those moments when you feel like giving up just remember why you wanted to get tattooed in the first place. Remember life is short and you may not have tomorrow or next year to get a tattoo. When you feel like giving up, be grateful you’re alive when you’re feeling that physical pain. Pain is a reminder of being ALIVE! So cherish that pain! Idk this all really helped me so maybe it’ll help someone else out here.
Got my first tattoo this year as a gift for my 19th bday had it done on my wrist didn’t take a break n barely hurt I found talking to the artist helped distract me I got it at 2pm in the afternoon, definitely got me hooked!
Had plenty tattoos an yea they hurt but it’s manageable …… until my last one… a dragon on my calf with wings, one side up to knee and other up the back of leg behind knee….. behind the knee had me sweating and gripping the bed like I was hanging off a cliff. Horrible..
I chewed gum while getting my tattoo and faced my head in the opposite direction where the tattoo was being applied. Really helps while you're distracting yourself with your thoughts
i drank before mine, had no other liquid in my system, no food at all, hadn't slept for almost 26 hours and was in the chair for 7 hours for my first tattoo, i wanted the chair to swallow he whole ;()
I never drink alcohol before an appointment because my friend told me once that she drank a lot of alcohol before getting a tattoo and the ink wouldn’t take the her skin so she had drink a lot of water and come back to the shop later and was able to get her tattoo. I have a total of 7 tattoos now. I learned the hard way not to swim with a new tattoo. I did that in the summer of 2017 and my tattoo faded after 5 days. A $60 tattoo ended up costing me $90. I have used numbing cream once because my grandma requested that the artist use it with us when we got matching tattoo in 2017. I made the mistake of not eating 2.5 hours before my appointment ( left work and went to another town 20 mins away and was stuck in drive through for over 30mins and was 3 mins late to my appointment so I didn’t even get to eat my meal before) and I left my appointment feeling light headed and ended up with a migraine that I ended up sleep off for 2 hours after my appointment today (5/11/22). I have never had a tattoo appointment last longer than 30 mins. I got my first tattoo in 2015. And since then I get at least one tattoo a year except for 2020 because of Covid.
