Which part of the body is the most painful to get tattooed?

The ribs and sternum almost always top the list in feedback from both tattoo recipients and tattoo artists. The skin is thin there, the bone lies just beneath, and breathing causes the area to move constantly, which means you have to remain very still on a surface that isn’t. The hands and feet are a close second: plenty of nerve endings, very little fat to cushion the area. The spine, elbows, knees, shins and the inside of the wrist round off the top of the list, again for the same anatomical reason: little tissue between the skin and the bone. These areas are perfectly suitable for tattooing, and they are home to some of the finest pieces in existence. You simply need to be aware of this beforehand, opt for a shorter session if possible, and avoid choosing them as the site for your very first tattoo. A sensitive area approached with full knowledge of the facts always goes more smoothly than one you only realise is sensitive once the session is underway.

Why do some areas hurt less than others?

Three factors make almost all the difference. The first is the thickness of the tissue beneath the skin: a good layer of fat or muscle cushions the sensation of the needle. The second is the distance from the bone: when the needle works just above a bone or a joint, the vibration is transmitted directly and the sensation becomes duller and more unpleasant. The third is the density of nerve endings, which is much higher on the hands, feet, lips or neck than on the outside of the arm. Comfortable areas, such as the outer forearm, calf, shoulder or outer thigh, tick all three boxes in the right way. This is why they keep cropping up in advice for first-time tattoos. Your tattoo artist can tell you, even before they start, what to expect in the chosen area: just ask them directly during your consultation, it’s exactly the sort of thing they know.

Is everyone’s pain tolerance the same?

Not at all, and that’s what makes pain scales useful but never definitive. Two people getting tattooed in the same spot, with the same design, may have completely different experiences. Sensitivity depends on personal factors, but also on how you’re feeling on the day: a short night’s sleep, a missed meal, high stress levels or a bout of tiredness are enough to make a normally comfortable area much more painful. Conversely, turning up well-rested, well-fed and relaxed can make an area reputed to be difficult quite bearable. Gender and build are no reliable indicators: you see burly men turning pale over a forearm tattoo, whilst petite people can get through a series of rib tattoos without batting an eyelid. So treat pain charts as a weather forecast, not a prediction. They indicate a general trend, which helps you prepare for your session, but it is you who will experience it.

Should you eat before a tattoo session?

Yes, and this is probably the simplest piece of advice, and the one most often ignored. The French National Health Service (Assurance Maladie) points out that the pain of getting a tattoo without anaesthetic can cause discomfort, potentially leading to fainting. Turning up on an empty stomach significantly increases this risk, especially for a session lasting several hours. Have a proper meal in the hours leading up to your appointment, but don’t turn up after a meal so heavy that it makes you doze off at the table. Drink water regularly before and during the session. For a long session, bring a sugary snack to nibble on during a break: many tattoo artists recommend this, and some even keep a few biscuits to hand for clients who start to feel faint. If you feel dizzy, say so straight away. A tattoo artist would much rather stop for a couple of minutes than have to pick their client up off the studio floor, for the client’s sake as well as for the tattoo.

Can you ask for a break during a tattoo session?

Of course, and a good tattoo artist will often suggest this of their own accord. During a long session, taking a few minutes to have a drink, have a bite to eat, stretch or change position helps to release any built-up tension and get back to work feeling better. The best time to ask for a break isn’t when you’re on the verge of feeling unwell, but a little before: a break taken early is more beneficial than one taken as a matter of urgency. These breaks don’t affect the tattoo in any way and don’t really make the session any longer. They often even allow the tattoo artist to work more precisely, with a client who is less tense. Also, let them know if any position becomes uncomfortable, if an arm is going numb or a leg is aching: a small adjustment to your posture can make a real difference over three hours. The only real problem is moving suddenly without warning whilst the needle is working. For that, a quick word is always enough.

Are numbing creams a good idea before getting a tattoo?

This is a topic that divides tattoo artists, and it’s best to ask them about it before your appointment, never on the day itself. Some tattoo artists will accept the use of a numbing cream on very sensitive areas or for very long sessions. Others prefer not to use it, as they believe it alters the way the skin reacts during the procedure. In any case, never apply it without discussing it first: a tattoo artist who discovers an unannounced cream may refuse to start or reschedule the session. Also bear in mind that these creams contain active ingredients. Before using one, seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you have any health issues, are currently undergoing treatment or have known allergies, and follow the instructions carefully. And remember that the effect does not last a whole day: during a very long session, the area will eventually become sensitive again anyway.

Does the pain get worse towards the end of the session?

Often, yes. It’s not just your imagination: physical and mental fatigue builds up as the hours go by, and an area that’s already been worked on becomes more sensitive with every pass of the needle. After three or four hours, a movement that seemed harmless at first can become downright unpleasant. This is one of the reasons why large pieces are done over several sessions rather than in a single marathon session. Some tattoo artists also organise the work so that the most sensitive areas are tackled at the start of the session, whilst you’re still fresh. Filling in and shading, which require the needle to pass over the same area several times, are often perceived as more painful than outlining the contours. Discuss this with your tattoo artist before you start: knowing that the hardest part is yet to come, and when it will happen, goes a long way towards helping you get through it. And taking regular breaks significantly reduces this build-up of fatigue.

Does drinking alcohol before a tattoo session help you cope with the pain?

No, and it’s a very bad idea. Most tattoo artists flatly refuse to work on someone who has been drinking, and they’re right to do so. A client who has been drinking moves around more, copes with pain less well than they realise, and becomes much less reliable when it comes to approving the placement or a stencil. Alcohol doesn’t just affect the session itself either: the French National Health Service classifies it as one of the substances that slow down the healing process, on a par with tobacco and drugs. In other words, that drink meant to help you relax is actually likely to make the weeks that follow much more difficult. If you’re feeling stressed, talk to the tattoo artist: they’re used to it and will be able to explain each step to you. A good night’s sleep, a proper meal, water, some headphones and a chat with the person tattooing you will do far more for your comfort than any drink taken to pluck up the courage before going in.

Tattoos: which areas hurt the most?

The areas that hurt the most when getting a tattoo are those where the skin is thin, close to the bone or highly innervated: the ribs, the sternum, the hands, the feet, the spine and the joints. The most comfortable areas are those with plenty of flesh, such as the outer forearm, the calf, the shoulder or the outer thigh. In between, it all depends on you, how you’re feeling on the day and the length of the session.

And no, there’s no such thing as a spot where “it doesn’t hurt at all”. Anyone who’s promised you that was either very brave or just trying to cheer you on so they wouldn’t be left on their own.

Does getting a tattoo really hurt?

Yes, a bit. The French National Health Service (Assurance Maladie) puts it quite plainly: tattoos are done without anaesthetic and they are painful. The tattoo artist must, in fact, inform you of the “potentially painful nature” of the procedure before starting, as Service Public points out.

The sensation is most often like a sharp, repeated scratch, or a mild, continuous burning sensation. On comfortable areas, many people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. On bony areas, the sensation becomes more dull, with a vibration that resonates through the bone. It’s not pleasant anywhere, but it’s bearable almost everywhere, especially when you know what to expect.

What makes one area more painful than another?

Three anatomical factors explain almost everything.

What lies beneath the skin. A layer of fat or muscle cushions the sensation of the needle. The thicker it is, the more bearable it is. That’s why the outer thigh is much more comfortable than the shin.

Distance from the bone. When the needle is working directly above a bone or joint, the vibration is transmitted directly. This applies to the ribs, sternum, collarbones, elbows and ankles.

Nerve density. The hands, feet, neck and face contain a huge concentration of nerve endings within a small area. This is very useful for feeling a caress, but far less so when it comes to having a needle inserted.

A map of body areas, from the least sensitive to the most sensitive

This ranking reflects the trends reported by tattooed people and tattoo artists. It’s a snapshot of current trends, not a prediction: your experience may vary, either way.

Area	Overall impression	Why
Outer forearm	Quite comfortable	Muscle, with few bones close to the surface
Calf	Quite comfortable	Good muscle thickness
Shoulder, outer upper arm	Quite comfortable	Fleshy area
Outer thigh	Quite comfortable	Fat and muscle
Upper back, shoulder blade	Medium	Comfortable on muscle, sharper on bone
Inside of the arm, inside of the thigh	Moderate to sensitive	Thinner skin with a higher density of nerve endings
Nape of the neck, neck	Sensitive	Thin skin, numerous nerves
Inside of the wrist	Sensitive	Bones and tendons just beneath the skin
Elbows, knees, shins	Sensitive	Skin right down to the bone
Spine	Sensitive	A tingle down every vertebra
Hands, fingers, feet	Very sensitive	Lots of nerve, very little fat
Ribs, sternum	Very sensitive	Thin skin, bones, and the breath that sets everything in motion

The ribs deserve a special mention. You breathe, and they move. The tattoo artist asks you not to move. You breathe anyway, because you can’t help it. Everyone gets the hang of it in the end, but it’s rarely the most relaxing session of the year.

To find out how each location ages and which design suits it best, our guide to tattoos by body area complements this map.

Why your experience won’t be the same as everyone else’s

The same tattoo, in the same place, can leave two completely different impressions. Several factors come into play, and most of them depend on you.

Stress

The more nervous you are, the more your body tenses up, and the more intense the sensation feels. It’s the classic vicious circle of a first session. Knowing exactly what’s going to happen helps to break this cycle: ask the tattoo artist to explain the steps (the stencil, the outlines, the shading) and how long each one will take.

Tiredness, hunger and thirst

A tired, empty or dehydrated body copes much less well with a tattoo session. This isn’t just a feeling: the French National Health Service points out that the pain of getting a tattoo can even cause fainting. An empty stomach is a major contributing factor.

Your own threshold

Some people naturally have a higher pain threshold than others, regardless of their gender or build. We all have in mind the image of the big, burly bloke turning pale as he gets a tattoo on his forearm, and that of the petite person getting one rib after another whilst chatting about the TV series they’re currently watching. Both exist, and neither has anything to prove.

The real risk isn’t the pain; it’s the discomfort

This is the aspect that’s often overlooked. You can cope with the pain. But the discomfort strikes when you least expect it: dizziness, cold sweats, blurred vision. It tends to affect people who arrive tired, on an empty stomach, or who are holding their breath without realising it.

To avoid this:

Have a proper meal a few hours beforehand, but don’t over-eat either;
drink water before and during the session;
Take a sweet snack with you for long sessions;
Breathe slowly, especially during the trickier parts. Holding your breath tenses up your whole body;
Let someone know straight away if you feel dizzy. It’s better to lie down for two minutes than to fall over.

And avoid alcohol the day before and on the day itself. Most tattoo artists refuse to tattoo someone who has been drinking, and the National Health Service lists alcohol amongst the factors that slow down healing. So, a drink to pluck up courage ends up costing you twice as much.

Do style and technique affect the level of pain?

Yes, and we rarely think about it. Drawing a fine, continuous line doesn’t feel the same as filling in a solid black area, where the needle goes over the same surface again and again. Filling in, shading and gradients are often perceived as more painful than outlines, because they put prolonged pressure on the same area.

A fine-line tattoo on the forearm may therefore prove easier than a small solid-colour design in the same area. Conversely, a large, full-coverage blackwork tattoo requires more stamina than courage. Ask the tattoo artist how they plan to proceed: knowing that the filling-in stage is due in an hour, and that it will last twenty minutes, makes the experience much easier to get through.

How do you manage a long session?

After three hours, the difficulty is no longer really the intensity of the pain, but the fatigue that builds up, the position you’ve been holding for a long time and the area becoming more sensitive with each pass. A few habits help a great deal:

regular breaks, requested before you’re completely exhausted;
Distractions: music, podcasts, conversation. Focusing on something other than the needle really changes your perception of time;
A comfortable position: if your arm goes numb or your leg feels tight, a slight adjustment is often all it takes;
Several sessions rather than just one for large designs, with the necessary healing time between sessions.

Anaesthetic creams? This is something to discuss with your tattoo artist before your appointment. Some allow them, others do not. These are active products: ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice before using one, and never apply it without telling your tattoo artist first.

And after the session, does it still hurt?

A little, for a few hours. According to the French National Health Insurance, immediately after getting a tattoo, the area is red, swollen and painful for a few hours. The sensation is similar to that of a severe localised sunburn: hot, tight and sensitive to touch. It subsides quickly, giving way over the following days to skin that feels tight, then itchy in the second week.

Pain that gets worse rather than better, redness that spreads, or a fever are not part of the process: these are signs that you should clean the area more thoroughly and then see your doctor if it doesn’t improve.

When should you seek medical advice before getting a tattoo?

Some people are at greater risk of complications.The French National Health Service (Assurance Maladie ) advises, in particular, that you speak to your GP before getting a tattoo if you have diabetes, a bleeding disorder, a weakened immune system, a known allergy to any substance used in tattooing, or a skin condition such as psoriasis or atopic eczema. If any of these apply to you, or if you are taking any medication, you should also discuss this with the tattoo artist: they must check for any potential contraindications. Our article on getting a tattoo whilst pregnant or on medical treatment provides further details on these situations.

Find out more

The pain of getting a tattoo lasts a few hours, but the tattoo itself lasts much longer. So you might as well make sure those few hours are spent in good hands. To find a certified tattoo artist near you and ask them what to expect in the area you’re interested in, download Tat’s It, the 100 per cent free app: the links are just below.

An idea, a tattoo, Tat’s It.