Marisa DiMattia: Matthew Amey on Hypnosis & Tattoos

MARISA DIMATTIA: Matthew Amey on Hypnosis and Tattoos

In researching for Needled News, my Monday SG column on the week’s tattoo headlines, I found a story on hypnosis being used to alleviate the pain of tattooing. I was skeptical, that is, until I received an email from tattoo artist, Matthew Amey of Independent Tattoo in Delware, linking the same article and telling me of his own success hypnotizing tattoo clients.

Now, I’ve known Matthew for a few years; he’s been tattooing since 1991 and for the past five years, we’ve been bumping into each other...

Hmmm... That's very interesting! I've never thought of hypnosis for tattoo pain relief. I used breathing and counting techniques, but I'd definitely be interested in hypnosis. Especially for ribs and pubic area.

really fascinating interview. i'll have to look into the practice more....

thanks for this marisa!

definitely interesting...however, i enjoy the whole process, pain included

I never really thought that pain was an issue, but then again, I've never been tattooed anywhere but my arm, so what do I know.

I would love to try this out.....

My first few tattoos didn't hurt that much at all. Even my most recent, on the head, was very managable. But then others parts were a mothafucka. Especially in more fleshy areas like the underside of my arm and my butt. Ouch!

Also, as I get older, I feel the pain more. It's not something I've gotten used to.

Still, I probably will keep taking the pain just because I feel like more of a badass.

I think this could form a new era for tattooing, with two kinds of tattoo available, pain and painfree maybe.
Large areas or full sleeves gain respect because everyone knows it hurts, that's the "point" isn't it?
No pain no real gain. I say.
I don't want people to think i didn't suffer for my artwork!!!

Matthew just told me that he can also add a suggestion to intensify the pain. How many people would sign up for that?

Intriguing. I am not sure my inner control freak would allow me to cede that much personal control. Weirdly I have never experienced that much pain from any of my tattoo sessions.