Dealing with Tattoo Pain

20

As I'm sure a few of you have seen, I have a rather large (okay, huge) piece in the works on my right thigh / hip / booty region. It's this sick ass two-headed snake breaking through a flaming lantern.

I've had two sessions on it already, but it will take quite a few more to finish. When I go in for an appointment, my artist (Matt Stebly of Twisted Anchor; catch him at Hell City Phoenix!) tries to get in as much work as possible, which can make for a pretty lengthy session.

With such a long session comes a bit of pain... I try to "get in the zone" jamming with my earbuds in, but other than that & short of anesthetics like Hush, what do you find most helpful when dealing with the pain of getting tattooed? I'd love to hear your tips & tricks & maybe give some a try tomorrow when I go in for my appointment!

Also, shameless plug... Follow @mattsteblytattoos on Instagram to see awesome progress pics of my tattoo! Tell him I sent ya (-;

quinnh:
I have a big thigh piece that I did in one go. I find it easier to not take any breaks - just do a big session with no breaks, giving my body time to get over the pain to then start it again shortly afterwards is a baaaaadddd idea. I just read a book the whole time and when the pain got really bad I squeezed the fuck out of the book. I found it super therapeutic, although my fingers ached afterwards because I'm a baby haha. Good luck for your next session tomorrow! It's going to look killer when it is all done 
eminence:
I have a high pain tolerance so I just sit there and watch netflix while getting tattooed but my husband has to put lidocaine cream all over the certain area an hour before getting tattooed. He then wraps the area with saran wrap and after an hour he takes it off. No feeling whatsoever especially when getting tattooed. Try to do that and see if it helps you out. Normally when I go in to be tattooed I only go for 2-3 hours at a time and then I have to wait a month or two later after my tattooed is healed. I LOVE  the piece that you are getting. It is sick!!!

More Blogs