Tattoos can look incredible, and skilled Tattoo Artists spend countless hours training to make them that way. There is no getting around one truth, though: getting a tattoo can hurt. Tattoo pain is real, but it is manageable. With the right placement, the right artist, and a little preparation, you can take the edge off and still walk away with art you love. Here is how to avoid tattoo pain and set yourself up for an easier session.

Does tattoo placement change how much it hurts?

Placement is the single biggest factor in how much a tattoo hurts. A seasoned artist may cause only slight irritation on a fleshy spot like your outer thigh, but no artist alive can make the back of your knee painless. Areas with a little fat and thicker skin tend to hurt far less than bony areas with thin skin and nerves close to the surface.

These spots tend to cause the least pain:

• Shoulders: muscle and thicker skin dull the sensation
• Most of your back: comfortable away from the armpits and the spine
• Calves: forgiving except right behind the knee
• Forearms and inner wrists: popular for a reason, generally mild
• Outer biceps: plenty of muscle to soften the needle
• Thighs: easy going except near the groin

These spots tend to hurt a lot more and are best avoided for a first tattoo:

• Armpits and hips: thin skin over sensitive areas
• Elbows and shins: bone sits right under the surface
• Back of the knees: soft, nerve-rich, and hard to sit still for
• Along the spine and ribs: bone and constant movement from breathing
• Groin and nipples: some of the most tender areas on the body
• Head, face, hands, and feet: thin skin, little padding, high sensitivity

Everyone is different, so there is no guaranteed way to feel almost nothing. But choosing your placement wisely gets you most of the way there.

Do some tattoo styles hurt more than others?

Yes. The style of tattoo you choose affects how it feels. A design with lots of solid shading and color usually means more passes over the same skin, which reads as a scratching, burning sensation. Fine line work, dot work, and watercolor styles often use a lighter touch, so the pain tends to be less intense. If you are worried about it, talk through your design with your Tattoo Artist and ask what to expect for that particular style.

How does your Tattoo Artist affect the pain?

The skill and training of your Tattoo Artist matters more than most people realize. Someone working out of their house with little or no formal training can cause far more pain, and may use equipment that is not fit for human use. That is a health risk, not just a comfort one.

If you are looking for clean, professional studios, take a look at our locations around the US.

What else can you do to avoid tattoo pain?

Placement and a skilled artist do the heavy lifting, but your own preparation counts too. Work through these steps before and during your session:

Tattoo pain is part of getting a tattoo, but with smart placement, a trained artist, and a little preparation, you can minimize it and walk away with high-quality art that lasts.