Unlike the upper or lower back, the spine is one of the most painful spots to get a tattoo. The spine is a bony area full of nerve endings, which make it particularly sensitive to pain. Spine tattoos generally rank at a 9/10 on the pain scale.
But spine tattoos aren't effortless. For both artists and clients, designs on the spine require great effort and can be painful to sit through.
Many report the ribs to be among the most painful areas to get tattooed (9-10). The sternum and under bust areas share the same high degree of pain (9-10) for this reason. It should be noted that these areas can also be quite uncomfortable to heal, especially for women.
The spine is a sensitive area due to the proximity of the spinal cord and nerve endings. Tattooing directly over the vertebrae can be especially painful.
The most painful spots to get a tattoo are your ribs, spine, fingers, and shins. The least painful spots to get a tattoo are your forearms, stomach, and outer thighs.
The math behind it is simple: the longer it takes or the harder it is to tattoo, the more it costs. While a small spine piece might take less than an hour to complete, Rey says that in her style a medium tattoo can take between one to three hours.
If you can, you should try to avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo. For instance, if you have a tattoo on your back, try to sleep on your front and let the tattoo breathe.
Sleeping Directly on the Tattoo
Sleeping on any part of your body adds pressure to it and causes friction when you move around. If you can, avoid sleeping directly on the part of your body that just received a tattoo.
Carrying over from the concept above, tattoo placement makes a difference. If you get tattooed on the buttocks, back of your thigh, or on a part of your back that comes in direct contact with your driver's seat, you will experience pain and discomfort while driving.
"Skin numbing creams can definitely help minimize the pain from tattoo treatment and I do recommend them," says Gee, but she adds two caveats: First, understand that the topicals will decrease but not eliminate pain. Second, opt for a prescription numbing cream applied in the office as they are most effective.
Handle Your Back Tattoo with Care
After you shower, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology suggests you pat—not rub or wipe—the area dry with a clean towel or kitchen paper, or allow for it to air dry. And though tempting, do not scratch or pick the scabs and loose skin.
The spine is incredibly sensitive, making tattoos in this area are all the more painful because the vertebrae are very close to the skin. However, what makes spine tattoo pain worse is the nerves that run up and down your entire spinal cord.
No it isn't a good idea. Consider having your bicep tattooed first. Think of a meaningful design and put it there, one of the least painful places to get a tattoo. Your spine is a very sensitive place for a tattoo and you might not be able to finish the tattoo.
Back and spine tattoos
In the same way, you'll definitely need to consider clothing that allows for your back to be unobstructed. Choose "something you can wear backwards so you are covered at the front but still accessible at the back," suggests Sarah.
Use lukewarm or cold water, and keep the tattoo from heavy shower flow, instead opting to gently rinse the area of your tattoo. Make sure the bandage is secured to your skin before you expose it to water pressure from the shower.
The main thing is to try to keep pressure off of the new tattoo, so if you are a side sleeper with a new arm tattoo, sleep on the opposite arm. If it's a back tattoo, try to sleep on your front. Taking the pressure off will relieve the pain you can feel with a new piece, and it will also help you to avoid damaging it.
They age better with time because they aren't exposed to as much sunlight as an arm or hand tattoo. They are the largest canvas space on your body that provides the best opportunity to do something really creative! I could go on....they are my favorite canvas on the body to tattoo and I love to do BIG FULL BACK pieces!
Myth: In reality, getting tattooed does hurt -- but it does not produce the same type of pain as childbirth. The pain of getting a tattoo feels more like scratching a bad sunburn.
In general, the least painful spots are those with the biggest fat content, fewest nerve endings, and thickest skin. The most painful spots to get tattooed are those with the least fat, most nerve endings, and thinnest skin. Bony areas such as ribs or hips or chest usually hurt a lot.
Your tattoo might move around a bit during weight loss. If your skin gets a bit loose during your weight loss, your tattoo might shift. If you are losing weight while also toning or building muscle, then your tattoo might find itself sculpted to your body in a different way.