Avaliani recommends taking three or four Ibuprofen tablets an hour before your appointment so that your pain tolerance is higher by the time you feel the needle (which, by the way, looks more like the tip of a pen than a needle, in case that word scares you like it scared me).
Numbing cream is a popular option for smaller tattoos
"Numbing cream is so much better than it used to be. It didn't used to do the job, but now they're making numbing cream that works," Hepcat said.
With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.
Also be wary of taking any kind of pain medication that thins your blood or affects its ability to clot, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, lest you want to bleed more while getting tattooed.
BE ON TIME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT AND EAT BEFORE YOU GO
Just don't take aspirin or paracetamol or drink alcohol before your tattoo as they thin the blood slightly and can cause more bleeding during tattooing, effecting how the ink takes to the skin.
Numbing creams don't eliminate pain during the tattoo session, but they can help significantly. Most customers who got tattooed while using a numbing cream report that it made their experience much more bearable than if they hadn't used any numbing agent.
You must always ask your artist first before using a numbing solution. Some artists advise against using numbing creams because it can affect the tattoo process. It is possible that the cream or gel can temporarily alter your skin texture, making the artist's job much harder.
You might feel stinging or burning when the artist outlines or details your design. If you're getting a bony spot inked, you might feel a vibrating sensation. The most common feeling, however, is a low-grade pain that's moderate enough for you to be distracted from by talking, watching TV, or listening to music.
Pre-Tattoo DO NOT'S
DO NOT take drugs or alcohol within 24 hours of your tattoo (ESPECIALLY on the day, No Oxycotin, Xanax, Tramadol, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. It will not help.)
Once you're sure you've found a professional tattoo artist, the next best way to prevent blowout is to follow aftercare directions closely and pay attention to your ink during the healing process. Make sure you're cleaning your tattoo twice a day and keeping it moist until it's fully healed, at least two weeks.
Hands, Fingers, Feet, and Toes
These areas are all highly sensitive due to the high density of nerve endings and thin skin. Getting a tattoo on your fingers or toes can be especially painful. This is because the tattoo needle has to pass through the bone.
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.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol or taking any mind-altering substances, and make sure you keep your body hydrated in the days before and after your appointment. Hydrated skin is easier to tattoo and has much better ink retention than dry skin.
Emla numbing cream is a trusted brand that can help you through your tattoo appointment. Emla can also be used to numb the skin before laser tattoo removal.
Emla's numbing effect usually lasts at least 2 hours, so bear this in mind if you are planning a large/intricate tattoo or have a longer tattoo appointment. Remember, Emla usually takes about 1 hour to get to work, so make sure you apply it in advance. Emla can be left on the skin for up to 5 hours.
In some cases, it can make the tattoo harder to produce, if not impossible altogether–as numbing cream pulls the blood supply away from the area, making it harder to tattoo effectively, as it becomes greasy, flabby and otherwise a hard surface to use.
When should should I apply the cream? We recommend applying numbing cream at least 60-90 minutes before your appointment begins to ensure full numbing. Leave it on until you're sitting in the chair. If you're reapplying during a long session, wait at least 20-40 minutes before resuming the artwork.
In theory a tattoo might hurt most during a period and least during ovulation. But any real difference is probably minimal and it just hurts all the time."
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 most painful tattoo placements are frequently located at the extremities (head, face, hands, fingers, feet, toes), regions where there is naturally less body fat (ribcage, shoulder blade, collarbones, hips, ankles) or more nerve endings (armpit, groin or buttocks).