Surviving the pain of getting a tattoo

Part 6 of 7 ~ tattoo education
as I partook in this experience in the Fall of 2000.

Dedicated to the whole truth - my experience ~ from the beginning of the idea to the end of the first week of recovery.

A couple of things to consider:
1} My friend, who has had many tattoos, says she finds getting through a tattoo much more tolerable when she is alone. If anyone is with her during the experience she seems to have more pain. But this is not something I wanted to consider for my first time.
2} What did help me was holding a picture I had drawn of my tattoo - I concentrated on the fact that I really wanted it and I could hold what I was getting. {The picture did not survive the procedure!. It was rather torn up by the end of two hours and had fallen on the floor}
3} It also helped me to know that I had spent a LONG time deciding I wanted this tattoo and that no matter what I was feeling I knew deep down that I was doing the right thing for me and I didn’t have to worry that maybe I shouldn't be getting it.
4} If you do get to have someone with you {or maybe you can comfort yourself this way}, it helped me to caress or have caressed my arms and head and hands. I found it very soothing to have these areas gently petted {like you would a cat}. I often assumed the position of hugging myself - with my arms crossed in front of me - this felt good as well as comfortable. Having others with me I was lucky enough to have one person stand in front of me and I hugged them around their waist while the other person held my hand. Hugs and Hands work well to comfort me.
5} My husband and our friend knew I wanted them to tell me what was happening at all times - which they did - what part of the tattoo he was outlining, what colours my tattooist was working with and describing the colour shade by comparing it with something in the room so I could visualize it. This gave my mind something to think about. My tattooist was great and also talked to me quite a lot about what parts of the tattoo he was working on. Ask yours to do this for you.
6} If someone is with you and you want more comfort - have them talk to you or read from a book aloud to you. I found the human voice very soothing! The tattoo artist may also be willing to chat at times with you - to comfort you and help make you feel comfortable.
7} Prepare mentally for your appointment - I was so run-down, tired, and rushed that day and the day before I didn't get to mentally prepare or think about what I was doing or what I had planned to do. If I had spent time preparing and relaxing I might not have been so nervous and I might have had a more enjoyable experience. Maybe have a long hot shower or bath beforehand or do something really relaxing!!
8} Never forget that it is not too late to back out of it - even with the stencil drawn on you - only when you first get inked will it start to look a little funny if you decide to stop.
9} If a women schedules her tattoo appointment for a time just after her period ends she may feel like she has a little more strength - maybe depending on the individual.

Getting my tattoo was worth it!!! I love it. I'm very glad I did it. What got me through the experience was the pure truth in the fact that I was altering my body and if I chickened out after the outline was started or before the colouring was done I would simply look ugly and stupid - I HAD to finish!! - - and because I KNEW this was me and I wanted it so badly.

I'm not saying it will hurt you as much as it hurt me but let us be honest if someone is jabbing you millions of times with a combination of needles it is going to hurt! {Maybe in the old'n days that is why they use to get drunk to get one?} I also think being inked on a boney area is likely going to hurt more than on a fleshy area {but of course I only have one and can't compare this yet! for myself - oh boy, material for another webpage!?! **Smiles}

So why do people tell us "It doesn't hurt."
My three theories:
1} Maybe because they love tattoos so much and since the reality of the pain disappears over time it doesn't seem like such a big deal to them.
2} I saw a show once that interviewed people who had tattoos - some guys said that the pain was the best part for them. My tattooist also remarked that some people he has tattooed thrive on the pain.
3} I remember when I was younger and I asked people if getting their ears pierced hurt. The answer was no. Well, sure it hurt even if it was just for a short time and when they were done the pain stopped {same as a tattoo}. I asked my good friend afterwards why she told me getting her ears pierced didn't hurt and she said because if she had told me the truth - I would never have done it!

But getting a tattoo does hurt. Even my husband who has a high pain tolerance was squeezing my hand pretty hard and his was quivering at times - his face certainly bore the look of pain!