Tattoos are a common way for people to show their individuality and share their own stories. However, the possible discomfort of getting a tattoo is a common worry among those thinking about getting one for the first time.
While everyone’s pain threshold is different, having a basic knowledge of where parts of the body hurt the most and why may help set reasonable expectations and make getting a tattoo more pleasurable for everyone involved.
In this post, we’ll investigate the idea of a tattoo pain chart, talking about the many locations of the body and the various elements that might affect how painful a tattoo is likely to be in each.
The Tattoo Pain Chart
The tattoo pain chart is a general guidance that might help you prepare for the potential pain that will accompany having a tattoo. Because of variables including individual differences in pain tolerance and skin sensitivity as well as the design or method employed, people may have different experiences.
| Body Area | Pain Level |
|---|---|
| Ribcage and Sternum | High |
| Head and Face | High |
| Spine and Vertebrae | High |
| Upper Arm and Shoulder | Moderate |
| Lower Back | Moderate |
| Calves and Shins | Moderate |
| Forearm and Wrist | Low |
| Thighs | Low |
| Upper Back and Shoulders | Low |
Male Tattoo Pain Chart
Female Tattoo Pain Chart
High Pain Areas
- Ribcage and Sternum: The closeness of the bones and the thin layer of skin covering them may make tattooing the ribcage a very unpleasant experience. The sternum, in particular, is a vulnerable spot.
- Head and Face: The nerve terminals in the head and face are more densely packed than those in other parts of the body. The scalp, forehead, temples, and cheeks are all places where discomfort is often reported.
- Spine and Vertebrae: Because of the closeness of the bone and the possibility for vibrations to ricochet down the spine, getting a tattoo right over the spine or vertebrae may be painful.
Moderate Pain Areas
- Upper Arm and Shoulder: Pain in the upper arm and shoulder is often less than in other, more bony regions, although it may still be present, particularly in the area around the armpit or the collarbone.
- Lower Back: Lower back tattoos might cause significant discomfort owing to the closeness of the spinal column and the thin skin in that area.
- Calves and Shins: Since the muscles in that region provide some padding, calf discomfort is often classified as mild. But the shins, which have more exposed bone and less muscle, maybe a little more painful.
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Low Pain Areas
- Forearm and Wrist: The forearm and wrist are considered low-pain areas, as they have a good amount of muscle and fewer nerve endings compared to other parts of the body.
- Thighs: The thighs tend to be less painful, thanks to the generous muscle mass and thicker skin.
- Upper Back and Shoulders: Tattooing the upper back and shoulders typically results in less discomfort due to the muscle and fat layers present in these areas.
Managing Tattoo Pain
Tattoo discomfort may be managed in a number of ways, and it helps to have some idea of what to expect from the experience in advance.
- Communication: Make sure your tattoo artist understands your pain threshold. Any necessary adjustments may be made to the method or breaks provided.
- Distractions: While being tattooed, try listening to music, watching a movie, or talking to someone to get your mind off the pain.
- Deep Breathing: If you want to calm down and feel better, doing deep breathing exercises will help.
- Numbing Creams: You may lessen the discomfort of getting a tattoo by using lidocaine-based topical anesthetics. If you need advice, go to your tattoo artist or a doctor.
- Take Breaks: If the tattooing process gets too painful, feel free to ask for brief pauses.
