The total healing time will depend on the size and placement of your tattoo. Swelling is due to poor blood circulation in your leg. Rib tattoos are often reserved for people with high pain tolerance because there are various nerve endings, low levels of fat in the area and breathing can cause severe pain during the session. Dermabrasion uses a rotating wheel or brush to sand the top layers of tattooed skin. Laser therapy is the most common tattoo removal method. While guys may have muscle mass in this spot, a chest tattoo may cause severe pain for a biological male. Bend the right knee and place the foot flat on the floor. What areas of the body are the most and least sensitive? Insist on seeing their certification and checking out their equipment beforehand. Tattoo Pain Chart: Where It Hurts Most (and Least) - Healthline It entirely depends on how much pressure is placed on the leg. Theres a lot of muscle and thick skin on your forearms, without many nerve endings. The knee area has loose stretchy skin with many nerve endings. Its also worth noting that inexperienced artists will take their time, and you may want the process to be over as quickly as possible. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Tattoos Hurt You can expect to feel low to low-moderate levels of pain here. If you have an ankle tattoo, avoid wearing restrictive food wear or socks can also cause the ankle to swell. These hormones actually work to numb the pain into feeling like a dull ache in the background. This means no running, biking, weight lifting, or other activities that will cause excessive sweating. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. Do Thigh Tattoos Hurt? What You Need To Consider - TND Surgical excision for unwanted tattoos. A lot of people who tattoo their spine will experience extreme pain, due to sharp nerve endings and how close the spine is to the skin. WebHi there, I'm just looking for a bit of advice from anyone who has had a thigh tattoo. The shoulder comes with a low to moderate pain level since there is padding and tissue in this area. WebEven if you get inked by a licensed tattoo artist and follow the aftercare, your skin can react in weird and unexpected ways. This depends on several factors, but youll be far more attuned to the pain as an experienced ink lover than someone getting their first piece of body art. A thigh tattoo is a large and visible tattoo, so it is important to be aware of the healing process before getting inked. Bursae are present all over the body near joints. To relieve the pressure, plan to go commando for a few days after your session and avoid irritating scrubs and lotions until youre entirely healed. People with higher body fat percentages struggle more with the stomach area because the skin is looser and will be more disturbed by the needles movement. It is the result of fluid filled sacs called bursae in the pelvis becoming inflamed. Younger people tend to handle tattoo pain better as their skin is more resilient. The least painful tattoo spots are the forearm, thigh, back and shoulder, which are areas with fewer nerving endings, thicker skin and extra fat for protection. 3. It is especially true, Read More Do Chest Tattoos Stretch?Continue, When it comes to changing tattoo colors, the options you have are very limited as you cannot ever take color out of a tattoo; you, Read More Changing Tattoo Colors: What Are Your Options?Continue, Tattoos can hold a lot of personal and significant meanings, but to a lot of people, their tattoos dont really symbolize anything, and thats great!, Read More Should Tattoos Have Meaning? Getting an upper or lower back tattoo will cause low to moderate pain since there are fewer nerves and a decent amount of muscle mass, cushioning you against the needle. genitals. Being extremely painful area, Youll experience more pain as you get closer to the ankle and the back of the knee which are packed with nerve endings, so bear this in mind before committing to a design. Tattoos are trendy these days, making it even more necessary to think about all of the issues involved before having one. Heres the general consensus: The least painful places to get tattooed are those with the most fat, fewest nerve endings, and thickest skin. The swelling can make the area feel worse than it is. Also, ensure that you are not wearing tight clothing where the fabric will rub against the tattoo, which can cause a rash. Those areas include "the ribs, feet, elbow ditch, and armpit area," explains Lavriv. Heres What You Should Know, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? If the symptoms do not improve, a doctor may recommend medical treatments. The least painful spots to get tattooed are the shoulders, arms, outer bicep and upper thighs. We avoid using tertiary references. Leave this in place for at least a few hours, or until your tattoo is no longer bleeding. For a sprawling head tattoo or a design that spans across the face, you may want to complete the work across multiple sessions to manage the pain. Your wound will heal within 10 to 14 days, but swelling may last for weeks or months. Everything You Need to Know Before You Get a Thigh Tattoo A tattoo pain chart can be the guidance needed to help men and women determine how much a tattoo will hurt. Areas that likely cause the least amount of pain when tattooed tend to be padded with some fat, have tight skin, have few nerve endings, and arent close to bones. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Its not something I would recommend to anyone, especially if youre going to be doing it for a long period of time. You just inflicted a big trauma on yourself, be kind to your Again, this hasnt been proven scientifically, but certain types of pain are well-known in the tattoo community. The length of your session will also determine what you feel. Bumps are. Be prepared for the level of sensitivity you may experience depending on what area of the thigh you get your tattoo on. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Despite having a high pain threshold, the after pain was on another level. Hunter D. (n.d.). Heavier people tend to have looser skin; hence you will experience more pain if you fit this profile. Examples include tennis elbow and housemaid's knee. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Heavier people may have looser skin, which could also be more sensitive to tattoos. You may also see some oozing and scabbing. The groin is a very painful area to get tattooed because it is packed with nerve endings and is constantly subject to friction. Bumps are, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The front and back of the shoulder may be slightly more painful, but the outer shoulder is a great placement for tattoo newbies who havent worked up their pain tolerance yet. This area tends to be less painful for men as they typically have more muscle mass, but women shouldnt expect more than moderate soreness from their session. Stay sober for your tattoo. Dermabrasion is most effective for smaller pieces. 3. Alcohol thins your blood and can cause bleeding and bruising. According to authorities, the 23-year-old woman was walking in the 1500 block of 17th AVenue when she reported hearing a loud pop, and felt a sharp pain in her Thigh Tattoo Healing - Tattoo Forum Some tattoos can be done in a single session, while others require multiple sessions to get the best results. Hunter D. (n.d.). The macrophages will not be able to carry out their work successfully. The skin here very thin, and it contains numerous nerve endings that can trigger pain when hit by a tattoo needle. The nicest thing about a leg tattoo is that it stands out from the crowd while being undetectable under clothing. Good tattoo aftercare will promote proper healing and reduce the risk of infection. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Learn more. With approximately 10-15 needle drops per second, tattooing can be quite a painful process. The upper outer thigh is one of the least painful places to get a tattoo, with pain low to low-moderate in most people. (2018). This kind of pain is usually quite intense, and it feels like the needle is poking deep into your skin. The great thing about this placement is that you wont have to deal with any cartilage or bone that increases how much a tattoo will hurt. Wherever you choose to express yourself, you should remember that walking or moving your feet will be hard to do. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Leg tattoos have become one of the most popular and flexible tattoo locations for men. Wondering if your brand-new ink will stretch? In the meantime, keep those legs elevated. Getting a shoulder, arm, back, chest and outer thigh tattoo will likely hurt the least. Ischial bursitis can cause problems with walking, running, or sitting. While this pain isnt usually intense, it can hurt a lot if your tattoo artist works on the same area for a long time. Heres what you can, You're not alone if you experience regret either immediately or years later over a tattoo. Many people do. Injuries in other areas of the body can cause pain to spread to the upper thighs. Stages of the tattoo healing process A day-by-day walkthrough. The number of sittings depends on your tattoo design and the artists experience. It is advisable to loosen the bandage and air the tattoo to heal properly. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Lower back pain, when standing or walking, can often be a symptom of muscle fatigue or poor posture. A spine tattoo will hurt for men and women because the part has many nerve endings and the skin is extremely thin. Youll also need to prepare for the painful rubbing that happens every time you sit down. See your tattoo artist for touch-ups as needed. Keep it clean and moisturized to prevent infection and speed healing. Still, its not risk-free. Lie flat on the back with the head resting on a pillow and keep the legs straight. While there is no scientific evidence that says which areas of the body will feel the most and least pain when getting inked, we gathered anecdotal information from sites run by people in the tattoo industry. This tattoo pain chart for a female shows that the sternum, stomach, pubic area, elbow, face, underboob, shin, foot and knee cap will hurt the most. It also helps that the lower arm gives your artist visibility, allowing them to complete their work efficiently. Our skin thins significantly as we get older and provides less cushioning against the needle. Thigh Tattoo Care: A Step-by-Step Guide - Tattoofancy While popular, a hand and finger tattoo can cause excruciating pain. Being too skinny can result in intense pain as well since the skin on the stomach will be taut and stretched. Its worth noting that tattoos closer to the sternum will hurt more as the skin in this area is thinner and close to the bone. If you stand for longer, it will affect the healing process. Treatments are available to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. However, it is not uncommon for the pain to flare up again when the tattoo is healing, especially if it gets scratched or rubbed. Find out more about bursitis, including, The iliac crest is the most prominent part of the largest bone in the hip, and pain can occur due to exercise, injury, and wear and tear. Start on all fours with the knees under the hips and the hands under the shoulders, keeping the neck straight. For those wondering what a tattoo feels like, most people compare the pain to a burning sensation combined with a sharp pricking feeling. It also tends to hurt more when multiple needles are used at the same time, rather than a single needle. When to see your In some cases, the symptoms can be so severe that they may require hospitalization. Apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare ointment to the tattoo. Touching up your tattoo will help keep it looking its best. However, it is still vulnerable to sun damage, so be sure to use sunscreen when exposed to sunlight. You should also avoid sitting for long periods of time, as this can irritate the tattoo. The Answer May Surprise You. Do multiple body modifications alter pain threshold? Placement can also be a factor since biological men will feel more severe pain in areas like the throat, groin, upper thigh and hips due to a naturally lower level of body fat. If youre concerned about pain, think carefully about where youll get tattooed. Generally speaking, the most painful body parts to ink are bony areas, or areas with thin skin or that have a lot of nerve endings. New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. You will need to hold your lips open for the entire appointment, causing dryness and cracking. The inner thigh will always be an extremely painful place to get tattooed because it contains a high concentration of nerve endings that run to the top of the leg. Getting tattooed on your inner bicep will result in moderate to severe pain during your session because the skin on the underside of the arm is thin, loose and full of sensitive nerve endings. Areas with few nerve endings are also less sensitive. Two weeks: The tattoo will continue to peel and flake, but will start to look more like the final design. Tattoos Hurt Tattoo pain is a factor for getting body ink that depends on sex, age, threshold level and placement. While endorphins may not relieve your pain much, the hormone can act as a natural painkiller, working alongside over-the-counter options and numbing cream. Archived post. Although youll feel this pain with a single needle, it hurts more when multiple needles are used to boost your ink. Ischial bursitis. Imagine having a tattoo in the same area trying to heal; further movement will aggravate the pain. Lower leg tattoos tend to cause swelling and pain. What is the most painful place to get a tattoo? Older skin also tends to get bruised more easily, which could be the reason for the pain after the tattoo. Thigh problems can be the result of an injury caused by: overstretching or twisting during activities or sport a fall a direct blow to the thigh Pain in your thigh may also come on for no apparent reason. Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions. The deeper layers can take up to six months. An ankle and shin tattoo generally causes intense pain since there is very little fat surrounding these areas. These lifestyle changes may help prevent the problem from reoccurring. (2019). (2019). Chronic pain and sex-differences; women accept and move, while men feel blue. This scratching sensation is usually felt when your artist is shading, adding depth to your design or has been working in the same area for a while. Your tattoo artist should always wear clean gloves and use sterilized equipment. UV rays can fade your tattoo, so make sure to cover up when youre spending time outdoors. The pain level will increase for large artwork so consider getting a small and simple design to minimize the hurt. The most painful places to get tattooed have the most nerve endings, the least fat, the thinnest skin and multiple bony spots that vibrate. Your thighs are where your thiccness lives, but still, they are a tender region. In this case, your artist may divide your session into two- or three-hour sittings. You can prevent tattoo blowout by using a highly experienced tattoo artist and avoiding tattooing on very thin skin. This may be due to physical and chemical differences between womens and mens bodies. The Signs of an Infected Tattoo and How to Care for It Although this pain is not as intense, you may experience numbness to the tattoo area. Usually, thigh tattoos take about 3-4 weeks to heal, but it takes up to three months for the skin to fully heal. If you have a tattoo on your thigh, its best to get it removed as soon as possible. (2017). After your session, your tattoo might keep oozing blood for up to two days. Sciatica causes a sharp pain in the lower back that travels down the leg. Pain here can be high to severe. Usually, the pain will be the most The placement of your tattoo, as well as what your sex is, can affect the pain. Move the right foot to the outside of the left knee. It is still important to keep it clean and moisturized. First up, they can be incredibly sexy, bringing attention to your shapely legs. Repeat the exercise lifting the right arm and left leg. Re-wrap the tattoo in clean gauze or a bandage and leave it in place for a few more hours. The skin on your thigh is also extremely thick and covered with a layer of fat that gives you support. You can tolerate the experience if you are fit and have high muscle mass. It can take up to six weeks for a wound to heal. If you have a covered body part, please wear loose clothing made of soft materials. You may also feel that at a certain time, the pain intensifies. The following steps may help people manage ischial bursitis: If lifestyle changes and home treatments are not working, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections with lidocaine into the affected bursae. Follow tattoo aftercare instructions such as washing your tattoo, wearing loose clothing over your tattoo, and applying ointment and moisturizer to reduce pain and the risks of complications after your tattoo is finished. Read on to find out which spots are likely to be most and least painful. After the first week, you can slowly start to introduce more activity back into your life. Tattoo pain: How much does getting a tattoo hurt? First few days: The tattoo will be raised and red, and will feel like a sunburn. Vibrating pain is a result when youre getting tattooed in an area with several bones like the wrist, ribs, ankle or shin. Leg Tattoos can take anything from two weeks to months to heal. The reason for a calf tattoo hurts to walk can be from the swelling of the tattoo wound. In fact, most tattoo artists advise against people getting armpit tattoos. Tattoos on other parts of the body, like the arms and legs of a woman or man, are usually less expensive, but can still cost $500 or more. Younger skin is also tighter, meaning it easily absorbs the ink and wont require as many pokes to achieve a vibrant result. This causes vibrating pain. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. The kneecap is usually in a state of flexion as you move which will make the healing process more uncomfortable than in other areas. The lower stomach tends to be hurt the most because of its proximity to the genitals and groin, but the side of the stomach near the ribs can also be extremely sensitive. Its most commonly felt in areas a tattoo artist has worked on for a long time, caused by a combination of your skins rawness and the repeated trauma resulting from a tattoo needle piercing your skin in the same place. Apply ointment and drink plenty of water and anti-inflammatories for the pain. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.