Let’s get the most common question out of the way first: Yes, getting a tattoo hurts.
You are having a cluster of needles inserted into the dermis layer of your skin at a rate of 50 to 3,000 times per minute. However, the type of pain and the intensity of the pain vary wildly depending on your pain tolerance, the artist’s technique, and most importantly, the placement on your body.
Before you book your next piece in Las Vegas, review this comprehensive tattoo pain chart so you know exactly what you are signing up for.
The Science of Tattoo Pain
Tattoo pain is generally determined by three factors:
1. Nerve Density: Areas with a high concentration of nerve endings (hands, feet, groin) hurt the most.
2. Lack of Fat/Muscle Cushion: Tattoos directly over bone (ribs, shins, collarbones) vibrate the bone and cause a deep, agonizing ache.
3. Skin Thickness: Thin skin (inner bicep, ditch of the elbow) tears and burns much faster than thick skin (outer forearm).
The Low Pain Zones (1-3 out of 10)
If it is your first tattoo, these are the ideal placements. The pain is generally described as a hot, vibrating scratch. It’s annoying, but very manageable, even for long sessions.
- Outer Forearm: The gold standard for first tattoos. Thick skin, plenty of muscle, few nerve endings.
- Outer Thigh: A massive, flat canvas with a thick cushion of fat and muscle.
- Outer Bicep / Shoulder: Very low pain, though it gets slightly more sensitive as you approach the armpit.
- Calves: The meaty back of the lower leg is generally painless, though it can trigger involuntary muscle twitches.
The Medium Pain Zones (4-6 out of 10)
These areas will make you wince, and you’ll definitely be watching the clock during the last hour of the session, but most people can sit through them without issue.
- Inner Forearm: More sensitive than the outer forearm, especially near the wrist crease.
- Center Back: The spine can be sharp and vibrating, but the shoulder blades and lat muscles are highly manageable.
- Shins: Tattooing directly over the shin bone causes a sharp, jarring vibration, but the lack of nerve endings makes it tolerable.
- Inner Bicep: The skin here is very soft and thin. The pain feels more like a burning sensation than a scratch.
The High Pain Zones (7-8 out of 10)
You need to mentally prepare for these areas. The pain is intense, sharp, and unrelenting. You will sweat, you will grip the table, and you will need breaks.
- The Ribcage: Notorious for a reason. Thin skin directly over bone, plus the constant expansion and contraction of breathing makes this area excruciating.
- The Stomach: The lack of bone actually makes this worse. The needle digs deep into the soft tissue, causing a deep, burning ache.
- The “Ditch” (Inner Elbow): This area is packed with nerve endings. Tattoos here swell massively and burn intensely.
- Knee Caps: It feels like a drill going directly into your joint. The healing process is equally brutal.
The Extreme Pain Zones (9-10 out of 10)
These areas are reserved for tattoo veterans. The pain is blinding, and artists usually have to work quickly.
- Sternum / Solar Plexus: Often described as the worst pain on the human body. It vibrates your entire chest cavity.
- Tops of the Feet / Toes: Zero fat, pure bone, and millions of nerve endings.
- Palms of the Hands: The skin on the palm is incredibly tough, requiring the artist to push the needle in very hard. The nerve density makes this agonizing.
- The Neck and Throat: Sharp, burning pain combined with the psychological discomfort of having someone pressing on your airway.
How to Manage the Pain
If you are scheduled for a tough zone, use these tactics to survive the session:
1. Eat a massive, carb-heavy meal beforehand. Adrenaline depletes blood sugar; a full stomach prevents you from passing out.
2. Hydrate for days prior. Well-hydrated skin accepts ink faster, reducing the amount of time the artist has to spend going over the same spot.
3. Breathe. Do not hold your breath. Exhale long and slow when the needle hits the skin.
4. Do not show up hungover. An un-rested, dehydrated body will amplify the pain tenfold.
Conclusion
Don’t let the pain chart scare you away from your dream design. Pain is temporary, but the art is permanent. Choose the placement that best fits the design, prepare your body, and embrace the rite of passage.
