Most and Least Painful Places to Get Tattooed

The skin over the head is thin and stretched tight against bone. An array of blood vessels and nerve endings are very sensitive to tattoo needle pricks. Unfortunately, there isn’t much fat to act as a barrier, so avoiding tattoo pain on the head is impossible.

Tattoo Pain Areas: The Least vs Most Painful Places to Get a Tattoo

When it comes to getting a tattoo, most people will have a preconceived idea of what they want to get and where they want to get it, weeks before their appointment. Given the permanency of tattoos, it’s understandable that aesthetic is inevitably the primary consideration – but what about the tattoo pain scale ? Understanding the common tattoo pain areas is definitely something to note prior to your appointment to avoid any kind of unpleasant surprises on the day. We’d hate to see anyone have to pull the pin half way through their inking because the pain was too unbearable. To save you the trouble, here’s a list of the most and least painful places to get a tattoo . Remember, If you’re planning on getting a tattoo you should consider something like a Tattoo Care Kit to ensure a safe, efficient heal for proper care of your precious body art for life: https://www.ink-nurse.com/collections/ink-nurse-new-range/products/ink-foam-nurse-care-pack

Most painful places to get a tattoo

The nature of tattooing in the repeated piercing of the skin means that getting inked is pain inducing to an extent. And while everyone will experience different levels of pain depending on their pain threshold and other factors such as sex, generally the most painful places to get a tattoo are the areas close to bones or where multiple nerve endings rest. There is no evidence-based explanation to suggest that certain areas of the body hurt more than others, however, based on our experience in the industry, both as artists and as victims of getting inked, these are the spiciest places to get tattooed.

Armpit

Condemned by many as the most painful place to get a tattoo , the armpit area is repeatedly reported as an uncomfortable experience – so much so that tattoo artists now advise against armpit tattoos. The reason the pain in the armpit area is so heightened is because of the nerves that run through it, namely the axillary nerve. The axillary nerve is connected to multiple nerve endings in the armpit, making it an area particularly sensitive to pain.

Behind the knee

In a very similar way to the armpit, the back of our knees carry many nerve endings that join our muscles to joints, making it a very painful place to get a tattoo .

Rib cage

The rib cage tattoo pain scale is also quite severe as the skin around our ribs is very thin and extremely close to the bones, making each impression of the needle unpleasant.

Ankles, shins, knees and elbows

Just like the ribcage, our ankles, shins, knees and elbows are bones that rest beneath thin layers of skin making the vibrations of the tattoo needle extremely painful.

Head, face, and ears

Our heads contain an abundance of nerve endings that become immediately irritated by the process of getting inked. Not only this but there’s not a lot of fat on our heads to cushion the tattoo needle, and some people have reported that the noise and the vibration of the needle create both a psychologically and physically uncomfortable experience.

Groin and inner thighs

In theory, the inner thigh is an area that should be a reasonably pain free place to get a tattoo because there’s a lot of skin and it’s far from the bone. However, the groin consists of many nerve endings that make tattooing this area quite painful. Some also say that the healing process is more painful than other areas because the thigh is likely to rub against the other leg quite frequently.

Hands, fingers, feet, and toes

Getting inked in these boney parts of our body is again painful for the lack of skin around the area. Another consequence of this means that the ink struggles to stick to these areas, more often than not resulting in the artist needing to go over the design multiple times.

Inner bicep

The inner bicep is known as another tattoo pain area as a result of the soft and loose skin around the muscle. It also carries many nerve endings that when pinched by the tattoo needle, cause pain to run down the entire arm, not just the pressure point of where the tattoo is being drawn.

Least painful places to get a tattoo

Generally speaking, the areas of the body that are likely to cause the least amount of pain when getting inked tend to be the areas that are cushioned by fat, where the skin is tight and where fewer nerve endings can be found. It’s likely that you’ll still feel the pinch of the needle in these areas, however, their surrounding environment ultimately makes for a more comfortable experience.

Upper thighs

The upper thigh and the upper outer thigh have everything that aids comfort levels when getting inked; they are well padded with fat, they have fewer nerve endings, and they’re far from any bones, making for a lower tattoo pain scale .

Forearm

Our forearms are surrounded by muscle and protected by a thick layer of skin making it one of the least painful places to get a tattoo .

Outer shoulders

The outer shoulder area is a popular spot for many first-timers as there is a lot of flesh and few nerve endings resulting in a reasonably low level of pain.

Outer bicep

Because the flesh on the outside of the arm isn’t as close to the main nerves that run through the arm, the outer bicep makes for a less painful place to get a tattoo .

Calves

Generally speaking, the area between the ankle and the back of the knee is among the least painful places to get a tattoo as there is a significant amount of muscle protected by tight skin.

Upper and lower back

The upper and lower parts of our back are also one of the least painful places to get a tattoo because the skin is thick. The closer to the spine you get, you’ll find some more intense discomfort as you edge towards the nerve endings, but generally speaking, the back remains a low level tattoo pain area .

There you have it, a complete breakdown of tattoo pain spots!

Take care and remember to ensure proper preparation when getting your next tattoo (or your first!) and visit ink-nurse.com for more advice, tips and Australia’s number 1 selling tattoo care products.

Good luck with the pain!

– Jason PS: Here Is A 20% OFF Discount Code Just For You: “WorthThePain”
Enter at the checkout and enjoy happy healthy tattooed skin with us.

Most and Least Painful Places to Get Tattooed

Does it hurt to get tattooed? Absolutely! Tattooing involves injecting tiny, ink-filled needles thousands of times into the skin. So, even if you have a high pain tolerance, there is no way to avoid some discomfort while getting inked. Are you wondering what is the most and least painful place to get tattooed? Let’s review the most popular spots on the body to get inked and where they fall on the tattoo pain scale.

While everyone manages pain differently, there are body parts that are more painful to get tattooed than others. For example, spots with thin skin and lots of bone are definitely going to hurt more than fattier areas. So, If you are worried about handling the pain while getting tattooed or plan to go under the tattoo needle for the first time, pick a less painful place to get tattooed, like the arm or back.

Most Painful Places to Get Tattooed

You might be surprised to learn that some of the most popular spots to get tattooed, like hands, feet, and abdomen, are also the most painful spots to get inked. Factors like skin thickness, lack of fat, proximity to bones and tendons, and number of nerve endings all contribute to a higher level of pain while getting tattooed.

Feet

The top of the foot is a popular place to get tattooed. It’s easy to show off your ink with sandals and even easier to conceal with an enclosed shoe. However, the foot poses many tattoo challenges, especially related to pain. The foot has tons of bones and tendons, and the skin is extremely thin. As a result, foot tattoos rate relatively high on the pain scale. In addition, the curves and indents on the foot make it difficult for tattoo artists to draw a clean line. Sensitive nerve endings can cause pain spasms, making it challenging for most people to sit still while getting inked.

Ribs

The rib cage is arguably the worst place on the body to get your first tattoo. Many people with tattoos rate the ribs as the most painful area to get inked. There are several reasons for the intense pain.

The skin over the ribs is very thin and rests directly over the bone, offering no cushion between the needle and the rib cage. Moreover, the rib cage expands and contracts as you breathe, making it more difficult for the tattoo artist to keep line work steady and a more uncomfortable tattooing experience for you.

Fingers

Fingers are made up of bones, tendons, and joints. There is minimal fat in the fingers and lots of nerve endings. This combination equates to a very painful spot to get tattooed. It is normal to experience uncontrollable shaking or spasming during a hand or finger tattoo, so many tattoo artists don’t recommend the hand for a first tattoo.

Groin

Bundles of nerves wind throughout the groin area. So, while there is less bone and more fat in this area of the body compared to the feet, hands, and ribs, getting tattooed on the grain is still an intense experience. Nerve endings can send pain signals throughout the body, so getting inked in the groin or genital area might radiate discomfort everywhere.

Head

The skin over the head is thin and stretched tight against bone. An array of blood vessels and nerve endings are very sensitive to tattoo needle pricks. Unfortunately, there isn’t much fat to act as a barrier, so avoiding tattoo pain on the head is impossible.

When people think of head tattoos, images of teardrops by the eye or script on the temple might come to mind. But head tattoos also include permanent makeup like the eyebrows and lips. While this style of ink is marketed as cosmetic, it is incredibly painful and usually requires a local anesthetic to sit through getting tattooed.

Armpit

Many tattoo artists refuse to tattoo the armpits. Why? Pain and prolonged healing. A highly sensitive and critical nerve called the axillary nerve runs through the armpit and connects to the arm and shoulder. The axillary nerve gives sensation and movement to this entire part of the body, so pain while getting tattooed can radiate throughout the upper torso. In addition, the lymph nodes and glands in the armpit can add discomfort while getting tattooed and delay the healing process.

Least Painful Places to Get Tattooed

Getting tattooed on the arm and upper back is only moderately painful compared to the head, armpit, and rib cage. While you should still expect to feel much discomfort, getting inked in these areas is tolerable for most people. As a result, the forearm, outer thigh, and upper back are highly recommended for your first tattoo.

Forearm

The forearm is one of the least sensitive places to get tattooed. There is fat, thick skin, and few nerve endings, giving it a low score on the tattoo pain chart . However, as you get close to the wrist or elbow, it becomes more uncomfortable to get tattooed. If you want the least painful tattoo possible, consider centering the artwork on the forearm and picking a design that can be completed in under an hour.

Upper Back

The upper back is also rated as one of the least painful tattoo locations. The skin there is thick, and there is plenty of cushion between skin and bone. For the least painful tattooing experience, don’t pick a design with heavy detail on the spine and keep it under the neck. While the shoulder is bony, this spot is also relatively easy to get tattooed.

Outer Arm

If you are looking to avoid pain, getting tattooed on the outer bicep is an excellent choice. The upper arm has a good amount of fat and minimal blood vessels, making it an ideal spot for a tattoo. The longer you are under the needle, the more discomfort you will feel, so choosing a small and simple design makes getting a tattoo on the outer arm even more manageable.

Calves

Calves are packed with muscle, so you might expect this spot on the body to hurt, but getting tattooed on the calves rates low on the tattoo pain scale. Instead of being super sensitive, the muscles in the calves act like a barrier and help absorb the impact of the tattoo gun needle.

Outer Thighs

Much like the calves, the thighs have a lot of muscle. In addition, the upper leg tends to harbor fat. As a result, there is a lot of cushion between the tattoo needle and nerves. If you have your eye on a large, heavily detailed tattoo design and want the option to conceal ink easily with clothing, the outer thigh is the perfect spot!

Factors that Affect Tattoo Pain

Tattoos feel differently to each person. There is no way to predict how you will react to getting tattooed, so the best course of action is to start small and on the least painful tattoo location, like the arm or back. However, it is universally agreed that spots like the ribs and head are excruciatingly painful. Why do some body parts hurt more than others to get tattooed?

• Fat – Areas with more fat are less painful to get tattooed. The fat acts like a cushion between the skin and nerves, numbing the sensation of the needle.
• Skin Thickness – The head and top of the foot have very thin skin. That means there is little blocking the needle from nerves, blood vessels, or bones. As a result, body parts with thick skin are the least painful tattoo locations.
• Nerves – Nerves communicate sensations to the brain, including pain. The more concentrated the nerves, the more painful it will be to tattoo.
• Scarring – Damaged skin is more sensitive than healthy skin. As a result, getting tattooed over stretch marks and scars is very painful.
• Age – Older skin is more susceptible to bruising than young skin. It is also more sensitive to pain because the skin thins with age.
• Bone – If you want to avoid intense pain, don’t get tattooed directly over a bone. Instead, choose a spot that has layers of fat and muscle.

How Much Does Tattoo Removal Hurt In Comparison to Getting a Tattoo

Getting a tattoo is painful, so does tattoo removal hurt , too? The general rule is that laser tattoo removal hurts just as much as getting tattooed. The least painful tattoo locations are also the least painful tattoo removal locations. However, that means painful tattoo spots like the ribs and head are also very uncomfortable to remove.

But don’t let the risk of pain deter you from getting rid of unwanted ink! Laser tattoo removal clinics help clients manage pain through cooling therapy and ice. In addition, laser tattoo removal sessions are typically under 15 minutes. The pain is only temporary, and recovery time involves minimal discomfort.

Find Out More About Tattoo Removal

Is the fear of pain holding you back from getting a tattoo removed? Don’t live with an unwanted tattoo because of a few minutes of discomfort. Laser tattoo removal clinics like Removery make getting rid of a lousy tattoo as painless as possible.

Start your tattoo removal journey with a free consultation at a Removery clinic. Their experienced staff will design a custom treatment plan to help you meet your tattoo goals. Whether you want to say goodbye to ink for good or need to fade an old tattoo in preparation for a cover-up, Removery has a solution!

Removery clinics have the best laser and cooling technology, producing award-winning results with minimal discomfort. Most laser tattoo removal sessions last 15-30 minutes with no downtime for recovery. So, no matter how busy your schedule is, there is always time for tattoo removal! Contact a Removery tattoo removal clinic near you to explore treatment options and payment plans.