Everyone who has ever had a tattoo PLEASE read

I agree that it's not that bad. I also thought it felt a lot like a really bad sunburn that someone keeps poking. I just remember that it felt really hot, I didn't think it felt like needles at all. I have one on my shoulder that had a lot of shading, that one wasn't bad other than with a lot of shading/color they go over the same spot over and over till you're numb. I have one on my hip, that one hardly hurt, fatty places without any bones seem to be the least painful in my opinion. Then I have one on my foot and I would never suggest that. Some people say the foot doesn't hurt, mine hurt like hell. It's the only one I said ouch about and it was awful. I could feel my tendons moving around......just thinking about it...... :tears:

I don't have any snake tats otherwise I'd post pics :D

A lot of places don't hurt, but the rib cage and arm pits do. My artist didn't do any outlines on the ones on my chest, just 16 - 22 mags the whole time, and it wasn't pleasant. But none of the other ones I have hurt at all. I'd compare those to getting scratched on a bad sunburn. Take your time deciding exactly what you will want on you for the rest of your life, then spend a lot of time finding the right artist. You can look at a lot of portfolios online of your local artists, but you should look at at least 20+ portfolios before you decide on the perfect artist who can do the tattoo you want. Don't just walk into the nearest shop and sit down in the first chair that's available. The chances of you getting lucky enough for that artist to be able to do a decent job is very slim, and you will regret it afterwords, once you start to see other peoples work. I found this out after my first tattoo, so for my last two, I spent over a month looking for the best artist possible and set up the appointment months in advance with an artist who lived on the opposite side of the country, who would be in a shop an hour from my house several months down the road. I waited, made the drive, paid $200 an hour, and couldn't be happier with my decisions to do all that. You can start looking at www.inkednation.com, but also spend a few weeks driving around to your local shops and checking out artist portfolios, with no money in your pocket, and no plans to sit in a chair. You have plenty of time to decide exactly what you want and to get it done right, by the best possible artist. There's a good reason why some tattooists have 6 month waiting lists, while most accept walk-ins. Also, like that perfect ball python, don't let money enter into your decision making. A good artist will charge a lot. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by 82shovel

I have 36 of them and my advice since you need your Mothers permission is to wait... Tattoos will always be around when you are ready, but if your tastes change (which they do) tattoos are forever. They cost more to remove and its allot more painful. Take your time and dont rush into it.

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Well put. You never hear "If only I had gotten that tattoo sooner. Don't do it PythonBreeder. If your Mom has any say in the matter then you are not ready no matter how old you are. Pick out the art, hang it where you can see it, talk to tattoo artists. You have all the time in the world. Waiting to get a tattoo is like having a glass of water at the end of a night of drinking. You don't need to do it. But you will regret it if you don't. If you did not completely understand that analogy then you are too young.

it doesn't hurt nearly as much as you expect it to.

over bony parts (ankle bone SUCKED) the vibration is pretty unpleasant.

when i went to go get my first one, i remember asking the artist, "is this gonna hurt?". so he goes "have you ever burned your hand on a hot iron?". with my horror mounting i replied that i had to which HE replied "well, it's nothing like that.". he then went on to tell me that the sensation is somewhere in between walking barefoot on cotton balls and getting your fingernails ripped out. turns out that was a fairly apt description. it doesn't really hurt, but it doesn't really NOT hurt either, it's a very unique sensation that i think alot of people interpret differently. i personally love it. it's cathartic for me; the feeling of the needle, the buzz of the gun, and the anticipation of the finished product. please do, however, follow the sage advice of others here and don't jump the gun on this thing. a crappy tattoo is as forever as an awesome one.
good luck,
patrick

It depends on where you get it. I have one on my back, and that one wasn't bad at all. More irritating than anything. I have another on the top of my foot, and for me it was probably the most painful experience of my life!! (and I've been in numerous incidents and visited the ER several times)

I also agree about waiting. I got a tatoo the day I turned 18, mostly just to get a atatoo for for the sake of getting one. Its just a generic design, and doesn't mean anything to me. I don't hate it, but if I could do it all over again, i'd not get it.

I get tats only when a major life event happens. The association and symbolism always feels good no matter whether the design holds my interest or not.

a friend of mine gets a tat of a feather with every significant life event. She's got a whole row of them now, and can explain the significance of each one. Their styles and colors are all different.

well i got ten and i started at the age of 16, honestly the pain is all judged by the person, but there are some more sensitive areas like stomach ribs i have heard its pretty painful there but your good to go

Well Its not really bad. Every now and then they may hit a tender spot but for the most part it like playing with an extra spunky kitten. lol. For me it tickles. Except on the back side of my arm. Couple tender spots there . But really it's dependant upon you. Some people swear its the worst thing ever and other barely notice it being done.

if you get one on your lower legs or feet, the worst part will be getting out of bed the next morning.....when the blood rushes to your feet and floods all that irritated tissue - yowch!