Does It Hurt
Does It Hurt A tattoo is applied by the insertion of a fine needle or group of needles, dipped in various coloured pigments, into the skin - the needle is removed and tiny granules in the ink are left behind. This process is made faster with the use of electric tattoo machines which move the needle group rapidly in and out of the skin.

A cross section of the skin shows the position of a tattoo within the dermis. The area bleeds slightly because some of the tiny capillaries which feed the skin cells are broken. The tattoo is visible because it is so near the surface of the skin and the epidermis is generally only a fraction of a millimetre thick and is almost transparent.

Epidermis: The outer, visible surface of the skin, made up generally of four or five 'sub' layers (Basal, Spinosum, Granulosum, lucidum (hands and feet only) and Corneum) which follow a 4-6 week growth cycle, beginning with a layer of new skin (Basal), constantly renewed, moving the older layers by stages to the outer surface (Corneum), to slough away as dead skin.

Dermis:The 'base layer' of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat (sebaceous) glands, pain and pressure sensors, nerve fibres and blood capillaries.


The following images give an indication of less - to more - sensitive areas on the male and female body. Note that there are many areas men, say, would consider more uncomfortable than women. Remember that parts of some sensitive areas may be less uncomfortable and that the amount of discomfort felt varies from person to person.
Male front view

Male rear view

Female front view

Female rear view

We will always try to give an idea of how the application of a tattoo will feel, but it is generally found that the experience is less painful and can be more enjoyable if you are relaxed and comfortable - the sensation is certainly bearable (in all but a few areas) in any case.
There is a common belief that tattoos hurt more in bony areas, yet there are many places commonly selected by clients that are really not too bad, such as the shoulder blade, lower back and ankle.
The skin acts as a sensory organ and one of its functions is to sense pain and prompt the body to react by flinching away to avoid damage. It stands to reason then, that delicate areas of the body likely to suffer greater harm, would be better protected by a quicker flinch reaction, so the skin would be more sensitive to pain in these areas. Relatively slight damage to the joints, neck (glands and arteries), armpits (glands), groin (genitals), and some parts of the torso (major organs) can cause major injury and it is in these areas that the application of a tattoo can be more painful.

When getting a tattoo, despite understandable concerns about how much it's going to hurt, especially the first time, it is important to consider where you want it, just as you should think carefully about what you are going to have done, ie: do you want it to be always on show, or hidden so you can show it when you want to, as it is going to be there for a very long time !


By law, all local government bylaws enforced by your local council for the practice of tattooing, ear piercing and electrolysis, require that the practitioner be licenced and that the premises be regularly inspected by an environmental health officer. This ensures that you enter a safe, hygienic environment when you have a tattoo or piercing. Don't be afraid to enquire about new needles, inks, etc., but be sure to ask to see the 'Local Government Bylaws' and 'Certificate of Registration', which must be prominently displayed.




My Certificate of Registration


Remember, fear of the unknown makes things seem worse, so the more you relax, the better your experience will be !

Back

---