In the above-linked thread, various posters tried to describe the pain from a tattoo application. After going through it, I’d say “carving” is close, but it felt very much like a little needle jabbing into the skin repeatedly.
It was both more and less painful than I anticipated. The easiest parts were lower down, but up higher where bone was closer to the skin it was particularly hard, as were the times the artist dragged the needle across places to fill. I had to tense up to deal with it, and I couldn’t really talk. I just read the label on the latex gloves box on the windowsill.
What I didn’t expect was that the pain stopped when the needle wasn’t on the skin. With a cut or burn, the pain lingers. I didn’t get any color, so that might be different.
This is my experience with my smaller tattoos. Not much pain afterwards, and some itching, but not bad.
I have a much larger, full color one that was a whole different story though, I couldn’t even wear a regular bra for several days after (it’s on my upper back, where bra straps go). Then when it stopped hurting, it itched like hell for a few days.
Love it! It’s bigger than I expected, but much more striking. Congrats on your first…maybe someday I’ll take the plunge! If I do, a shark is high up on my list of designs.
Oh, yeah, forgot about that part. Strange isn’t it, no needle, no lingering pain. I always tell people the best part about getting a tattoo is how nice the cold damp rag is that they use to wipe away the blood feels.
Carving is right, I normally say it’s like a burning hot razor blade tearing your skin off. Though I’m sure in actuality that would hurt a hell of a lot more.
that is a very cool shark, I like that minimalist look.
2 of my 3 tats are larger and all are filled (color or b/w) so they did hurt for a bit afterwards but I do remember that there really wasnt to much pain. with a large filled tat you are essentially getting a large scrape so it stings on the surface.
