Does getting a tattoo hurt? A guide by body placement

What it feels like

Most people compare it to a cat scratch or a sunburn being scraped. Linework usually feels sharper. Shading and color are duller but go on longer, and that's what wears you down in a big session. It hurts more when you're tired or hungry.

Spots most people find easier

Anywhere with a bit of padding and not too many nerves close to the surface.

• Outer upper arm and shoulder
• Outer forearm
• Outer thigh
• Calf

The ones people complain about

Thin skin over bone, or skin that's sensitive to begin with.

None of the spots below are off limits. Plenty of people get their ribs done and say it was fine. It helps to know going in, though, and you might not want a big rib piece to be your first tattoo.

• Ribs and sternum
• Feet, ankles and the top of the hand
• Spine
• Inner bicep, armpit and the back of the knee
• Head and neck

Making it easier

Sleep and a good meal beforehand help more than any product. Skip alcohol the night before. It doesn't dull anything and it can make you bleed more.

If you're thinking about numbing cream, ask your artist first. Some don't like working over it because certain creams make the skin feel rubbery. And take breaks when you need them. Artists would much rather you stand up and stretch for five minutes than squirm through the last hour.

Long sessions

A few hours in, your skin gets more sensitive and you get tired, so even the easy spots start to sting more. For big work, splitting it over several sessions is normal.