Thinking about getting inked but wondering about the pain? You’re not alone. At Stories & Ink, we’re a team of tattoo enthusiasts who’ve experienced our fair share of tattoo needle pain. If you’re curious about the Most Painful Tattoo Areas, we’re here to share our experiences to help you prepare for your next tattoo session.
And let’s be real, even with the ouch factor, the end result is always worth it. After all, why would so many people go back for more tattoos if it wasn’t?
Real Talk: Most Painful Tattoo Spots from Our Team
Barbara from our team, @barbaradzerve, who is our Creative Content Manager, can vouch for some seriously intense spots. For her, ribs, neck, and elbow tattoos were the most memorable in terms of pain.
“Ribs felt like my skin was being peeled off with wet fire – a solid 8.5 out of 10. And my neck? Imagine being chainsawed while stuck in a super uncomfortable position and struggling to breathe – a 9/10 for sure. Getting my elbow done was just pure hell.”
Barbara Dzērve-Ozoliņa
Stories & Ink Creative Content Manager Barbara describing neck tattoo pain as chainsaw-like.
Don’t let Barbara’s experience scare you off completely! If you’re worried about the pain, numbing creams are an option for those sensitive spots. Just make sure to do a patch test beforehand and always inform your tattoo artist if you decide to use one.
Emily, another writer for Stories & Ink (@emily_etc), seems to have a knack for choosing the tougher spots too: “I think I naturally gravitate towards the most painful places; inner thigh, inner arm, ribs, and the top of my feet!”
Personally, for me, the most painful tattoo experience was on my foot. It was my first tattoo at 18, and it was so intense it took me three years to even consider getting another one, and that foot tattoo is still not finished!
Since then, my tattoo collection has grown, and I’ve ventured into other spicy locations like under my boobs, right rib, spine, and knee ditch. It’s funny how the pain fades once the tattoo is healed, and suddenly all you see are the empty spaces waiting to be filled!
Decoding Tattoo Pain: Why Some Places Hurt More
While tattoo pain is unavoidable, the intensity definitely varies depending on where you choose to get tattooed. Generally, the most painful places to get a tattoo are those with a high concentration of nerve endings, thin skin, and either bones close to the surface or not much fat padding.
This makes sense when you consider the opposite – the least painful places to get tattooed tend to be areas with thicker skin, fewer nerve endings, and more fat. Think forearms, outer thighs, and upper arms.
According to the rest of the Stories & Ink team, the most painful tattoo spots often include:
- Feet and toes
- Ribs
- Sternum
- Neck
- Armpits
- Ankles
- Spine
- Knees (including the back of the knees)
- Elbows and elbow ditch
Stories & Ink team members after getting tattooed
Stories & Ink team members showcasing their tattoos at the Leeds Tattoo Expo 2022.
This list is extensive, and there are likely other body areas that can be quite painful to tattoo. Remember, everyone’s pain tolerance is different, and pain is subjective. You might find the back of your thigh excruciating, while your tattoo buddy might have breezed through it.
If it’s your first tattoo, you might want to steer clear of these particularly painful spots to ease yourself into the experience. Or, like many of us tattoo enthusiasts, you might decide the pain is manageable and totally worth it for the art.
Painful Tattoo Areas: Gender Considerations
While pain is personal, there are some areas that are commonly reported as more painful for specific genders due to biological differences.
Most Painful Tattoo Spots for Women
For women, areas with heightened sensitivity due to nerve endings, such as nipples and breasts, including the area between the breasts, are often considered most painful tattoo areas. Sternum and rib tattoos can also be particularly intense. If you’re considering these areas, you might explore hand poke tattoos which many find to be gentler. Alternatively, opting for a simpler design with fine lines can reduce the duration and intensity of the pain.
Hand poke tattoo
Close-up of a hand poke tattoo session, known for potentially gentler pain compared to machine tattoos.
Most Painful Tattoo Spots for Men
For men, bony areas and areas with thin skin tend to be the most painful tattoo spots. Elbows and feet are prime examples. When planning a sleeve, many men consider leaving the elbow un-inked or incorporating it strategically into the design. Areas with a lot of nerve endings, like nipples, can also be quite painful, something to consider if you’re planning a chest piece.
Stories & Ink founder, Stu, describes his hip and ankle tattoos as “equally scratchy, but not unbearable!”
Tattoo Pain: What to Expect
Tattoo pain is truly subjective; everyone experiences it differently. A tattoo needle penetrates five layers of your skin, so some level of discomfort is expected. The sensation can range from a scratching feeling to a burning sensation, depending on the technique and the tattoo placement.
Often, the position you need to hold during the tattoo session can amplify the discomfort. Don’t hesitate to ask your artist to adjust the tattoo bed for comfort, request a cushion if needed, and remember to ask for breaks whenever you need them. Open communication with your artist is key to managing pain.
You can also minimize tattoo pain by preparing properly. Eating a meal beforehand and getting a good night’s sleep can make a difference. For more tips, check out our pre-tattoo preparation guide.
Healing After Tattooing Most Painful Areas
Healing from a tattoo in a most painful tattoo area, like your foot, ribs, or underboob, can also be uncomfortable. Barbara confirms, “The worst healing experience for me was my armpits, and honestly, it was worse than getting my ribs and neck tattooed.”
When healing foot tattoos, expect swelling and soreness. You might need to take some time off work, especially if you get both feet tattooed in one session. For rib tattoos, wearing a bra might be uncomfortable, and sleeping on your side might be off-limits for a while.
For armpit tattoos, consider how to prevent sweat and skin sticking together during healing. Your tattoo artist can provide specific aftercare advice, and you can find comprehensive healing and aftercare tips in our healing guide for sensitive body parts.
Support Happy Healing with Stories & Ink Aftercare Duo
For optimal healing, use the Stories & Ink Aftercare Duo, featuring our gentle Aftercare Foam Cleanser and hydrating Aftercare Cream. This Stories & Ink Aftercare Duo is designed for cleansing and healing fresh tattoos.
Our formula is 100% natural, dermatologically-tested, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, vegan-friendly, and suitable for all skin types.
✔️ Keeps new tattoos clean and bacteria-free
✔️ Nourishes, hydrates, and reduces inflammation
✔️ Promotes faster skin healing
For best results, use the Aftercare Duo throughout the initial weeks of healing.
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