by A.R. Marth

Created on: March 28, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Does it hurt? The answer is here! Also, a checklist for the day of your tattoo procedure that can make it easier and increase your endurance. Surviving your first tattoo involves preparation, confidence, and a little know-how, but anyone can do it.

First of all, you must choose a tattoo, and an artist.

Visiting shops before you are ready to get tattooed will help you feel more comfortable when you become a client. Visit a few shops and find out where you are most comfortable and what kind of atmosphere you prefer-do you want a private room? or do you like company? Find a shop that you feel comfortable in and visit a few times so that you know the staff and the environment when you do eventually get work done. This can help take away a lot of your last-minute jitters; it makes the amount of new things that seem threatening or frightening far less than walking into a completely unfamiliar place where you have never met anyone.

When choosing a design, don't opt for something smaller or less intricate than you'd like to wear. The pain will only last during the process, but you will be wearing an image that isn't quite what you wanted for a very, very long time. Choose something that speaks to you. The more you want to wear it, the more stamina you'll have for the process. Finding something you really want will give you the motivation you need.

When choosing a placement, the same holds true-if you want something done in a more painful place, don't be afraid of the pain involved. Get it where you would like to look at it, where you want to wear it. The pain is not going to be terrible enough to justify wearing something you don't like for decades. Making placement and design choices based on your own (perceived) pain tolerance can also make you feel bad about your own willpower later. Being able to endure something less-than-pleasant for the sake of something we want is an esteem booster, whether it involves exercising, saving money, studying, dieting, or getting tattooed.

Areas that are known to be painful include the ribs, armpits and underarms, sternum, elbows, feet, groin, stomach, wrists, ankles, and knees. Any area that is very bony, or which has very thin skin, will likely hurt more. Areas such as the outer thigh and calf, inside forearm, and bicep tend to hurt less. The skin in these areas sees more wear-and-tear in general and has less dense nerve endings. The scalp is a less painful area also, for the same reason.

If you are getting a larger or custom-drawn tattoo

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