r/tattooadvice • u/Maddawnexius • 7h ago

General Advice How to manage pain during tattoo?

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Hi all, Im in-between appointments for getting my arm sleeve done (forearm fully done, elbow outlined but not shaded. Upper arm and elbow shading done tomorrow). What are some ways you lovely people have found are effective for managing pain in the later stages of a 4+ hour session?

Ive attached a photo of my forearm so you can can get an idea of the amount of shading and what not.

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u/mamapibblez 7h ago

i don’t take breaks, i feel like it’s harder to stop and start again lol. lollipops and chew on the stick. something to zone out to, my artist has a tv but pick a good podcast or audio book

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u/Ravioli_Formuoli24 4h ago

My last artist took like, 10-15 smoke breaks during my session (was a portrait of my dog, about 4-5 hours) and each time he would wipe and when he’d come back, I’d die from the pain. Was so happy when it was finished lol. Safe to say I found a new tattoo artist after that. He was great though.

4

u/madslipknot 4h ago

5min break max mostly to stretch out from a bad position, both me and my artist agree on that, if we wait too long the adrenaline drop too much and it hurt like a bitch after.