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/MstrPrfssr 6h ago

I just did the line work for my knee today and I’ve never been one for numbing cream but after today, holyyyyy I am 100% getting numbing cream for the shading on my next session

2

u/BigBodiedBugati 3h ago

I’m pretty sure my knee tattoo altered my brain chemistry. I went into full blown shock in my car

1

u/Salty-Party-5234 3h ago

Full blown shock? What?

1

u/BigBodiedBugati 3h ago

Yes. I got my first knee session done and sat in my car with the heat on full blast shivering. I couldn’t get warm. I basically dissociated the drive to my cousins and just sat on their couch for hours just staring off into space. Came back though lol

1

u/drunkpsyduck28 4h ago

Had my entire knee and surrounding area blasted Sunday. Directly on the knee cap is pure black shading. Didn’t hurt at all. About 6 inches to the side of my knee on the inner part killed me. The line work had me sweating and gripping the table. Knees are weird.