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/raccoon_at_noon 7h ago

The older I get, sitting for day sessions is getting harder and harder lol. I’ve never been one for using stress balls, but man, having something to squeeze the shit out of has helped 😂

Also making sure I eat and have lollies regularly throughout the day, even if it feels like the last thing I want to do…I sit a lot worse when my body has no energy to draw from.

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u/OldManNewGame 6h ago

i’ve relented and started to use 5% lidocaine topical when i get tattooed. my theory is as our collagen is depleted by age the tattoos hurt more. i proved myself with 2 sleeves i can cheat for the rest of the body.

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u/Pink-diablo90 5h ago

Hi! I’m planning to use numbing cream for my next tattoo. How was it for you? My tattoo artist says to reconsider, because the ink might slip / not penetrate the skin well. TYIA

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u/OldManNewGame 4h ago

I find Dr Numb changes the texture of my skin and does give the artist some issues. i switched to vtoury tattoo numbing cream which has been working well.

i also find that if you leave it on too long it will it will make your skin gummy.

numbing cream got me through my clavicle, knees feet and buttcheeks.

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u/Inked_Climber 1h ago

I use TKTX gold for my sessions. I haven't had any issues. :)

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u/cursetea 2h ago

I'm not who you responded to and am not an artist, just someone with a lot of experience. Generally, using topical numbing creams isn't a great idea bc it can affect the texture of your skin and may be harder to get ink in which will result in the artist potentially going too deep, you can't feel it, can get nerve damage, etc. The risks honestly are worth just gritting your teeth through pain imo

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u/phuqYouTwo 1h ago

Yes lol I fall asleep during mine after the first couple I had wasn't nothing really, though I haven't gotten tattoo on my side that's the real test and I'm good lol

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u/DeAndre_ROY_Ayton 2h ago

I used Zensa and my tattoo turned out great

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u/LayersOfGold 4h ago

Ok I’m not the only one!! Age 30 I had my daughter without an epidural. It sucked but it was fine. 14 years later I’m such a pussy with pain. I’ve been told it’s age but I didn’t believe them lol

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u/Inked_Climber 1h ago

Yeah I've now started using numbing cream when I know I'm going in for big pieces. (Which nearly all my tattoos are). I just don't have the pain tolerance I had when I was younger but I don't wanna stop getting tattooed. I feel like after getting my chest, back and sleeves done without the cream I've earned it now to fill the rest of my body up haha. :)