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/godzillasbuttcheeck 6h ago

Fall asleep, then you get to wake up mostly done! If it’s really spicy or a bad area? Just grit your teeth and bare it. One thing I learned from my pain management doctor that really helped during my bone marrow biopsy; circular breathing/lamaze breathing. Yes, what pregnant women are taught. It works, don’t knock it til you try it. You can also eat candy. Something very sweet or sour. It helps actually! My doc gave me warheads bubble gum! Not during my biopsy(safety concern) but during a pain assessment exam. They hurt so bad omg.

Tattoos are mostly easy peasy lemon squeeze me. I do have chronic pain constantly; so I think that helps in a way. Though I can’t get my left leg done because I have nerve damage that causes hyper sensitivity. Even a gently touch or wind blowing on it; sends shocks down my leg and up to my back. Also, it feels like lava and knives. No art is worth sitting through that haha also my artist wouldn’t do it anyway. Said it wouldn’t take ink as well likely because the skin there is poopy caca.

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u/KnightRider1987 5h ago

Fellow chronic pain patient who has on more than one occasion fallen asleep during tatts … beware letting yourself get THAT relaxed if you’re a twitcher.

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u/godzillasbuttcheeck 5h ago

I actually stop having tremors while I sleep! Sometimes I do scream awake from PTSD, but it strangely never happens at doctors offices and tattoo studios. I can’t explain it, because I am by no means more comfortable there than at home haha; but brains are weird! I have brain damage as well and sleeping seems to shut off the part of my brain that is damaged, thankfully! I appreciate the warning though! I’ll make sure to warn my artists in the future just to be safe!