Sternum Tattoo Pain: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Sternum and "underboob" tattoos have become incredibly popular in recent years, celebrated for their elegant, symmetrical, and beautifully ornate designs that accentuate the body's natural lines.

But this stunning placement comes with a serious, well-earned reputation for being intensely painful. It's a spot that makes even seasoned tattoo collectors nervous. So, what should you really expect from a sternum tattoo, and how can you possibly prepare for it?

Let's be upfront: the sternum is a top-tier pain spot. The stories are true. But like any challenge, it can be overcome with the right knowledge and the right preparation. This is your honest guide to the pain, the unique challenges, and the absolute best way to prepare for a successful and comfortable session.

The Anatomy of Sternum Pain: A Triple Threat

The intense pain of a sternum tattoo comes from a "perfect storm" of anatomical factors that make the area uniquely sensitive.

1. The Bone: The primary reason is the sternum itself. It's a large, flat bone (your breastplate) that sits directly beneath a very thin layer of skin. There is zero muscle and virtually no fat to provide any cushioning. The pain is incredibly sharp, and the vibration of the tattoo machine will resonate through your entire chest cavity, which is a deeply unsettling and uncomfortable feeling for most people.

2. The Nerves: Your solar plexus, a major bundle of nerves in your abdomen, is located right at the base of your sternum. Tattooing this area is extremely intense and can even make some people feel nauseous or lightheaded.

3. The Thin Skin: The skin on the chest is very delicate and sensitive, especially on women, making it highly reactive to the trauma of a tattoo needle.

The Pain Scale Verdict

On a pain scale of 1 to 10, the sternum is a solid 9/10 or 10/10 for most people.

It is right up there with other notoriously brutal spots like the ribs, spine, and head. The feeling is often described as a sharp, scraping, and hot burning pain, combined with that inescapable, deep, rattling vibration that can feel like it's happening inside your lungs.

How to Prepare for the Pain: Your Survival Guide

For a spot this famously painful, a powerful topical anesthetic is not just a helpful tip—it's your most essential piece of preparation. Our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is the game-changer for sternum tattoos.

By applying it as directed 90 minutes before your appointment, you can turn that agonizing 9/10 pain into a much, much more manageable pressure and vibration. It allows you to lie still and relaxed, which is absolutely critical for your artist to pull the clean, perfect, symmetrical lines that these designs demand. A still client gets better, faster work.

After the session, the area will feel like a severe sunburn. The cooling, anti-inflammatory properties of our No Pain Tattoo Soothing Gel can provide immediate relief from that post-tattoo sting and burn, calming the inflammation in this sensitive area.

The Verdict: Sternum tattoos are a serious undertaking. The pain is intense, the location is challenging, but the result is one of the most beautiful and striking placements possible. You do not have to be a hero and simply endure the pain.

Don't let the fear of pain stop you from getting the stunning sternum piece you've been dreaming of. By preparing your mind, your body, and your skin with the most effective numbing cream on the market, you can conquer this challenge and get the art you deserve.