Preparing for a Long Tattoo Session: What to Do Before, During, and After

Michael Hollman
Tagged: artist pain
A long tattoo session — four, six, eight hours or more for a sleeve, back piece, or large-scale project — is a different challenge than a shorter sitting. Preparation is...
A Guide to Hip and Pelvic Tattoo Pain: What to Expect - No Pain Tattoo

Hip and Pelvic Tattoo Pain: A Zone-by-Zone Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Hip and pelvis tattoos are one of the most popular placements: they follow the body's natural curves, can be hidden or shown off at will, and work across a wide...

Do Chest Tattoos Hurt? Pain Guide for Men and Women

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
The chest is not one pain level - it is several, depending on exactly where the needle lands. For men, the outer pectoral muscle is one of the more manageable...
How Badly Does a Shin Tattoo Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide - No Pain Tattoo

How Badly Does a Shin Tattoo Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
A shin tattoo sits in the top tier of painful placements. The tibia runs the full length of the front of your lower leg beneath almost no fat or muscle,...
How Badly Does a Collarbone Tattoo Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide - No Pain Tattoo

How Badly Does a Collarbone Tattoo Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Collarbone tattoos rate 8 to 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. The clavicle is a long, prominent bone with very little tissue over it, and the supraclavicular nerves...

Elbow Ditch Tattoo Pain: How Bad Do Elbow Tattoos Hurt?

Michael Hollman
The elbow ditch has a reputation, and it's earned. This is one of the spots collectors warn first-timers about, and one of the few placements where experienced people who've sat...

Do Thigh Tattoos Hurt? Outer vs. Inner Thigh Pain Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
It depends entirely on where on the thigh. The outer thigh is one of the least painful places to get tattooed on the entire body, consistently rated 3 to 5...

How Badly Do Knee Tattoos Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Knee tattoos are 9 to 10 out of 10 on the pain scale, and they earn that rating in a way that is different from most other painful placements. The...

Does a Tattoo Behind the Ear Hurt? What to Expect

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Yes, a tattoo behind the ear hurts. Most people put it at 8 to 9 out of 10, which puts it alongside the ribs and the shin. The skin behind...

Sternum Tattoo: Pain Level, Design Types, and What to Expect

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
The sternum is one of the most honest placements you can choose. There's no softening it: it's a 9 out of 10. Bone directly under thin skin, no fat layer,...

How Badly Do Hand Tattoos Hurt? A Spot-by-Spot Pain Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Hand tattoo pain ranges from 7 to 10 out of 10 depending on exactly where on the hand you are placing the work. The back of the hand sits at...

Do Stomach Tattoos Hurt? What the Abdomen Actually Feels Like

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Yes, stomach tattoos hurt. Most people rate the abdomen at 7 to 9 out of 10, with the center of the upper stomach near the solar plexus at the high...