Tattoo pain chart
Where tattoos hurt the most and the least, and how to make a session easier.
Everyone feels pain differently, but the pattern is consistent. Spots with more muscle or fat and fewer nerve endings hurt less. Thin skin over bone hurts more.
Least painful
- Outer forearm
- Outer upper arm
- Outer thigh
- Calf
- Upper back and shoulder
Moderate
- Inner forearm
- Shoulder blade
- Chest, away from the sternum
- Hip
- Behind the ear
Most painful
- Spine
- Ribs
- Sternum
- Hands and fingers
- Feet and ankles
- Inner bicep, elbow and behind the knee
- Head and neck
How to make it easier
- Eat a full meal and drink water beforehand
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Skip alcohol before your session
- Breathe slowly and ask for a short break if you need one
- Start somewhere easier for your first tattoo
Does a small tattoo hurt less?
It’s over faster. A small piece on the ribs can still feel worse than a bigger one on the forearm.
Questions
Can I use numbing cream?
Ask Julie before your appointment. Some numbing products change how the skin takes ink.
What does it feel like?
Most people describe a scratching or hot, stinging feeling that becomes easier after the first few minutes.