Would you ever consider pain killers? Or do you feel that pain is an important part of being tattooed?

[Mary]

So I've never taken any kind of pain meds before a session so I really don't know too much about them. But I was browsing through a few tattoo forums last night and found some interesting threads on the topic. In one an artist was actually talking about some topical creams to numb the skin that he'd tried because he felt that it made things easier on really long sessions when his clients were absolutely miserable. He noted that it didn't stop the pain entirely just dialed it down a bit.

The other thread the poster asked about what meds he could take and was completely insulted and derided with the typical comments. Take it like a man, it doesn't hurt that bad, etc. The general consensus was that you don't deserve a tattoo, are a poser, if you numb yourself.

I'm conflicted on this, on one hand I do feel proud of that I was scared of the pain and still saw it through and now I have something beautiful that I earned by being brave. On the other hand my longest session was just 2 hours. If someones getting their ribs done all in one go at a convention I'm not going to insult their decision to take some vicodin. I don't think I'll ever take pain killers because I do feel the pain is part of the experience. On the other hand it does bother me just how insulting other people are to people that admit their scared and are thinking about, or choosing to take pain killers.

So what do you guys think about the whole thing?

[Chris]

I've never really thought about pain killers before. I've had work done on my sternum and right next to my pubic bone/below abdomen, but neither were painful enough for me to consider something to get me through it.

I realize there's more painful places to get them, but my artist has a nice touch that's never really bothered me all that much.

[kemeigen]

I have used vicodin when going back for color after the line work is done. My skin is really sensitive and that second going over really kills it. But I'm not totally convinced that the vicodin helps. I think I have myself fooled that maybe it's helping a little bit. But man some spots on my elbow were murder. It never occured to me to try tylenol or ibuprofen for the swelling. I swell a lot, everywhere and I'm allergic to whatever they put on afterwards. If I don't wash it off after about 1/2 hour, I'm guarenteed a horrible hivey rash and major pain and swelling for about 2 weeks. It sucks!. I have my system down though to avoid that reaction. My longest sitting was about 4 1/2 hours and the healing took a long, long time

Someone upthread noted the spacey feeling with the painkillers. For me that is totally true, I always feel a litle light headed when I'm done and then stand up. Especially if I've been lying down.

[Resident Leg Humper]

I'm not a master of experience or anything, as the one on my chest took only 2 hours and the one on my upper back 3, but so far I have enjoyed the pain...I go in for the first session of my sleeve on tuesday and have no intentions on using anything...nothing against those who do!...it's just something I look forward to when getting ink done, not to mentin it gives a good feeling when someone says "man that must've hurt like a bitch," and you can just smile and say "oh fuck ya it did!"

[pluggin]

So very very late but I am travelling to get both ribs panels done next year... dumb ass!!!

So with all this talk of painkiller (Ibuprofen mostly) do they make you bleed more readily during a session and therefore that aspect of it isn't ideal?

[Judy]

It can make you bleed more if you take it regularly before your session. Taking one dose before the actual session probably won't make a difference.

[JD LaRish]

hmmm ... i don't see anything wrong with a tylenol or advil or two before a session. i think that's a totally different thing than taking vicodin or oxycotin. i usually medicate AFTER the tattoo. i did have someone tell me they like to take valium before getting tattooed. it doesn't prevent the pain, you just don't really care that much ... ha, ha, ha ...

[DiamondBlade]

Its all a part of the process... embrace the pain lol

I have yet to find it that bad to consider pain killers.
Next session on the ditch might take me there tho!!

[Diamond Dave]

you gotta earn it, but the long sittings can get sketchy towards the end or in a sensitive area. I just try not to drink the night before, eat healthy and be rested before a session...

[JD LaRish]

i don't like the pain but it is sort of a badge of honor to get through it without any "help".
i've done little 45 minute sessions up to an 8.5 hour one (including elbow & ditch) and i take pride that somehow i've always managed through it. i've also never called the end to a session although i've almost never disagreed if the artist wanted to end it.

[pluggin]

I see this topic is alive and well! My whole concern is I'll be travelling far to get my ribs done. It looks like anything between 3-5 sessions on both rib panels in 2 weeks. Probably won't get them finished which isn't a concern, but just want to get as much done as possible when I'm over there. So! Never having done my ribs, nor sat that long over such a short period of time, I am thinking drugs.

The most intense sessions/time was 7 sessions over 3 weeks. Of 2 x 5-6hr and 5 x 1hr. Then another bout of 3 x 5 hour sessions over 1 week, again on my sleeve... But these were on my limbs and felt fine!

[Jules]

Each to their own for me. Whatever works for you, I'm not gonna call it either way. Personally I haven't had any pain killers during my tattoos, but not had any really gnarly areas done i.e. back ribs.

My tattooist is great and will talk me through any tough bits i.e. elbow and inner arms! Failing that, he has drawing pins on a cork board that he moves around and I count those when it gets a bit sensitive!!

[Helana]

i only needed some help through one tattoo...it was after over 3 1/2 hours, i was at my breaking point. the artist sprayed something on my leg, then waited about 5 minutes before continuing. the last 20 or so minutes of my tattoo i felt NOTHING! it was surprising cus i didnt know such things existed. i was hella spent after that tattoo tho...after the first hour, he was just going over the same spot over and over and over...it turned out great tho!

my sister took a vicodin before her tattoo. i dont like vicodin. i totally understand why someone would wanna take pain killers before getting ink done. i personally like to test myself to see if i can get through it...but if i have had enough, i have no problem letting the artist know!