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?

[Mark]

I tried painkillers when I was having my ribs done the session before last. I think they helped a tiny bit, but what i didn't enjoy was the spacey feeling a had from them. I did the most recent session med-free and got through it, although the last 20 or so minutes were brutal. What I'd really like to try is hypnosis - I've heard that it can work wonders. As for other people commenting on your lack of bravado if you do take steps to minimise the pain, I'd much rather do whatever it takes to get through a painful session and have a good looking tattoo at the end of it. Those slings and arrows won't last anywhere near as long as your ink.

[Mary]

"Those slings and arrows won't last anywhere near as long as your ink"

Excellent point

[Brandon]

i'm getting a side panel (ribs included) started next week. how would you compare the feeling on your ribs vs. a more meaty spot on your body? i'm super pumped about the session but rather anxious about the possible pain--i've heard ribs are pure torture.

[Mark]

The ribs are pretty heavy going - but then again, there are quite a few people out there with tattooed sides - so it can be done. My advice is to keep the sessions short. And good luck!!

[Brandon]

cool man--i figure it's all part of the experience. plus it'll look sooo sick when complete. My tattooist even said i could bring in my own cd for the session, i will just have to bring some great tunes to get wrapped up in.

[Suzie]

ribs aren't too bad. definitely be prepared to sit in an awkward position for a while though.

[Grosz]

"the spacey feeling" is the BEST PART, mark! just kidding... not really.

with the exception of a few areas, i find the sensation of tattooing to be entirely manageable and even a bit soothing. it's when i start getting bored and my A.D.D. kicks in to overdrive that i start to lose it. maybe a little Vicky-Trip is just what i need to keep things interesting (it's worked every time i've had to shoehorn myself into an airline seat and sit through a godawful inflight movie). after all, nitrous and good music makes dental work almost fun.

or maybe i'll just bring a good book to my next session...

[Dana]

My artist used numbing cream in the middle of one of my sessions once. I don't think it made much of a difference at all. It was over the kidneys, nothing was going to make that feel better anyway.

It seems like from what some others have said on this site, meditation or breathing exercises are the way to go.

[Father of Roses]

Well, hey, I'm new here guys, but I'd say this. I've got about 15 hours in on a backpiece, which will probably be around 40-50 by the time it is complete. Before that I had a half-sleeve done on my arm, and I may take it down further. The arm was nothing. Did 8 hours per sitting at a point or two and didn't even notice it much. However, the back has been a different story. We can all take it, and I do, but I'll tell you what... it fucking hurts on occasion, and I'm sitting for usually 5 to 6 hours at a stretch on the back. I don't know that I'd ever want to take away from the experience by using painkillers, I don't do drugs at all, , but after a while, pain is just pain. I think when you are sitting like that, there's nothing wrong with a couple of big, fat juicy ibuprofen for sure.

[jude]

The topical cream is Lidocaine, will it make that much difference? I dont really think so. Personally I hate the outlining the worst after that the ol endorphines kick in and the skin is numb. Its really your choice but dont feel bad about yourself if you take some Advil/Tylenol but I will agree w/GD you would be missing out on the true experience of getting a tattoo. Just take breaks between the session.

[Mary]

I hate that noise. During the worst of it at State of Grace everyone was talking about fast food for some reason but that conversation was my saved me. I need people to talk around me during the hard parts cause if it's just my breathing and that buzzing sound all I can think about is those needles.

[Zoe]

Well i use meditation and it works just fine, only thing is if i get preoccupied in a conversation i forget to breath and i think ohhhh i can feel that, so i quickly drop back into deep breathing. Like GD says, i also get into the buzz of the gun, it helps to focus on it, I guess a good way of looking at it is, embrace the pain factor and accept it, if you stressing over it your body will tense up which causes pain levels to inflate. Music that you enjoy is also another thing you can truly focus on too.

I had the numbing cream on a hood piercing and it did the trick for me, but am not sure it would have the same effect on a tattoo session.