5 Ways to Make Traditional Tattoos Less Painful — Certified Tattoo Studios (2024)

Written By Amanda Ryan

Traditional tattoos are some of the most popular tattoo styles out there. But they can also be some of the most painful, due to the amount of ink necessary to create them. If you're thinking about getting traditional tattoos, but you're worried about the pain, never fear!

There are a few things you can do to make the experience much more bearable. Here are 5 methods for painless traditional tattooing.

1. Use a numbing cream

If you're worried about pain, one of the best things you can do is to use a numbing cream before your tattoo session. There are a variety of numbing creams on the market, so be sure to do your research and find one that's right for you.

Apply the cream generously to the area where you'll be getting tattooed, and wait for it to take effect before starting your session. You should notice a significant decrease in pain once the numbing cream has had a chance to work its magic.

2. Take breaks during your session

Tattooing is a marathon, not a sprint. If you try to power through an entire session without taking any breaks, you're likely to end up feeling overwhelmed and in quite a bit of pain by the end. Instead, take breaks every 20 minutes or so to give yourself a chance to rest and recover.

You can use this time to have a drink of water, take some deep breaths, or just step away from the tattooing area for a few minutes. Trust us, your body will thank you later!

3. Choose smaller tattoos over large ones

If you're really worried about pain, it's best to start small and work your way up to bigger tattoos later on. Not only will smaller tattoos be less painful overall, but they'll also be quicker and easier to heal from.

So if you're looking for a pain-free black and grey tattoo experience, stick with something small and simple for your first go-round. You can always get something bigger later on!

5 Ways to Make Traditional Tattoos Less Painful — Certified Tattoo Studios (1)

4. Avoid sensitive areas like ribs and ankles

There are some areas of the body that are more sensitive than others, which means they tend to be more painful when tattooed. These areas include ribs, ankles, wrists, and behind the knees—so if you're looking for a pain-free experience, it's best to avoid them altogether. Stick with less sensitive areas like arms, legs, shoulders, or back instead. Your tattoo artist will thank you!

5. Use ice during and after your session

Applying ice both during and after your tattoo session can help reduce swelling and inflammation—and as an added bonus, it can also help numb the area slightly so that you feel less pain overall.

Just be sure not to apply ice directly to your skin—wrap it in a thin towel first so that you don't end up damaging your new ink!

Wrap Up!

Traditional tattoos may be popular—but they certainly aren't painless! If you're considering getting one of these tattoos but you're worried about the pain factor, never fear! There are a few things you can do to make the experience much more bearable—and even enjoyable!

Just remember to use numbing cream before starting your session; take breaks throughout; choose smaller tattoos over large ones; avoid sensitive areas; and use ice both during and after your session!

With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way towards getting the perfect traditional tattoo in no time—painlessly!

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Amanda Ryan

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5 Ways to Make Traditional Tattoos Less Painful — Certified Tattoo Studios (2024)

FAQs

5 Ways to Make Traditional Tattoos Less Painful — Certified Tattoo Studios? ›

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.

What is the most painless way to get a tattoo? ›

Are there ways to minimize the pain?
  • Stay hydrated. ...
  • Eat a meal. ...
  • Avoid alcohol. ...
  • Wear loose clothing. ...
  • Breathe deeply. ...
  • Distract yourself. ...
  • Ask about skin-numbing cream. Your artist can recommend a numbing cream for getting tattooed.
  • Communicate with your artist. If the pain is too much, let your artist know.
May 30, 2019

What is the best pain relief for tattoos? ›

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.

What makes a good traditional tattoo? ›

Tattoos artists from around the US and beyond have mastered the iconic traditional tattoo design. These types of tattoos have distinguishing features, which include: Bold and clean black outlines in a 2D finish (looks like a drawing) Highly saturated colors of red, green, yellow, and lots of black.

Do traditional tattoos hurt more? ›

American traditional tattoos may possibly hurt more due to the amount of ink used for bold lines and color packing techniques. However the pain of any tattoo is also dependent on its design, size, and placement.

What makes tattoo pain worse? ›

Factors That Affect Tattoo Pain

Being heavier can make tattoo pain somewhat worse, as excess weight stretches out the skin more, which makes it more sensitive. Age can have a similar effect, making the skin thinner. Skinny people can also experience higher pain levels, as their bones have less padding.

What can I use to numb before a tattoo? ›

Sometimes we all need a little extra help. Emla numbing cream is a trusted brand that can help you through your tattoo appointment.

What do tattoo artists use for pain? ›

And your number one ingredient and tattoo session best friend is going to be lidocaine. This is the numbing agent itself. Lidocaine is a synthetic compound used as a local anesthetic and analgesic medication. It works on the nerve endings in your skin to block pain signals.

What painkiller before tattoo? ›

With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.

What does the gypsy girl tattoo mean? ›

Aside from representing the Romany gypsy way of life and the freedom of travelling, these tattoos also symbolize luck, independence, good fortune, desire and living life. The female face or head has been the centre point of traditional renderings in the tattoo scene since the Jerry days.

What are the rules for traditional tattoos? ›

For traditional American tattoos the black shading should be about ⅓ of the design. ⅓ of the tattoo should be color or black and grey shading ( not solid black), filling most of the remaining design space. In the beginning, Traditional American tattoos were only done with black, and up to three colors.

Do traditional tattoos age well? ›

Consider the Traditional American pieces you see on the hands of weathered sailors: If done right in the first place, the bold lines and colors of these tattoos can hold up for decades with minimal retouching, even in the face of the elements.

How long before tattoo stops hurting? ›

It varies from person to person, but on average it takes about 2-4 weeks for the tattoo to stop hurting.

How can I soften my tattoo? ›

Healing a tattoo fast is all about the scabs. Keeping them on until they are ready to fall off naturally are numbers 1, 2, & 3 at the top of the importance list. Baths, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, and any water you would submerge yourself in will make your scab soft and spongy.

Do tattoo artists use numbing cream? ›

Many artists are happy to use and even provide numbing cream for your session, while others refuse to use it. And their reasoning might surprise you. Artists that are pro-numbing cream argue that it helps them work more efficiently with fewer interruptions. This means less time under the needle for the client.

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