Thread: Tell me about tattoos.

Do they hurt when you get them? Is there any way to prevent infections/diseases? Also, post pics of yours, or experiences you have had.

Yes, No, and I have no tattoes,
Second question, it is possible to get ink poisoning, someone got it once.

I don't have any tattoos of my own (yet), but I'm learning the craft and have given a few.

1) Yes, they do hurt (so far as I know). The amount of pain varies, depending on what part(s) of the body you are having tattooed - and, of course, your own threshold for pain.
2) Yes, there are ways to prevent infection. It starts with the artist knowing how deep to let the needle go (they are not supposed to break all seven layers, so the less blood, the better). Also, it is important the artist uses sanitary equipment, constantly sanitizes his hands, and replaces his gloves, any time he touches something other than the required equipment and your skin.

As for Sergron's question: Yes, it is possible to get ink poisoning. Unfortunately, some people just react differently to certain kinds (or even colors) of ink. I believe I've heard that red is the most problematic for some folks, but I'm not quite sure.

I had a professional tattoo done when I was about 18 years old. It hardly hurt at all. It was of a blue rose with a brown stem and green leaves, placed along the side of my bikini line. Embarrassment could have helped alleviate the pain and I had just given birth a couple weeks or month before then.

When I was 20 something, a hobbiest using a homemade gun and Bic pen ink, gave me a tattoo on the palm of my hand (on the pad of my thumb). It hurt like heck. He had to go over it so many times it felt as if he was carving my hand with a blade. It faded and disappeared completely within a few days or weeks.
My friend had something placed on her shoulder by the same guy and it stayed with her for years (maybe to this day, we lost touch).

Now I give myself my own unconventional tattoos.

When having a professional tattoo, make sure they use a new needle and follow whatever instructions they give you.

The way that I usually describe the feeling to someone is it's like having a wire brush dragged across sunburn for a while. In some places that might hurt more than others, you know.

I personally enjoy the feeling of getting tattoos. Probably because...

During a tattoo, sensations range from mild and almost dull to very sharp and intense. When the process first begins, the body responds strongly to the sensations, releasing endorphins (the same hormones that cause a "runner's high") and adrenalin. Adrenalin can cause a fight-or-flight response, making the process very uncomfortable at the beginning.

Once the endorphins are absorbed by the system, however, the sensations rapidly become duller and less urgent. The pain may be just as unpleasant, but becomes less intense and attention-grabbing. This is the stage some people refer to as "numbing". Some people even fall asleep during this stage of a tattoo.

The endorphin rush associated with getting tattooed, or with running marathons, is notorious for becoming addictive. It is the same internal reaction that's mimicked by the drug ecstasy and morphine, among others.

Endorphins cause a warm inner glow, like that caused by running or tanning. They block the body's pain receptors, so while they're in the system other pains (like a sore back, or previous injury) are also diminished. They also flood the brain with dopamines, which allow the body to recover from injury by relaxing. This after-tattoo "buzz" more than makes up for the previous pain for many people, and can account for the addictiveness of tattooing.

As for infection, you really just need to take care of your ink and listen to whatever your artist tells you to do. Don't be reckless like go swimming or something.

I got a tattoo with bamboo by hand in Thailand. It was definitely the least painful of all the tattoos I have (5, my back piece currently has 17 hours put into it, still needs work).

I have a total of 5 tattoos; 4 down by my ankles and then 1 on my foot. The first 5 minutes or so hurts badly until your body gets 'used' to the feeling. As for the one on my foot = ouch! I guess they say that getting a tattoo over a bony part of your body hurts more. It really didn't hurt in the sense of not being able to tolerate it, but just in an uncomfortable sense. The mild pain won't stop me from getting more if I ever decide to.

I am planning on getting a tattoo myself in the future. From what I hear they hurt a little, but it's nothing unbearable. You have to check out the studio that you are getting it at first. Don't just go to just any sleazy tattoo parlor or else you risk hepatitis, or a bad tattoo.
Some people are very conservative on the issue of tattoos and think that they are trashy. However these people should get with the times. Body art is a way to express yourself. You just want to get them on places that can be covered up when necessary.

I got a tattoo as soon as I turned 18; two wings on each of my ankles. When I got them, I like to describe the sensation like so: it felt like a white-hot blade was digging into my skin. But they came out great! You just HAVE to take care of them after you get them done, because if you think about it, you're ripping your skin apart. I had to keep them goo'd and I couldn't go swimming for the first month. Also, too much sunlight isn't good either. But after everything is healed, you have a really good conversation starter for the rest of your life!

Saturos, are you getting a tattoo?