Question for those with tattoos

I have 3. 4 if you count I recently went back and had color added.

I think the numbing thing should just be up to the individual. I mean, each person has a different pain tolerance, some want the tattoo, but the pain is a little bit too much for them. For me It's fine after 5 minutes. It's like your adrenaline kicks in And you don't really feel it all that intense. It's not unbearable or anything

I think it very much depends on how long it's likely to take to get your tattoo done. If it's a quick one then that's one thing. If you're doing an 8hr session then there's no need to be a hero if you can have some pain assistance. It should be more about the art than the bravado. If you tap out early simply because you didn't use numbing gel then that would be kinda stupid. I've had sessions of 2hrs, 4hrs and 5hrs. It does start to get on your tits after a while. Plus your pain resistance seems to wane a bit with age, partly due to physical changes in your body. I mean, I'm a masochist and still found the last one irritating. So I'd definitely say use the gel if you're doing a long session. You won't get a badge for not using it.

I enjoy the pain. I don't like when it tickles, but the pain feels like therapy.

Some say the pain is part of it. I get it, a price to pay of sorts. A badge of honor and courage .
Plus the pain is one of the things people think of when they see your tattoos. I get all that.
But if I had a choice I would have had one done al natural, to have the experience. But the rest of them I would have gladly gone pain free had I had the prerogative.

It's part of it, but honestly most tattoo places will give you a lil complimentary packet of tattoo goo or something at least, I know a lot of the ones here do. But the pain isn't that bad especially if you get it on a spot with a decent amount of fat

I have a lot of tattoos to me the ditch of my arm and elbow were worse than my ribcage I’ve never requested numbing cream or spray because it’s oddly satisfying to me feeling it BUT my artist did spray a lidocaine spray a few times on my ditch without asking me because my skin was starting to get too irritated that being said it took away some of the pain but I still felt everything

I did however get “tattoo flu” after that one but it was expected considering the area and size (I was finishing my sleeve)

It’s definitely part of the experience, I have never met anyone who used numbing gel, we raw dog it. 😜

the pain is part of the experience.

😂 I’d never ever use the numbing gel. You know what tattoos are for me and it’s almost as much about the pain as the beauty it leaves behind.

Obviously some areas of the body are more sensitive than others.

Also depends on how good the artist is.

If they're on their game they shouldn't labour too long on a pain sensitive site.

But i would have thought it a good rule of thumb not to tattoo your ribcage; jaw; face etc.and so avoid the issue

I never found it to relieve the pain

I have three tattoos and am getting a fourth soon. I haven’t used a numbing cream, but I’ve heard Dr. Numb is good. The pain of a tattoo doesn’t typically bother me, but I’ve been told I have a pretty high pain tolerance. That being said, I’ve heard rib cage and foot tattoos can be very painful. I don’t have those.