Tattoo Guide
Yes, getting a tattoo hurts, but on average the pain is moderate. In a peer-reviewed survey of 1,092 tattooed adults, people rated their pain during tattooing at 4.35 out of 10 on average, falling to about 2 out of 10 right afterwards.
Here’s what that research found, why online tattoo pain charts are mostly guesswork, and how to make your session more comfortable, including what health authorities say about numbing creams.
The most detailed study we found surveyed 1,092 people (863 women and 229 men) who had been tattooed, recruited through tattoo studios and online in Poland, and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020. Participants rated their pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
The study had limits: most respondents were women, some answered weeks after their tattoo, and tattoo size wasn’t recorded. Still, it’s one of the few real measurements of tattoo pain.
In the same study, higher pain was linked to:
People who took painkillers beforehand also reported more pain. That doesn’t mean painkillers make tattoos hurt; it’s more likely that people who expected a lot of pain were the ones who took them. If you’re thinking about taking any medicine before your appointment, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
You’ve probably seen charts that colour the body from “least painful” to “most painful”, usually with ribs, feet and spine in red. We looked for peer-reviewed research behind them and didn’t find any study that ranks tattoo pain by specific body part. Those charts are based on opinion and experience, not measurements.
The study above found no significant difference between broad body areas. Pain varies from person to person and session to session, so the best guide is a conversation with your artist about the placement you have in mind.
Numbing creams can seem like an easy fix, but health authorities urge caution.
If you want to use a numbing product, talk to a pharmacist or doctor first, check that it has a Health Canada DIN or NPN number, and tell your artist before you apply anything.
A new tattoo usually feels tender and a little sore for the first few days, then itchy as it heals. Follow our tattoo aftercare guide.
Pain that gets worse instead of better, spreading redness, fever, pus or red streaks can be signs of infection. See a doctor if you notice them.
There’s no reliable research ranking body parts. In a study of 1,092 people, broad body areas didn’t significantly change pain intensity, while longer sessions, bleeding and stress did. Talk to your artist about the placement you want.
In a 2020 study, people rated pain during tattooing at 4.35 out of 10 on average, and 2.07 right afterwards. Your own experience may be higher or lower.
In that study, longer sessions were linked to more pain. Large pieces can often be split into shorter sessions.
We didn’t find any research comparing pain between tattoo styles. Smaller, quicker tattoos mean shorter sessions, which the research links with less pain.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor first. The US FDA has warned about some high-strength numbing products marketed for tattoos, and Health Canada’s labelling standard doesn’t cover numbing before cosmetic procedures. Always tell your artist before applying anything.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor about any medicine before your appointment, especially if you have a health condition or take other medicines.
Tell us about your idea and any worries, and your artist will help you plan the size, placement and session length that suit you.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any medicine or numbing product.
