Looking for a hand tattoo? But how much does it hurt and what does the pain feel link getting a tattoo on your hand, info and tips.
Getting a tattoo is an exciting experience, but it can also be painful. From the time you get your first ink to aftercare, there are many factors that will affect how much pain you experience while getting a hand tattoo. This guide will help you understand why hand tattoos hurt more than others and what you can do to minimize any discomfort.
How Bad Do Tattoos Hurt?
Pain is subjective, and that’s one of the biggest factors people have to consider before getting a tattoo. There are many factors that contribute to how much a tattoo hurts:
- The artist who applied it (or if you got it done at a salon or other place)
- The style of design (the more intricate, the more painful)
- Your body type (if you have thin skin or thick skin, for example)
Hand Tattoos Hurt More – Here’s why:
- Hands are not as thickly coveredas other parts of the body. This means that your hand tattoos can get more infected than other areas of the body and be more prone to scarring.
- Your hands are more mobile than most other parts of your body, which means they’re constantly moving around and rubbing against things like ink pens or needles during tattooing sessions. If these delicate areas don’t have enough time to recover between sessions, then there will be an increased risk for infection or damage from excessive movement throughout the day (and possibly even after).
Factors That Affect Pain Caused By Tattoos
Pain tolerance is a subjective measure of how much pain you can tolerate. Everyone has different limits, and these vary based on age, gender, weight, and experience.
Location And Hand Tattoo Pain
The location of your tattoo can affect how much it hurts. For example: If you get an intricate design inked on your hand (a sensitive area), it could be more painful than getting a simple tattoo on your outer thigh.
Size And Hand Tattoo Pain
The size of the tattoo also plays into how painful it will be for you, especially if you have small hands.
Sex And Hand Tattoo Pain
Biological women are known to experience pain sensations more intensely than men. The reason behind this is the chemical and physical differences between men’s and women’s bodies. Research also suggests that compared to men, women are more accepting of pain. However, there is no research that specifically concludes that women experience more pain than men while getting a tattoo or vice versa.
Experience
While there are some commonalities between all types of pain, each person’s experience level will affect how much time passes before you feel comfortable again after getting your latest ink done.
Age and weight
The older you are, the more pain you will feel while getting a tattoo. When you get older, your skin becomes thinner and less elastic. As a result, it’s harder for the tattoo needle to penetrate into your skin without causing discomfort or even damage in some cases.
The heavier you are, the more pain you will feel while getting a tattoo. This is because fat tends not only compact around muscle tissue but also accumulates between layers of the muscle itself. This creates an uneven surface upon which ink has to be applied with greater force than other parts of the body. In addition, fat acts like an insulator against heat.
So, if someone has been working out vigorously before getting their first tattooed art piece then they may find themselves sweating profusely afterward due to just how much effort went into making sure everything looked perfect!
Types Of Pain You Experience While Getting A Hand Tattoo
Burning Pain
When a needle pierces your skin and creates a new tattoo, the pain you feel is caused by several factors. The first is that the needle itself is sharp and can cause some localized redness in the area where it’s inserted. This is called “skin irritation,” which may last for up to 24 hours after getting your tattoo.
The second reason why you might experience burning or stinging sensations during this process is due to an allergic reaction from an ink pigment in your ink or ink solvent (e.g., watercolor). If this happens to you, it’s best not to panic; take some Benadryl tablets or apply a cold compress on top of your tattooed area until you get relief from the symptoms.
Dull or Background Pain
You may notice that sometimes, the pain of getting a tattoo isn’t as sharp, or not as intense. It can be dull and constant. The dullness of the pain makes your body feel like it’s under attack by an army of jabs from an enemy soldier with a sword. It’s not just a single jab; it’s constant and unending waves of agony coming from every direction at once!
You might find yourself saying things like “Ouch!” or “Ahh!” regularly during the process because sometimes there are no words for what you’re feeling inside your body when something bad happens; only sounds will do (or maybe just some whimpers). However, these are usually only temporary discomfort that goes away after a few hours or days depending on how much ink was used during application (more ink = more pain).
Scratching Pain
Scratching occurs when the needle hits the skin, which causes an electrical charge to be sent through your body. This causes you to feel sharp pains in your hand or arm as well as numbness or tingling sensations in other parts of your body.
Sharp or Stinging Pain
Stinging pain is caused by the needle piercing the skin. You may feel intense throbbing, which can last for up to 24 hours. The area will also be swollen and red. Some people experience burning or itching around their tattooed area after getting it done, but this usually goes away within a few hours of receiving treatment.
Things to Consider Before You Get Your Hand Tattoo
Before you get your first tattoo, it’s important to do some research. Find a reputable tattoo artist and ask lots of questions about their training and experience. Do they have a portfolio? What’s the style of art they specialize in? How long has the shop been around? Is the location safe and clean, or are there any hazards in the vicinity (like stray needles)? Take a look at their portfolios on social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
Aftercare tips after getting a hand tattoo
Here are some aftercare tips you have to follow after getting a hand tattoo:
1. Keep the tattoo clean
The ink will dry out and become more susceptible to fading if it’s not kept clean. Use soap and warm water, then pat dry with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. You can also use skin-friendly moisturizers to keep your skin soft and healthy-looking after getting inked.
2. Avoid sun exposure (including tanning beds)
It’s best to wait at least two days before exposing yourself to any form of UV light or heat source. If you do have time between appointments, apply sunscreen with an SPF rating higher than 15 SPF before heading outside into direct sunlight. This will ensure that it doesn’t burn off too quickly while you are waiting around for another appointment.
Is it Expensive To Get a Hand Tattoo?
Tattoos on fingers or hands can range from $80 for a very simple design to $300 for something more elaborate. Finger tattoos tend to fade quickly, so most people don’t spend a lot of money on them.
Hand Tattoo Touch-Ups
If you have a hand tattoo, you might find that it needs to be touched up sooner than you would like, but that’s all right. Before a design heals fully into your skin, it may need to be touched up multiple times.
Due to the nature of the area, most artists won’t touch up hand tattoos for free, so keep that in mind when you budget for the actual cost. A hand tattoo is a celebration of who you are, your power, and your individuality, and we are delighted to be a part of that celebration.
After your hand tattoo has fully healed, it can be retouched. It may take more than 12 months for the skin to regenerate and the immune system to heal after an infection or injury. The first touch-up can be done between two and five years after getting a hand tattoo.
Hand Tattoos In Culture
Although the professional scene has changed to accept tattoos in the workplace, some employees still view body art as grounds for dismissal. A visible tattoo does not constitute a basis for workplace or hiring discrimination in the United States.
There has been such an acceptance of tattoos that it is now reaching the most conservative spaces of society. The air force veteran MJ Hegar proudly displayed a cherry blossom design on her upper arm during her campaign for the 35th Congressional District in Texas. During her campaign for Colorado’s highest office, former lieutenant governor Donna Lynne had “Fight for Colorado” tattooed on her arm.
Best Hand Tattoo Designs
- Skull Hand Tattoo
- Traditional Hand Tattoo
- Small Hand Tattoo For Women
- Henna-Inspired Hand Tattoo
- Fierce Hand Tattoo
- Heart Hand Tattoo
- Dragon Eye Hand Tattoo
- Star Tattoo For The Hand
Hand Tattoo Examples
This artist is amazing with his style and art – check out this hand tattoo.
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Conclusion
Everyone experiences pain when getting a tattoo. The amount of pain you as an individual experience while getting inked is dependent on a variety of factors. The pain of getting a tattoo can vary depending on factors such as sex, skin condition, and placement.
Remember that the pain you’ll feel while getting a tattoo won’t last forever. It will go away after a few days, and the pain is less intense over time. You can also take some steps to make your tattoo experience more comfortable by slowing down or taking breaks when necessary. And once you are done, you will have a beautiful tattoo that you can show off to your friends and family members.
References:
- Breuner C, et al. (2017). Adolescent and young adult tattooing, piercing, and scarification.
pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/140/4/e20163494 - Goldman B. (2013). Women report feeling pain more intensely than men, says study of electronic records.
med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/01/women-report-feeling-pain-more-intensely-than-men-says-study-of-electronic-records.html - Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to change. (2010).
pewsocialtrends.org/2010/02/24/millennials-confident-connected-open-to-change/
