Are you planning on getting your first tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can be painful, but you don’t just have to grin and bear it. There are many different tacks you can take to help reduce your pain levels when you get a tattoo.
Check out this guide to help you manage tattoo pain.
1. Drink Lots of Water
When you’re working on managing tattoo pain, try hydrating. Drinking plenty of water beforehand and afterward can reduce your pain levels and help you heal faster. That’s because well-hydrated skin is easier to tattoo.
You should also avoid alcohol at least twenty-four hours before getting your tattoo since alcohol can be dehydrating. You can also take some pain relievers before your appointment, but make sure you avoid those with blood-thinning properties.
2. Numb It
There are products out there you can use to help you cope with tattoo pain, both before and after the fact. Do plenty of research and find the best tattoo numbing products for your needs. You can also ask your tattoo artist what products they recommend for reducing pain when getting a tattoo.
3. Distract Yourself
A distraction can help you think about something other than the pain during the tattoo process.
The sound of getting a tattoo can make things worse, so bring headphones and listen to podcasts or music during the session. Bring a video game console or a book if your tattoo will be somewhere that will still allow you to use your arms.
4. Bring a Friend
If you bring a friend with you to the tattoo session, they can help you work through the pain. Just make sure that you and your friend aren’t disruptive to the tattoo process or to anyone else in the studio. You and your companion can talk to one another or play a game together — anything to get your mind off the tattoo process.
5. Take a Break
You don’t have to grin and bear it if the pain gets too bad. Feel free to ask to take a break during the process so you can recover. This is especially true if you’re getting your tattoo on one of the areas of your body that hurt the most.
Some of the places on your body that are likely to be more painful are hands, feet, ribcage, armpits, or hips. The size and type of tattoo you’re getting may also affect your pain levels, so make sure you take your pain threshold into consideration before you commit to a design.
6. Take Deep Breaths
If you’re into yoga or meditation, you’ll know how different breathing techniques can help with tattoo pain relief. Use meditation when the pain gets particularly bad in order to disassociate from the pain. If you’re not familiar, look up different breathing exercises and try them out before you head to your appointment. That way, you’ll be prepared to work through the process.
Get Through Tattoo Pain With These Tips
Now that you know these tattoo pain management tips, you should have no problem breezing through your next appointment.
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