While there is no way to anticipate the amount of pain you will experience, arriving with certain amount of determination will almost certainly guarantee you that it won't hurt as nearly as much as you expected. Getting a tattoo involves piercing the skin, and so there is going to be some pain involved, no matter how small the tattoo and no matter where it is on your body.

The amount and type of pain experienced is highly variable depending on each individual's tolerance to and acceptance of pain. While tattooing, the needles puncture the skin at a very fast rate and at a variable depth. The outline is usually the most painful work, because the needles are being used to create a nice solid black line that will define the tattoo, and so it is inserted deeply and carefully to ensure complete and effective coverage. The shading is usually not as painful, but this also depends upon the depth of penetration and the desired effect. The pain you feel is generally as a slight burning or hot scratching sensation.

Generally, the tattoo is more painful if applied to areas of the body where there is less muscle and fatty tissue covering bone, like wrists, ankles, chests, and other normally sensitive body areas. Upper arms are usually the least painful, while the ankles and sternum can be quite sensitive. The tattoo pain is certainly not unbearable, here are some tips for coping with and minimizing the pain: Find a reputable tattooist that you feel comfortable with to get the tattoo work done, the confidence you get from a tattooist can minimize your pain to the highest. Don't show up drunk or on drugs. Go in with some determination and accept the fact that a few hours of discomfort without giving the tattooist a hard time will help ensure that you get a first-rate tattoo.

If you feel you can't take the pain anymore, tell your tattooist. Take a short break, or come back in a few days. Tattoos don't have to be applied all in one sitting. Break up your session if needed. Listen to music or let your imagination go wild during the procedure, a certain degree of distraction set by your self will help you put less concentration on the pain. After all, the pain you experience while getting tattooed is a unique and certainly bearable pain. Take the opportunity to enjoy a new and unique experience that will mark the emergence of a "new you" from the tattoo studio.

Tattoo Safety

Tattooing process involves needles that penetrate the outermost layers of skin, safety and common sense are the most important consideration. A legitimate, well-trained tattooist follows strict health guidelines and is willing to answer any of your questions about tattooing procedures and concerns. The primary fear most people express about getting tattooed is that they may contract the HIV virus, which can cause AIDS.

In fact, HIV is only one of many viruses that can be transmitted. Syphilis, tuberculosis, strep, staph, and hepatitis are just a few of the other diseases to take into consideration. YES, you could get these diseases from a tattoo needle. Like many activity, tattooing is potentially dangerous, but minimizing or eliminating the potential danger is not unreasonably difficult. In fact, the strict code of practices takes every safety measure so the risk of transmitting HIV or other diseases is virtually nonexistent.

A qualified tattooist will have and use a real steam pressure autoclave - an autoclave is the only reliable means of sterilization recognized by the Center for Disease Control. Alcohol, bleach, and ultrasonic cleaning do not sterilize instruments, they only clean them before autoclaving. Your tattooist should wear disposable rubber gloves during tattooing procedure. All items such as ointment spreaders and wiping rags should be disposable as well. The tattoo studio and tattooist's equipment and working area should be absolutely clean and sanitary. Also make sure each customer get a fresh set of needles, and the tattooist dips the needle into a small cap filled with pigment from a large squeeze bottle. If the needle is dipped into a large jar or bottle of pigment, you are sharing body fluids with other people who have been tattooed with that batch of pigment.

When it comes to tattoo safety, use your common sense as well: Is the tattoo studio clean? Are tattoo supplies kept in a sterile receptacles with lids? Does the tattooist wash hands a lot? Does the tattooist use latex gloves when working on other clients? and do tattooist change gloves when they touch something else during the procedure? Take responsibility for your own health and welfare!

reprint permission from newsletterezine.com & David Chandler