How much would it hurt?

[Rudnet]

So, I am thinking about getting a tattoo that runs the entire length of my inner left fore-arm, which covers it entirely to hide my deepest scars. Now, I am really afraid of needles. Well not needles, but how much they hurt. That is why I want to know how much pain would be involved in the whole thing and if there are any ways to reduce the pain? Is anesthesia an option?

[Heartlines.]

Hey there,

They won't tattoo over old scar tissue. It will mess up the tattoo, or something like that.

Also, the pain is different for everyone. Trust me. I have asked around, got a million different descriptions on what the pain felt like, and when I went to get my Tattoo, the pain was different.

If this is your first tattoo, I would not recommend all of your inner forearm. It will be exspensive, and time consuming. I just don't advise it. However, the decision is yours.

I got my tattoo on the inside of my wrist. The closer you get to tendons, the worse it hurts. Plus, they are going to outline the design first, then fill in the middle. The out line always hurts more.

Hope this helped

[i_am_waves]

Actually, scars can be tattooed over. It really just depends on the person and the scar. You should get a consultation with a tattoo shop and see what they say. (: Unfortunately though, tattooing over scar tissue tends to hurt worse. And it might take a little more work to get the ink to stay in the areas with scars. As far as pain, everyone is different, but in general it does hurt. It's completely bearable, though. If you are having a lot of doubts, you might want to wait because you want to be completely prepared mentally before you get a tattoo.

[Maloo]

I'm gonna say that I don't think anesthesia is an option. I've just never, ever heard of that happening. And your forearm is pretty sensitive, so it will probably hurt a good amount, especially since the tattoo sounds extensive.

(And I wish people would stop comparing needles to getting tattooed )

[losing touch.]

firstly, it'll be hard to tattoo over a lot of scar tissue.. but you'll have to see what a professional says about it. and secondly, the pain question is impossible to answer seeing as everyone has different levels of pain tolerance. you'll have to wait and see. but obviously a tattoo is not going to be painless.

[Rudnet]

Thanks everyone. Your responses have been the most helpful

The scars I am talking about are not something like burn scars. They are just fine, very deep cuts which are still noticeable over a distance. Are they going to be difficult too? And I've heard that some artists apply numbing cream, does that completely reduce the pain?

@Myss~
Uhm, well tattoos do involve needles poking your skin at a speed so yeah Though it's only the tattooo needles that scare me, I am fine with all other kinds injection/sewing/acupuncture :P

[i_am_waves]

If your scars are completely healed over, you should be okay. But again, it's best to meet with a tattoo artist face to face so they can evaluate the situation. Ask your tattoo artist also about which numbing cream would be best for you. Very few tattoo shops will offer it unless you ask, and most of the time you have to buy it and apply it yourself before going to get your tattoo. I've never used it, but I'm fairly sure that it doesn't eliminate pain completely, but it probably reduces it significantly. I work in a tattoo shop, so feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. (:

[Rudnet]

Thanks a lot Ryan. You've been great help

[jellyfish]

It sounds as though your scars would be ok to tattoo over.
I have heard of numbing cream, but I would never risk it as it could mess the tattoo up, the ink may not take properly for example.
And as far as needles go, they are only tiny little things and with them being in casing, its hardly noticeable!
And yes, tattoos hurt. lol!

[thefirstlady]

Yes you can tattoo over scars but some artists won't. It also depends on how long they have been there and what kind of scar tissue it is. Scar tissue hurts more to get tattooed over and has issues holding ink which is why some tattoo artists won't tattoo over them. It doesn't cost more to get your forearm tattooed vs other places on the body. Most artists charge by the hour. If you get your entire inner forearm tattooed it would probably be around 3-4 hours maybe more depending on the design you're getting done.

As for the anesthesia they wouldn't do that but there is numbing cream and spray. Not all tattoo artists carry it. The ones that do don't use it very often because it's expensive and you can only use a little bit or else it could affect how well the ink stays in the body and it will make the area swell. Which would also be a reason not to use it in your case because of the scars already affecting the ink staying in. Not to mention you'd have to already sit for the outline and some of the shading in order for it to absorb in the skin and work (with the spray at least). My artist at the tattoo shop I work at has sprayed numbing stuff on my arm for my half sleeve at about 7 hours into it that day and it did wonders but if you aren't going to be sitting for a really long time there's not really a point to it because you also have to sit and wait for it to kick in too.

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by Rudnet

@Myss~
Uhm, well tattoos do involve needles poking your skin at a speed so yeah Though it's only the tattooo needles that scare me, I am fine with all other kinds injection/sewing/acupuncture :P

I'm aware of what a tattoo is lol, I have 2.
But they don't even look like needles, and they don't feel like needles, so you can't really compare the two.