"Will it hurt?" is the question almost everyone asks before their first tattoo, and the honest answer is: it depends where. The same design can feel like a mild scratch on one part of the body and like real work on another. That's why placement and pain go hand in hand. Our guide to the best tattoo placement ideas covers how to choose a spot; this chart focuses on how each area tends to feel.
A quick note before the chart: pain is personal. Your skin, your stress level, how much you slept and even what you ate that day all change how a session feels. Treat this as a general guide, not a promise.
Why some spots hurt more than others
Three things make an area more sensitive:
- Thin skin over bone. With little padding between the needle and the bone, you feel more vibration and sharpness. Think ribs, ankles, elbows and the collarbone.
- More nerve endings. Hands, feet, lips and the face are packed with nerves.
- Stretchy or soft skin. Areas like the armpit, inner elbow and stomach can be harder for the artist to work and more tender.
Spots with more muscle or fat and fewer nerve endings, like the outer arm and thigh, tend to be the easiest.
Least painful places to get tattooed
These are the spots most people describe as the most comfortable. Conveniently for Los Angeles, where shorts and short sleeves are worn most of the year, several of them are also the easiest to show off:
- Outer upper arm and shoulder. Thick skin, plenty of muscle, few nerve endings. A classic first-tattoo spot.
- Outer forearm. Comfortable for most people, more sensitive only near the wrist and elbow. Our guide to forearm tattoo placement compares the inner, outer and side.
- Outer thigh. Lots of muscle and a large, smooth canvas.
- Calf. Well padded, with space for larger pieces.
- Upper back. The fleshy areas around the shoulder blades are usually manageable, away from the spine.
Moderately painful places
Most people find these noticeable but very doable:
- Inner upper arm and inner forearm. Softer skin, more sensitive than the outer side.
- Upper chest. Fine on the fleshy area, sharper as you get closer to the sternum and collarbone.
- Back of the neck and behind the ear. Small pieces are short sessions, but the skin is thin.
- Wrist. Thin skin over bone and tendon.
- Hips. Depends on how close to the bone the design sits.
Most painful places to get tattooed
These areas are usually the most intense. Plenty of people get them, and they're worth it; just go in prepared:
- Ribs and side. Thin skin over bone, and the area moves with every breath.
- Sternum. Directly over bone, with a lot of vibration.
- Spine. Thin skin over the vertebrae.
- Hands, fingers and feet. Thin skin, many nerve endings and lots of bone.
- Elbows and knees. Bony, and the skin is tough to work.
- Armpit, inner elbow and back of the knee. Very soft, sensitive skin.
- Head and face. Thin skin directly over bone.
What a session actually feels like
People describe the feeling in different ways: a hot scratch, a sharp vibration, a cat scratch over a sunburn. Linework tends to feel sharper; shading and color packing feel more like a dull, scraping burn. Most people notice the sensation is strongest in the first few minutes and then settles as the body adjusts, before building again in a long session.
How to make your session easier
You can't change where the bone is, but you can change how ready your body is:
- Sleep well and eat a real meal before you come in. Low blood sugar makes everything harder.
- Skip alcohol for at least 24 hours. It can increase bleeding and doesn't dull the pain the way people hope.
- Bring water and a snack, and take short breaks when you need them.
- Breathe slowly and stay as still as you can. Tensing up makes it feel worse.
- Ask about numbing products before using any. Some creams change how the skin takes ink, so check with your artist first.
- Start somewhere comfortable if it's your first tattoo. Our guide to your first tattoo walks through the whole day.
Tattoo pain FAQ
What hurts the most when getting a tattoo?
For most people, the ribs, sternum, spine, feet, hands and the backs of the knees. These areas have thin skin over bone or many nerve endings.
What's the least painful place for a first tattoo?
The outer upper arm, outer forearm, outer thigh and calf are usually the most comfortable, which is why they're popular first spots.
Do numbing creams work for tattoos?
Some people find they help, but they can also affect how the skin takes ink. Always ask your artist before applying anything to the area.
Does a small tattoo hurt less?
The sensation is similar, but a small tattoo means a shorter session, which most people find much easier. Placement still matters more than size.
Thinking about your first tattoo, or a tougher spot? Text us at 323.395.0049 or send an appointment request. Our studio at 7th and Olive in Downtown Los Angeles is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm.
