Tattoo Pain Chart - The Most Painful Tattoo Area

To be clear before we dig into the specifics of the tattoo chart for pain, every tattoo hurts. It’s unavoidable and inevitable, because it’s needles piercing your skin thousands of times per minute. So, it’s not exactly a bubble bath!

But the intensity of the pain varies based on various factors like:

• Where the tattoo is placed
• Your personal pain threshold
• Your mindset on the day

The most painful tattoo area is literally down to biology. This is what makes one part of the body the most hurtful place to get a tattoo, while another body part make it easier for you to grit your teeth and bear it.

The bad boys on the tattoo chart for pain are caused by:

Nerve Endings

Meet your pain party host/esses. Your body is covered in nerve endings. And some spots are basically VIP areas for pain signals. This is why your fingertips, armpits, and groin rank highly on the chart of tattoo pain, because these parts of your bod are highly populated with nerve endings = serious pain hotspots.

Thin Skin

The less cushion, the more it’s going to hurt! Thin skin is a guilty culprit, giving rise to the most painful tattoo area. Spots with little padding, like your ribs or collarbone, are synonymous with the most painful area to get a tattoo. Thin skin amplifies the needle’s impact. So, the pain hits harder in the absence of fat or muscle acting as a shock absorber.

Bones

Tattooing over bony areas like your shin, elbow, or kneecap can feel like the vibrations are echoing through your skeleton. Not fun.

Stretch Factor

Tightly stretched skin, like the skin in your hands, feet, or stomach, tends to feel more sensitive during tattooing. In contrast, loose, cushioned skin makes certain spots the least painful area for a tattoo.

Let’s start at the top end of the chart of tattoo pain. So, prepare to earn your badass badge if you’re thinking about one of these parts of your anatomy! They’re all worthy competitors for the unwholesome title of the most hurtful place to get a tattoo:

Armpits

They’re sweaty, sensitive, and outright brutal. Some tattoo artists even refuse to tattoo an armpit, because they consider it to be the most painful area to get a tattoo.

Chest and Sternum

Every vibration of the needle feels like it’s rattling your ribcage. Great for dramatic pieces. But heinous for pain management.

Elbows and Kneecaps

When you’re looking into the most painful place to get a tattoo, your joints are well and truly in the running. In truth, these spots are like being tattooed straight onto bone.

Groin and Inner Thigh

As we’ve already said, nerve endings + thin skin = a recipe for torture. This most painful tattoo area isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Ribcage

Every inhale reminds you why this area is infamous.

Palms of the Hands and Soles of the Feet

This skin is tough to tattoo. Plus, the nerve endings are next level sensitive. Double trouble!

Shin and Ankle

There’s no cushioning in these bony areas. This is why you’ll feel every needle prick acutely.

Spine

The pain radiates down your body like an electric current. Proceed with caution.

These spots still hurt. But they’re not quite the most painful tattoo area, making them more manageable for most people:

Hands, Wrists, and Feet

These spots sting. But none of them are the most painful place to get a tattoo.

Hips

Expect a mix of sharp stings and dull aches. It’s not the worst. But it’s not smooth sailing either.

Inner Biceps

This area is deceptively tender. In fact, it frequently surprises even seasoned tattoo enthusiasts.

Neck and Ears

The pain is tolerable when you put a brave face on it, (even if the sound of the needle makes you squirm!).

Stomach

It's like having your tummy tickled at first, said no one. But seriously, while it's not unbearable you’ll feel the burn if your tattoo design is on the larger side or calls for deeper shading.

Want to start your inking journey with the least painful area for a tattoo? The good news is there are plenty of chill(er) spots. So, where’s the least painful area for a tattoo? Try these for size:

Forearm

One of the easiest and most wildly popular spots to get tattooed. Perfect for beginners or large designs.

Outer Thigh

Thick skin and plenty of padding means this area isn’t a serious disruptor on the tattoo chart for pain.

Shoulder and Outer Bicep

These are classic spots for tattoos for good reason, because they’re relatively comfortable and easy to sit through.

Upper Back

Far from the most painful tattoo area, if you avoid the spine.

Under the impression tattoo pain comes in just one flavour? Sorry to disappoint. But there’s a whole raft of sensations you might experience during your tattoo session:

• Background Pain - It’s usual to experience a persistent dull ache. This sensation isn’t exactly soothing. But it can become almost meditative if you lean into it.
• Bee Sting - Quick, sharp jab make it really difficult not to flinch (but please do your best, for your own sake and to help your tattoo artist).
• Cat Scratch - Sharp and scratchy, like a pissed off feline letting rip on your skin.
• Sunburn - A deep, burning soreness that feels like, well, really bad sunburn.
• Vibrations – Many people describe it like a needle echoing in your bones when you go for the most hurtful area to get a tattoo, like the bony spots we’ve mentioned.

It’s important to bear in mind pain is subjective, wherever your latest ink sits on the chart of tattoo pain. What’s absolutely unbearable for one person might be no big deal for another. So, let’s run through some of the key factors that might have a bearing on how much pain you’ll feel:

• Age - Younger skin tends to be more sensitive, while older skin can be tougher but less elastic.
• Body Type - The slimmer you are, the more you might feel pain in bony areas. On the other hand, you’ll have more cushioning if you’ve got more muscle or fat.
• Fear Factor - You’re more likely to feel the pain more intensely if you’re a bundle of nerves.
• Gender - Some studies suggest women may feel pain more acutely than men. Although individual tolerance varies.
• Skin Condition - Dry, irritated, or sensitive skin can make tattooing more uncomfortable.

Newbie or already inked from your ass to your elbow, you’ll want to make your session as trouble-free as possible.

So, follow these tips to prepare your body and mind for a best-case scenario to score as low as possible on the pain meter for tattoos:

Avoid Alcohol

Booze thins your blood and dehydrates you. Bad combo.

Eat a Decent Meal

Low blood sugar = low tolerance for pain.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Tired minds feel pain more acutely. This is situation where you want more of less.

Moisturise

Succulent skin makes the process easier for both you and your tattoo artist.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydrated skin doesn’t take ink well, and the pain will feel worse.

Mercifully, there are some great ways to make the experience more bearable, even in the most painful tattoo area:

• Take Breaks - Short, infrequent bursts under the needle can help reset the pain meter for tattoos without making the session drag on.
• Chat with Your Tattoo Artist - Distractions can do wonders for taking your mind off the pain.
• Bring Snacks - Keep your energy levels up to avoid feeling faint.

Once the tattoo is done, the healing process begins. For this purpose, proper aftercare can reduce the soreness, while also keeping your ink looking its best:

Knowing what to expect can make all the difference, whether you’re planning a ribcage masterpiece or testing the waters with a miniature forearm design. But truthfully, it makes sense to tread lightly in the beginning, rather than subject yourself to a day-long showpiece in the most painful tattoo area.

Remember, the pain is temporary, (and part of the experience!). But the art is forever. So, it’s not something you want to be doing on a whim.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, we’ve got a never-ending supply of tips, tools, and tricks for journeying through the tattoo chart for pain with ease.

Visit our website for everything you need to know about tattoo processes and aftercare products, because sick ink and the least pain possible should always go hand in hand.