Getting My First Big Tat

[Cherokeekid88]

I currently have 2 other tattoos on my back. nothing big and each one took less than 45 min to do. Next month, I will be going in to get a pretty big piece that will take about 5-6 hours on my right arm (upper, Basically becoming a half sleeve eventually) I do tend to have a lower tolerance for pain and was introduced to this stuff called "Dr. Numb" If you don't know what it is, it's actually a topical numbing cream that you apply and leave on for an hour and then it says it lasts for up to 4 hours but from people that I have talked to, it usually last for about 2 hours. I talked with my artist last night that is doing the tat and he was advising against using it. His solution for me was to eat a healthy meal before I come and pop a Vicodin. I am probably going to split the session up into (2) 3 hour session but I would still feel better if I could get through at least the first 1.5 to 2 hours with little or no pain whatsoever.
I know that pain is all apart of the game, but if I can sit comfortably and get through it, I'll vote for that.

What do you guys think about using the Dr. Numb? and what do you think about taking a Vicodin?
Some of you guys might say " well, if you don't like pain, then why get a tattoo?" Well because I like them and I really want this one.

 

[Lurch]

Nothing wrong with poppin a Vic or two beforehand. I have one that took 4 hours done all in one sitting, i was pretty frazzled by the end of it. Breaking it up into seperate sessions seems logical, but it sucks to have to come back unless you absolutely have too.

 

[Cherokeekid88]

Nothing wrong with poppin a Vic or two beforehand. I have one that took 4 hours done all in one sitting, i was pretty frazzled by the end of it. Breaking it up into seperate sessions seems logical, but it sucks to have to come back unless you absolutely have too.

Yeah I would rather have it all done in one sitting, which is why I thought using the Dr. numb and then maybe halfway through it, popping a Vicodin to get through the rest.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

personally, and this is just my opinion (but I'm not the only one who feels this way) I think you need to earn your ink. If you can't take the pain you don't deserve it. Traditionally tattoo work was a right of passage, if you can't show you are a man and handle the pain the tattooist would stop and you are stuck with an unfinished piece that is a mark of shame.

Man up.

 

[etatum]

I agree. I have a fairly low pain tolerance, but i also have a half sleeve on my left arm, 5 1/2 hours in one sitting. Taking the pain is part of the rush of it. Pop a couple of aleve, bite your tongue and man up. Plus, The topical stuff can mess with the tat.

 

[Cherokeekid88]

personally, and this is just my opinion (but I'm not the only one who feels this way) I think you need to earn your ink. If you can't take the pain you don't deserve it. Traditionally tattoo work was a right of passage, if you can't show you are a man and handle the pain the tattooist would stop and you are stuck with an unfinished piece that is a mark of shame.

Man up.

True, but sitting for 5-6 hours is a bit much. All I am looking for is more comfortability.

 

[Darky]

Then break it up. Don't sit for 5-6 hrs. Popping vicodin for a tattoo is stupid. Having something on your skin when there will be a needle punching ink down into it is stupid. You're getting a tat on your upper arm. That's one of the better places to do it. My first (of only 2 so far) was on my bicep and it stung a little at first but you get past it.

If you want a painless tattoo, have your buddy draw it on with a sharpy every couple days...

 

[souske]

the piece on my forearm took 5-6 hours in one sitting, the only rough parts were on the soft skin on the inside of my elbow, and down near my wrist.

Its just like a beesting, that starts to feel like a sunburn after an hour or so. Dont be a puss, just get through it

 

[Lurch]

Now i feel like a puss for crying when i got that quarter sized dolphin tattoo on my lower back freshman year.

 

[souske]

Now i feel like a puss for crying when i got that quarter sized dolphin tattoo on my lower back freshman year.

Spring break, panama city, fl?

 

[Lurch]

Spring break, panama city, fl?

It was my first time drinking tequila, what can I say:dunno:

As to the whole, "vicodin is stupid" arguement, I guess I'm not old school enough by why not take the edge off? Granted I don't have a ton of ink and both times i was under the needle I was 'clean', but if I had a painkiller available I most definitely would have popped it.

Never really saw it as a right of passage, but hey tats have different meanings for everyone so that's just me.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

i have a 9" tall almost solid black misfits crimson ghost skull on my left side mostly on my rib cage that took 4 hours, it hurt like a bastard but i sat through it. shading needles are nothing try sitting for for 4 hours with a black needle.

as I said before, if you can't take it don't get the tattoo.

 

[bails85]

Pretty much what grimm said. Being you only have 2 on your back that is why you're worried. The ones on my back hurt but the ARM wasn't Shit. You'll be fine. After a hour or so it will go numb anyway.

 

[Cherokeekid88]

Pretty much what grimm said. Being you only have 2 on your back that is why you're worried. The ones on my back hurt but the ARM wasn't Shit. You'll be fine. After a hour or so it will go numb anyway.

Yeah, the ones on my back go right over my spine and I think the arm should be better.

 

[Beezil]

how bout a tat of a big fat bluegill?

 

[REWSTER]

True, but sitting for 5-6 hours is a bit much. All I am looking for is more comfortability.

"Don't be a pussy get a tattoo" the slogan of the tat shop i go to.

this was a 7.5 hour total job. the hour glass took 5.5hrs one sitting the swirls were another 2hr the only reason it was 2 sittings was because the artist was getting tired.

man up boy!

 

[coldoath]

This thread reminds me of "The Other Guys".

Shake your dicks, this pissing contest is over! -Captain Gene

 

[tbburg]

Now i feel like a puss for crying when i got that quarter sized dolphin tattoo on my lower back freshman year.

Funny,.. I didn't get the impression you belonged to a sorority. :wave:

 

[H8PVMT]

the one on my back was 10 hours, guy stopped the first time after 5 hours because I was shaking so bad, I didn't realize it though......from what I remember it really only "hurt" until the area went numb but I was watching the south park movie so didn't really notice........just don't laugh hard while they have the needle on you

it's not like your in san quentin, if you need something to get you through it take it? who really cares

 

[Peteyg]

My forearm tattoo took about 4 hours, and was highly detailed and colored. it hurt, but all tattoos hurt. It's not so bad. Those shading needles are the worst, but my theory has always been, once the first line is drawn, you just gotta get through it, otherwise you'll have an unfinished tat and will regret it forever.