BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Body Art My first Tattoo!

I am thinking about getting a tattoo as a belated 21st birthday present to myself (my birthday was March12th). However, I am a HUGE baby when it comes to pain, which is a surprise because I have been through 4 surgeries! I have wanted a tattoo for a LONG time now. I already picked it out! It is a cresent moon with a little blonde-haired angel asleep in it. She has pig tails, and there are stars around the moon. It is a little cartoon-ish looking as well. As soon as I saw it I knew that was the one for me. I believe that I should get a tattoo that has meaning, that represents something. To me, that tattoo represent me as a little girl, it represents innocence and love. Also, I am a HUGE believer it angels. I want it on the outside of my right leg just above the ankle. I am super worried about the pain though. I don't cope well with pain, and I REALLY freak out about needles. I do not want to spend the rest of my life regretting not doing this, but I can't get passed the fear <img src="/images/graemlins/wall.gif" alt="" />. Any suggestions? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just do it. I hate needles and had no problem getting my tattoo, on the back of my shoulder. I was suprised at how unpainful it was.

depends on where you get it. My first one was on my upper arm was absolutely painless. The second on my leg was nothing until he came across the bone. The more muscle, the less the pain. The softer the spot or on a bony area is likely to sting, but trust me, it isn't that bad and will be well worth it if it is something you really want. Plus, five years from now, if you didn't get it, how would you feel looking back not doing something you really wanted to because of an hour of pain. You may be scared at first, but once you start getting it done, there is nothing to it. good luck

If you really dislike pain, and have a great fear of needles, why are you choosing to do something that greatly involves both?

Ankles are one of the more painful spots to be tattooed, and I suggest that you pick a spot with less surface bone and more body fat and muscle in order to have it be less painful.

I also want to get my three little sisters' names on it, one in each star. I really want this tattoo because it has so much symbolic meaning to me. I think I will be able to do it. It is not on my ankle persay, but above it.I was also thinking about my lower back, but then no one will see it. I have heard that it does not hurt there are much.

Over the kidneys or on the sacrum can be painful for some people so if you get your lower back tattooed, there's those spots to consider avoiding.

Really, in the end, people endure whatever they have to in order to get the tattoo they want in the location they want.

Bettagirl,

Your first tattoo is always the most important. Think a long time about where you want it and what you want. Since you have a fear of pain, I suggest shoulder or thigh. Your calf is a good spot, but you have to watch out for a small nerve there (It's not painful, but it will cause you to jump. lol.

I have 5 tattoos. Two are coverups. So, I guess you can say, I have 7.

The most pain is the outlining. It's the shock and then you go numb. I have a high tolerance of pain, so I'm sure what I just said is a bit off to someone with a lower tolerance.

Good luck and you'll love it!!!
A bit of caution, tattoos are adictive!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

One way to find out, if you go to get it done, they can use a dry needle, if it hurts too much, or you can't handle it... Not too much harm done...

The outlinig is the worst it is kinda like a bee sting. I did not feel anything while they were filling it in. I have 4 one on each breast, one on back shoulder and an anklet of roses. None really hurt the scariest part is trusting the artist if you have never seen thier work on anyone make sure they are good you will be wearing thier art for a long time!

Go for it..though it is never too late. I was 39 when I designed and got my tattoo. It is on my left ankle all the way around. It does feel like a burn, like a heated match being placed on the skin. The needle is so fast your brain can't register it as a stick. I tolerated it just fine and I wouldn't trade my ink for anything... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />