While all tattoos hurt, the pain of a wrist tattoo can be especially hard to bear. When it comes to tattooing, there are certain sore spots, like the wrists, that hurt a lot more than others. Wrists have less muscle padding and delicate skin, making them more sensitive. But that doesn’t stop people from getting them. Whether they’re minimalist or cover up the wrist, wrist tattoos have become a popular choice for a reason! They look cool every time you look at your wrist.
A blogger, Camella Van Vleet, shared her experience of what she felt when she got a literary tattoo on her wrist. She said, “My wrist tattoo (above) is my only visible ink. It means a lot because it’s just for me. It’s the one I read and look at every day. It’s from a text by Paul Simon. I’ve been a huge fan of Paul Simon since I was a little girl (i)”. The blogger believed that a wrist tattoo makes for an intimate and meaningful tattoo.
Whether you are planning to get this work of art on your wrist or are just curious to know more, this article has you covered. Read on.
Do wrist tattoos hurt?
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Are wrist tattoos painful? Yes, they are. The area around the wrist has minimal body fat and thinner skin that is quite close to the bone and joint. This makes the tattoo even more painful. In addition, the wrist is usually involved in a lot of movement and has numerous nerve endings and pain-sensitive neurons. These make the pressure of the tattoo needles sting very much.
That being said, tattoo pain is subjective and depends on an individual’s pain tolerance. While some may find it unbearable, others may feel little pain at all (1).
How painful is a tattoo on your wrist?
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How bad do wrist tattoos hurt? Well, it can be quite painful for most people. That’s why it’s always a good idea to know what you’re getting into. Whether you’re a beginner or not, getting a wrist tattoo can be nerve-wracking and requires a lot of dedication.
When rating a tattoo on your wrist on the tattoo pain scale (1-10), it is often thought that a tattoo on your wrist feels like a 5 (which in this context is quite high). Much of this is due to the anatomy of the region. The wrist bones are close together but are tightly attached by ligaments (2). So any movement of the adjacent bones causes the entire set to move in that direction. This contributes to the sensitive nature of the wrist and makes it a less than ideal place to get a tattoo.
Sarah, a blogger, shared her experience of experiencing bouts of anxiety while getting her daughter’s name, Nevaeh, tattooed on her wrist. The experienced tattoo artist joked to comfort her and started the word backwards to minimize the potential pain. Sarah explained in her blog, “As he got closer to the middle of my wrist, it started to get quite painful. I assume there are more nerve endings there, so that’s why it hurts more. The “N” was also painful because the beginning of it was right above my bone. Ouch (ii).” The blogger also stated that her hand involuntarily twitched a few times during the process.
Pro tip
Wear comfortable clothing, especially where you want to get a tattoo. This will make it easy to get to.
However, there are places, even on the wrist, where the degree of pain varies. Read more about these areas in the next section.
What are the most painful places for a wrist tattoo?
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The intensity of the pain can vary across different parts of the wrist. Areas closer to the bone, such as the inside of the wrist closer to the palm and the outside of the wrist above the bones, may exhibit deeper pain sensations.
The inner wrist is closer to the palmar cutaneous nerves that branch off from the median nerves. These nerves carry signals between the central nervous system and the palms, making this area more sensitive (3). Similarly, getting the inner wrist tattooed can lead to hyperalgesia, a condition that causes increased sensitivity to pain (4). Likewise, the outer bony region of the wrist is another painful area.
People who are concerned about the pain of wrist tattoos but still want one may want to consider the sides of the wrist, forearm, or the top of the wrist. These areas have less nerve density and bone proximity, and have thicker skin.
Pro tip
Avoid wearing a bracelet on your wrist before getting a tattoo on the outside of your wrist. This can cause indentations in your skin and make it difficult to work with the needle.
Prioritizing tattoo aftercare can help you recover quickly from the pain of your wrist tattoo. Check out the next section for some helpful suggestions on this.
9 Tips to Reduce Wrist Tattoo Pain
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1. Choose a professional tattoo artist
Find a qualified, talented artist who isn’t too clumsy, as they can make the tattoo session considerably shorter and more bearable. Also, ask them to choose a less sensitive area on the wrist to tattoo.
2. Don’t drink alcohol
Do not drink alcohol before getting a tattoo, as it can hinder wound healing by slowing the rate of clot formation. Alcohol can also increase your sensitivity to pain when tattooing on your wrist and can cause bleeding and dehydration (5).
3. Get a good night’s sleep
Getting enough sleep before your tattoo appointment can help your body better tolerate and manage the pain. Adequate sleep can also help you stay calm and collected throughout the process (6).
4. Practice relaxation techniques
Deep breathing, yoga, exercise, and music therapy can help reduce stress and possibly reduce pain sensitivity. Work on these techniques before the tattoo session to help you feel relaxed (7).
5. Stay hydrated
Carry a bottle of water with you while tattooing. Keep taking sips of water during the procedure to keep your skin hydrated. This would make it easier for the tattoo needles to move. Sufficient water intake can also promote a faster recovery.
6. Eat well before your appointment
Don’t go into your tattoo sessions on an empty stomach. Eating a nutritious meal before your session can help reduce pain sensitivity and reduce the risk of weakness and dizziness. A good meal can also keep you calmer during the procedure (8).
7. Take breaks
Tattooing can sometimes be a bit too intense, not only physically but mentally as well. Taking short breaks during the process can help you relax.
8. Distract yourself
You can listen to music or keep chatting with your friend who accompanied you. This can distract you from the pain and make the process more bearable. You can also ask your tattoo artist to use numbing cream while tattooing to reduce the pain.
9. Communicate openly with your artist
Let the tattoo artist know if the pain becomes too much during the process or if you need a break to stretch. Open communication will also help you feel better.
In addition to these tips, maintaining good hygiene and performing proper tattoo aftercare can also help. Read more in the next section.
How to care for a wrist tattoo?
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Follow these aftercare instructions to ensure your skin looks fresh and heals properly after getting your tattoo.
1. Keep the tattoo clean
Use antibacterial soap and lukewarm water to keep the tattooed area clean. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before washing the tattooed area. This will help prevent the transfer of germs and bacteria to the tattoo site.
2. Keep skin hydrated
Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or antibacterial ointment after cleaning the area. This will help prevent dryness, speed up healing, and also keep the tattoo looking fresh and vibrant.
3. Avoid scratching or picking at the tattoo
Scratching or picking during the healing process can transfer bacteria from your hands and nails to the affected area and increase the risk of infection. Excessive scratching can also lead to scarring, more discomfort, and pain. Instead, gently massage the area with your fingers to soothe irritation.
4. Avoid sun exposure
Protect your freshly tattooed area from direct sunlight, as it can quickly fade the tattoo. Try to limit outdoor physical activity. However, if sun exposure is unavoidable, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
5. Keep the area dry
Avoid taking long baths or immersing the affected area in water for too long. Prolonged exposure to water can increase the risk of infection. Keeping the area excessively moist can also prevent the skin from breathing.
Wrist tattoos are a cool piece of body art. However, it is good to be physically and mentally prepared for tattooing and the pain that comes with it. Do your research before you take the plunge, prepare for your appointment in advance, consider your pain tolerance, and take tattoo aftercare seriously. Finally, make sure you visit a reputable tattoo shop and choose an experienced artist to ensure a positive and safe outcome.
Key Points
Getting a tattoo on your wrist can be more painful than on other parts of the body due to the proximity of bones and joints, lack of sufficient fat, delicate skin, and concentration of nerve endings. The pain experienced while getting a tattoo on your wrist is subjective. It varies from person to person depending on one’s tolerance level, previous experience, and the size and complexity of the tattoo. Psychological factors such as anxiety, anger, fear, etc. can affect the perception of pain. Different parts of the wrist have different levels of pain depending on the bone structures and the surface area that is to be used as a canvas for tattooing. Good aftercare and hygiene practices can help prevent infection and ensure optimal healing.
Discover a YouTuber’s personal experience of getting a wrist tattoo and the tips she shares on how to go about it, what to expect, and the pain you’ll have to endure. Watch the video now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wrist tattoos damaging to your veins?
Tattoo needles penetrate the outer layer of the skin and do not necessarily damage the veins (which are deep beneath the skin). However, it is best to choose a reputable, skilled, and professional tattoo artist to avoid potential injuries.
What hurts more: tattoos on the wrist or ankle?
The amount of pain a person experiences is subjective. That said, both wrists and ankles are considered the most painful places to get a tattoo, as they have high sensitivity and thinner skin texture. Anecdotal evidence suggests that ankle tattoos may hurt a little more, as the shins are just beneath the skin.
How long does a wrist tattoo hurt?
The healing process of a tattoo is long and the duration of the pain varies from person to person. It can take about a week or even a month for the pain to completely go away.
Personal experience: Source
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