Tattoos... advice from those so adorned

[Wade J VanGinkel]

The pain factor seems to be different for different people.
My calf was relatively painless.
My lower ribs on the other hand were extreme. It actually radiated down my thigh.

 

[Colt Henderson]

The closer to the bone the tattoo is the more it will hurt. My first and currently only tattoo goes from my armpit to my belt, and near my nipple to the edge of my back. It was done in a bar at Sturgis during the bike rally, a few years ago. It took about 4 hours and hurt like hell, but I don't regret it, and it was an impulse thing. I had been wanting a tattoo just was not sure where or what untill I saw it.

 

[sniper7]

Personally not a tattoo guy. Love them on chicks but not for me.
Only thing I have ever considered is the big 5 but honestly would rather spend that money toward another hunt or a cool gun.
To each their own though.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Ive actually been surprised at some of the places that were sensitive vs places that really weren't all that bad at all...

I thought the outside of my calf would be completely painless.. its a thick, fleshy area, not close to bone, and not really full of nerves or sensitive.. but it was super uncomfortable.. much more so that my chest, close to the sternum.. which I was told was going to be a "painful" part of one of my tattoos (not really painful at all... eased right through that entire 8" square piece of art in a single (very long) sitting)..

I think the area around nipple has been the most painful, the rest of my chest wasn’t bad at all. The second most painful was probably the armpit area but it was also towards the end of an almost all day session and sitting/holding my arm in a rather uncomfortable position

 

[franzfmdavis]

The timing is possibly divorce related; my interest is not. It's been simmering for a while.

I have been there…I got one after my divorce just over 19 years ago.

It is based on a Sufi poem called The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys. In it, there is a line that reads: “…is it that a single arrow hath driven thee from the battle?”

That line had a profound impact on my dour outlook, and I have always appreciated the permanent reminder. I have never regretted it, but have never been move for more.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Mine is almost 10 years old. I always wanted a tattoo, but never got one as I didn’t have anything meaningful to make forever part of my body.

On January 1, 2015 my 5 year old son passed away due to medical complications he suffered since birth. A couple months later my wife and I got tattoos to honor him.

The bear has a couple meanings. First, he was tough. God he was tough. And he was tender with his baby sister. Not a whole lot of things tougher than a grizzly bear. Second, our family of four has the first name initials of B, E, R, R. Bear.

We got ours on a trip. My wife researched and researched tattoo parlors. And we had our appointment scheduled and our tattoo wants to the artist well ahead of time.

Mine can be covered as it’s on my forearm. But I don’t really give a damn. I’m proud of my son. I’m proud to talk about him.

My wife also got a bear and his name on hit wrist. She works for a hospital and for a while they “made” her cover it (didn’t really enforce it). And eventually they relaxed their tattoo policy
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That is a beautiful way to honor your heartbreak and the young soul who will eventually welcome you home into the kingdom of heaven. Im so sorry for your loss.