Do Color Tattoos Hurt More Than Black & White Tattoos
Tattoos are beautiful, but they can be painful. No matter how much you prepare for the session, the process of inking will hurt. Some people have become tolerant of pain, while others look forward to the experience. Generally, the size and placement can affect the amount of pain of the tattoo. Can the color of the ink also be a factor? Do color tattoos hurt more than those white and black ones? Here are a few things you need to know before getting a beautiful tattoo.
Are Tattoos Painful?
Many factors can affect the amount of pain associated with a tattoo, including the color. Also, people will have different reactions to the tattooing process. The pain experienced during the session will depend on your tolerance levels.
Remember that the skin is the largest organ in the body. You have two layers of skin: the dermis and the epidermis. The dermis is sensitive and contains blood vessels, sensory cells, and glands. It is also the layer where the ink is inserted for a tattoo. Typically, the skin will be penetrated over 3,000 times per minute. With that, it doesn’t matter whether you have colored or black ink for your tattoo; it will hurt.
Do Color Tattoos Hurt?
In the past, colored ink had a thicker consistency than gray or black ink. As a result, a tattoo artist needed to take longer to insert the colored ink into the skin. Today, all inks have the same consistency, and there should not be an issue with your tattoo.
While that may mean colored tattoos have the same pain levels as black or white ones, there are a few points to consider. For example, colored tattoos do take longer to complete than gray or black ones. Sometimes, the artist will need to change the needles to add different colors to your skin. Additionally, linework on the tattoo is not as painful as color packing or shading. With those factors in mind, the actual ink does not cause pain, but the process of distributing ink to the skin can hurt.
Placement Matters
The location of the tattoo will play a big part in whether you experience a lot of pain or not. Some spots are more sensitive than others. Many places on the body have thinner skin or contain nerve endings. These places include:
- Armpits
- Elbows
- Chest and breasts
- Head, neck, and face
- Inner knees and thighs
- Spine and ribcage
- Feet and fingers
- Ankles and shin bones
All these areas are more painful because they have thinner skin and are closer to bones. Since they also contain many nerve endings, getting a tattoo in the area can be painful for many people. Keep in mind that gender can play a role in pain tolerance. Some women experiencing hormonal changes could feel more pain when tattooed in certain regions of the body. Once again, pain tolerance will vary from one person to another.
Do Black and White Tattoos Hurt?
While there is usually not much pain difference between gray, black, or color tattoos, white ink tattoos are known to hurt more than others. The artist will often need to go over the same spot on the skin to saturate the area. As a result, the needle will need to penetrate the same place repeatedly, which can be a painful experience.
What Is the Tattoo Process?
During a typical tattoo process, the needles will penetrate the dermis layers. The number of times the needles penetrate the skin will depend on your tattoo’s design, style, and placement.
Your artist may need to use several tattoo needles during the session. The line work is often completed with a liner needle. Any color packing or shading will require a different needle for the job. The artist will use the same needles for gray, black, or colored tattoos. Colored or black ink does not need special needles, meaning you will feel the same pain no matter the color choice. Any discomfort felt during a session is usually attributed to the type of needle rather than the colored or black ink.
You will want to ensure that the artist uses sharp needles for the job. Most professional artists have the right tools for the process. When needles become worn down, they will dull. As you can imagine, that will affect the pain levels you may feel during the session. Many professional shops will use a fresh set of needles for every client. Dull needles should not be a concern in those situations.
Many Factors Can Affect Pain
Generally, the type of ink will not affect the pain levels during an inking session. However, color tattoos need more needles and time to finish the job. With that, a person may feel more pain during the experience. Many factors, such as the tattoo’s design, placement, or size, can affect pain levels. Keep in mind that an individual’s pain tolerance will also be a factor. Also, if you already have tattoos, you might feel a different amount of pain than a first-timer. If you are worried about the level of pain, always talk to your tattoo artist. They will be happy to explain the process and provide tips to reassure you about a scheduled session.
Get Your Next Tattoo from a Top-Rated Tattoo Gallery
If you are ready to get a new tattoo, contact Oracle Tattoo Gallery. We have highly trained and experienced artists from Philadelphia, and they specialize in a variety of designs and styles. Our artists will be happy to answer any questions you may have about pain during the process. You can schedule a consultation by calling 215-638-1601.
