Is Tattoo Removal Painful?

‍Getting a tattoo is usually a joyful experience, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be painful at times. Luckily, the pain of getting inked isn’t as bad as you may think. Even though getting a new ink can sting like crazy during the initial healing process, you won’t feel any lingering pain in the long term. After all, many people get inked every day. The majority of those tattoos are nothing to worry about either because they’re small and discrete or chosen by people who aren’t afraid to bare a little skin for the world to see. However, some designs don’t work for everyone. If you happen to have one of these unfortunate designs on your body (or if someone else has them), then it makes sense that getting it removed would hurt like crazy.

Is Tattoo Removal Painful? – FAQs

Why Is Tattoo Removal Painful? After an initial period of healing in which your skin doesn’t hurt at all, you’ll start to experience some mild pain as the tattoo begins to fade. Tattoo removal is most painful during the first two weeks, but it may last longer than that depending on the design. Most people experience only mild to moderate pain, but some people may experience extreme pain. Extreme pain can occur if the tattoo has spread or if the removal process is being done incorrectly. How Long Does Tattoo Removal Hurt? This depends on the design of your tattoo. Usually, it takes between one and three months to fully remove a tattoo. During this time, you may experience pain as the tattoo begins to fade but mostly it will be a dull pain.

1 – Know What To Expect – Most people get tattoos they regret, so it’s important to know what to expect. Tattoos are a permanent decision that you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life. Take the time to find a tattoo artist that you’re compatible with. You’ll want to find someone who has a style that you love and who knows how to get the job done right.

2 – Decrease the Stress – Tattoo removal isn’t the end of the world, but it can be quite stressful. Try to keep things as stress-free as possible so you don’t end up with anxiety over things that don’t matter.

Why Is Tattoo Removal Painful?

When a doctor uses ink to tattoo you, they’re putting a needle into your skin and injecting ink into the dermis layer. This is the layer of your skin that contains your nerve endings which is why it hurts so much. After a while, the ink starts to break down, but it can take up to 10 to 12 weeks for your body to fully remove it. During this time, your body naturally sloughs off the old ink and replaces it with new, fresh skin. All of this is happening below the surface, so you don’t even realize that your tattoo is fading. Unfortunately, the skin under your tattoo is sensitive and constantly damaged from the process of fading and healing. This is what causes the pain!

How Long Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?

The length of time that it hurts is all about you. Some people feel no pain during the removal of a tattoo, while others have to take time off work and spend days in bed. Depending on the design and size of your tattoo, it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days to fully heal. But, most people experience pain and discomfort during the healing process.

Things You Can Do To Reduce the Pain of Tattoo Removal

These are some things you can do to help with the pain of tattoo removal. 1 – Hydrate – Your body is pretty close to the water, so why not use it to help with the pain? Drinking water throughout the healing process will help to relieve your pain, increase your hydration levels, and keep you regular. 2 – Ice – Wrapping ice packs or wearing ice packs during the healing process can help to reduce the inflammation that is present. 3 – Elevate Your Tattoo – If you have a tattoo on your lower back, you may want to try raising it a bit. This will help to reduce the pain of the scarring that occurs from the healing process. 4 – Get acupuncture – An alternative medicine technique that has been proven to help with the pain of tattoo removal.

Tips to Help with Tattoo Removal Pain

These are some tips you can use to help with the pain of tattoo removal. 1 – Ice – Wrapping ice packs or wearing ice packs during the healing process can help to reduce the inflammation that is present. 2 – Elevate Your Tattoo – If you have a tattoo on your lower back, you may want to try raising it a bit. This will help to reduce the pain of the scarring that occurs from the healing process. 3 – Don’t Worry – Most people experience mild to moderate pain during the removal process, but don’t let it discourage you. You’ve decided to remove your tattoo, so you need to keep going. 4 – Think Positively – Tattoo removal is a long process that can be painful, so use that pain as motivation to get it removed as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to expect, you’re better equipped to get through this experience. If you’ve already made an appointment with your piercer of choice, then keep reading for more advice on how to get through the pain. During your first appointment, you can expect to feel a little pain. They’ll use numbing cream or an anesthetic to numb the area, which will help to reduce the pain while they remove the tattoo. After the procedure, you may feel some throbbing and tenderness. These sensations are normal and should subside after a few hours. Keep in mind that tattoos are permanent, so you’ll have to be prepared for the pain of getting them removed in the future. If you’re ready for the challenge, then get ready for the pain that comes with tattoo removal!