Do you know that around 38 out of every 100 individuals aged(18-29 years) have a tattoo/tattoos on their body? Yes, these figures are from a study conducted in 2010. Tattoos are one of the most sought-after body decorations that we prefer, and they last a lifetime.
All tattoos cause pain, more or less. Since you are letting needles pierce your skin layers millions of times it does hurt. But one of the most painful experiences for the tattoo enthusiast is getting a tattoo on the shin. Let’s explore more about shin tattoo pain.
| Publisher | Alex Martin |
|---|---|
| Focus | Shin Tattoo Pain |
| Category | Tattoo pain levels |
| Article Type | Informative Guides, Tips & Advice |
| Update Frequency | Monthly to reflect new insights and trends |
How Bad Do Shin Tattoos Hurt?
Shin tattoos are the most painful part of the body for tattoos but they do hurt a lot. Shin tattoo hurts a lot since the bone is near to the skin and every time the needle pierces your skin layer you will feel extreme pain. Many individuals describe this pain as vibrating pain. Every time the needle hits the skin near the bone the nerve around the area catches the vibrations and it’s rather irritating.
The shin tattoo pain is comparable to that on the rib cage or the elbow. However, that’s still not the most painful part of the leg. The upper part of the back of your calf hurts a lot worse than the shin bone. But everyone is different, and so is their pain tolerance.
Why Do Shin Tattoos Hurt A lot?
Shin is certainly a sensitive area of the skin getting ink work on it is not a kid’s show. But apart from being sensitive, there are a few solid reasons for it hurting.
Less Fat Under the Skin
Why do sportsmen wear pads on the shin area? Because it has minimal protection from impact as of no fat padding. Shin has the skin close to bones, and that means you have less fat padding between the layers.
There is no fat below the leg in the canter region. This lack of muscles and fats makes for a greater needle impact on your skin. So that’s why it hurts a lot, as it lacks the fat padding.
Nerve Cluster in the Area
Do you know that the sciatic nerve ends mostly in your shin region? Yes, the nerves from your waist run down to lower body parts and end in the shin region. And when you penetrate the needle into that, you feel more pain than any other region of nerves ending. And the cherry on top is less padding of fat and muscles.
Vibrating Sensation
As I mentioned above, the shin has minimal fat accumulation and when you get a tattoo there the needle impacts directly with the bone. So imagine hammering your shin bone with a needle millions of times, it will vibrate your whole leg. Besides being painful, the shin tattoo is rather irritating because of these vibrations.
Sensitivity
Shin is a more sensitive part of the body than your arms and sleeves. Moreover, the pain receptors of every individual are different, and so are their pain tolerance levels. Some individuals might have no trouble dealing with the shin tattoo process, while others might not stand it.
Stretched Skin
Getting a tattoo means your artist will stretch your skin to get the work done. So when the artist stretches the skin on top of your shin bone it will make for more excruciating pain. Why? Because the skin will be so close to the bone.
Is There a Way to Lessen Tattoo Pain?
Yes, I was afraid to get a tattoo on my shin because of the pain. And I’m sure you must be if you haven’t got any on your shin. But don’t worry, I have some tips to tell you to get around this pain.
Your Tattoo Artist Matters
The more experienced your tattoo artist is, the less pain you will encounter. Yes, indeed, the number of hours of experience your artist has under their hand will make sure you get steady experience.
An experienced tattoo artist knows how to tackle the nerves that cluster under the skin to make sure you feel less pain.
Apart from that they also ensure that the ink gets into the dermis layer of the skin and not anywhere else. Even if an experienced artist asks for a high price I recommend expanding a little extra for that.
Minimalist Design Equals Less Pain
If you have less tolerance for pain and know that you can’t stand the pain of a shin tattoo, you should choose a simple design. If you’re planning a portrait on your shin, won’t go for it if you can’t stand it.
You should choose a simple pattern with black and gray inks. If you choose to add intricacies and more colors, you might end up leaving the tattoo halfway. And if you truly want a difficult tattoo design of a tattoo in the shin, outline it and expand it when you can bear the pain.
Numbing Creams Can Help
There are a lot of creams and ointments that can ease the pain in your shin. Bactine can be a good over-the-counter medicine to numb the area.
Apart from that, you will find a lot more options to ease the process for you. Although your tattoo artist might not like using a numbing cream you should talk about your options first.
Distract Yourself
You don’t need to stare at your tattoo while your artist gets the job done on your skin. There are dozens of ways to distract your gaze from the tattoo work.
And trust me, your pain will be minus 50% with this method. Listen to music, read a magazine, play games on your mobile, or do anything you love. And the whole process will be easy for you.
How Long Do Shin Tattoos Take To Heal?
Everybody is different and so does their tattoo healing time. Sometimes it can heal in days, sometimes it can take weeks. However, to give you a general idea let me explain it in detail below:
- Initial Healing Phase: The initial healing period is difficult and it is the time that you need to care for your tattoo the most. These phases can last two to three days. This time your tattoo will be red and you might see blood and plasma around the tattoo. But don’t worry, apply your saniderm, keep it clean and you are good to go.
- Scabs: Once the initial healing is done you will see scabs and peels around the tattoo. These might appear on the 4th day of tattooing and can last a few days. But during this phase don’t forcefully pick the scabs or you will get an infection.
- Settling Period: Once the scabs come off of the tattoo your tattoo is fully healed. After this, it will take one or two weeks to settle in. During this time, moisturize your tattoo and take care of it.
- Final Results: After the scabs come off and your skin layers heal fully, you will see your tattoo vibrant and vivid. It will take a few months to fully bloom a tattoo.
Can you walk after a shin tattoo?
When you get a tattoo on your shin you must not put pressure on the tattoo for at least two days. Yes, we know you will need to walk around but don’t put steps on the floor. Make sure you put a minimal pressure on the leg. Moreover, if you see swelling or redness around the tattoo you should keep the leg elevated whenever you sit or sleep.
How do you sleep with a new shin tattoo?
Most of the time your artist wraps the tattoo in Saniderm for the first night of inkwork. However, he doesn’t do so you should wrap it for at least one night as it might be leaking. Moreover, it is not a good idea to leave an open wound like a tattoo to get in contact with bedsheets and airborne contaminants.
Conclusion
Shin tattoos hurt a lot. On a scale of 10, we give it 9. Since there are sciatic nerve endings in this area and it has minimal fat layers you feel more pain. However, you can minimize this pain if you choose an experienced tattoo artist. Moreover, you can also distract yourself during the process to make things smooth. As for shin tattoo healing it can take a few days to weeks to heal depending on your body. All in all, the shin tattoo looks beautiful but it does hurt a bit so be prepared.
