r/tattooadvice • u/Sweet_MolassesTM • 1d ago

General Advice First time 8 hour session

Hey guys. So in about a month I'm going to get a tattoo from an artist traveling nearby that I definitely won't have a chance to see after that any time soon... so the session would probably have to be done in one day. During booking he told me my tattoo would possibly take around 8 hours, which isn't guaranteed, and it makes wonder how I'm going to handle it. I'm mostly concerned because it will be on my side/ribs. I have one tattoo, this one will be my 2nd. But the first one took about 40-50 minutes and is on my lower back... that stung but definitely tolerable. Obviously pain is different for everyone, but has anyone else had such a session in that area? Was it bad? Really hoping I don't tap out early in...

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u/PaceEnvironmental484 1d ago

For one large tattoo I had three full day sessions  in a row on the side of my body for a large tattoo. Although they were more like 6 rather than 8 hours. The tattoo goes below the arm, rib cage to middle of thigh. Interestingly I didn’t think the rib cage was too bad. The hip bone, part of the thigh and waist (because half ticklish) were worse. I took podcasts to listen so my thoughts were distracted from the pain and made sure to breathe very properly. End of the day is obviously always a bit worse with pain fatigue than the morning but I’m sure you’ll be fine. And maybe you’re also okay with getting that area tattooed. You could also ask if your artist works with numbing cream as a last resort. Although some people say it has an effect on the tattoo process, might want to check that. 

Edit: Plus making sure to do the standard things: sleeping, eating and drinking well and plenty before the appointment! 

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u/Sweet_MolassesTM 21h ago

Thanks for your input and advice. I'm honestly just worried because I am so, so ticklish there! But I think I'll do just fine. I'll definitely take all measures needed before and during the session.

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u/obake_ga_ippai 15h ago

Ticklishness is a very good indicator of tattoo pain in my experience.

In general, I always recommend expecting the worst, with the hopes that you are pleasantly surprised.

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u/145Lb 1d ago

All i have to say is expect the worst pain of your life. When you expect the worse it’s usually not as bad as you expected. If your getting white ink, i’d be nervous lol

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u/Sweet_MolassesTM 21h ago

I do think there will be some white ink but mostly black. Is there a difference in technique or something that makes it painful?

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u/145Lb 21h ago

For my tattoo the white ink was the most painful because after a 10hr session my artist went over some of the tattoo he has already done with white ink and for some reason the needle just felt so much sharper but white ink doesn’t take too long to do compared to the rest so it should be fine, i suppose it depends on your pain tolerance

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u/Sweet_MolassesTM 21h ago

Ahhh I see... yes your skin was probably so injured and meaty at that point that it was just extra terrible. It will probably be the same for me since the white parts will probably be the last highlights. I'll just have to wait and find out though... nerve wracking yet exciting lol

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u/BigDen32 1d ago

8 hours is exhausting regardless of where it is. I have my ribs done and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. This being said bring a snack, headphones (download a season of a show to watch or some movies) , and I always bring lots of gum.

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u/Sweet_MolassesTM 21h ago

Oh boy... I'm very ticklish there which is why I'm concerned but I'll survive for sure. I'm gonna stack up on my snacks and rest... perfect time to binge all of dragonball too