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this is a thing for me,I believe face, neck, and hand tattoos are earned after being heavily tattooed on other parts of the body.

They spend too much time thinking about how cool they’ll be and too little time thinking about this artist, the design, the aftercare, the stigma, and the fact that unlike on TV, having one removed isn’t a painless 10 minute process that leaves the skin looking like new. in short, they don’t think the whole thing through.

I reckon it goes a bit like this.... Being tattooed has become more socially acceptable (at least in the UK). This has removed one barrier to being tattooed (at least in the view of some who care about that sort of thing). Tattooing is more accessible. There are more tattoo studios - and it's easier to get an understanding of the process and book an appointment. This has removed another barrier (at least in some who wouldn't have made the effort). Tattooing is now seen as desirable in some social milieu. This has encouraged some who are influenced by that kind of thing to have a tattoo - when maybe that shouldn't be a primary reason. The "being tattooed progression" also appears to have changed with the above. Shoulder to upper arm to (maybe) lower arm to hands (unusual) to face (very unusual) has migrated to lower arm, hands etc as potentially a first tattoo. But then again - "I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was, and now what I'm with isn't "it""..... 😕

Numbing cream is for before you start (only, as far as I know). If you want relief after the skin is open/raw you need to get some Bactine. That will provide some relief.

As someone middle-aged but new to the tattoo scene (just started the work on my first a couple weeks ago, going in for the second session tomorrow) I'm theorizing maybe it's the "social media + Instagram" popularity/bandwagon thing? People see all these awesome tattoos online, usually a zoomed in, well lit/cropped image that looks amazing. The hype starts, they rush out to get in on the awesomeness, then suddenly reality hits "wait, this isn't a nice cropped imagine online, this is on me forever and it does have some affect/impact on my daily life". Probably mostly an overblown impression that fades over time, but that first realization hits hard. Dunno, that's my worthless $0.02 on it. That feeling isn't something I share: I'm pretty sure my first one I'm getting is perceived as "dumb" by the general public (my wife gave me the 'hmmmm' response so far lol), but I'm cool with that, it makes me happy to get anyways.

@Dan Thank you! I had Kurt do my other foot 9 years ago but I've put off this one because it was so damn painful! Hahah @SStu Same! Putting my weight over my leg or digging my heel into the table made it easier to sit still. If I tried to relax I'd get a bit shaky/twitchy! @oboogie Agreed! My feet are quite bony as well, makes for an uncomfortable session!

I have no idea. I feel like maybe people who never would have gotten tattoos are getting them now because they are more mainstream, but then they appear to suddenly realize it is permanent? I don't know, but it feels like 90% of newbies come here to talk about their anxiety over a new tattoo. Sigh.

It is INSANE how much this topic has come up in the last year or less. 2-5 years ago it was a really rare topic but now we're getting at least 2 new posts/week from people who are new to tattoos and whose 1st post is about how much getting a tattoo has adversely affected their well being. WTF is going on!!??

You asked several questions in your post. No one is trolling you. We're just telling you this isn't the first time it was asked. The only time I've had numbing cream was on my feet. You have to wait 20 minutes for it to kick in. I don't know how using it in the middle would work. Again, talk to your artist. Also, maybe try using a period sometimes? It's nearly impossible to read your posts.

If you don't want to help then don't bother posting answers like this I have only asked a question. Why do you ask me this?

I am always surprised when I see people with hand and knuckle tattoos, and they have very few others. What is up with that? So strange.

It's a good tattoo- but it doesn't matter what I think or what anyone else here thinks. It's your tattoo. I don't agree that people with OCD shouldn't get tattoos. That's not a reasonable barrier. Besides, what a great opportunity to practice letting go of control of details. You put your faith into someone else and will now have it forever. It's a good tattoo from a good artist. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the experience of getting it. If you do get more tattoos in the future enjoying the process is something to aspire towards. Now you get to work on accepting the tattoo, learning to love it - flaws and all (not that I can see any but I believe you there are some because there usually are). It's a good tattoo with safe content in a "safe" location on your body. I believe you can learn to love it in time.

If he doesn’t like that, he won’t like anything.

There are HUNDREDS of threads on numbing cream on this site??

I did a little bit of research but instead of digging through hundreds of topics about creams I just thought I ask straight about applying in middle of tattooing....

It really is shocking, concerning and, sadly, I feel like I don't I have much to add. 😞

I like it.

Never, ever, ever get tattooed again. It will never be perfect. Ever. As Hogrider said, people with OCD should NEVER get tattooed. Put on a shirt and call it a day. Quit obsessing as much as you can. It isn't going to fix anything.

Because we've answered it over and over and over? Besides that, you need to talk to your artist, not us. He will be the one with a numbing cream. You don't bring your own to your appointment.