Advice for getting through a sleeve tattoo?
So currently I have two tattoos, one on my upper thigh, and the other towards my hip. I'm getting my first session for my full arm sleeve in a month.
I had absolutely no problems with my last two tattoos, but I know they are on a very beginner friendly area. I'm a bit nervous about how the pain will be for my new one, as it's a huge project and will be covering uncomfortable areas such as the elbow and inner bicep. The first session will be 6+ hours.
How was your experience getting a sleeve? And what things would you have done differently?
You could add 1 - 2 Japanese Coy fish
That's actually a good suggestion even thought I already have a design in mind.
Any catholic tattoos Isaiah?
I have Isaiah 53:5 on my right shoulder in Hebrew.
I got my sleeve done in 2 days back to back, with each session being ~8 hours. It was mid-week, so I brought my laptop and worked through most of it, which was actually a helpful distraction. The only really painful areas were my inner bicep, and collarbone (this one is an absolute nightmare).
Did you get it done directly on your collarbone?
Unfortunately, yes.
Wrists and inner biceps areas were the most painful for me, albeit tolerable enough for me to go back and get more. I had three seven-hour sessions and I just brought a book and plugged in my headphones. Thing with tattoos is that you tend to forget the pain after the fact.
What’d you get?
My tattoo artist had the bactine pain relieving spray and it helped a tonnnnnn, I’ve been working on a sleeve and the last session was the first time they used a spray and it was the only thing that got me through (for reference, it was about a 8 hour session and I definitely would’ve tapped out at the 5 hour mark otherwise)
Catholic design?
Agree with this... unfortunately my artist doesn't believe in bactine so it fucking sucks. His art is absolutely fire though. tattoo_mel on instagram.
I have a full sleeve on my left arm and finishing up the right over the course of 2 back to back sessions. My artist doesn't believe in bactine, so by hour 6.5 to the last 90 minutes, I am doing everything in my power not to tear up lol.
To be honest, you said you already have two tattoos so in terms of tips or anything, you know to stay hydrated, eat snacks, get decent sleep, etc. Depending on where it is on your arm you should be able to just chill with an iPad in the other hand/arm/on a table. Just watch some movies. I was getting the back of my forearm done and it fucking sucked because I was on my stomach for 5.5-6ish hours. Wasn't really watching TV or anything, more kinda just laying down and listening to music.
Specifically for arms, elbow ditch and wrist area suck, other than that, the forearm and outer bicep are super chill, inner arm and especially near armpit a little painful. Nothing as bad for me as upper chest or near collar bone. I have a decent bit of muscle near my upper chest which means thin skin and no fat - pain.
Do you want more in the future? I personally want something in my back in a few years, kinda became addicted to it
Great question. Back tattoo would be awesome and wasn't too painful. To be honest, my first tattoo was a 26 hour dragon piece that goes down my left arm (part of the sleeve) and my back. I remember going into the shop back in college and there was a marine getting tatted and he was like... that's gonna be your first piece?
Actually this does inspire me to tell people what I would've done differently: Be cognizant of the area your getting your tattoo on and the artist you're getting it from. All of my tattoos were very high quality, one from tattoo_mel on insta and another from Daniel Silva, but now that I think of it, my first tattoo takes up my entire back. I have a certain style I was going for and although all the tattoos I have match it, I'm thinking I could've had something cooler than what I got on a prime piece of tattoo real-estate. That's why I've made sure that the last bare part of my forearms are gonna be taken up by something absolutely sick.
I don't regret any of the tattoos, but I do regret using some of the prime real estate tattoo spots now that I see what some of these other artists are capable of regarding a cohesive multi-session piece.
Tattoos, a great way to show you need attention without doing anything of substance to deserve it.
Military or Gang Tattoos excluded
Tattoo 5 dudes ski masks holding hands
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