This is a diagram of different locations on the body, rating pain level and ease of tattooing.  This can be a great tool for anyone planning a tattoo.

ON A PAIN SCALE OF 1 - 4 (Blue being the easiest and Red the hardest)

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BLUE -

(With a rating of 1 on the pain scale.)  These are the easiest areas to be tattooed.  These include the upper arm, forearm, calf, ankles, and wrist.

All great starting points for your first tattoo. These areas are generally easier to tattoo simply because the skin is usually tight.  The tighter the skin, the easier the needle penetrates and the less time it takes to complete your tattoo.  The placement of the tattoo in these areas can also change the pain level. The inside of the arm and leg have looser skin and are usually more sensitive, these areas may also take a little longer.

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GREEN -

(With a rating of 2 on the pain scale.)  These include the center upper back, shoulders and front / side of thighs.

Also not a bad start for a first tattoo.  The upper back and shoulders are an area that requires a lot of movement.  This means the skin is much looser an slower to tattoo and heal.  During the healing process you may want to apply lotion more often to avoid the skin from cracking with movement.   The thigh is usually tight and easy to tattoo.  Because the thigh is so muscular it can feel sore or bruised for a day or two after being tattooed. (*Cold compress and ibuprofen work well to lessen swelling)

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YELLOW-

(With a rating of 3 on the pain scale.)  These include the knees, elbows, chest and back of thighs.

Not a good starting point for a beginner.  These areas are much more sensitive and can require a lot of focus and determination to get through the process.  The knees and elbows do not have very good skin quality and can be awkward and slow to tattoo.  Both have areas where the nerves are very close to the surface and can be unbearable for some.  Due to these areas requiring a lot of movement, healing can be very slow and painful. (use extra lotion to avoid cracked dry skin with movement)  These areas are also more likely to need more than one session to achieve solid color and smooth shading.

The chest is considered much more sensitive in men than women.  Woman tend to handle pain in this area very well.  With cooperation men are easier to tattoo - having tight skin. While women have looser skin and take much longer to tattoo (the larger the chest the harder to tattoo).

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RED-

(With a rating of 4 on the pain scale.)  These include neck, hands, feet, hips, lower back, buttocks, ribcage, stomach, back of knees, armpit, inside of thighs and genitals.

Some of these areas are more than most people can handle.  The easiest of these would be the neck, hands, feet buttocks, hips and lower back.  All fall into this category due to the skin quality and skill required to tattoo these areas.  The movement on all of these parts makes tattooing much slower and the skin harder to heal for some clients.

These areas while painful are no comparison to the ribcage, stomach, back of knees, armpit, inside of the thighs and genitals. All of these areas are considered the most painful areas to be tattooed.  Having very stretchy skin and slow to tattoo, some of these may require multiple sessions to achieve solid color and smooth shading.  Healing can be just as painful as receiving the tattoo and may require a few days off from your regular activities.

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SOME USEFUL TIPS WHEN GETTING A TATTOO:

*Women - your more sensitive the week prior to and during your cycle.  Plan around those dates to have the best experience possible when getting your tattoo.

*Use lotion everyday on the area to be tattooed at least 1 week prior for healthier skin and better results.

*Do not go out in the sun at least one week prior to being tattooed (including tanning beds)  This drys the skin and if peeling occurs could damage the tattoo.

*Consider what you’ll wear for 2 weeks while healing if your tattoo is in an area like the foot, waist, shoulders or chest.  Shoes, waistbands, belts, underwear, and bras can all damage tattoos if you don’t plan ahead.  Find comfortable clothing that will not touch or rub during this time.

*Always eat a good meal before being tattooed and drink plenty of fluids.

*Be sure to get a good nights rest before your appointment.

*Ask what kind of aftercare products you will need when you set up to get your tattoo.

*Mention any allergies you may have, pigments, dyes, perfumes.

*Some medication may thin your blood, check with your doctor before being tattooed.

*Anyone with an autoimmune disorder needs to check with their doctor and should bring a note to be tattooed.

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