7 of the Least Painful Areas to Get a Tattoo, for the Wuss in You

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7 of the Least Painful Areas to Get a Tattoo, for the Wuss in You

Nobody, ever, in the history of time, has stated that getting a tattoo is 100% painless. We aren’t making that claim either. Whether you’re getting a large elaborate design or treading lightly with a minimalist sketch, it’s going to take some time and a bit of pain. There’s going to be some discomfort no matter where you decide to get inked, but there are some areas of the body where it’s relatively less painful.

1. Outer Shoulders
You might know some seriously macho dudes who got their first tattoo in this area, but you should know that the outer shoulder is one of the least painful places to get a tattoo. Your nerves aren’t as sensitive and there’s more muscle to provide some cushion for the pushin’.

2. Upper Back
Also known as the part of the body with thick skin and little density of nerve endings. Excluding the areas near the bony spinal area, it’s an easy spot to get inked.

3. Chest
Chest tattoos are also less painful because of the small amount nerve endings in the area. You’re good as long as you stay away from the armpit area, which is more sensitive than the chest tissue.

4. Thighs
Your leg muscles are generally pretty good at tolerating pain, and it doesn’t hurt that there’s an abundance of fat and muscles with low nerve endings in that area. This excludes your inner thigh though; which is a very different story.

5. Neck
There’s a reason you’ve seen so many 20-something women with minimalist tattoos on the backs of their necks. The reason is twofold: they’re sexy as hell, and there aren’t a ton of nerve endings back there.

6. Stomach
Your stomach isn’t located near many bones—basically, any area with more fat than bones and veins will make the process easier. Your lower abdomen area will ensure that the pain is a mild 6 or 7 out of ten.

7. Butt
It’s possible that many of your friends got ass tats because they’re fun and spontaneous. More likely, they knew that butt tattoos aren’t very painful because there’s so much meat in that area.