“I want to get a tattoo, but I hear they really hurt.” This statement is made over and over, but is it true? Well, yes and no.

The act of tattooing is pretty simple when you break it down. The artist is injecting ink into the layers of your skin. In doing this, the skin is actually being pierced. That may sound painful, but it depends on a number of factors.

First and foremost, you have to determine your pain threshold when deciding whether a tattoo is going to hurt. If you have a low threshold, it is. If you don’t, it won’t. It is as simple as that.

The second issue to consider is where you are getting the tattoo. No, not what part of the country. I mean where on your body. Generally speaking, you shoulders and back are not to painful. These areas are often exposed to the sun and are not particularly sensitive when compared to other parts of the body.

As a general guideline, you can assume that if the area of your body is not exposed to the sun a lot, it is going to be more sensitive and hurt. For example, the inside of your arms that rest up against your ribs are really sensitive. This is particularly true as you move closer to the underarm areas where your shoulder is located.

Getting a tat on the inside of your thighs can also be an “interesting” experience. A tat over the ribs is sure to reduce you to tears. Under the nose, should you decide to go there, is also very painful.

Keep in mind this is only a general guideline. Some hidden areas such as your butt are not particularly painful when it comes to getting tats. The best way to figure it out is just to ask your tattooist.

Overall, getting a tattoo is not a major painful experience. If you don’t believe me, just look around at all the people that have them.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about tattoo info for CustomTattooStudios.com where you can find custom tattoo studios across the country.