If you’re planning to get a tattoo on your shoulder, there’s a good chance you’ll feel some pain. However, the amount of pain depends on several factors.
First, it’s important to determine whether or not you have a high tolerance for pain. Some people are able to sit through an entire tattoo session without making a peep, while others may need frequent breaks because the pain is too much for them. Second, you should take into account your body composition. People with more muscle tend to experience less pain than those with less muscle, because the muscles provide a cushion of sorts. Additionally, people with more fat may find that the tattoo needle hurts less because it has more of that cushion to go through before reaching the bone below.
Next, it’s important to keep in mind where exactly on your shoulder you’re getting the tattoo—the closer to your shoulder blade, the less pain you’ll likely feel. This is because shoulder blades are one of the most bony parts of your body and so there is little cushion between the bone and your skin. Finally, another factor in how much pain you’ll feel when getting a shoulder tattoo is how fast and heavy-handed your artist is.