THAIS VARELA/ Stocksy

In This Article

Wrists are a popular sport for tattoosbut do wrist tattoos hurst?

We tapped professional tattoo artists Eva Karabudak and Nick the Tailor to get the lowdown.

Meet the Experts

How Much Do Wrist Tattoos Hurt?

a tattooed arm

THAIS VARELA/ Stocksy

Tattoos never feelgreat, and awrist tattoowon’t be an exception.

“In terms of pain, the chest and the ribs are the worst.

Byrdie Tip

Minimize pain by eating a meal before your tattoo session.

Low blood sugar increases pain sensitivity.

“The inner wrist near the palm is going to be the most sensitive,” says Nick.

If you’re set on the inside wrist for placement, though, don’t despair.

“It can make indentations in the skin, and the stencil won’t lay flat.”

How Much Does it Cost?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question.

Pricing will vary depending on the design of the tattoo, the artist, and geographic location.

Karabudak says her studio’s minimum is $300 for a wrist piece.

“High-motion areas are more prone to abrasion and infection due to consistent contact and flexing.”

How Long Does the Tattoo Pain Last?

As the skin heals, the pain will gradually lessen.

In general, it takes about a month for a tattoo to take its final form.

For a detailed rundown of the tattoo healing process,click here.

The Takeaway

Wrist tattoos are a personality stamp for everyone to see.

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2012;153(11):2204-2209. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2012.06.030