Which One Hurts the Most: Getting a Tattoo or Laser Tattoo Removal?
                     Which One Hurts the 
Most: Getting a 
Tattoo or Laser 
Tattoo Removal?
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Getting a tattoo vs laser tattoo 
removal: which one hurts more?
Pain is subjective. For some, tattooing or removal might feel like a 
slight discomfort, and for some, may be too intense to deal with. 
This depends on a number of factors, such as skin sensitivity, 
tattoo placement, and an individual’s pain tolerance.
For many, the potential discomfort can be the main reason why 
they never get into the chair of a tattoo parlour. However, being 
informed can be a game-changer.
In this guide, we will be comparing the pain levels of getting a 
tattoo vs laser tattoo removal and help you weigh the choice 
between creating body art or removing it.
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Getting a Tattoo vs Laser Tattoo Removal: 
Evaluating the Pain Levels
What Does the Pain of Getting a Tattoo Feel Like?
Many clients describe the feeling of getting a tattoo like a cat scratching 
or a bee stinging. The discomfort arises from tiny needles puncturing the 
skin repeatedly to insert ink into the dermis. This pain can feel like sharp 
scratching, burning, or stinging.
There are many factors that can impact the pain of getting a tattoo 
(which can also impact on the discomfort felt from tattoo removal). These 
factors are:
1.The location on the body where you get the tattoo. Areas with more 
nerve endings hurt more than the fleshy areas.
2.The size of the tattoo determines the discomfort, as larger and 
detailed tattoos are more likely to hurt.
3.A skilled artist may reduce unnecessary trauma, while heavier 
pressure can intensify pain.
For most, undergoing tattooing can be a manageable process, aside from 
the fact that the process can be very long. Tattoo removals are typically 
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of 10-15 minutes per session, which makes any pain more bearable.
How Painful is Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal works by intense beams of light targeting ink 
particles in the skin and breaking them down.
How does it feel?
Clients explain the sensation of getting a tattoo removal as a rubber 
band snapping against their skin, or a burning/stinging feeling. The 
sensation is not particularly painful. However, it can be considerably 
uncomfortable.
This discomfort differs from tattooing because:
1.Each laser pulse is quick, but it can feel sharper than the continuous 
motion of a tattoo needle.
2.It feels more like burning than scratching, as the laser generates 
heat as it shatters the ink.
Complete removal usually requires multiple sessions spread over 
several months, meaning repeated exposure to discomfort.
Factors similar to tattooing impact laser tattoo removal process such as 
tattoo age, location, pigments of the ink, and quality of tattooing.
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Tattooing vs Laser Tattoo 
Removal: Comparing the Pain
For most people, laser tattoo removal is considered more painful 
than getting a tattoo. However, the pain is brief. A removal 
session typically lasts only a few minutes, compared to the 
hours spent getting a tattoo. Most clients find that the laser feels 
more intense, but the treatment’s short span makes it more 
bearable.
Mostly, the level of pain depends on the individual’s pain 
tolerance level and the skin’s response towards the laser or the 
needle.
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How to Manage the Discomfort 
of Both?
For laser tattoo removal, you need to choose a reputable 
tattoo removal clinic. At Bianco Beauty, we use advanced laser 
technologies, along with comforting cooling machines and 
numbing creams.
To help you manage the discomfort, our team suggests proper 
aftercare to minimise irritation and promote recovery.
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Conclusion
When it comes to comparing the pain levels of getting a tattoo vs laser 
tattoo removal, both have their fair share of discomfort. This can be 
painful depending on each person’s pain tolerance and other factors, 
such as tattoo location, colour, age, and more.
Ultimately, most clients do find tattoo removal more painful, though far 
quicker to endure, making it more manageable.
Contact Us
01908-803-830
[email protected]
www.biancobeauty.co.uk
Fortuna House, 651 South Fifth 
Street, Milton Keynes, MK9 2PQ