Hell yes it hurts! Actually it's not that bad. Some people enjoy it, some don't care and some can't stand it. Most in the industry agree that the more you get, the more it hurts, when the magic of the tattoo shop is your workaday life, it's not magic it's sacrifice. The best advice I can give you is to try to be calm, and try not to fight the pain. The people who breathe deeply and regularly and maybe even approach meditative states are the ones who fare the best. Don't come into the shop drunk or high, the artist may be offended, which makes it an unpleasant experience for all. Most describe it as a burning sensation, and most people take it just fine. I think the only reason they come back is that the pain is so mild they forget what it feels like. Even the sissies come back.

Q: Can you use anesthesia? Does it work?
A: There are a few products and someone is always trying to build a better mousetrap. There is nothing effective that is not made by pharmaceutical companies. They may claim their products work, but if you don't need a prescription they are only as effective as snake oil. EMLA and lidocaine do not numb the area, and they also make the skin react differently to the tattoo, and I personally am not comfortable working with them. I feel that a tattoo artist should be skilled enough not to cause their clients undue pain..