What hurts more, microneedling or tattooing?

Author: Mr. Soledad Steuber  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

In some cases, microneedling can actually cause more pain than traditional tattoos because the needles are very small and go deeper into the skin. Additionally, the procedure can be quite uncomfortable as the needles are used over and over again.

Does microneedling hurt as much as a tattoo?

"Microneedling is a minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment that is not painful but can be a little bit uncomfortable," says microneedling provider Dr. Michele Green. "Some people describe it as similar to getting a tattoo, while others say it feels like a cat licking you or fine sandpaper being rubbed on the skin."

What is tattoo pain most comparable to?

How bad do tattoos hurt? There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much pain you'll feel when getting tattooed. But if you're wondering what type of pain to expect, Caranfa says the experience is comparable to the feeling of a cat scratch or a sunburn.

What hurts more, microblading or a tattoo?

Microblading is generally considered less painful than an eyebrow tattoo, as the pigment is deposited into the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The recovery time is typically shorter, with clients experiencing minimal redness or swelling for a few days after the procedure.

How painful is microneedling?

Though the thought of needles may make you cringe, microneedling is not painful. Doctors generally apply a topical anesthetic cream beforehand to help numb the area being treated. It has few side effects other than temporary redness and swelling post-treatment.

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Can microneedling do more harm than good?

Attempting to improve your scars with microneedling at home may cause more harm than good to your skin. Puncturing too deep can result in rupture of capillaries. Shallow microneedling won't have any effect on improving the scarring problem.

How painful is microneedling without numbing?

Without numbing creams it too painful to penetrate deeply enough into the skin to get medical grade results. Myth: Microneedling hurts. Fact: Microneedling has an unfortunate name – but don't let that turn you off! At Restor we apply a topical numbing cream, and you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.

What is the most painful part of tattooing?

Many people with tattoos rate the ribs as the most painful area to get inked. There are several reasons for the intense pain. The skin over the ribs is very thin and rests directly over the bone, offering no cushion between the needle and the rib cage.

What looks more natural, microblading or tattooing?

Results from microblading are more natural than traditional eyebrow tattoos. Each hairstroke is hand drawn in microblading. To the naked eye, these individual hairstrokes blend right in with a clients' real hair.

What is the pain scale for microblading?

Many people ask us: is microblading painful? Most of our clients report little or no pain. Often they say it's a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, at most.

What pain feels like a tattoo?

Tattoo artist JoJo Roman compares the sensation of getting a tattoo to the feeling of a constant cat scratch (all my cat people out there know what she means). Other people say getting a tattoo feels like someone is continually scratching a hot needle across your skin—because that's kinda what's happening.

Where do tattoos hurt the least for females?

With thicker skin and few nerve endings, upper and lower back tattoos tend to be one of the least painful spots to get a tattoo and rank on the low-moderate end of the tattoo pain scale. These back tattoos tend to be slightly less painful for females than for males.

What is the best painkiller for tattooing?

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.

Is tattooing similar to microneedling?

Unlike a tattoo artist, your esthetician or dermatologist will use a microneedling pen or device to slightly penetrate the top layer of your skin. It will cause your skin to react by swelling slightly. The micro-fine needles also cause your skin to produce collagen and elastin.

What is negative about microneedling?

Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

What happens to tattooed eyebrows as you age?

Factors such as collagen loss, skin thinning, and a decrease in skin elasticity can result in the following effects on your brow tattoos: Fading: Like any tattoo, semi-permanent eyebrow tattoos are prone to fading over time. This occurs naturally as the pigment breaks down and is absorbed by the body.

What is the best skin to practice tattooing on?

The best tattoo practice skin closely mimics the texture, feel and responsiveness of real human skin, allowing you to hone your skills more quickly and accurately than ever before. A Pound of Flesh is the undisputed leader in manufacturing realistic, responsive, and anatomical tattoo practice skin.

What are the most natural looking permanent eyebrows?

Ombre Brows:

This type of eyebrow tattoo is perfect for those who want a more natural look. Ombre brows are a form of powder brows but the main difference is the shading technique is different. It's sometimes called ombre powder brows.

What is the hardest spot to tattoo?

Ribcage: The ribcage has thin skin, little muscle, and many nerve endings, making it one of the most painful areas to get a tattoo.

How unbearable is tattoo pain?

The sensation is often compared to a scratch or a slight warmth. While some areas can feel more intense, the discomfort is almost always manageable. And remember, tattoos wouldn't be as popular as they are if the process was unbearably painful.

Does microneedling feel like tattooing?

Some people have compared the feeling of microneedling to that of getting a tattoo, though more have compared it to having fine sandpaper rubbed along your skin.

Why was my microneedling so painful?

Essentially, some people are more sensitive to pain than others. For individuals with a lower pain tolerance, the sensation caused by the microneedling process may feel more intense. However, many describe it as a feeling of light sandpaper being moved across the skin.

Can microneedling hit a nerve?

Devices that offer deeper microneedling settings (1.5 mm-3.0 mm) must be used with caution, particularly in patients with thin skin, as deeper needles (> 3mm) can cause sensory nerve damage. Areas that offer the most underlying fat and a thick dermis are considered more safe zones.

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