Moreover, drinking and taking drugs several days prior to your tattoo appointment is definitely a bad idea. Both will lower your immune system and make you more reactive to even the slightest pain experience. It is highly recommended to refrain from drinking and taking drugs at least two weeks to a month before one’s tattoo appointment (especially if you’re planning on getting tattooed on some of the most painful body areas).

And finally, the way your tattoo artist is handling the tattooing can make your behind-the-ear tattoo super painful or super pleasant. Sure, even with the most talented and experienced tattoo artist you will experience some levels of pain, but generally, it would be a more pleasant experience compared to a heavy-handed, inexperienced tattoo artist. Therefore, always make sure to book an appointment at a good tattoo parlor where the artists are highly skilled and experienced.

How Long Does The Pain Last?

Depending on the size and type of the tattoo, behind-the-ear tattoos can be done in one session, ad they generally are so. As soon as the tattoo artist is done with the needle, you should stop experiencing pain. However, the consequences of the tattooing can be felt several days after the tattoo is done. Generally, you might experience soreness in the area, as well as swelling, discomfort, and other symptoms indicating the tattoo has started healing.

After the first few days, your tattoo should be in full healing mode, so the pain should gradually go away. At this point, you may go through some itching sensations, but if you’re following the aftercare instructions properly, this too should go away soon.

If your tattoo continues to hurt even after a few days from the appointment, or if it’s still red and swollen, you may be experiencing some complications like an allergic reaction or tattoo infection. In this case, you need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Make sure to also contact your tattoo artist to seek further information on what to do next.