Tattoo numbing for small tattoos?

I’ve had several clients asking me lately if painless tattoo creams work. I’ve wrote a post about this in the past and my short answer is still the same, yes.
What concerns me though is that I’m noticing more and more that the ppl asking are only getting very small tattoos. Absolutely nothing wrong with small tattoos I’m a fan. They don’t even need to be cool little traditional tattoos they can be the simpler Pinterest type minimalist tattoos that are very popular these days. We don’t judge, it’s your tattoo and we’re happy to help. We might weigh in if we feel something won’t work well but outside of that we try and give you what you want. The problem I’m having is when a tattoo the size of a dime that will take no more than three minutes from beginning to end and i’m having the conversation about numbing the pain away. Again, without judgment, I get we all have different levels of pain tolerance but what gives?
The act of getting tattooed is inherently painful, almost the whole point. Being willing to knuckle down and tolerate the pain I’d what separated the tattooed from the non tattooed. In certain cultures it’s even a rite of passage. If you were to completely erase the pain from the ritual what is left? It’s an honest question, what’s left?
Is it safe to assume that if death gives value to life, then pain gives value to tattoos?
Ok so all that aside, when is it a good time to use numbing cream on a tattoo?

After six hours of being tattooed numbing gel was used to numb out around the armpit area

After several hours of being tattooed is a good time I would say. If the amount of time needed to finish a larger tattoo project is less than the amount of time already put in. That seems sensible to me.
Sure we can numb you out for your little semi colon tattoo on your wrist, but wouldn’t that be a shame ? I would say especially for politically motivated or socially conscious tattoos, it’s worth a little pain.
Wouldn’t that be the very least we can do? Wouldn’t the strength of our convictions depend on it?

This head tattoo was applied numbing cream after three hours to help our friend Brian cross the finish line

Point being, not all tattoos require numbing. Just cause we have it Durant always mean we need it. Although it is certainly true, It’s good to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Common knowledge the sternum is one of the most painful places to get tattooed
Numbing cream applied after the outlines and before shading

So this is just one guys opinion but if you’re looking to get tattooed expect to feel some level of pain and discomfort. If tattoo numbing cream can help take the edge off, all the better. 👍🏽