Pain is really relative and is going to depend on the person. Seriously though, I’m not going to kid you, it does hurt. Just not that much. Some have compared it to a “hot scratchy or burning feeling”. But just think, if it were that bad people would not be returning again and again for tattoo after tattoo! A lot of us are not into pain, but the beauty of the tattoo and the pride associated with wearing one far outweighs a little discomfort from time to time.