Reader Mail: Does Tattooed Skin Feel Different Than Non-Tattooed Skin?

Question: "When you get a tattoo, does the skin feel different? I mean at all. Does it feel like there's something under the skin, or is it less sensitive? Can you tickle it? Does it ever tingle? What about if you touch another part of your body with a tattooed part. Does that feel different?" - Steven

Answer: That is a really interesting question! The short answer is: MOST of the time, there is no difference. If the tattoo is done properly and heals properly, it just feels like normal skin. However, sometimes there are small scars or allergic reactions that result from tattooing, and those areas will sometimes be raised slightly or itch from time to time. I'd venture a guess that out of all the tattoo work I currently have, 95% of it just feels like normal skin and I can't tell where the tattoo starts or ends if I run my hand across my arm or leg. But 5% of it, from time to time, will feel slightly raised or itch a bit.

It also doesn't increase or decrease sensation in any of those areas. The nerve endings are just as sensitive as they were before the tattoos. It can be tickled, pinched, bruised, cut, and blown on without any difference in sensation from other parts of the body that aren't tattooed. There's no random feelings like tingling or anything like that sourcing from any tattoo that I have. It really seems to just become part of your skin and a lot of times I'll forget they're even there.