Does Cosmetic Tattooing Hurt? Here’s What It Actually Feels Like

Ira Bale
1 day ago
2 min read

Let’s be real — when people hear the words “cosmetic tattoo,” the first thing they think is: “How much is this going to hurt?”

It’s a totally fair question. You’re tattooing your face, after all. But the good news? The discomfort is not what you might expect.

Here’s the truth, straight from our experience at Ira Bale Brows, where every single brow and lip tattoo is done by Ira herself — no exceptions.

First Things First: It’s Not Like a Traditional Tattoo

Cosmetic tattooing (also known as micro-pigmentation) is done with finer needles, shallower depth, and pigment instead of ink. That means:

Less trauma to the skin
Faster healing
Lower pain levels
More natural results

How We Keep You Comfortable

At our salons in South Yarra and Toorak Village, we use:

High-quality topical numbing cream
Gentle techniques developed by Ira over years of experience
Regular check-ins throughout the session

Most clients describe the feeling as:

“Mild scratching” “Tiny zaps” “Annoying but not painful”

It’s more of a weird sensation than actual pain. Some people even say they almost fall asleep (yes, really).

What Hurts More — Brows or Lips?

Brow Tattoo (Microblading / Ombre / Combo): Usually quite manageable. The numbing works fast, and most people feel more pressure than pain.
Lip Blush Tattoo: Lips are a little more sensitive, especially in the first few minutes. But the numbing kicks in quickly and keeps you comfortable for the rest of the session.

What to Expect Afterward:

You may feel a bit tender — like a sunburn
Lips can swell slightly for 24–48 hours
Brows might feel tight or dry for a few days
But no sharp pain or downtime

Bottom Line:

Is it painless? Not 100%. Is it unbearable? Not even close. We’ve had dozens of clients come in nervous, and leave wondering what they were so worried about.

Curious but cautious? Book a consultation with Ira. No pressure, just honest advice and a chance to ask all your questions — with zero judgment.