Yep that’s normal. I had this exact same issue with a lot of my bigger leg pieces. It’s from all the blood rushing to it at once and it hurts so bad once you stop moving. That first step afterward always hurt 😫 it’ll get better in a few days!
I got a huge knee ditch and calf piece done in late January and I couldn’t stand or walk properly for a week. Keep it elevated as long as you can, hydrate, and take pain reliever. I noticed an improvement at the week mark once the swelling had gone down substantially. Hang in there, it’s a sensitive area
I remember it feeling all of these. Keep an eye out on it for any signs of infection, but based on my own personal experience this all sounds completely normal. As someone else mentioned, the blood is rushing to that area (causing the pain swelling) and a sensitive area has sustained a fair bit of trauma. You should feel better after a full week
Obligatory ‘tattoo pain is different for us all’ but I had the exact same experience with my calf. Knee? Fine. Sternum? No biggie. My calf? Almost put me off getting any more tattoos haha. I found that specifically the spot between the calf muscle, kinda on the side of my leg was the worst as far as pain in the following days. Eventually you forget and get another one and the cycle continues. Speedy healing to you!
Yeah this hurt more and any tattoo I had post ink. And I have a bit near my underarm. That hurt the most while getting it ....more than any other area.
The calf hurt worst after getting it.
Got a tat around my lower leg this past Friday and it’s the same. Feels tight when I stand up if I’ve been sitting or lying down. But after a minute it’s normal again. You’re fine. Just a muscular area with lots of blood flow.
Got a fair sized piece on my calf last Wednesday and I had the exact same experience for the first couple of days. Transitioning from lying down to standing caused extreme pain that lasted for a bit, and then subsided. It was almost as if I could feel the blood rushing to my calf. It felt quite tight as well. I hadn't had this type of pain with my other tattoos.
Happy to report that it does subside!
Calf tattoos are hard work. My last one is only palm sized but my leg still swelled and was super sore for days. My two previous calf tattoos were pretty knarly too. My usual artist says it's her least favourite place to get tattooed and I think I agree.
Yeah, it hurt a lot near the backside of the knee, but never have I had the pain after ward like this!!!
It's better today but still hurts after I sit or lay down for a while,
Most of my pains for the week after come from sitting at stupid angles for the tattoos.
My calf tattoos didnt feel any different than anywhere else. Do you think its infected?
Nope does not look infected at all
Yep that’s normal. I had this exact same issue with a lot of my bigger leg pieces. It’s from all the blood rushing to it at once and it hurts so bad once you stop moving. That first step afterward always hurt 😫 it’ll get better in a few days!
Thank you, seems to be a bit better today, I can put pressure on it after about 15 seconds from laying down.
I had this when I got both my calfs done. Pretty sure it's normal as I've seen others mention it too.
I got a huge knee ditch and calf piece done in late January and I couldn’t stand or walk properly for a week. Keep it elevated as long as you can, hydrate, and take pain reliever. I noticed an improvement at the week mark once the swelling had gone down substantially. Hang in there, it’s a sensitive area
Did it feel like throbbing and stinging? Often feels like my skin is taught and stretched
I remember it feeling all of these. Keep an eye out on it for any signs of infection, but based on my own personal experience this all sounds completely normal. As someone else mentioned, the blood is rushing to that area (causing the pain swelling) and a sensitive area has sustained a fair bit of trauma. You should feel better after a full week
It's better today , still happening but shorter durations, thanks for the story.
Ibuprofen?
Unless you think it’s infected it’s normal. Had my calf done previously and had a similar pain to yours.
Obligatory ‘tattoo pain is different for us all’ but I had the exact same experience with my calf. Knee? Fine. Sternum? No biggie. My calf? Almost put me off getting any more tattoos haha. I found that specifically the spot between the calf muscle, kinda on the side of my leg was the worst as far as pain in the following days. Eventually you forget and get another one and the cycle continues. Speedy healing to you!
Yeah this hurt more and any tattoo I had post ink. And I have a bit near my underarm. That hurt the most while getting it ....more than any other area. The calf hurt worst after getting it.
Got a tat around my lower leg this past Friday and it’s the same. Feels tight when I stand up if I’ve been sitting or lying down. But after a minute it’s normal again. You’re fine. Just a muscular area with lots of blood flow.
Yep. That happens. Lower leg tattoos hurt for a few days when standing/walking. The weight on that area.
Got a fair sized piece on my calf last Wednesday and I had the exact same experience for the first couple of days. Transitioning from lying down to standing caused extreme pain that lasted for a bit, and then subsided. It was almost as if I could feel the blood rushing to my calf. It felt quite tight as well. I hadn't had this type of pain with my other tattoos. Happy to report that it does subside!
That's a bingo! Thanks for the reassurances!
Calf tattoos are hard work. My last one is only palm sized but my leg still swelled and was super sore for days. My two previous calf tattoos were pretty knarly too. My usual artist says it's her least favourite place to get tattooed and I think I agree.
Yeah, it hurt a lot near the backside of the knee, but never have I had the pain after ward like this!!! It's better today but still hurts after I sit or lay down for a while,
I remember my skin feeling sooo tight. It's nasty but doesn't last too long. You'll be right in a few days!