Pain tolerance varies from person to person. Because of that, two people can get the same tattoo in the same spot and feel completely different things. Other variables matter too: the longer a session runs, the more the skin gets irritated, so longer sittings tend to hurt more.
Tattoos have a very unique feeling, somewhat indescribable. Many people compare it to a bee sting or a bad sunburn. The same goes for piercings; every one feels different, though piercings tend not to be as bad simply because they are over so quickly.
There are too many variables to put a blanket statement on the level of pain. But here is the truth: though tattoos and piercings can be painful, the pain is absolutely manageable. If it weren't, there wouldn't be so many people coming back for more.
A few hours for something permanent.
If it really hurt that bad,
nobody would come back for more.
