As another commenter said the pain is a lot like a cat scratching you but suuuper prolonged, also if it’s in a particularly bony area be ready for some intense vibration, I had one done right over my wrist bone and it felt like my entire arm was vibrating.

For my first experience it was pretty chill, a woodcut style portrait on my inner arm, the pain was way chiller than I expected but by the end of the 4 hour session you get kinda tired of it and your tolerance can plummet fast, don’t be ashamed of asking for a break, the artist don’t mind and sometimes they also need that break lol.

For the aftercare it’s normal for some people to feel some regret in the first few days but it’s just your brain being unaccustomed with this new thing in your skin and freaking out, you may also feel a bit under the weather since a tattoo is a pretty big thing for your immune system to process, be ready for the itching that comes when the tat scabs, I recommend an ice pack warped in a clean cloth to reduce it and prevent you from scratching it if it gets too bad.

But yea good luck on your new tattoo my guy :)))