mine (small triangle on the back of my neck, larger sirens on my shoulderblade with lots of shading) hurt. but... the second, larger one, was an amazing experience. it took about 2.5 hours, and the artist was fantatic. like a good SM top, he pushed my limits of pain just past when i thought i would scream, but then he knew when to stop and wipe my shoulder down with a cool towel, and then started just before i thought i was ready, but i was actually ready.

i don't really recall much about the healing period, so it must not have been so traumatizing that it seared itself on my memory.