IN MY EXPERIENCE, I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR AREAS FOR TATTOOS TEND NOT TO BE THE BEST WHEN IT COMES TO THE LONGEVITY FOR THE PIECE.
Many times I am asked to tattoo ankles, fingers, sides of feet, and hands. The skin in these areas doesn’t lend kindly to tattoos. Many people experience the ink dropping out or blurring. This is something to seriously consider, especially if it is a small tattoo.
TATTOO PAIN
Now it should be said that pain is relative to the individual. What could really hurt me might not be as bad for you and vice versa. There are areas on the body that pain seems to be universally agreed on but this may not be the case for you. On the next page I have rated the different areas of the body and their likely pain levels based on my experience as a tattooer.
SUN EXPOSURE
Tattoos—and your whole body—should always be protected from the sun. Make sure that they are covered with a high SPF sunscreen to help prevent premature fading. When on vacation especially, try to keep them covered as much as possible if you want them to keep their original boldness.
TRENDINESS
As with fashion, tattoos have trends too. We all remember the Chinese characters from the ‘90s. Make sure a tattoo is something you see yourself having in the years to come. It can be easy to get caught up in the tattoo buzz and then later regret your decision.
DURABILITY
There are areas of the body on which tattoos don’t last as well as others. Hands, feet, and ankles are prime examples. The tattoos can drop out or even blur and this will affect the quality of the piece, especially if it is a small tattoo.
AGING
Everybody’s skin ages eventually and this means that the quality of your tattoo will too. This is something to consider if you don’t want a design that isn’t as crisp as when you first get it. There are some areas on the body that are better than others for this, such as arms and legs.
