The father of all Greek Gods, Zeus. Zeus was the supreme deity of the pantheon in ancient Greek religion, a sky and weather god who was similar to the Roman god Jupiter. He was the god of thunder, lightning, rain, and winds, and the thunderbolt was his usual weapon. Both gods and men referred to him as their father (i.e., ruler and protector). Not only was Zeus popular in Greek Mythology, but he is also the most common Greek God to be tattooed and Zeus tattoo ideas is one of the most common searches among tattoo enthusiasts.
The Ancient Greek word meaning "bright" is supposed to have inspired Zeus' name. The word is closely related to dies, which is a Latin word that means "day" and has a long history. As a result, many mythologists consider Zeus to be one of the oldest Greek gods.
Zeus is usually depicted with a scepter in one hand and a thunderbolt in the other, both symbols of his power. He sometimes wears an oak leaf crown, as the oak is considered his sacred tree. Homer regularly refers to him as "aegis-bearing": the Aegis was a massive shield that Zeus frequently carried around with him, occasionally lending it to his daughter Athena. He also has a pet, a massive golden eagle named Aetos Dios.
Zeus was notorious for his passionate nature, which caused him constant conflict with his wife, Hera, and he had several love affairs with mortal and immortal women. Zeus regularly assumed animal forms in order to carry out his amorous schemes, such as a cuckoo when he ravished Hera, a swan when he ravished Leda, or a bull when he carried off Europa. The twins' Apollo and Artemis, via the Titaness Leto, were notable among his progeny.
Cronus, king of the Titans, swallowed Zeus’s offspring as soon as they were born, according to a Cretan tale subsequently adopted by the Greeks, after learning that one of his children was destined to dethrone him. Rhea, his wife, protected the young Zeus by giving Cronus a stone wrapped in swaddling blankets to swallow instead of the baby Zeus and hiding him in a cave on Crete.
Nevertheless, the myth of Zeus contains a wealth of fascinating connotations, all of which are represented in these top 67 finest Zeus tattoos. The heavens have been opened with a storm of ideas developing below, from masculine full sleeves to small men's breast tattoos!
Here is a list of amazing Zeus tattoo ideas to spark your creative side and hopefully help you think of an idea for your very own Zeus tattoo.
While the face of Zeus is magnificent, it does not have to be the only part of your entire tattoo. A full-length photo allows Zeus to display his remarkable physique and commanding presence. You can also choose a scenario, or background, or make it a multi-part composition with a full-length portrait.
Your options explode once you expand the amount of skin you allow to be tattooed. Zeus, represented as a marble statue, is a particularly refined option. He could be seated on his throne with his eagle staff in hand and Hera kneeling by his side. Or as an action shot of Zeus flying through the sky on a cloud, his toga rippling in the breeze and his armor slung across his shoulders. You can always showcase him in battle, wielding his trusted lighting bolts.
Zeus is a clever way to start a sleeve. To begin with, it's simple to cast him in a dramatic situation. Consider a tumultuous ocean or rolling storm clouds framing the Greek God himself hovering above Mt Olympus. Zeus was the deity of thunder and the sky, and his sleeves look great against a sky backdrop. There's also a plethora of ancient Greek images to help flesh out the picture. Pegasus is a classic, as is The Parthenon, the jewel in the crown of ancient Greek temples.
The Parthenon's massive cylindrical columns and rectangular shape make it instantly identifiable. When a professional tattoo artist restores it to its former brilliance, it's a sight to behold. When you wear it, your sleeve will be a sight to behold.
Zeus and his almighty control over lightning go hand in hand. However, lightning tends to be difficult to accurately depict in media or tattoo form. Some tattoo artists have been able to accurately depict lighting and they look amazing. Zeus, clutching a lightning bolt like a spear, with brilliant white eyes and a face filled with fierce intensity.
Lightning bolts in a tattoo are able to add a pop that really makes it stand out. For example, if you have a black and gray tattoo of Zeus with blue lighting bolts, the lightning bolts will bring contrast to the black and gray.
Zeus has one of the most recognizable faces and features out of all of the Greek gods. Richly defined brows, patrician nose, and prominent, masculine brow all framed by windswept locks of head and beard. These tattoos take Zeus’s key features and carve them into marble such as the statues that will be around for all eternity. Or at least the last couple of thousand years. Strength radiates from this image. Is there any more dignified likeness one could choose for a piece of body art? I doubt it.
Zeus’ face is a tattoo artist's dream for black and gray tattoos. Because his hair is more of a series of waves it makes an excellent framework for shading. The paler the skin type, the more suitable this black and gray shading application is going to be. Some artists blackout the surroundings and help utilize as much negative space as possible to fill out the facial features, creating more depth in the appearance of the tattoo and contributing to a well-balanced, top-quality finished product.
There are almost unlimited ways tattoo artists can implement their own personal style into black and gray Zeus tattoos. Get creative with your artist and make your Zeus tattoo truly unique. If you are looking for a world round tattoo artist in California, contact Vlogigurl for a premium tattoo.
Black and white is the most common style for Zeus tattoos. However, even adding a small amount of color can drastically enhance your tattoo. While it is a departure from tradition, there is no need to go for a completely different look, such as new school or watercolor.
In a black and gray portrait tattoo, giving Zeus blue eyes or adding a splash of yellow from the lightning bolts will highlight the already apparent shadows. You'll receive a vibrant pop of color while staying tasteful and loyal to Zeus's tattoo heritage. You and your tattoo artist can also get creative with the color in the background. Zeus went to a lot of different places in his stories so there isn’t a shortage to pick from.
If you don’t want to stick to the traditional Zeus style of tattoos full color can also open up a ton of new styles. In full color, a comic-style representation with bulging muscles and impossibly massive proportions will look amazing. Watercolor or a painter's style can also work well here.
Hand tattoos are risky due to how visible they are. is a high-risk, high-reward undertaking in terms of placement. The danger is that by presenting your artwork in such a public manner, you may cause some problems for yourself in a public setting (especially when job hunting). However, in return, you get to join the select few tattoo enthusiast brave enough to have an awesome hand tattoo. Furthermore, if you receive a Zeus hand tattoo, others are sure to be amazed. A Zeus portrait on the back of the hand is as eye-catching as a hand tattoo gets.
The hand here represents both the location and the subject. The hand of Zeus is a powerful symbol in and of itself, commonly depicted as a massive hand reaching down from the skies, with lightning erupting from the outstretched index finger. This is an intriguing alternative technique for portraying Zeus, and it adds additional levels to your concept and delivery.
If you're looking for a large tattoo, Zeus is an excellent choice. The visage of the God-King is lovely, large, and symmetrical. His head alone, framed left and right by mythical monsters, can be used as the focal in a Greek deity or mythology-themed painting. His entire body may be represented in a setting, making him a superb stand-alone huge work. Imagine Zeus standing atop his cloud, unleashing his lightning bolts and destroying any army that stands in his way. Zeus is a fantastic option for a larger piece of body art in any direction.
Don’t be scared to incorporate other Greek gods or Greek mythology-related beings into your tattoo. Since you are going to take up such a large piece of skin, go all out. You can work with your tattoo artist to recreate an amazing scene from the original stories and add something personal to truly make the tattoo your own.
Zeus has one of my most popular faces in the tattoo industry and Greek mythology. However, the most common way most people get Zeus face tattooed is the black and gray statue style. That isn't to say you have to follow the trend and acquire a standard styled portrait. Getting the father of all Greek gods himself, Zeus, in true realism is one of the best ways to represent him. difficult abilities to perfect for any tattoo artist.
However, realism tattoos are one of the most difficult tattoos for even the most skilled tattoo artist to pull off. You'll need one of the best tattoo artists to create a realistic-looking portrait of Zeus' face without a live subject to work off of. However, the time and effort will be well worth it. It is very beautiful to see the King of the Gods' visage recreated in a realistic painting manner.
Zeus. His name alone is powerful. All the power of the King of the Gods is in your thoughts with only one word, one syllable. He's closely related to Ancient Greek religion, whose tales of flawed mythological figures are as popular today as they were back then. They all bowed before Zeus, from Hercules to Aphrodite.
Getting a Zeus tattoo first and foremost represents power. The lightning bolt, eagle, bull, and oak tree were Zeus' insignia. All of them are powerful symbols. Zeus governed the globe from Mount Olympus, where he enforced his will on God and man alike.
Tattoos of Zeus can also represent a link to Greek mythology or ancestry in general. A Zeus tattoo might represent an honoring of that lineage, a love of that country, and an ode to its history if your forefathers were from that region of the world.
Are you receiving your Zeus tattoo soon? Make sure to read Vlogigurl’s tattoo tips and tricks blogs. She goes over everything from tattoo aftercare to detailed tattoo pain charts.
You have heard it before, tattoos hurt. But people that have never been tattooed before normally ask, do they actually hurt? How much does getting a tattoo hurt? Or the most popular question, what spot hurts the most to get tattooed on? Which are all great questions.
Getting a tattoo involves a needle filled with ink repeatedly and consistently puncturing your skin. Any needle going into your skin is going to hurt, at least a little, so over a thousand needle pokes are going to hurt quite a bit. However, pain is highly subjective, how much it hurts depends on a few factors such as pain tolerance, sex assigned at birth, and the most important one - the area of your body getting tattooed.
We have seen people sit through a 10-hour tattoo, in one of the most painful spots, and not flinch. On the other hand, we have seen people get a small 10-minute tattoo and start crying on the first line pull. The difference from person to person is ginormous. However, the most consistent part across everyone is which body parts hurt more. Your tattoo artist can also make a difference in how bad your tattoo hurts. Make sure to read your tattoo artist's reviews if the pain is a major factor for you.
In this article Vlogigurl - a well-renowned professional tattoo artist - goes over the most hurtful tattoo locations and detailed tattoo pain charts. Hopefully, this will help you make a decision or prepare for your next tattoo. Tattoo pain charts are detailed graphics that show how painful a tattoo will be in specific areas compared to other areas. Most of the other detailed charts online are just for design and do not actually give a clear representation of the human body. Each detailed tattoo pain chart will also have a paragraph to explain why it hurts (or doesn’t hurt) in that spot and what you should expect.
This information is based on the anatomy of the human body and tattoo testimonials from Vlogigurls clients. Your experience might differ greatly then what is described. Even a few inches can make a huge difference in how bad something will hurt. For example, a tattoo on the far left of your back won’t hurt that bad, but the closer you get to your spine the worse the pain will be. All information below is a general guide to follow, every tattoo experience will be unique to the individual.
Make sure to share these graphs with your friends that are getting tattoos soon!
The Forearm Is One Of The Least Painful Areas To Get A Tattoo. - Vlogigurl
The large majority of data on how painful tattoos are is anecdotal. However, there are some general rules that apply to how painful a tattoo will be. For example, getting a tattoo on a part of your body with many nerve endings, close to bones without much fat, or where your skin is very thin will hurt more. The majority of body parts land in the most painful category because a needle is puncturing your skin so it is going to hurt!
Below, we list the most and least painful tattoos with a description of why for every area. We also used the 1 out of 10 scale to show how painful each tattoo should be.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart.
In general, tattoos are more painful on any part of the body with less padding - fat or muscle - and where the skin is most sensitive. The palm of your hand is the worst in both categories, it has almost no fat padding and is one of the more sensitive areas of the body. The National Library of Medicine had this to say about hands,
“Hands have a very delicate and complex structure. This gives muscles and joints in the hand a great range of movement and precision… Our hands also have very sensitive “antennae” for receiving information from the environment: There are a total of 17,000 touch receptors and free nerve endings in the palm. These pick up sensations of pressure, movement and vibration, so it is with good reason that the sense of touch is often associated with the hand. The skin on our fingertips is especially sensitive to touch.” - The National Library of Medicine
A tattoo needle going into one of the most sensitive areas of your skin is going to hurt. Most tattoo enthusiasts have said the palm is roughly four times more sensitive than the shoulder or calf. Palms regenerate quickly which means tattoos in this area tend to not last long. Color, small details, and Fineline tattoos tend to fade completely. If you want a tattoo that stays for longer than a year then strong, thick, and deep lines and blackwork are most of the time all you can get. These types of tattoos tend to hurt a lot more than tattoos with very few details. Combining all of these make the palm of your hand the most painful place to get a tattoo.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Palm.
The armpit is one of the most painful areas to receive a tattoo. One of the main reasons the pain is so bad is due to the skin of the armpit being incredibly sensitive. Armpits contain a large number of nerve endings which amplifies the pain of getting tattooed on and around the area. The Lymph nodes are located directly above the armpit, which can begin to swell quickly after starting the tattoo process, and cause extreme pain shortly after starting the tattoo and even more while the tattoo is healing.
While actually receiving an armpit tattoo is a 9 out of 10 on the pain scale, the healing process afterward is also very painful, long, difficult, and annoying. The armpit is considered a high friction area - areas of your skin that are constantly rubbing against another area of skin - which is why healing takes so long. Using a non-stiff or breathable bandage can help reduces some friction and shear. Some other factors that make the healing process worse are you can not wear tight shirts, deodorant, or shave for around 3 weeks.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Armpit.
Spines are one of the most popular areas to get tattooed, alongside arms. However, spinal tattoos are extremely painful and difficult areas for tattooers to tattoo on.
“Your spinal cord is a cylindrical structure that runs through the center of your spine, from your brainstem to your low back. It's a delicate structure that contains nerve bundles and cells that carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body.” - Cleveland Clinic
“Your spinal cord is one of the main parts of your nervous system,” explains Vlogigurl. Spines have an enormous amount of sensory nerves—the nerves responsible for our response to all physical sensations, such as pain. Similar to other areas of the body with a large number of nerves, they are extremely sensitive to pain. This is also why “tattoos that go over your entire spine tend to send strange sensations or spasms throughout your whole body depending on where the tattoo needle is on the spine” Vlogigurl says. However, nerves are just one of the factors that make spine tattoos one of the most painful.
How thin the skin is around the spine is also an important factor. Areas of the body with thin skin or less padding are considered bony areas. These areas tend to be the most uncomfortable because there isn’t any fat or skin to protect your bones from the tattoo needle. Combining a lot of nerves and a bony area is a recipe for a painful tattoo. Vlogigurl has seen, from her own personal experience and client feedback, that “I always warn people about any tattoos near the spine or lower back because most clients are not able to handle the pain.”
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Spine.
Tattoos on the top of your hands and fingers vary greatly in pain levels. The main factor is what kind of tattoo you are getting. Most tattoo enthusiasts tend to get small linework on their hands, which is a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale. Receiving a larger more detailed piece is time-consuming and is a 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. No matter what tattoo type of tattoo you get, it is going to hurt! This is because hands and fingers do not have any padding - they are a bony area - and every major nerve in your body ends in your extremities.
Pain while getting a tattoo is not the only factor that we look at for the pain scale, tattoo aftercare is also important. Hand and finger tattoos have significant wear and tear during the healing process. Therefore, they are one of the most difficult placements for tattoos to heal. Since these tattoos will be exposed and touching foreign objects (cooking, opening doors, handshaking, etc) frequently, they are highly prone to infection. All of the movement from this area and friction from rubbing on other objects often degrade the tattoo quickly thus requiring multiple sessions and touch-ups. Hand and finger tattoos tend to fade quickly.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Hands.
Head tattoos seem to have very different pain levels from person to person. The main reason for this is because, while getting tattooed, the tattoo needle vibrates the area getting tattooed and most people don’t like it near their head. Heads also have little-to-no fat or muscle so Vlogigurl’s clients tend to say “it felt like the tattoo needle was hitting my skull.” This needle is obviously not hitting anyone's skull, but it does feel that way. This sensation alone is why most people say getting a head tattoo is the worst.
“Cranial nerves are located on the bottom surface of your brain. There are 12 pairs of them, and they each have their own special function. These cranial nerves connect your brain to different parts of your head, neck, and trunk.” - North East Spine and Sports
The cranial nerves that connect the brain to the head and neck are housed in the head, making it the nerve capital of your body. As we have said before, many people describe the experience as "having your head drilled on." Because of this, and because head tattoos are among the least socially acceptable, this is an area that is not for people who aren't fully committed to the tattoo lifestyle. For individuals on the lower end of the pain tolerance scale, it earns its spot as one of the most painful tattoos.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Head.
The knee and knee ditch is often said to be the worst place on the body to get a tattoo. This is because the sciatic nerve, one of the body’s largest single nerve, run straight down the back of your leg. The back of the knee or the knee ditch is where the tattoo needle will aggravate this and cause extreme pain since the skin around the whole knee is very thin which is. On the other side, the front of the knee is painful because it’s only thin skin and bone.
Due to bending and friction, the knee area is also extremely tough to repair. In Vlogigurls’ experience, there are more painful tattoos to receive. However, knee tattoos are definitely in the top 10 worst tattoos to get.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Knee Ditch And Knee.
Even though feet/ankle/toe tattoos are only classified as an 8 out of 10 on the pain scale. Aftercare for these tattoos is one of the most difficult and painful. They are difficult to heal due to constant rubbing from socks and shoes. Most people wear shoes throughout the day which will rub against the tattoo and cause constant irritation. Feet tattoos are extremely likely to become infected unless the person who received the tattoo cleans the tattoo often and keeps it wrapped up.
Nerves in the feet are tactile and extremely sensitive. Not to mention the fact that this area has no fat or muscle cushioning. Which will make any needle going into your foot extremely painful. Vlogigurl’s clients have often said that getting their foot tattooed was a unique tattooing pain because it was a burning sensation. Furthermore, your Achilles tendon, which runs down the arch of your foot, stimulates even more nerve endings, making the ankles particularly painful.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Feet.
This is a notoriously uncomfortable region. And rightly so, because the rib cage is widely regarded as one of the most painful areas to get a tattoo. The increased pain perception is due to two factors in particular. The ribs are normally coated in a delicate, thin layer of skin that contains very little to almost no fat or muscle tissue. The reason having a thin layer of skin is an issue is because the distance between the tattooing needle and your rib bones is relatively small. To make matters worse, the discomfort in this location tends to stay longer than in others after getting tattooed. This is likely due to the skin being so thin.
Getting a tattoo on the ribcage, according to most individuals, feels like having a sharp instrument scraped over the skin. Tattoos on other areas of the body tend to feel like a ton of tiny needles going into your skin, which is what is happening. The feeling of skin being scraped is unique to rib tattoos. Aside from the skin scraping, the needle pushing into each of your rib cage bones will be the most noticeable sensation. Even having someone's finger push into your ribs is painful, a needle is much worse. Especially, after a few hours, the pain becomes much worse. Most tattoo enthusiasts describe the pain as “firey.”
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Ribs.
Most people would assume that groin tattoos are the most painful tattoo you can get, they are very painful and have difficult recover, but there are areas that hurt more. Our genitals, as we all know, are among the most electrifyingly sensitive areas of our bodies. The clitoris and penis include bundles of nerves that transmit blood flow, register stimulation, and aid in the conception process. Even if the groin area surrounding the actual genitals appears to be meatier, make no mistake: it's still quite bad. This is due to a large number of nerves in your genitals that shoot out into the groin area and then extend outward.
Furthermore, the groin is in close proximity to lymph nodes, which adds to the pain and difficulties of healing. Groin tattoo healing can be a time-consuming and uncomfortable process. Any underwear or pants you're wearing will rub against the area on a regular basis. If you have the balls to get a tattoo here, plan on going commando for a few days afterward and wearing super-soft cotton or sweatpants for a few weeks. Also, no sexual activity for a while.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Groin.
Elbow tattoos are definitely attractive and help you stand out from the crowd since very few people will endure the pain. However, you may have some reservations, particularly if it is your first time. Elbow tattoos and knee tattoos are very similar when it comes to getting tattooed. Knees have one major nerve that passes through it while two of your arm's three nerves pass right through the elbow ditch. Furthermore, between the tattooing needle and the two nerves, the elbow ditch/elbow provides some of the least amounts of padding to cushion the tattoo needle from bones and nerves. When either nerve is pinched, as can happen while having a tattoo here, the remainder of your arm can become numb or painful.
The outer elbow, while still painful, avoids the nerve problems that occur in the elbow ditch. The degree of sensitivity in various regions of the human body varies. Because of the vibrations created by tattooing on bone, parts of the body with skin adjacent to the bone are generally more sensitive. The elbow, along with the shoulders, ribs, feet, neck, and face, stands out in this classification.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Outer Elbow And Elbow Ditch.
Tattoos are painful, as we all know. A needle is piercing your skin, which is bound to cause some discomfort to anyone. Unlike other areas of the body, stomach tattoos have a unique problem when being tattooed. When most people breathe their stomachs also move, which can mess up a tattoo artist while they are tattooing. While receiving a stomach tattoo you will need to control your movement as much as possible. In almost every other area of the body, this is not the case, you can just relax and let the tattoo artist do their work. Stomach tattoos require full concentration which can add to the pain of being tattooed.
Tattoos tend to be extremely painful in locations with a lot of fat storage and a lot of nerve endings. Unfortunately, one of these regions is the stomach. When it comes to the level of pain associated with your stomach tattoo, your bodyweight plays a role. When you gain weight, your skin stretches and loses its elasticity; if this is the case for you, your skin will be loose and mushy. Although the additional skin will not distort the appearance of the tattoo, it may make the operation somewhat unpleasant.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Stomach.
Sternum tattoos, often known as "under-boob" tattoos, are one of those pieces that will always be one-of-a-kind and fashionable artistic expressions. Under boob tattoos are usually intended to flow underneath the breasts and follow the natural curves of the cleavage, sternum tattoos are normally tattooed directly on the breastbone. Sternum tattoos are gorgeous and eye-catching, yet they can be uncomfortable to bear. These lovely designs can be large and aggressive or little and delicate. They're also one of the more popular tattoos these days because they're both easy to hide and show off.
Tattooing over the bone can be uncomfortable in general, but when done over the ribs and breastbone, or sternum, the discomfort can be particularly excruciating. Some even claim that getting a tattoo on the sternum is one of the most painful parts of the body. In addition, tattooing sensitive areas take time because this form of tattooing necessitates a high level of precision.
If the pain element concerns you, consider a modest sternum tattoo, such as a favorite quote or a constellation, rather than a larger, chandelier sternum tattoo, which features geometric designs with chandelier-like teardrop shapes hanging from it.
It's a painful location with a grueling recovery procedure. With very little muscle or fat to cushion the area, the sternum is also covered in the soft, thin skin that covers the ribs. And, like the ribs, the tattoo needle and the sternum bone are only a few millimeters apart. Tattoos on the sternum frequently extend to the ribs, which are well-known to be a painful location. Furthermore, if you're a woman, you won't be allowed to wear a bra for at least the first 24 hours after getting a sternum tattoo. While your sternum tattoo heals, it's recommended that you go braless for up to a week. Healing sternum tattoos can be especially challenging if you sleep on your stomach, as the rubbing and friction can cause problems during the healing process.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Sternum And Under Boob.
Because the face is our command of sense and allows us to visually communicate our feelings, a face tattoo is inextricably linked to your identity and inner expression. For some, face tattoos are a source of contention, while for others, they are a means of expression. Quotes, typography, tribal or cultural tattoos, and traditional style tattoos are all common facial tattoos. People with facial tattoos, as well as those considering getting one, should strongly identify with the tattoo or have it represent something to them, and be prepared for questions and comments.
Face tattoos can cause varying degrees of discomfort depending on the place. Beneath the eyelids and the cheeks are normally the most painful places, on the face, to get a tattoo because the tattoo artist must stretch the skin to get the needle in deeper. The pain of having a needle so close to your eye or lower lid can be excruciating, not only because of the pain but also because of the tense anticipation of the needle getting too close to your eye. The forehead, chin, nose, temple, around the mouth, and cheekbone are the least painful areas to get a face tattoo.
Therefore, how much a face tattoo will hurt is highly dependent on the area of the face you are getting tattooed. Similar to many other body parts, if there is a lot of detail and saturation in the tattoo the pain will be worse. On the other hand, most face tattoos are relatively simple in design and lack the depth and intricacy that tattoos in other locations do.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Face.
Neck tattoos are significantly less painful than the locations we just listed. However, the front of the neck is a different story. The back and sides of the neck are a lot less painful. The neck, in general, is not as “nervy” as many other places on the body. The skin is also quite tough compared to other areas.
However, the front of the neck has significantly less muscle mass than the back does, has thinner skin, and lots of nerve endings. Furthermore, cartilage and bones are close to the surface of the skin on the front neck making it a 9 out of 10 on the pain scale. One of the most inconvenient aspects of getting a tattoo on the neck is that it gets difficult to breathe during the treatment. Some tattoos on the neck extend all the way to the clavicle. With thin skin and no padding for the bones, this area is considerably more painful.
A tattoo on the side of the neck, on the other hand, is a different matter. One of the least painful spots to receive a tattoo is in this area. The nerves on the side of the neck aren't quite as many as those on the front. However, like with other things, it varies from person to person. The level of discomfort is determined by the tattoo's particular location. The back of the neck has very thin skin. There's also the spine, as well as the cranial nerves, which transmit information from our senses and organs to our brain, but it still isn’t as bad as the front of the neck. Also, as with any area that gets brushed up against or rubbed a lot, healing a tattoo on the neck can be rather uncomfortable and more difficult than usual. Combining everything that we just listed, neck tattoos average out at a 7 on the pain scale.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Neck.
Shin and calve tattoos are another area that has different pain levels depending on a few variables. The shin will hurt more than the calve, also, higher up towards the knee will hurt a lot, and lower towards the ankle will hurt a lot more. The main reasons shin tattoos hurt are shin designs are generally quite large, rattling sensations on the bone, and minimal fat padding.
If you have a poor pain threshold, the side of your calf above the ankle and below the knee is a good spot to have a tattoo. However, the back of your calf, particularly as you get closer to the back of your knee, can be rather painful. The shins, on the other hand, house a significant nerve and are clearly bony. When the amount of nerve endings in the shins is combined with bone that is close to the surface, the shins become an extremely painful area.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Calves And Shins.
Most detailed tattoo pain charts say that butt tattoos are painless because there's plenty of fat and muscle and there aren't any bones to get in the way. However, Vlogigurl has noticed that every one of her clients that receive a butt tattoo says it’s one of the most painful tattoos they have gotten. Although this area goes against everything else we have mentioned in this article, just know, butt tattoos do hurt, and no one knows why.
Another difficult part about getting a butt tattoo is butt muscles have a significant tendency to flinch or clench during the procedure It took a lot of concentration on my part and the artist's part to make sure the ink went where it was supposed to go.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Butt.
The proximity to bone is regarded to be one of the main reasons chest tattoos hurt so much. "Chest tattoos hurt, especially near the sternum, because of how bony it is," Vlogigurl explains. Any bone that is closer to the surface tends to cause a 'tapping' sensation in the person being tattooed, which can be painful and annoying for some, especially when mixed with the pain of getting a tattoo.
According to Vlogigurl, the discomfort is exacerbated by the skin in the area being thinner and more sensitive than in other locations.
"It's usually a little easier to tattoo someone's chest if the skin is clear and there is more muscle. That is because the skin is taut and easier to work with, whereas someone who is less toned or maybe bustier in the chest area will have skin that moves more." - Vlogigurl
Furthermore, because of the limited space available, chest tattoos tend to be larger than usual designs, lengthening the time it takes to complete the tattoo. Larger and more detailed pieces will hurt a lot more because they often take hours, or even multiple sessions, to complete, which will (obviously) add to the ouch factor. A chest tattoo's discomfort is frequently equated to incessant tapping. Because of the near proximity to bone, it's also one of the most painful areas on the body to have tattooed. However, if there is more muscle or fat under the skin, pain can be minimized.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Chest.
The back is one of the largest areas of space to get a tattoo. We categorized all of the areas together because they are all technically on the back, but multiple areas in the back vary in pain levels. Shoulder blades and the lower back are the worst two areas on the back to get a tattoo. If you get a tattoo on one of those two places and nowhere else, the pain will be an 8 out of 10 on the pain scale The rest of the back isn't that awful. Another thing to keep in mind is that the back is an excellent canvas for large compositions with a lot of saturation and detail. It does make a difference where these tattoos are placed; the areas with less muscle and more bone will hurt more. Furthermore, most people's shoulder blades are the boniest area, so when the tattoo needles strike the bone, your pain level will increase.
The tattoo aftercare process is difficult on any back tattoo. The reason for this is it is hard to reach your back, in order to clean it, without assistance. Also, most of the tools you can use to clean your back yourself require you to scrub hard, which can damage the new tattoo. The best way to make this work is to have someone help you.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Back.
On the other side, parts of the body with thicker skin and more fat will on average hurt a lot less. All of these tattoo spots are recommended for people getting their first few tattoos. However, don’t let the pain scale trick you, even if a tattoo is a 2 out of 10 it will still hurt quite a bit. Be ready for some pain no matter where or what tattoo you are getting.
Inner bicep tattoos have a couple of sensitive nerves that go down the bottom of your arm. When you combine this with the thin, sensitive skin of the inside bicep, you have a delicate tattooing spot. This is one of the key reasons why the inside arm of many sleeves and quarter-sleeve tattoos isn't filled in. The inner bicep is definitely a lot less painful than every other tattoo on this list. However, it is still significantly most painful than the other spots below it.
In terms of healing, this is also one of the most difficult sites to treat. This is caused by constant rubbing and friction between the inner arm and the body. You can now use a shear-reduction tattoo bandage to make the healing process in this area go much more smoothly.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Inner Bicep.
In the world of tattooing, the thigh is excellent real estate because of its size and form, which makes it an ideal canvas for a skilled tattoo artist. The thigh area is one of the greatest places to get tattooed if you're worried about pain. Because the thighs are plump, meaty portions of the body, and the skin is thick and used to friction, this is the case.
Depending on the location, thigh tattoos can be mild or highly painful. There are several significant nerves that travel through the thigh. This can make tattooing a painful experience, especially on the inner thigh, which is the most sensitive part of the body. In this area, tattooing on the top of the leg and over the quadriceps is the least painful option. Your hips would be anywhere in the center of the pain range, depending on how bony they are. If you have a low pain threshold, stay away from the inner thigh and the back of the leg.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Thighs.
It's not that horrible in terms of discomfort. Because the skin on the outside of your shoulders is thick and there are few nerve endings, it is one of the least painful places to get tattooed. The discomfort of getting a tattoo in this city is usually mild to severe. This is an excellent location for your first tattoo. Especially if you want to limit the pain of having a tattoo to a bare minimum while improving your tattoo's visibility. Most individuals choose the shoulder and outside arm because fat and muscle provide the best protection against tattoo pain.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Shoulder And Outer Arms.
The least painful places to get a tattoo. Furthermore, the forearm is an ideal choice for tattoo placement since it provides your tattoo artist with the best potential canvas. Tattooing the outer forearm is less painful than tattooing the inner forearm since the radial nerve runs through it.
According to Vlogigurl, forearms are a comparatively painless region to have inked when compared to other popular areas of the body for ink such as the ribs, foot, and wrists. But how painful is a forearm tattoo? "Because everyone's pain threshold is varied, the exact level of discomfort will differ from one individual to the next," says Vlogigurl. "The forearm, on the other hand, is the least sensitive area for a tattoo."
"Because there are fewer nerves beneath the skin of the forearm, tattoos aren't as painful until you reach the inner elbow and wrist," explains Vlogigurl. The sensation of receiving a tattoo, according to Randell, is akin to that of a cat scratch, and it can be more or less intense depending on the type and size of your design.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For The Forearm.
Detailed Tattoo Pain Chart For Men And Women
When it comes to how much pain you'll experience when getting tattooed, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. However, if you're wondering what kind of discomfort to expect, Vlogigurl compares the sensation to that of a large cat scratch or a sunburn. Importantly, different people will report differing levels of pain based on their distinct neurological systems and pain tolerances.
Other factors that may influence tattoo pain include:
Fortunately, after your tattoo artist puts down the tattoo gun, the majority of the discomfort you're experiencing will disappear.
When it comes to tattoos, Vlogigurl loves to be distracted. She's observed that accompanying clients to sessions with a conversational, supportive companion helps them relax and provides a pleasant distraction from the pain. If your studio does not accept plus-ones or if you want to go solo, another option is to chat with your tattoo artist (most banter with clients, knowing it helps alleviate some of the discomforts). She also states that most tattoo artists would let clients use their phones, read books, or listen to music during consultations as long as it doesn't create more flinching, making it considerably more difficult to complete a tattoo correctly.
Before getting a tattoo, Vlogigurl emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body. "The days leading up to being tattooed, drink plenty of water, eat some good food, and keep the area moisturized," Vlogigurl says. Also, tattoo aftercare is extremely important make sure you have everything necessary before getting your new tattoo
"Get a good night's sleep and try not to overthink things, getting a tattoo should be a pleasurable experience that leaves you feeling like a new you." - Vlogigurl
You can take various steps to make your tattoo visit more enjoyable. Increase your water intake a few weeks before getting a tattoo. This will hydrate the skin and create a better canvas for the artist to work with. When the body is dehydrated, the skin absorbs ink more readily and responds more quickly to the artist's movements, minimizing pain and reducing the number of passes required to saturate a work.
It's also important to eat a healthy meal 1-2 hours before your tattoo. Bring a high-glucose snack with you to snack on during the class. Apples, other fruits, and fruit juice are the best fruits to utilize. Maintaining a good blood sugar level will substantially assist you in dealing with pain, preventing cold chills, and shock, especially during extended tattoo sessions. Also, before having a tattoo, avoid taking pain medicines or drinking alcohol. In the end, neither of these choices will greatly lessen tattoo pain, and both will thin your blood, complicating your artist's task and increasing the risk of complications.
Don't be afraid to inform your tattoo artist how much pain you're comfortable with. Look at the detailed tattoo pain chart to pick a placement that isn't too painful for you. This will help them come up with good tattoo design placement ideas. Additionally, because you'll be moving and wiggling a lot throughout the tattoo, it'll be much more difficult for an artist to ink in a painful location for you. This can make their job as tattoo artists much more difficult, lowering the quality of the tattoo.
It's natural to be concerned about pain when getting a tattoo, but there are things you can take to prepare for the procedure and make it more enjoyable. Also, knocking is half the battle. Now that you know how bad each location will hurt, by using this detailed tattoo pain chart, you can better pick what type of tattoo you are getting and where.
If you are located in California, Texas, or just want to go to a trustworthy tattoo artist. Make sure to contact Vlogigurl for your next tattoo. You can contact Vlogigurl directly on her website or her tattoo social media pages.
Small matching tattoos are the perfect way to show your bond with someone and are the ultimate sign of trust and love, but they can also be scary. Getting a matching tattoo with a friend or significant other, even a small one, can be risky. However, the bond that two siblings share is stronger than many other bonds you’ll experience. Relationships and friends usually come and go, but family will always be in your life. Which makes getting a matching tattoo with anyone in your family, specifically your sister, the safest and best option. Picking who to get your small matching tattoo with is the easy part, finding a tattoo idea that you both actually like is difficult.
Vlogigurl found the best 10 small matching tattoos for sisters. You can also get creative with these designs. Change a small part of the matching tattoo so that it is unique for both of you, or get the tattoo in two different placements. So sit down together and brainstorm these small matching tattoo ideas, after all, you want it to be something that you both agree on. The most important part is to be sure of what you want it to look like. Here are the top 10 best small matching tattoos for sisters:
Butterly tattoos are one of the most popular design choices and for a good reason. Regarded as one of the most beautiful, delicate, and inspiring parts of nature, butterfly tattoos look great paired with the body's natural form, in almost any placement. Also, butterfly tattoo designs are easily personalized, allowing you to create a truly unique piece of ink for yourself and your sister. Plus, butterflies are known for symbolizing everything from beauty and “femininity” to freedom and transformation.
Butterflies are one of the best ideas for small matching tattoos for sisters. Because butterflies have such a foundational design, you can be sure they’ll look the same. Plus, they are extremely customizable so you can ensure the shape, size, and style are perfect for you and your sister's matching tattoo.
Birth year tattoos are the easiest way to create fully custom tattoos, due to their simplicity. All you and your sister have to do is tell the tattoo artist what year you were born and pick a font. The tattoo artist will work their tattoo magic and boom! Easy small matching tattoos for sisters. You can also add some smaller tattoos to go along with your birth year, such as a sun and moon, for extra sisterly points. For some fun font ideas visit DaFont for free fonts.
Flower tattoos are an easy way to get both sisters to agree on an idea. Most people won’t be opposed to getting a small flower tattoo inked on their body, so if you really can’t agree on anything, ask your sister how she feels about a flower tattoo. These tattoos are also amazing because they are beautiful and often represent happy memories.
If you and your sister are already planning on getting tattoos together, you might as well get matching tattoos, even if they are small. The message of getting matching tattoos might be lost if they are too different, but there are other ways to connect your tattoos and still have them be unique. Such as the picture below, although the tattoos aren’t exactly the same, when the sister's legs touch the tattoos connect. This shows that the tattoo is supposed to go together even if they aren't completely mirrored. You can also get the same tattoo, but in different places, if you don't want to perfectly match small tattoos with your sister.
Since you and your sister probably have a lot of happy memories and inside jokes together you can really make your tattoos sentimental. Think of places where you shared an important moment, your favorite holiday, or that song you both love! You can either make one big image and cut it in half or make two smaller images that combine into one larger image.
If you or your sister aren't the biggest fans of getting tattoos, but still want something to show the world how close you are as sisters, a small tattoo is perfect. You can even hide it in a place that is not as viable. Your tattoos do not have to be huge in order to show the meaning you are going for. Often, smaller tattoos as sweet and more enduring.
Think outside of the box! You and your sister have a unique relationship with tons of experiences only you two share. Did you use to have a stuffed animal you would fight over? Or watch a certain scary movie whenever you were home alone? Turn those into amazing and unique tattoos. Unusual and personal tattoos can make for the perfect small tattoo to match your sister.
Sometimes simple is better. Simple tattoos can have just as much meaning as complex ones, while still looking cute, sweet, and discreet. Even two simple circles can have all of the meaning in the world. Simple tattoos are also easy to place anywhere and don’t take up that much room, just in case one of you has plans for more tattoos in the future.
If you and your sister have a favorite quote or song that describes your relationship perfectly, this can be a perfect idea. You can also mix up a quote such as using the start of the quote for one sister and the end on another. There is almost a more timid sister and a more wild one so quotes that describe that connection also work.
If you have a quote that describes you and your sister or one that resonates with you both from a book of poetry, this can be a great tatt idea. It’s best to find a quote that represents the bond you have or describes the relationship between the two of you. “She keeps me wild,” and, “she keeps me safe,” usually go hand in hand. There always seems to be a carefree sister and one that cautions on the safe side. Together they are the perfect combination. If this is you and your sister, then this design is a wonderful idea.
Tattoos on the wrist are a perfect place to put a small tattoo that is visible, but cute. It is an amazing placement if you always want your tattoo to show while still being socially acceptable. If you are getting one on your wrist, usually, the smaller the better. The daintier it is in this location, the sweeter it will look.
Here are some good quotes that perfectly describe the relationship between you and your sister:
A matching sister tattoo is when two sisters get a tattoo that is perfectly mirrored, matching, or connecting. It normally symbolizes love, friendship, and connection.
Matching tattoos with anyone in your family is a great way to show the world how much you care and love one another. This is amplified with sisters because the connection between sisters is often the strongest in the family. Hopefully, these 10 small matching tattoos for sisters have helped you and your sister finally agree on a tattoo to get. If you need a tattoo artist in California or Texas to do the tattoo for you make sure to visit my contact me page. If you already have an artist send me the final result on my Social Media, I would love to see them!
The tattoo healing process is somewhat easy and straightforward, but there seems to be some confusion around the topic currently. Allowing your tattoo to heal by having a proper tattoo aftercare plan is essential for making your tattoo stay fresh for a long time. A tattoo normally takes anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks to heal, it also may look healed within a few days. However, it’s important to stay consistent with aftercare because the healing process can actually take as long as 6 months. How fast your tattoo heals depends on multiple variables such as health, hygiene, age, tattoo location, and more.
Now, you finally have that awesome, brand new tattoo, that you have been waiting forever for! After saving up for months you want to ensure it stays looking that fresh forever! The first question you should be asking is “What is tattoo aftercare and what should I be doing for my tattoo.”
There is a lot of misleading information out there about tattoos and tattoo aftercare, so Vlogigurl, a professional tattoo artist, wrote this article to go through what is true and false. She will also go over the healing stages of a tattoo, the best aftercare practices to keep it clean, and what types of tattoos take longer to heal.
Here is the ultimate tattoo aftercare guide:
Getting a tattoo is similar to having a fresh open wound on your skin. It might look a lot nicer, but any time your skin has an open wound, you leave yourself vulnerable to infections and scarring. Having proper tattoo aftercare can prevent complications and ensure that the tattoo heals properly. Normally, your tattoo artist should send you home with instructions on how to take care of your brand new tattoo. If he or she doesn’t it can be difficult to find concrete answers to tattoo healing online.
Unfortunately, most states don’t require tattoo artists to provide aftercare instructions. Even when states do require aftercare instructions, they don’t regulate what the tattoo artist is supposed to give you. States often let the tattoo artist decide which information to provide.
Therefore, this guide will go into as much detail as possible so you can ensure safe tattoo aftercare.
Vlogigurl is that tattoo artist you should be following in 2022. She is famous for her legendary black and white, horror, and anime tattoos. His tattoo designs mostly resemble death, anime, and humanity. Vlogigurl is based in California and Texas. She has a large following on social media and many dedicated clients across the globe.
She was trying to find an article online to send to her clients that had detailed information about how to properly handle tattoo aftercare. Quickly, she noticed that there wasn’t one article that had all of the information needed for tattoo healing and tattoo aftercare. She decided to write this article, with her team, to give the most detailed guide to tattoo aftercare, some might even say “The Ultimate Tattoo Aftercare Guide.” All of the information is coming directly from her as a professional tattoo artist who is well-renowned in the tattoo industry.
All Tattoos will go through the same healing process, all of the stages are natural and important. If your tattoo differs from this list we highly recommend contacting your tattoo artist or a health professional. The healing process for an average tattoo can be divided into four easily recognizable stages:
Your tattoos healing begins as soon as you leave your tattoo artist’s chair. The tattooed skin is now an open wound and should be treated as such. Your body will immediately start to produce plasma to kickstart the clotting and scabbing process. At this point, your tattoo artist will clean the area with antibacterial soap. They will then wrap your tattoo for added protection against bacteria. This is the step where many tattoo artists tend to debate what to do. When to take off your tattoo wrap/bandage?
Each tattoo artist approaches tattoo wrapping differently. The most standard advice is to keep the wrap on for 12-24 hours, some artists advise leaving it on for a few days. The Wrapping can be made from plastic, cloth, or second skin. Firstly, we recommend taking your tattoo artist's advice on when to take it off. However, if you did not get advice from your tattoo artist, Vlogigurl is ready to be your virtual professional tattoo artist. Here is a quote from her about tattoo wrapping:
“I always tell my clients to keep their tattoo wrapped for 5 to 7 days. When you first get home, take off the original wrap from the tattoo shop and clean your tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap. After washing it, put some white unscented lotion on it and then re-wrap it. Repeat this process two to four times a day, continue to do this for 5 to 7 days or until the redness on your tattoo goes away.” - Vlogigurl
Once you remove the bandage you may notice fluid coming from your tattoo, or that the surrounding skin is very red. It’s also normal to see ink coming out of the tattoo, sometimes called “weeping.” Normally, the fluids that you will see coming from your arm are blood, plasma, and ink, which is entirely normal and is the body’s way of repairing itself. This will likely last for a week or so, but if the redness and oozing don’t subside after a week, you’ll want to call your tattoo artist or a health professional.
How you wash your tattoo is a very vital part of your tattoo aftercare. Here are some general tips to ensure safe washing.
Right after you get home from being tattooed, you will want to very gently wash away as much of the fluid (blood, ink, and plasma) from your tattoo as possible. Removing these substances will eliminate anything that attracts pathogens.
Instructions on how to properly clean and wash your new tattoo:
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before starting these steps.
It is also very important to not use any towels or washcloths that are rough or dirty. These could pull off any drying scabs and cause delays as the tattoo heals.
For the first week of your new tattoo going through its healing process, it will be sore. Normally, the soreness will last for 5 to 7 days and feel similar to a sunburn. This is escalated with larger tattoo pieces.
On Top of the sunburn feeling from your tattoo, you will feel slightly sick and more tired than usual. This occurs because your body is spending a lot of energy trying to heal your new tattoo. If you have a small tattoo, you probably won’t feel this. However, the larger the tattoo, the worse your body will feel. Your tattoo will appear slightly raised and warm to the touch for a few days, which is completely normal. If these symptoms last more than a week it most likely means that your tattoo is infected and you should contact your tattoo artist or a health professional (such as your doctor).
Throughout your tattoo's entire healing process, lotion will be its best friend and the sun will be its worst enemy. Try to apply lotion to your tattoo frequently, mostly after properly cleaning it. Lotion will allow your skin to rejuvenate and give you and your tattoo some much-needed relief. Remember to only use white unscented lotion on your tattoo.
Avoid direct sunlight at all costs, especially with a brand new tattoo. We know how much you love to tan and you want to make your new tattoo pop! However, the sun can be extremely damaging to your skin and tattoo. Check out our tattoos and tanning/sunlight article for more information about how to avoid the sun and other alternatives.
You will know you are at the end of stage one when you begin to see your tattoo forming scabs. If you have kept up with correctly cleaning your tattoo, the scabbing shouldn't be too bad. Along with scabbing, you will notice your tattoo to seem slightly cloudy, dull, and rugged. Don’t worry, this is normal and caused by the scabbing. Tattoos will tend to look a lot worse before looking better. Your vibrant and sharp tattoo will be back in no time, just give your tattoo some time to heal.
To ensure your tattoo will look its best after the complete healing stages, do not pick any scabs. We know they look very pickable, but we promise you will regret it afterward. Picking the scabs can pull the ink out of your tattoo, make the healing process last longer, and have an increased risk of infection. Just let your tattoo go through its natural healing process.
Most of Vlogigurl’s clients say that stage 2 of the tattoo healing process is the worst one. This is mainly due to the irresistible itching that starts. It’s not uncommon for wounds to itch as they heal and your brand new tattoo is one big wound. Starting a few days after you get your new tattoo, it will start to itch and flake like crazy. However, you must resist the urge to scratch it at all costs. Instead of scratching, continue to apply white unscented lotion to your tattoo to soothe it.
After the scabbing stages of your tattoo, the scabs themselves will start to flake off. The flacking will last for around 1 week, during which your skin will become extremely dry. The degree of how bad these symptoms are depends on multiple factors such as your skin, age, health, and how well you followed the steps in stage 1 of the tattoo healing process. Some people will feel unbearable itching, while others will barely feel this stage. If it does get unbearable, ask your doctor about taking an over-the-counter antihistamine to help.
The dryness of the damaged and dead skin from stage 1 is what causes much of the flaking. Flaking is the main reason why your skin is so dang itchy. In this stage, the two most important things to remember are to not forget to apply lotion and do not scratch at all costs. Lotion, white unscented lotion, will make sure skin feels better. Unsure to softly dab the lotion onto your skin, do not use this as an excuse to secretly scratch it. Scratching your tattoo at this stage is a very easy way to ruin it. Of all the things not to do while your tattoo is healing, scratching is one of the most important.
As we have stated before, the two most important things in stage 2 are to use lotion and not itch. In stage 1 of the tattoo healing process, we told you to wash your tattoo 2 to 4 times every day. In this stage, you can decrease that to 1 to 2 times every day. Make sure to not aggressively rub your tattoo while washing it, only dab it in this stage. Also, make sure your tattoo is completely dry before applying lotion. When water is trapped between the flakey skin and lotion, your skin scabs can soak up the excess water and become muddy. This makes it significantly easier for your skin to snag or stick on something and rip.
Make sure to pat dry your tattoo before applying lotion. Do not add too much lotion as this can cause your skin to suffocate and slow down the healing time. This stage, Stage 2: Itching, Flaking, and being uncomfortable, normally only lasts for 2 to 4 days. On the 3rd and 4th day your tattoo will look extra bad, but again, it will get better over time. Your skin will also have very large flakes on it and they will be very tempting to peel off of your skin. Do not peel off your flakes at all cost, they will fly away when they are ready or they will come off while you are washing your tattoo. Any pulling may uproot ink from the deeper layers of skin, which can cause fading and patches.
You are almost fully complete with the tattoo healing process. Most of your scabs and flakes should have gone away, only leaving behind a few scabs. It is normal for your tattoo to still be slightly sore in stage 3. Your skin should be going back to normal now, but if there are days where it is dry or slightly flakey, just add some more white consented lotion and you should be good to go. Your skin will remain slightly dry and flaky for about a month and then slowly return to its normal state.
In stage 3 it is normal for your tattoo to look slightly blurry and cloudy. This is just your skin still healing from the wound. Even though 2 or 3 weeks have passed at this point. Do not be alarmed if it doesn’t look perfect yet. Your tattoo should start to look like it did on day one after about 5-6 weeks. Do not be alarmed if even after the 5-6 weeks you still see some issues with your tattoo such as fading, tattoo blowout, or patchy spots. Everyone will heal differently and sometimes your tattoo just might not have healed correctly. If this does happen, call your tattoo artist and ask for a touch-up. Most tattoo artists will do these for free since this is quite common and is normally no one's fault.
Stage 3 is simple but takes a long time. There isn’t much for you to do at this stage other than apply lotion every now and then and make sure to keep your tattoo safe. The best thing you can do here is to wait it out until your tattoo is completely healed.
After stage 3, your tattoo will look vibrant and fully healed, just as you always dreamed of. Aftercare is easier in the beginning month because if you don’t keep up with your tattoo aftercare routine it can cause serious side effects and discomfort. However, it is essential to keep it up with your tattoo aftercare routine even during stage 4, which is for several months after the first month. Doing so will help the tattoo stay clean and look its best.
Congratulations! You have gone through all 4 stages of your tattoo’s healing process and have diligently stuck with your tattoo aftercare routine. Before you go out and show off your new healed amazing tattoo we have some more advice for you!
Keep reading to find out more about your extended tattoo aftercare and some more details about tattoo healing. Also, we will break down the tattoo healing stages by day to make it easier to follow if you ever need to come back to this:
Your tattoo’s healing process can be very different from everyone else. How quickly your tattoo heals depends on a few variables such as the size of the tattoo and how detailed it is. Larger tattoos tend to have a longer healing process. However, in Vlogigurl’s experience, this is what a normal healing tattoo will go through day by day. This is a summary of what you should expect with your tattoo healing process, for the complete explanation make sure to read the section above.
Day 1 is right after you come home from the tattoo shop. Your tattoo artist should have wrapped your tattoo prior to you leaving. After a few hours, you can remove the wrap and clean your tattoo, make sure you have clean hands, and do follow the proper tattoo cleaning steps. It is normal for your tattoo to be red, swollen, and oozing.
Your tattoo should have less redness, swelling, and oozing, slightly getting better as time goes on. You will notice your tattoo starting to look less saturated and more blurry. Scabs should be starting to form on your tattoo. Ensure to be properly washing your tattoo and re-wrapping it daily.
All of the symptoms from day 1 to 3 should be starting to go away. Scabbing on your tattoo should be very apparent. Do not, under any circumstances, pick at the scabs. Picking at the scabs can cause scarring to your tattoo and prolong the recovery period. Continue to wash and re-wrap daily. Do not forget about the proper way to clean/wash your tattoo.
Your scabs should have dried out now and have started to flake. Your skin will be very irritated and itchy. To relieve the itch, gently apply lotion after washing your tattoo, make sure your skin is dry before applying the lotion. Do not itch the tattoo, at all. If you do still notice swelling and redness at this point your tattoo might be infected, call your tattoo artist or a health professional. Your tattoo may remain dull and dark appearing until approximately one month after you initially got the tattoo.
You are now in the last days of the tattoo healing process. Your flakes and scabs will slowly go away, along with all of the annoying problems that go along with having a new tattoo. Your tattoo still won’t look exactly how you want, but keep taking care of it by washing and moisturizing, and will get there.
After one complete month, the outer layer of your skin should be fully healed and your tattoo will look a lot better.
Once your tattoo has healed, you move from the tattoo healing process into tattoo maintenance mode. The outer layer of your skin is healed and your tattoo is looking as vibrant and clear as ever. However, it may take 3 to 4 months for the lower layers to completely heal. Ensure to keep washing and moisturizing your skin, you don’t have to do it as frequently, but once a day is nice. This will ensure your tattoo stays looking crisp and clean. Still, avoid direct sunlight and enjoy your new tattoo!
The first few layers of skin should be healed within the first month of the tattoo healing process. The deeper layers of skin tend to take months to heal after you initially get your new tattoo. It is difficult to accurately say exactly when a tattoo is fully healed, but after 6 months of having your tattoo, it is safe to say it is fully healed. Anything before 6 months you should always stay safe and try to keep it as clean as possible. Avoid direct sunlight!
One of the most important parts of what makes tattoos heal differently is each person's individual body, everyone heals differently. Other things affect the healing time of your tattoo such as placement and size. The larger the tattoo the longer it will take to heal. This is because your body has a much larger area to recover and pulls more resources to get it all at once. If you get your tattoo on any part of the body that moves frequently throughout the day, the process will also take a while longer.
Some symptoms are normal directly after getting a tattoo. However, if they linger around for too long you might have a serious problem.
If you begin experiencing symptoms of any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:
Some ink pigments might cause your skin to have an allergic reaction, this will cause an extreme red and itchy reaction to your skin. If you notice areas with a certain color being a lot worse than the rest of your tattoo, call your doctor.
If you deny your new tattoo proper care it will most likely get infected. Skin infections will show with warm, red, and painful skin. These are normal within the first week, anything after should cause major alarm. Do not take skin infections lightly, if you have any suspicion that something is wrong with your tattoo call your tattoo artist or a health professional.
If you do the unthinkable and scratch, itch, or wash/moisturize your tattoo too hard you can cause scarring. Scars can be permanent, so again, do not scratch, itch, or wash/moisturize your tattoo too hard.
Here are the most common signs that your tattoo isn't healing properly. These may occur even if you follow the tattoo aftercare steps perfectly, make sure to watch out for them.
It is normal for your tattoo to remain red and swollen a few days after you initially get your new tattoo. However, if any of the symptoms in the 4 stages of your tattoo’s healing process linger for longer than expected it becomes a cause for concern. Also, if you start to have fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms it is likely that your tattoo has become infected, or that you’re allergic to the ink. Any severe pain is extremely alarming. If any of these happen to you, call your tattoo artist or a doctor right away.
If your tattoo continues to seep fluids after a few days, or if the fluid seems to be drastically discolored or smelly, it’s best to consult your doctor.
If any swelling persists after the recommended time where it normally goes away, call your doctor as you may be having an allergic reaction to the ink.
If you have any form of prolonged itchy skin or large hives, call your doctor!
Your tattoo’s healing process might seem daunting and scary at first. However, if you follow the simple day-to-day steps, it is easy to keep your new tattoo safe and looking fresh after it finishes healing. Every tattoo does heal slightly differently, do not have too much alarm if your tattoo is not healing right on pace with this ultimate tattoo aftercare guide. The healing process follows a four-stage healing timeline that includes oozing and soreness, itching and flaking, scabs and flakes, and continued aftercare.
Take care of your tattoo and follow this ultimate tattoo aftercare guide as well as possible. In the end, you should have an amazing tattoo on your body. You did it!
“Will my tattoo fade when I get a tan or go tanning?” is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to tattoos. A lot of people have questions when it comes to tattoos and tanning, so we are going to answer them. Tattoos often have a deep meaning to people and can be quite expensive, so of course, you'll want to keep yours looking their best. We know that a rich, golden tan is the perfect way to make your tattoo pop, but before you jump in the sun, you have to take some steps to ensure that your tattoo stays vibrant.
While you are able to do almost anything with a tattoo nowadays, you do have to be extra careful with your new ink in the sun. The sun can actually fade the ink, not to mention your actual skin is more sensitive to sun damage after the fact.
However, don’t allow this to stop you from getting a tan or having some fun in the sun. Just remember, you cannot forget to keep your skin protected from UV rays even after the tattoo is fully healed. Simply, when you have a brand new or older Tattoo you must use sunblock in the sun!
Sunblock on your tattoo is the simple answer, but there is still more to know! So here is everything you need to know about your new tattoo and getting a sweet tan:
Here’s how you can protect your tattoo while sitting poolside in the sun or in a tanning bed. If you are planning to take the fun outside and get a nice tan going, make sure to cover your tattoo with the highest high-SPF sunscreen you can find. To avoid having a huge white spot around your tattoo, try to apply sunscreen with something small such as a Q-tip. Q-tips or other small objects will allow you to apply the sunscreen with control and precision. Make sure to consistently re-apply your sunscreen as the day goes on.
If you prefer to tan in a tanning bed rather than going outside the rules are somewhat similar. The main difference with a tanning bed is you have more control and options. Some companies offer a specially designed tattoo stick with SPF! These magic SPF tattoo sticks will allow for a thorough & complete application.
Colored ink fades faster than black ink, so make sure to be extra careful when dealing with a color tattoo. However, Vlogigurl, a professional tattoo artist, has said
The sun loves any dark colors, so darker or pure black tattoos will make your actual skin burn a lot easier. Colors will fade faster in the sun, but black ink can greatly affect your skin." - Vlogigurl
She continued by saying all tattoos tend to fade or have their color weaken when exposed to unprotected sunlight. Colors will fade easier and faster, darker tattoos will last longer, but can be more harmful to your skin. Simply, take care of your tattoos by keeping them completely out of the sun or take the proper precautions before going into the sun and your tattoos will look way better in the long run. Need more advise on tattoo aftercare? Check out Vlogigurl's The Ultimate Tattoo Aftercare Guide for everything that you need to know about tattoo aftercare.
Here are the key takeaways for tanning with tattoos:
If you are planning on spending the day outside, shade or no shade, we always recommend to put on at least one layer of sunscreen. If you have a brand new tattoo, play it extra safe and lather it up any chance you get. Shade is amazing for protecting your skin against the sun's rays, but don’t risk it when it comes to your tattoos.
With all of that being said, sitting in the shade (with sunscreen on) is better than sitting in direct sunlight.
Similar to being in the shade, covering your tattoo with an article of clothing or something similar is way better than direct sunlight. However, we still highly recommend putting on sunscreen before covering it! The sun or any UV rays might be able to find their way through the cover and into your skin. You wouldn’t want to mess up your favorite tattoo when all it takes to protect it is one layer of sunscreen.
You should try your best to avoid having any direct sun or UV ray contact with your tattoos. Always cover up your tattoos or lather them up with high-SPF sunscreen. This holds especially true with a brand new tattoo. We recommend trying to try and avoid the sun completely when you have a brand new tattoo. Normally, tattoos only take 2-3 weeks to heal. Your tattoo will thank you if you just take those 2-3 weeks off of direct sunlight and let it heal in peace.
Old and new tattoos can both fade and cause harm to your skin when in the sunlight, unprotected. New tattoos escalate the process and make the consequences much worse. Getting a brand new tattoo is similar to having an open wound on your body. If that part of your body gets a sunburn, you are basically doubling the damage on your skin. Making the healing process that much harder for your body. Also, it could affect the way your tattoo looks when fully healed. For other tips on tattoo aftercare make sure to visit Vlogigurl's FAQ page!
Older tattoos are still able to fade and make sunburns easier, in the sun. However, since older tattoos are already healed it is a lot less scary to take them in the sun. Either way, if you have a tattoo avoid unprotected direct sunlight. If you have a brand new tattoo, shade and sunscreen are your best friends.
Here are the key takeaways for new and old tattoos in the sun:
Luckily, for tanning enthusiasts, spray tans are a safer option to achieve a perfect tan if you have a healed tattoo. If your tattoo is completely healed, you can apply lotion or tanner to it like you would if you didn’t have a tattoo. Make sure your tattoo is completely healed before having any spray tan or lotion on it. A new tattoo is an opened wound and you should only apply safe creams on it until it is fully healed. Putting unsafe lotions or sprays on a new tattoo has the chance to cause infection or cause other problems.
Since spray tans do not use UV ray technology, it is completely safe for tattoos. Since you are spraying your tattoo with a coloring spray, you might see a slight difference in how your tattoo looks. However, this is not permanent and will fade away naturally as your spray tan does. If you don’t want your tattoo to look different after a spray tan, we recommend to whip it off with a damp cloth immediately after.
We want to emphasize how important it is to avoid getting a burn on your brand new tattoo. This should be your first priority for the first 2-3 weeks after getting your new tattoo. However, if you do happen to get a sunburn on your new tattoo, don’t ignore it.
Firstly, we recommend calling your tattoo artist and asking his or her opinion on what you should do. Your tattoo artist always knows best! After that, try to completely avoid the sun while the burn is healing. Moisturize the spot that is affected and drink lots of water.
If you do plan on getting your tan on, do what's best for your tattoo and put on high-SPF sunscreen. Shade and covers are also great ways to protect your tattoos. For new tattoos, we still highly recommend trying to try and avoid the sun for the first 2-3 weeks. Your tattoos will thank you by staying vibrant and clear! Need any other advice tattoo related advise, other than tanning and tattoos? Make sure to check out Vlogigurl’s blog and FAQ page, or simply keep scrolling down to see more articles.
Having a tattoo is a big decision. You want it to be perfect, and you want it to last forever. How long does it take to get a tattoo, though? Well, that depends on how big the tattoo is and how much detail there is.
We've got your answer if you've ever wondered how long a tattoo takes. If you're thinking of getting inked and want to know more about the process, read on!
The size of your tattoo also determines how long it takes to finish. The bigger the tattoo, the longer it takes. So if you want a small design on one finger, it will be quicker than a large arm piece.
The detail of your tattoo will also affect how long it takes for an artist to complete it. More intricate designs take longer to create because more lines are involved, and more sections (like shading) need several passes before they're complete. This can cause some delay because each pass must dry before moving on; however, if you have an experienced artist working on your piece, they should be able to work through this step quickly so as not to slow down your entire experience at the shop. Too much!
The number of colors used in any design can also affect how fast (or slow) things go along during this process. However, we again advise choosing an artist with ample experience with multi-colored pieces so as not to have any issues; with getting everything right!
Where your tattoo is on your body will impact the amount of time it takes to complete. Tattoos on the lower back and legs are the most time-consuming because they need more ink than other areas like arms, hands, chest, or stomach, where there is less skin surface area available to cover with a design. Also, if you are about to get a new tattoo and are curious about the pain for each body part, check out Vlogigurl's - a professional tattoo artist - article called her Tattoo Pain Guide.
One side of the forearm: 2–5 hours
Complete forearm wrapping: 4-6+ hours
Half-sleeved upper arm: 3-6+ hours
For a whole sleeve 9 to 12 hours
Upper arm inside: 1.5–3 hours
Upper arm back: 1.5–4 hours
Shoulder cap: 3-5+ hours
Back: 2 to 8 hours or more 4 to 12 hours for a large back
Full Back: 12 to 20 hours
Chest: 4 to 6 hours
For the front torso: 8 to 20 hours
Sternum: 2-4 hours
Stomach: 2 to 4 hours
Single side of the thigh: 3-5+ hours
Thigh wrap, partial: 6–12+ hours
Full thigh wrap: 9–15 hours
2-4+ hours for the calf or shin
Full-wrap of the lower leg: 6–12 hours
The more detail, the longer the tattoo. The more complex the design, the longer it takes to tattoo. If your tattoo design has multiple colors and shades, it will take longer than a black-and-white piece. And if you're getting a large piece of art (like an arm sleeve or chest piece), make sure to give yourself plenty of time for healing between sessions.
Tattoo artists usually charge an hourly rate and, depending on their skill level, experience, and notoriety, that rate can range $100 – $150 per hour.
For example, an experienced artist will charge more than a beginner. Similarly, it's worth noting that larger tattoos will also mean higher prices (as do detailed tattoos). Tattoos are also pricier if placed on sensitive areas like the chest or back. But what if you're looking for a good deal? Some tattoo artists have special deals available for certain days of the week or certain times of day when they aren't as busy—so be sure to ask about special pricing before committing!
Here is a quick breakdown of how long it would take to do tattoos of various sizes:
This is merely a very rough estimate, so please keep in mind that other considerations besides the size and design of the tattoo
It all depends on the size and complexity of your tattoo, but generally speaking, a small tattoo can take around four to six hours. A medium-sized one will take between seven and 10 hours, while large tattoos can take up to 12 hours or more.
Need help finding the perfect tattoo idea? The Tattoo Industry - a tattoo magazine - interviewed Vlogigurl - a model turned tattoo artist - who took the tattoo industry by storm after creating stunning masterpieces with only one year of experience. In the interview Vlogigurl goes over topics such as her story, inspirations, tattoo tips and tricks, tattoo industry secrets, and of course how to find the perfect tattoo idea.
Vlogigurl's picture for The Tattoo Industry magazine.Vlogigurl started her apprenticeship to become a tattoo artist one year ago in California. Since then, she has handcrafted and executed over 100 tattoos. She has raving online reviews and is quickly becoming one of the most well renowned tattoo artists in the industry. Mostly known for her astounding black and white tattoos, she is consistently booked out a couple of months ahead. To learn more about her and her tattooing visit her about me page.
Vlogigurl's fine line horror tattoo for her magazine interview.Here are the questions The Tattoo Industry had for Vlogigurl and her answers:
Answer: I have been tattooing for 1 year.
Vlogigurl tattooing at a shop in California.
Answer: The worst part about getting your first tattoo is the nerves that you get beforehand. Almost every single person says, “oh, that wasn’t so bad” after I pull the first line. Don’t freak yourself out before the tattoo even starts! Remember to stay calm and cool! Also, soda is great for anyone that feels woozy easily! Sugar and water is your friend in this situation.
Answer: My friends and family were very supportive of me becoming a tattoo artist. However, the first few months of being a tattoo artist my parents were hesitant to the idea and didn’t think I could make it. After I started to do some large pieces they were convinced.
Answer: I love meeting and interacting with new people. It’s so much fun to hear everyone's backstory to personal tattoos and being able to make their idea come to life!
Vlogigurl's very cute anime tattoo.
Answer: I got my first tattoo at 14 and I have been very interested in industry ever since then. My future plans for college went right out the window once the tattoo artist pulled the first line. I wanted to become a tattoo artist right away! However, I had to finish high school first. I took a deep dive into everything art related and worked with every median that I could, I even started to tattoo myself at 16. Once I graduated highschool I visited every single shop in my area asking for an apprenticeship. However, no one would take me at the time due to being full or they would say “tattooing as a whole is trending down right now, we don’t have anything for you to do.” Although that was disappointing for me, I kept studying art and started to pursue modeling. A few years later I went to get a tattoo at a shop in California and next thing you know they offered me a spot as an apprentice!
Answer: Client backstories for each tattoo is what really motivates me to push myself. No matter what the tattoo is I always put 110% into it, but the really cool ones that have deep meaning to the client always help to bring out my creative side.
Answer: I would do around 99% of tattoos that come in, mostly because if I say no, they will just find someone else to do it. I would rather my clients get tattooed in a safe and sterile environment by a professional artist rather than go to someone's garage. I always try to persuade my clients away from the more visible tattoos such as face and hand tattoos. The 1% of tattoos that I refuse to do, no matter what the circumstances, are anything on the eyeballs or racist/offensive tattoos to a group of people.
Answer: The tattoo industry is really growing, just look at the advancements that we have had in the last couple of years. We have gone from coil machines to rotary machines, tattoo shops are popping up everywhere, and the level of skill in the industry has shot up. However, we still have a long way to go.
Answer: Yes! I have a ton of bad tattooing experiences. The shop that I currently work at is right next to the beach so we get a ton of unique characters walking in. One of the most memorable stories to tell is when, one time it was late at night and a group of girls came in to get some small butterfly tattoos together. The girl that I was going to tattoo wanted her butterfly on the inside of her arm. All of the girls wanted to get the same butterfly tattoo, which was small and fine line. Right after I pull my first 3 lines she starts to vomit everywhere! She vomited all over my station, herself, and me. Right after that she runs right outside our front door and throws up for a few minutes. Her vomit blocked everyone else from being able to leave or enter the shop. While she was outside I started to clean myself and my station. A few more minutes go by and she walks back into the shop, without saying a word, sits in the vomit filled chair, looks at me and says “okay i’m ready to go again.” I told her to wait a few more minutes and to go clean up a little bit in the bathroom. After I cleaned everything on my station and she was finally clean, I finished the tattoo. The smell of vomit lingered at my station the rest of the night, which made finishing the tattoo difficult.
Answer: The best advice I can give to any new tattoo artist is to stick with it. Going through your apprenticeship can be extremely challenging and you will probably want to give up a million times. Just stick it through, it will be worth it in the end!
Answer: I love seeing people's lives change through tattoos. Some people leave looking way more confident than they did when they first walked in. Others leave with a sentimental memento and leave happier than ever. I love when I can really get into the mind of my client and blow away their expectations with my tattoo. They always have this look on their face after that makes this job worth it. What makes me different from everyone else is not only do I want to give you the best tattoo possible, but I want to give you a better tattoo than you ever imagined.
Answer: I love to do fine line horror tattoos. I definitely love a ton of styles, but fine line horror is my favorite! Outside of tattooing I love creepy things and horror movies, so horror tattoos come pretty natural for me. Making a tattoo stand out and be eye-catching by adding gruesome details is so much fun for me! When people ask me “How in the world did you come up with that idea” I know my job is complete! If anyone has any cool horror tattoo ideas please book an appointment!
Answer: Finding tattoo inspo can be hard, but the first thing that you need to do is to know the subject of what you want to get. Finding your main idea to give your artist to go off of will be the most helpful thing you can do, even if the idea is broad. Do you want an ocean themed tattoo, maybe something to do with a clown? Talk with your artist!
Finding your style can also be very helpful. Use platforms such as Google, Pinterest, and other social media to find what you like. Do you like thick lines? Thin lines? Complex or simple? Once you find the style you like, go through Instagram and find tattoo artists in your area that have a similar style. Talk with them and send them some of your inspo ideas! Also, you can always check out my Instagram or website for some tattoo inspo. I am starting a series called "Tattoo ideas: Everything you need" that will be coming soon to vlogigurl.com.
The Tattoo Industry is an established tattoo magazine that has featured tattoo models such as Lilli Grace, Ashley Resch, and Angela Mazzanti. Vlogigurl has a large following throughout her social media accounts for her modeling, tattoos, and tattoo inspo. However, this is her first time being published by a large magazine as a tattoo artist. In the interview she provided detail insights to what it is like to work in the tattoo industry, how you can find perfect tattoo inspo for your next tattoo, and so much more. If you are interested in learning more about Vlogigurl visit her about me page or follow her socials!
It's a common misconception that tattoo artists must have tattoos to be qualified for their job. While there are many reasons why an artist might choose to ink their own skin, from personal expression to guaranteeing the best possible experience for clients, it is not required or expected that they do so. Read on to […]
Are you still glaring at your fresh ink tat, hoping what you see is just part of the healing process? Or are you a tattoo enthusiast who has thus far escaped the dreaded blowout? For the former, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a Tattoo blowout does not just go away. And […]
The best tattoo ideas for men. Over 40 categories for you to pick from all hand picked from a professional tattoo artist.
