If you’ve been pondering the idea of getting your hands or fingers tattooed recently then it’s worth taking some things into consideration before taking the plunge. Getting a tattoo in any area that is visible on a daily basis is a bold statement to make and the hands are no exception. Today we’re going to discuss some of the do’s and don’ts regarding hand tattoos, as well as delving into some hand and finger tattoo ideas that could get you on your way to making a decision about the design you want – especially as we are talking about areas of the body that are more difficult to conceal.
What we’re saying is, take a bit of time to think about what you want to get – maybe don’t impulsively get a controversial design on your hand, unless you want to spend the rest of your life discussing and arguing with strangers about your edgy Pentagram tattoo (Satan is cool and all, but maybe it’s worth keeping that to yourself).
The Rise In Popularity
Hand tattoos are usually chosen by the wearer because of their high visibility, making these tattoos a bold statement about the wearers identity and values. The hands are the most expressive part of the body (think about body language when we communicate) so they are always on show. Tattoos in this area can be a constant reminder of the wearers views, beliefs or overall aesthetic.
Unwritten Rule of Hand and Finger Tattoos
You may notice that some tattoo shops are reluctant to tattoo a client’s hands or fingers if they don’t already have visible tattoos, the reason being that artists also know the life implications that can come with getting hand or finger tattoos – they’re called ‘job stoppers’ for a reason.
Please understand that artists who refuse to do these types of tattoos are not being rude or disrespectful – they are simply looking out for you.
Areas to Understand Before Making The Commitment
- Pain and Healing Process: Let’s start with a simple yet effective statement – hand tattoo’s HURT. The skin on the hands and fingers is a lot thinner compared to other areas of the body, combine that with having less muscle mass and fat in the area and you have a great cocktail for pain. We have a lot of nerve endings, tendons and bones in our hands, and the tattoo needle is going to be getting up close and personal with these, to make the entire experience a lot more tasty on the pain scale.
Remember that our hands are forever in use, so the healing process can be a bit more complicated. It’s crucial to follow aftercare instructions meticulously to ensure correct healing. - Fading and Maintenance: Due to what we have just mentioned above, the hands are forever in use, so tattoos in these areas tend to fade a lot quicker due to frequent washing, exposure to sunlight, as well as natural skin shedding. It’s important to remember that you may be in need of touch ups in the future.
- Workplace Acceptability: Despite tattoos becoming a lot more accepted in today’s modern and progressive society, hand tattoos can still be a point of confrontation in professional settings. It’s important to consider the impact that hand tattoos may have on your professional life. If you’re working in construction, it’s more accepted to have visible tattoos when compared to working within finance or banking, for example
- Design Longevity: The designs chosen for hand tattoos should forever keep the future in mind. Remember that trends forever change but a tattoo lasts forever. Be sure to opt for a design that you believe will remain meaningful and relatable to you over time.
- Artist Expertise: Due to the complexity and visibility of hand tattoos, it’s essential to choose an experienced and skilled tattoo artist. Considering this is going to be a tattoo that will be on show for the rest of your life – be sure to put in a lot of research and be ready to part with a wad of cash.
Hand Tattoo Design Ideas
- Traditional and Neo Traditional Designs: Traditional tattoo designs incorporate bold colours with thick linework, which is perfect for hand tattoos as the design will hold for a lot longer than something more fineline.
- Mandala and Geometric: These intricate designs can be visually striking as well as holding cultural or spiritual significance for the wearer.
- Floral: Flowers can be a great choice for symbolising growth, beauty and life, making them a popular choice for hand locations – again these types of designs can work brilliantly in both colour or black and grey.
- Symbols and Icons: Another popular choice would be symbols and icons as these tattoos can be perfect choices for finger tattoos, too. These are a go to for those who want simple ideas to represent their own beliefs
- Lettering: Words or phrases that hold personal meaning can be tattooed in a variety of fonts and styles, forever making a lasting impact. With these types of tattoos you also have a huge variety of fonts to choose from, that can also then provide a further message to the text you’ve chosen.
Wrapping Up
So, as you may have already been aware before even reading this article, hand and finger tattoos are a powerful form of self expression that then become stapled to your personality as they are constantly on show (unless you are a fashion fanatic obsessed with wearing gloves).
The decision to get a hand tattoo should not be taken lightly. Take the following into consideration:
- Pain
- Healing Process
- Potential for Fading
- Workplace Implications
Spend some time really thinking about your design, be sure that it’s going to hold long term significance for you, as well as researching the right artist for the job.
As hand and finger tattoos grow in popularity, the impulsivity of these designs also grows with it. We’d like to think that by reading this article, you are also taking a lot of time to think and consider the implications that come with getting hand or finger tattoos. Here at The Hangout, we have plenty of clients coming in for varieties of hand and finger tattoos. If you’re travelling through Hoi An and you’re debating taking that plunge, be sure to book a free consultation with us and drop by our studio when you’re in town!
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