So you want to get your hands/fingers/feet/toes tattooed…..

As with real estate, same with tattooing… LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.
You’re about to spend some of your hard earned money to beautify your meat suit. We want to ensure you’re going to get the best result and most bang for your buck. So, when you’re thinking about a new tattoo, or even your first one, please keep these images and suggestions in mind.
In most cases, finger tattoos will wind up fading within 6-8 months.
Foot/Toe tattoos are more vulnerable to infection, than any other part of the body.
Yes, it’s going to hurt

• There’s not a lot of fleshy bits on the feet and hands, this not only changes the way the ink deposits, but also the amount of sensation you’ll experience.

It will not last

• The skin on your fingers/hands/feet/toes take tattoo ink differently than other commonly tattooed parts of your body. Think about all the things you do with your fingers/hands/feet/toes  - the frequency of washing your hands, shoes, socks, the nature of the skin—which is as thick as all of your skin but not backed by much fat and has a lot of movement over the joints, and for those of us that wear jewelry, those pieces can rub and create an extra complication for the healing of these tattoos.

Not the location for perfection

• The hand/foot tattoo may not be the right place to put that elaborate design you've been dreaming of. Because of the inconsistent nature of hand/foot skin we notice that black ink doesn't always stay black, colors aren't always as bright, and lines tend to not be as crisp (long term).

Tattoos are commitment

• If you want your hand/finger tattoo to look good in the long run, you need to get it touched up regularly. This could be a month after you initially get it, or yearly or every 6 months, you’ll know based on how you want it to look. Many shops will offer your first touch up as a complimentary service, but that will not cover any subsequent (this can be annually or more frequently) visits for upkeep.

The one ring…

• Traditional diamond rings are so 2017, we totally get why you want to get a personalized image/tribute.  The most successful ring type tattoos are the simple styles that keep to the tops or sides of the finger. Diamond shapes, runes, initials, and dates are all examples of clean-lined tattoos that sit on the top of the finger.
• Bands that circle the finger have an abundance of problems. Often, when the band begins to heal, this means that the color doesn't stay and you end up with a patchy shadow of tattoo where your ring used to be.               

Prejudice

• There is still a large portion of our society that looks down on visible tattoos. Many employers will not even consider a potential employee (no matter how qualified) if they have tattoos that are not easily covered. If you have any doubt about whether your job will allow it, ask. Also, make sure that you are in a career which will allow it. It is one thing to have a job in a record store with a hand tattoo but if you want more eventually, think long and hard about it. While they are more common in more blue-collar jobs, most people would not want to see a hand tattoo on their surgeon, attorney or clergyman. If your future plans include a mainstream upscale career, they probably won’t include a hand tattoo.