6 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your First Finger Tattoo

People have the same reaction when we tell them the facts about finger tattoos, usually a sigh of defeat, followed by another sigh. You can see the disappointment set in; some walk out, some insist on getting it anyway, and some change their minds and opt for getting the tattoo somewhere else on their body. These are the things we tell them:

1. THE DESIGN SHOULD BE SIMPLE

Your artist will immediately tell you if your design works as a finger tattoo. Designs should be simple, with not too much detail. Those details tend to turn to mush; more on that later.

2. THEY HURT

You probably don’t have a lot of fat or muscle on your digits. Less fat and muscle means you feel the needle sensation a lot more than other parts of your body, so be prepared to have it sting.

3. THEY BLOWOUT

Blowout is similar to ink that spreads on cheap paper. The ink starts crisp but immediately expands and feathers, making the whole thing look fuzzy. A similar effect takes place under the skin and, over time, makes the tattoo look soft and faded. Unfortunately, With enough time, blowout slowly occurs to all tattoos.

4. THEY FALLOUT

Your skin can potentially reject pigment, causing details of the tattoo to disappear as it heals. The effect is more severe if you work with your hands. Touch-ups are the only way to fix fallout, which brings us to the next point.

5. THEY CAN GET EXPENSIVE

In six months or less, you’ll be back wanting a touch-up. Touch-ups are not free. You’re paying twice for the same tattoo. Not the best value for your money. Be careful not to overdo it; too many touch-ups can make things look worse.

6. NOT EVERY ARTIST WILL TATTOO YOUR FINGERS

As tattoo artists, we change people’s lives every day. Which is daunting if you think about it. Each of us internalizes this differently based on our perspective. We can decide whether to tattoo you or not for any reason, especially if it’s your first tattoo.

With that said, finger tattoos are cool. We’ve collected some ourselves. Just know what you’re getting into before you commit.