News

According to Tattoo Artists, the 7 Best and 6 Worst Places on Your Body for a Tattoo

You want your new ink to look the same as it did the day you bought it. You can get ink on any part of your body, but not all areas will be optimal for long-lasting tattoo. Some inks are known for being stretchy and warps. Others are more susceptible to fading and may not look the same. This is all due to the location.

1) Best: Outer Collarbone

Sun exposure is one of the most important factors to protect your tattoo’s longevity. While you can protect your tattoos with sunscreen you may want to cover up an area of your body with clothes if your ink is going to last for many years, especially if it’s a different color from black,” Leo Palomino tells Bustle. He is a tattoo artist at Atomic Tattoos, Florida.

Oscar Akermo is a tattoo artist at Bang NYC. He also recommends “putting really fine &/or detailed designs onto body parts less exposed to the sun.”

Contrary to popular belief, it is a good idea to put fine or detailed designs on parts of the body that are less exposed to sunlight. Like inner arms, ribs, upper legs, stomach etc.

Palomino also explained that if you want to get a vibrant tattoo, ensure you do it in a place that is not exposed to sunlight. Sun exposure can cause colors to fade. Light-colored inks will fade faster than those with darker colors.

It’s also important to consider the size of your tattoo and how it will look in ten, twenty or more years. These factors should be discussed with your tattoo artist before you get your new tattoo. They will help you navigate through the pros and cons and help you pick the best tattoo location . According to experts, these are the top and worst places for tattoo longevity.

It may be worth considering the outer collarbone if you have been dreaming of getting a tattoo on upper chest. Palomino states that this area is “the least exposed to sunlight” and can be easily covered with shirts or scarves. It’s less likely to burn in direct sunlight than the middle of your chest.

This is also the area where your skin is most likely to stay put as you age. Your collarbone skin tends to stay where it is, which makes it an ideal place for a lasting tattoo.

2) Best: Inner Arm

Avoid tattooing your outer arm if you are often out in the sun. Instead, choose a protected area. Palomino states that the sun is almost completely safe for your inner forearm. Tattoos at this location will look fresher without the UV rays that cause the ink to fade.

You can also keep your upper inner arm safe by covering it with sleeves.

3) Best: Back

The back is a popular spot for tattoos due to its concealment by clothing. Palomino states that this area is not “typically exposed to UV rays regularly.” It is also resistant to aging.

Contrary to the abdomen, which can be stretched as your body weight changes, or if pregnant, the back is stable, especially around and the shoulder blades. Ask your tattoo artist if this is a good place to get tattoos that won’t warp over time.

4) Best: Upper Thighs

Palomino also says that the upper thighs are more protected from the sun than the lower thighs. This is why inks that last a long time may be the best option.

This doesn’t mean that you should hide your tats or worry about what they will look like in 20 years. Akermo states that using a sunscreen with a minimum of 50 SPF on these parts will help to prevent skin from aging.

5) Best: Upper Ribcage

Palomino states that a tattoo on your ribs […] which doesn’t reach too far towards your abdomen is a good spot. It’s usually covered with clothing and protected from the sun.

Even more important is the fact that this area of your abdomen is less likely to stretch if you become pregnant. It’s okay if it does happen. Talk to your tattoo artist if you are concerned about areas that might stretch or fade.

If you want to have a tattoo on your abdomen but not too much, this is the place to go.

6) Best: Hairline

The back part of your neck is a great choice if you are looking for something more unusual.

Palomino states that a tattoo placed below your hairline at the neck will look better as long as it isn’t exposed to a lot of sunlight. This is especially true for those with longer hair, which you may be more likely to lose.

It’s an easy spot to forget, but it is important to protect this area when applying sunscreen. If you plan to spend the day outside, make sure to protect it with sunscreen.

7) Best: Shoulders & Calfs

Palomino says tattoos on the calves and shoulders are less affected by age. This is in contrast to areas that see a lot more change over time, such as your abdomen. Your stomach may stretch during pregnancy but your calves and shoulders won’t. It can be quite a relief to know that your life is free from worrying about how it will affect your ink.

8) Worst: Abdomen

It’s not a problem if your stomach tattoo becomes stretched during pregnancy. It will likely bounce back to some extent, and any warping that happens is a small cost if you’re trying to have kids.

It is worth thinking about if you are considering getting your next tattoo. Palomino states that even with continuous moisturizing, it is possible to have a damaged or warped tattoo due to skin stretching. Ask your tattoo artist for their opinion.

9) Worst: Crease Lines

Avoid areas where the skin is likely to bend or stretch on the body. This can cause tattoos to not heal properly and could be dangerous. Palomino states that these spots are often stretching. Palomino says that constant pulling on the skin can cause cracking and slow down the healing process. This could lead to problems with lines and color.

Due to the stretching of the skin, this movement can cause tattoos to become warped. You should avoid crease lines. If this is something that you are concerned about, your wrists, armpits and other joints like your knees or elbows should be included.

10) Worst: Feet

You can get a tattoo on your feet and then touch it up if it begins to fade. However, this is one place you should avoid if ink needs to be low-maintenance.

Palomino states that tattoos around the ankle, sides, feet, tops of the feet, and around the heel might need more attention due to the constant rubbing of your shoes and socks.

He says that tattoos can also be exposed to bacteria and dirt.

11) Worst: Fingers & Hands

Mat Hayward/Fotolia

Hand tattoos fade quickly due to direct sunlight exposure. There are also other factors that you need to consider. Palomino says that you are constantly washing your hands, which causes the skin to slough off faster and makes [tattoos] fade and blur more quickly than other areas of your body.”

If you are concerned about how your tattoo will look when you get older, you might consider skipping this area. Palomino stated that the ink can be difficult to absorb and the palms and fingers of your fingers and hands will wear down quickly. After healing, tattoos on your fingers and inside of your hands will fade quickly. Tattoos on your palms and fingers are temporary and will fade quickly.

To keep your hand tattoos looking longer, you should be gentle when you are applying them.

12) Worst: Inner Ear

When they are first applied, inner ear tattoos look fantastic. They are not built to last. Palomino states, “The inner ear doesn’t hold ink well, and the lines tend to blur quickly.” This may not be the right location for you if you don’t like constant touchups.

Ask your tattoo artist for other small tattoo designs and suggestions about where to place them. You can also just listen to your inner voice and see what happens.

13) Worst: Clothing That Rubs Against Clothing

Palomino states that any area of the body that rubs against other parts of the body, such as between fingers, thighs, or armpits, will tend to fade faster. “Likewise, tattoos that are exposed to constant rubbing may fade faster, such as […] the area around your waistband, bras, belts, or any other areas of clothing that fits tight and rubs against your skin.”

You can get a tattoo anywhere you want, and you can touch up any ink that begins to fade. However, there are some places that will look great for tattoos that last forever. These tips can be helpful. Ask your tattoo artist for more information when choosing the right placement.

This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Looking for Tattoo shops in St petersburg Florida, Black Amethyst has you covered! They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.

Related Articles

Back to top button