The Best Spot For a First Tattoo
Don’t regret where you get your first tattoo on your body. Here is the very best spot for a first tattoo and why it matters!
Do you’re thinking of going out and getting your first tattoo!
Did you know that 27% of women have their tattoos placed on their ankles, while 34% of men choose to have it done on their upper back shoulder?
As the saying goes, the body is a canvas, but how do you make the decision of where to put permanent artwork? There are so many factors that you should consider when picking the best sport for a first tattoo.
Keep reading to find out all about tattoo placement, and ultimately, make the right decision for you.
The Best Spot for a First Tattoo
When asking the question, “What is the best spot for a first tattoo?”, we would first like to say, there’s no direct answer to this question.
Before you head into a shop though, ensure that you understand tattoo shop etiquette and the exact behavior that is required from you.
Many different people, from many different walks of life, choose to get a tattoo for a variety of choices. Things like other people being able to see your tattoo, the industry that you work in, your family’s culture, could all play a part in where you choose to put your first tattoo.
But let’s dive straight into the areas of the body that we believe are the best spots for a first tattoo.
1. The Upper Collarbone
Tattoos generally, over time, will fade in direct exposure to sunlight. If you’re leaning towards getting your first tattoo on your chest, then the upper collar bone is a great choice.
Why?
It’s rated one of the least painful places to get a tattoo, and also, the skin in this area doesn’t stretch as much as the rest of the chest over time, so your tattoo should remain fairly constant.
2. Your Back
If you’re worried about your tattoo changing shape over time, then the back is a great location for your first tattoo.
The skin here stays pretty constant if you experience weight gain, pregnancy, or other body changes.
The upper part of your back offers a solid canvas if you’re looking for a place that you can easily cover your ink in your daily life too.
3. Your Wrist
Most female customers will choose the wrist as the location for the first tattoo. It’s the perfect placement for a tattoo that is delicate and dainty.
But be warned!
The wrist has a lot of nerve endings, making the tattoo itself more painful than in other more cushioned areas of the body. Also, you’ll find it harder to cover up this bad boy in warm weather.
Be mindful of your choice of colors too, with the wrist spending much time in the sunlight, you may find that your tattoo fades quicker than it would in other areas. Chat to your tattoo artist about what color choices he would recommend for a tattoo on your wrist.
4. The Back of the Neck
The back of the neck is a popular choice for women with long hair, that feel they’ll easily be able to hide the ink if the situation calls for it.
It’s the perfect place for a small, delicate design to make its first appearance.
The level of pain in this area is not too high, in comparison to your rib cage for example, but during your time in the chair, the sound of the machine can seem really loud, ‘tricking’ people into believing it’s more painful than it actually is.
5. On Your Chest
The chest is generally an area chosen by men more so than women, and given the proximity to the heart, it’s the perfect place for a tattoo that holds a lot of meaning for the person getting it.
It’s similar to the way a footballer’s badge would be displayed, their team’s crest is sacred to them, and so should the tattoo be to you.
Also, the chest is the perfect place for you to consider a heart tattoo design.
It also allows for larger designs to be chosen, as opposed to the smaller areas on your wrist and ankle.
Places to Avoid for Your First Tattoo
Generally speaking, the biggest concern for someone getting their first tattoo is the level of pain they expect.
Obviously, getting a tattoo isn’t like a unicorn licking rainbows on your skin, the process can be painful and lengthy, depending on the location and the length of time that you sit in the chair.
Also, one factor which is hard to measure is your own level of tolerance for pain. If you’re one to scream when getting a vaccination, then you may want to stick with the list above.
Here are some of the areas that you should avoid if you’re worried about pain:
- The rib cage is extremely sensitive
- Fingers have little cushioning between the skin and the bone, so are quite painful during the tattoo process
- Elbows also lack enough ‘meat’ to create a cushion, so you’ll feel the tattoo needles right down to the bone
- The ankle is not an ideal place for your first tattoo, with the skin sitting so close to the bone, as well as all the weird ways you have to keep bending your foot in order to get the perfect tattoo
Choosing an area for your first tattoo though, shouldn’t be made on the level of pain that you wish to avoid, but rather, on the perfect placement for the design you’ve chosen.
You’ll really want to chat to your tattoo artist about the designs that you have in mind, and where he thinks the tattoo will be showcased best.
Heading Out for Your First Tattoo
Now that you know the best spot for a first tattoo, you should take your time in finding the right artist to do the application for you.
Look out for professional studios that have the right sanitation and disinfection procedures in place, the last thing you want to end up with is an infection.
Also, never make your decision based on price, like the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Rather budget more for your first tattoo, and get exactly what you’re hoping for.
Contact us if you have more questions about the process, or would like to schedule that session for your first tattoo.
To learn more, contact us here.