5 Things To Consider For Your Tattoo Placement
The tattoo.
Once a sign of deviance, having one or more of them has become increasingly popular over the years. Nearly 40% of Americans aged 18-39 have at least one tattoo and the number is growing.
In fact, the tattoo industry is the 6th fastest-growing industry in the United States. On average, there’s one new tattoo studio opened in the country every single day.
Has the urge to get inked affected you? Maybe you’re considering your first piece, or maybe you’re thinking of adding a new one to your personal canvas. Either way, tattoo placement is a thing to consider — tattoo regret is real.
So, where’s the best spot for a new tattoo? Read on for five top tips for tattoo placement.
1. Tattoo Placement: Think Spacing
If you already know what you want as a tattoo, this can go a long way to figuring out where to put it.
Small tattoo placement can be easier on the one hand because they can go just about anywhere. On the other hand, more options might make it harder to decide.
It usually makes the most sense to put a small tattoo on a smaller part of the body to avoid making it look out of place. Your wrist, ankle, foot, or behind the ear are good bets.
Placing a small tattoo in this way also avoids taking up a large space when you might want to use it for a bigger one later.
For larger tattoo placement, your options are more limited, but this can also make it easier to choose. If you’re thinking of a big piece, your back, thighs, calves, or shoulder are the best candidates.
2. Fit the Art to the Canvas
The shape of the tattoo itself can help you determine where to put it. Does your plan take up round or rectangular space? Is it oblong? Do you want it to be vertical or horizontal?
Longer, thinner pieces, including vertical or horizontal text, work well going down your back or leg or along your forearm. Alternatively, if you want to make a band out of them, they could wrap around any part of your leg or arm.
Round pieces work well on the chest, the back, or the outside of the shoulder.
When you’ve settled on a tattoo idea, start visualizing the way it will take up various spaces on your body. Look for body parts with a similar shape to the tattoo.
3. Who’s It For?
A big consideration in picking a spot should be your intended audience. Do you want to be able to see it? Do you want strangers to be able to see it?
If you’ve got an idea for a tattoo that has a lot of deep, personal relevance to you, chances are you’re going to want to be able to see it.
In this case, pick a spot on the front of your body – places that you can see in the mirror or simply by looking at yourself. Your arms, chest, legs, or stomach are good spots for this. Avoid the back of the body — you might forget you even have the tattoo there from time to time!
Another thing to consider is how much you want others to be able to see your ink.
While acceptance of tattoos in the workplace is on the rise, there is still a stigma around them. In fact, no state in the US has laws preventing discrimination based on tattoos and many employers still find them unacceptable.
If you’re concerned about the impact of your tattoos on your employability, you’ll want to avoid places you can’t hide them. In this case, your face, neck, and hands are probably a no-go.
4. Consider The Pain Factor
Some people who get inked find the pain to be invigorating. Others see it as a necessary evil. Whatever your feelings toward masochism are, it can be helpful to be aware of the pain factor when considering tattoo placement.
Different parts of the body can be more or less sensitive under the needle. Generally speaking, bonier parts of the body are more painful than fleshier ones.
The Most Painful Spots
If you’re trying to minimize the pain of your tattoo, avoid these bony/thin-skinned spots:
- Ribs
- Spine
- Collarbone
- Wrist/Ankle
- Finger
- Sternum
- Feet/Hands
- Inside of the upper arm
Middle of the Road
These areas aren’t painless, but are usually more comfortable than the ones listed above:
- Stomach
- Back
- Chest
- Neck
- Feet
The Least Painful Spots
If you’re really scared of the pain, these are going to be your best choices:
- Forearms
- Calves (except behind the knee or on the shinbone)
- Thighs
- Outside of the upper arm
- Shoulder
5. Will It Move and Age Well?
One last thing to consider when deciding where to get your tattoo is what the skin will do over time. In this regard, considerations around tattoo placement for women can be different than for men.
tattoo placement
Your body is a moving canvas. You’ll want to consider how the tattoo will move with it. For example, your forearm skin sits differently depending on how your wrist is rotated. Which way do you want to be the default? Does the piece look good in any position?
Another thing to think about is how the skin might change. If you gain weight, a stomach tattoo might not look so hot anymore. Women who might become pregnant will probably want to avoid stomach tattoos.
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve settled on an idea and a location, make sure to get your work done with a reputable artist. A good one can help you make final decisions about your tattoo placement.
Check out our blog for other tattoo tips!
9 Spectacular Meaningful Tattoo Ideas to Celebrate a Baby
Congratulations, you have a new baby. The perfect way to outwardly show your eternal love for your child is a tattoo. Checkout our meaningful tattoo ideas now.
Are you a new parent wanting to celebrate the birth of your child a little differently? Have you been thinking up ways to show the world your eternal love and adoration for your baby?
Well, firstly congratulations on your new baby! Secondly, have you been thinking of a meaningful tattoo idea?
Before you begin selecting get a good idea of where you’d want the placement to be, and what kind of style you’re looking for. This will help narrow down your options to find the perfect meaningful tattoo for you.
Decide if there are a few fonts that you really like, and whether or not your tattoo will be in color. This will save you tons of time trying to select more options within your options!
Are you ready to get into some options for a meaningful baby tattoo? Keep reading on for some unique and some tried and true tattoo ideas to show your love permanently.
1. Their Birthday
Probably the most seen baby tattoo ideas that people get is their baby’s birth date.
You can put your own spin on it by going with different fonts, abbreviating the date, or just going with Roman numerals. The choices and possibilities are endless with how you want it to look.
2. Longitude & Latitude Coordinates
A bit of a unique spin on tattoo idea, using longitude and latitude coordinates are another meaningful way to show your love.
This is a good one especially if you’re family moves around and you may not have children in the same location. It also works if they are all born in the same place and have ‘one for all’ type of tattoo.
Some people choose the coordinates of the hospital, their home addresses, or the city/town in general where they live. You can get creative with this one but just remember to make sure it’s accurate!
3. Foot or Fingerprint Tattoo
A classic commemorative example is footprint and fingerprint tattoos. People have different spins on how they do this.
For example, you can get the prints done in the shape of a heart, or just have the print on its own without a pattern or design to them. It’s, of course, your choice to make.
You should research and contact a good tattoo artist first to ask them for what you need to do to get your baby footprint tattoo ideas in ink. Some artists might have their preferred methods of doing these and it’s worth the ask ahead of time.
4. Their Birthstone
If you’re a fan of colored tattoos getting your baby’s birthstone is also on our list of unique tattoo ideas. For this one, you can opt for a round gemstone type tattoo, or even go for a little stalagmite colored in with the right color.
In the event you decide to have more children, you can add on another stalagmite and have a little stalagmite family going!
5. Their Zodiac Constellation
Some people get their child’s zodiac sign, but what about something more unique like the zodiac constellation?
When your baby is born, there is a specific zodiac star pattern in the sky for a certain amount of time. This is how people get their zodiac signs.
A great tattoo idea can be mimicking what the sky showed the night your baby was born with a couple line segments that marked their birth into the world.
6. Their Initials
Baby name tattoo ideas top the list of common tattoos, but have you considered just doing initials?
If you’re looking to get something a little smaller, your baby’s initial can be a great option for you. Similar to the birth date tattoo, you have the option of a large variety of fonts and styles to choose from for this tattoo.
7. Heartbeat
Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time can be one of the first most emotional and heartwarming experiences of parenthood. Did you know you can capture it?
During your baby’s sonogram, the doctor listened to and recorded your baby’s heart rhythm. You can ask your doctor for a copy and take it to your tattoo artist to have them copy it onto your skin.
This is definitely a unique way to show your eternal love, and also having a memory of when you heard their heartbeat the first time with you forever.
8. A Flower
Another option that people go for is getting a flower.
Typically, parents will pick a flower that represents their child or something one that they favor, and tattoo it on themselves. If you end up having more children, you can turn your one flower into a lovely family bouquet.
The options of tattoo ideas for flowers are endless and you can easily swap for a colorless option if you’d like as well.
9. A Heart
Last but not least, we’re ending off our list with one of the classic baby tattoo ideas; a heart.
Don’t be shy to get a little creative with this one. Options you can look at are having their name or initials inside the heart or part of outline, you could put their birthdate, or just simply an outline without any colour.
Tattoo Ideas To Celebrate
When it comes to tattoos like these, make sure the one you pick is something meaningful to you. Take your time in making a decision and take all aspects of the design into consideration. Decide what colours, shapes, and styles you like best before heading to a tattoo shop.
Once you’ve decided on what you’d like to go with, or if you need a little help in deciding what would look best, contact your local tattoo shop to book an appointment.
Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more informative tattoo content!
Some Pain, All Gain: Is Tattoo Numbing Cream Worth It and Does it Work?
When you’re getting a tattoo it’s natural to be scared of the pain, but chances are it’ll be okay. Learn about tattoo numbing cream and why you don’t need it.
Getting a tattoo hurts. There’s no sugarcoating it.
If you want a tattoo, you’ll have to accept that the process will be uncomfortable.
Depending on who you talk to, you’ll get different opinions on the pain. Some people will say the pain isn’t bad, while others may describe it as the worse pain they ever experienced. This is because everyone handles pain differently.
However, there are plenty of people looking for pain-free ways to get a tattoo. One of these methods growing in popularity is tattoo numbing cream.
Some people swear it works. Others will tell you it’s a waste of time and money.
If you’re considering tattoo numbing cream for your next tattoo, you might want to think again. Find out numbing creams are worth your time and money.
What is Tattoo Numbing Cream?
In a nutshell, tattoo numbing cream is a topical cream that numbs the area of skin where it’s applied. There are different types of numbing creams with different levels of potency to make getting a tattoo less painful.
The mildest and safest of the numbing creams are “nerve deadeners.” Don’t worry, they won’t cause any damage. A common ingredient is lidocaine, which dulls discomfort on the surface of the skin.
Since this type of numbing cream doesn’t sink below the surface of the skin, it isn’t very effective for a tattoo. Most people will often mix it with other creams.
The more potent numbing creams are “nerve blockers.” Common active ingredients include tetracaine and benzocaine. They work by preventing pain signals from reaching your brain.
However, your nerves will still register pain. Even though the medication blocks the pain signals from your brain, you can still feel some discomfort. People will often mix a nerve deadener like lidocaine with a nerve blocker.
The most effective creams are “vasoconstrictors,” such as epinephrine. They constrict your blood vessels causing less bleeding and less swelling.
To make this type of numbing cream last longer, people will mix vasoconstrictors with nerve blockers or nerve deadeners. The only problem with this cream is it may affect the healing process of your tattoo.
Despite these options, there is much disagreement on whether tattoo numbing creams work.
Why People Don’t Like Tattoo Numbing Creams
Your tattoo artist probably does not like tattoo numbing creams and may refuse using them.
The main reason is tattoo numbing creams can mess up your tattoo. The cream makes your skin slippery causing the tattoo process to become more difficult. Numbing creams used after can also affect how the tattoo heals.
Many tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts believe the pain of a tattoo is a right of passage. The pain and irritation will make the tattoo more meaningful.
Others have experience with tattoo numbing and will tell you they just don’t work. Even if the numbing cream works in the beginning, they rarely last for the whole tattoo process.
Is it possible they used weaker numbing creams? Sure, it’s possible. But in most cases, the numbing creams won’t work as well as you hoped.
FDA Warnings
The FDA disapproves of tattoo numbing creams. The primary reason is doctors and other medical specialists should use and apply numbing creams. They know how to choose the right type of numbing cream and how to apply it.
The next issue the FDA has with numbing creams are the side-effects. There’s a risk you may experience an allergic reaction.
Leaving a numbing cream on for too long, using too much, or using the cream on damaged skin can cause the cream to enter your bloodstream. In severe cases, this can cause seizures, difficulty breathing, and comas.
If you must use a numbing cream, use only those approved by the FDA or recommended by a medical professional. Otherwise, skip them for your next tattoo.
Minimize Tattoo Pain Without Numbing Creams
Don’t worry, you can still lower the pain without resorting to tattoo numbing creams. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to tolerate the pain better than you thought.
Tip 1: Drink Plenty of Water
Before your next tattoo session, drink plenty of water. Good hydration helps with ink absorption and the healing process. Staying hydrated will also lower your chances of getting dizzy or passing out.
Tip 2: Avoid Caffeine
Unfortunately, drinking caffeine, whether it be a coffee, tea, or soda can leave you dehydrated. If possible, don’t drink any caffeine on the day of your tattoo appointment.
Tip 3: Avoid Alcohol
If you think drinking a few shots before you get your tattoo will help, think again. Alcohol causes your blood to thin which makes you bleed more during the process and affect how your skin absorbs the ink.
You also don’t want to wake up to a surprise tattoo after a long night of partying.
Tip 4: Eat a Good Meal
You don’t have to eat right before your appointment, but you’ll want a healthy meal sometime before. A healthy meal will keep your blood sugar up and help prevent you from passing out.
Tip 5: Avoid Pain Relievers
Taking pain relievers before you get your tattoo can cause blood thinning and more bleeding. If you must, wait until after you get your tattoo. Talk with your tattoo artist to find out how long to wait and what pain relievers they recommend.
Tip 6: Pick a Less Painful Area
Tattoos hurt less in some areas of your body and hurt more in other parts. When getting your first tattoo, pick a place that’s less painful such as:
-
- Shoulder
- Butt
- Arms
- Calves
- Thighs (but not the inside)
- Other fleshy or muscular areas
The more painful areas include:
-
- Wrists
- Ribs
- Knees
- Ankles
- Neck
- Other bony or areas with sensitive skin
Tip 7: Find Distractions
Often easier said than done but staying distracted will help keep your mind off the pain. Many tattoo artists are happy to talk with you to keep you distracted. In some cases, bring a book or your phone to keep your mind busy.
Ready for a Tattoo?
The pain you feel during a tattoo is only temporary. After a while, it becomes more of an annoying ache than sharp pain. If you want a quality tattoo with minimal side-effects, skip the tattoo numbing cream on your next tattoo.
Have a design in mind for your next tattoo? Let’s chat. We’ll help you find a great design and get you scheduled for your next or first tattoo.
15 of the Worst Cliche Tattoos That You Should Avoid Getting
15 of the Worst Cliche Tattoos That You Should Avoid Getting
Tattoos are a way of showing your creative self-expression, except when you decide to get a lame cliche tattoo. Here are 15 of the worst cliche tattoos to avoid.
Tattoos can be a beautiful and creative way to express yourself or commemorate something special. Tattoos can also be a permanent bad decision.
Don’t fall victim to an embarrassing tattoo. Here are 15 cliche tattoos you should avoid when you’re planning to get a tattoo.
How to Know if You’re Getting One of the Many Cliche Tattoos
Cliche Tattoos
Below are the most cliche tattoos right now. Like fashion trends, every day more tattoos become a cliche. The best way to predict if that tattoo you’re planning to get will become a cliche one day is, to be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself if the design you’re getting means something significant to you that you will like for years to come, or if you’re just following a trend. Tattoo trends are harder to get rid of than fashion trends.
Here are some of the most common cliche tattoos.
1. The Infinity Sign
The infinity sign tattoo symbolizes rebirth, reincarnation and forever. Similarly, your infinity tattoo will also last forever. This tattoo is everywhere, so go for a sign that’s more unique.
2. The Chest Wings
Chest wings is a very detailed design that covers your entire chest. Sometimes people even get this on their back.
You might be tempted to get this piece because of it’s symbolic and inspiring symbolism. Or how you hope that like in nature, you tattooed wings will help you fly. In myths, wings are earned, but you only have to pay for your tattooed chest wings.
If you’re in great shape, you might feel you need this design. Sure, your chest wings look nice now. But will you still like this design when your pecks sag to man boobs or when your back is hunched over?
Probably not.
If you must get wings, perhaps go for a more subtle design in an area that less likely to hunch or sag with age.
3. The Lower Back Butterfly
Lower back tattoos or “tramp stamps” are never a good idea. Luckily you can hide them with clothes, but they will make an appearance during swimsuit season.
If a lower back tattoo still sounds appealing to you, at least go for a design that isn’t as cliche as a basic butterfly.
4. A Heart on the Wrist
This tattoo is usually gotten after a break-up. Quick, relatively painless, and seemingly subtle, an outline of a heart seems like the perfect ink.
Turns out this tattoo is incredibly cliche. We’re pretty positive it’s a prerequisite to being a contestant on The Bachelor.
5. Tribal Tat
Tribal tattoos are also incredibly common, and we’re guessing most people who have these tattoos have never been in a tribe. Often this design will take up the entire arm, making it difficult to ever look classy in a short-sleeved shirt.
6. The Dandelion Birds
This tattoo of a dandelion blowing in the wind and transforming into flying birds seems to be everywhere these days. It’s meant to symbolize your fate and the fulfillment of your wishes.
The dandelion stalk symbolizes to let go of the past, so this design can also represent rebirth and resilience. Or also “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” a motto as cliche as this design.
7. “Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost”
Speaking of cliche lines, having the phrase “not all those who wander are lost” tattooed on your arm is incredibly cliche. So don’t get lost with this tattoo after wandering into your local tattoo parlor.
Try to think of a phrase that actually means something to you, and perhaps get that tattooed somewhere.
8. “Carpe Diem”
“Carpe Diem” or “seize the day,” is another cliche tattoo text to get. Instead, try seizing the day with a more original phrase.
9. Om Sign
We get it, you do yoga. You talk about it all the time, you don’t need to get the om sign on the back of your neck too. Also, don’t you want to be able to admire your tattoo without using a hand mirror?
10. Anchor
Either you have a boat, have been on a boat, or need a reminder to stay grounded. Maybe look into another way to stay grounded or show of your love for boats because an anchor tattoo is incredibly cliche.
11. “This Too Shall Pass”
Getting the phrase “this too shall pass” tattooed on your body is a great way to remind yourself that things get better. Unfortunately, your tattoo will not pass and it’s also cliche.
12. Dreamcatcher
You might be tempted to get a dreamcatcher piece on your back or neck to symbolize that nice dreams will travel through and bad dreams will be caught, and the feather at the bottom is the breath of air which is key for life.
You also can just get a dreamcatcher and hang it up in your room. Dreamcatcher tattoos tend to be big pieces, that unlike an actual dream catcher are cliche and will last forever.
13. Barred Wire
Barred wire tattoos symbolize that you are not an open book, you’re unapproachable and difficult to understand. They also likely show you got this tattoo sometime around the 90s.
These tattoos are also really cliche, so perhaps find another way to symbolize that people should leave you alone. Like not a tattoo that will for sure spark conversation.
14. Geometric animals
We’ve been seeing a lot of geometric animals lately, mainly foxes. While these designs look cool and unique now, they’re becoming a cliche and soon they will feel incredibly dated.
15. Area Code
If you might want to get your area code tattooed on you in either large block numbers on your forearm, or in subtle small numbers somewhere else on your body. You might think that this tattoo is key, to remind you where you came from.
You know you grew up, it’s in your cell number. Unless you keep forgetting your area code when you call your parents, avoid this cliche tattoo.
Get a Unique Tattoo
Don’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Your tattoo should express yourself in a unique way. Don’t be one of the many people with cliche tattoos.
Talk to a tattoo artist at the Skin Factory Tattoo shop before making your final decision. We have tattoo shops in Las Vegas, Henderson and Maui Good luck!
For more resources and insight on tattoos, check out our blog.
How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo
Getting your first tattoo is both exciting and potentially nerve racking. Here’s what you need to know before getting a tattoo and how to care for it after.
Are you ready to join the 45 million Americans who have at least one tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can be a fun, memorable experience, but it can also go wrong very quickly if you’re not prepared.
If you want your first tattoo experience to be a good one, read on for some tips to help you prepare for the big day.
Choosing Your First Tattoo
The first step to having a great tattoo experience is choosing a tattoo design that you absolutely love. Don’t rush yourself. Take your time researching designs and figure out exactly what you want.
Remember, this design is going to be on your body for life, so you need to make sure you won’t get sick of it.
Talk to a Tattoo Artist
If you have an idea for a tattoo but aren’t sure how to articulate it, you might want to consider sitting down with a tattoo artist for some help putting it together.
Even if you do know exactly what you want, it’s still helpful to sit down with a professional. They can provide guidance and give you their professional opinion on the design.
Find the Right Shop
Not all tattoo shops are created equal. Take your time looking for one that employs qualified artists with a good reputation.
Be sure to read online testimonials to see what people are saying about a particular shop and its artists before you go there for your first tattoo.
Think about Placement
Tattoos are big commitments, especially when you choose somewhere highly visible for your first one. Face/hand/neck tattoos definitely aren’t for everyone.
Depending on your lifestyle and the field in which you work, it might be in your best interest to get your first tattoo in a more discrete location.
Remember You Get What You Pay For
When you meet with an artist and have your tattoo drawn up, they should give you an estimate of what it will cost.
Tattoos are expensive, and, when you hear a high number, it can be tempting to try and find someone who will do the same tattoo for less.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with tattoos. A good tattoo from a talented artist will cost more than a subpar finished product. But, it will be worth it when you have a tattoo that you want to show off.
A Few Days Before Your Appointment
There are some things you can do in the days leading up to your appointment that will help you have a better experience, including the following:
- Avoid the sun: Sunburned skin isn’t just painful, it also can affect the outcome of your tattoo
- Moisturize: Dry or uneven skin is difficult for artists to work with and can cause your tattoo to come out less clear
- Get a doctor’s note: If you have any conditions that could affect you during the tattoo process, you’ll legally need your doctor to give you the go-ahead
Remember, there’s no need to rush to get a tattoo. The wait for your sunburn to go away or for your skin to clear up will be worth it if you get a better end result.
The Day Before Your Appointment
Keep these tips in mind to set yourself up for a successful appointment:
- Avoid alcohol: High blood alcohol levels will thin the blood and lead to excessive bleeding during your appointment
- Stay hydrated: This will keep your skin moisturized and help you stay alert
- Get plenty of sleep: Being unrested might make you more fidgety, which can affect the outcome of your tattoo
Don’t forget to make sure you have enough money on hand, too. In addition to the cost of the tattoo, you may also need to pay for food, aftercare products, parking, and a tip for the artist.
The Day of Your Appointment
On the day of your appointment, make sure you’re prepared with these items:
- ID: If you look like you might be younger than 18, the shop will need to confirm your age when you arrive for your appointment
- Bag of essentials: Bring a small bag with a snack, a charged cell phone, water, and maybe a pair of headphones if you want to listen to music or a podcast during the appointment
You’ll also want to do the following to make sure you’re in a good physical state:
- Eat before your appointment: Getting a tattoo is stressful on your body, and you’ll need to keep your blood sugar up to avoid getting dizzy or nauseous, especially if you’re getting a large tattoo
- Take a shower: Clean skin is better for tattoos, and your artist will appreciate you cleaning up before the appointment
- Wear old clothing: It’s likely that some ink will get on your clothes, so you don’t want to ruin anything that’s new or expensive
- Don’t shave: You don’t want to show up with razor burn or cuts — if your skin needs to be shaved, the artist will do it
- Avoid caffeine: This will probably make you shaky or jittery, which will make things harder for the artist
Finally, take some time to check your attitude before you go to your appointment. Accept that there will be some pain. It’s unavoidable when you’re getting a tattoo.
But, if you go in with a positive attitude and believe in your ability to handle the pain, you’ll be more likely to make it through the session.
Taking Care of Your First Tattoo
In addition to preparing for your appointment, you should also be prepared to care for your first tattoo once it’s finished.
Proper aftercare is essential if you want your tattoo to last. Some things you’ll need to do after getting your tattoo include:
- Remove the bandage in a clean bathroom after two or three hours
- Once the bandage is removed, wash the tattoo immediately with warm soap and water
- Only wash your tattoo with clean hands
- Apply a healing ointment like Aquaphor to keep your tattoo moist
- Don’t panic when your tattoo starts to “weep” in the days after your appointment
If you have any healing-related issues, be sure to call the artist who gave you your tattoo. They’ll give you proper instructions for caring for the issue.
Are You Ready for Your First Tattoo?
Now that you know how to prepare for your first tattoo, it’s time to pick your design and start planning!
If you live in or around Las Vegas, Henderson, or Maui and are looking for a qualified artist contact us at Skin Factory Tattoo and Body Piercing to schedule an appointment or meet with one of our artists.
Stop by our Maui Tattoo Shop or Henderson Tattoo Shop
