Foot Tattoos - Do they Hurt?

Tattooing is an ancient practice that has cultural and religious relevance. However, in recent years it has grown into a popular form of artwork in which a human being lends his body into the deft hands of a tattoo artist, who gives life to his creativity using colorful ink. Although tattoos have been more popularly worn by men, tattoo designs for girls have also seen a lot of innovation and evolution in recent times. From wrist tattoos to tattoo designs for lower back, tattoos are being done on almost every part of the body. Of the various types, foot tattoos are becoming a rage. However, the most pertinent question to deal with here, is 'foot tattoos - do they hurt?' Let's do a reality check in this article with regards to this concern.

Do Foot Tattoos Hurt?
What is tattooing? Well, it is the process by which a tattoo artist makes designs on the skin by filling ink into it. He does this by making punctures in the skin using needles. Needles, did we say? Then it should hurt! Well, in fact getting a tattoo done, be it one on any body part does hurt. However, the degree of pain that an individual experiences, is relative. It depends upon one's pain tolerance. However, it is a fact that places on the body that do not have enough muscles or fat tissues hurt more. By this criterion, foot tattoos do hurt more than those done on the upper back and upper arms. Some of the places other than the foot that are likely to hurt are:

• Ribs
• Chest
• Scalp
• Near the ear
• Near the spine
• Back of the hand and wrist
• Near the knee
• Lower back

The areas that are less likely to hurt are:

• Upper arms
• Forearms
• Neck (depends)
• Side of the stomach
• Calf

Well it's true that the pain while getting a tattoo done is relative. However, a first timer, should consider any place other than the foot for getting a tattoo design done. That would give him an idea of how much pain can he tolerate. Nevertheless if a beginner still wants to get a foot tattoo done, he could go for smaller designs like a butterfly tattoo designs or a star (which are popular designs for foot tattoos for ladies) rather than an elaborate flower tattoo design or a design of a dragon. For those who have already got a tattoo done earlier, it would be easier to gauge foot tattoos pain and hence decide on the size of the (foot tattoos) design.

In case the pain becomes too much to bear, one can ask the tattoo artist to stop. One can eat or drink during the break. It is important to keep oneself hydrated throughout the process and also during the healing period, as this hastens the healing process and also helps in making the tattooing process proceed smoothly.

Do Foot Tattoos Fade?
Some have reported that their foot tattoos faded in some time. However, there are those that show off their foot tattoos proudly years after they got one done. One of the reasons why foot tattoos fade is due to excessive wearing of socks and shoes. The skin on the foot is usually thin. However, whether the ink will fade or not, depends upon how thick the skin is and if your skin will hold the ink for long. Whether it is thick or thin, always insist on a strong ink. For this, talk to people who have got foot tattoos done by the tattoo artist you are considering. In case they say that the tattoo has faded, it means that the tattoo artist uses a weak ink. Also proper tattoo care soon after it is done also goes a long way in maintaining the ink of the design. Avoid too much exposure to sun and wearing shoes or socks that cover the tattooed area during the first few days after the tattoo is done. Ensure that the foot is cleaned properly and that it is moisturized sufficiently during the healing process.

Foot tattoos for females can range from tattoos of stars, butterflies to small flowers. However, foot tattoos for guys would be more masculine, say a small skull. Be it foot tattoos for men or women, choices are quite many. Like I already, said if you can bear the pain, go for large foot tattoos designs. In case you are not confident of your pain tolerance level, stick to the smaller ones.

Well, if you were eager to know whether foot tattoos hurt, you must have realized that there is no clear cut 'yes or no' answer to it. It depends upon the person's ability to bear and define pain. However, whether foot tattoos hurt or fade, there is no denying the beauty of these designs. Do your research well. Find a good tattoo artist and a suitable foot tattoo design before you go for this beautiful ornamentation that is going to add to the beauty of your feet, for years to come.