Do Foot Tattoos 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, body art designs for girls have also seen a lot of innovation and evolution in recent times. From wrist tattoos to designs for the lower back, inking is 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 'do foot tattoos hurt?' Let us do a reality check here with regards to this concern.

Inking 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, getting a inked on any body part does hurt. However, the degree of pain that an individual experiences varies and it depends upon one's pain tolerance.

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 inked. That would give him an idea of how much pain can he tolerate.

Nevertheless if a beginner still wants to get a tattoo done on foot, he/she could go for smaller designs, like butterflies, stars, flowers, or dragons. For those of you who have already got a tattoo done earlier, it would be easier to gauge the pain and hence decide on the size of the design.

In case the pain becomes too much to bear, one can ask the tattoo artist to stop, and 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 inking process proceed smoothly.

Some have reported that their foot tattoos faded in some time. However, there are those that show off theirs proudly years after they got them done. One of the reasons why these tattoos fade is the excessive wearing of socks and shoes. Also, 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 it 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 artist you are considering. In case they say that the tattoo has faded, it means that the 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 inked 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 designs of stars, butterflies to small flowers. However, the ones for guys would be more masculine, say a small skull. Be it foot body art for men or women, choices are quite many. If you can bear the pain, go for large 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 these tattoos hurt or fade, there is no denying their beauty. Do your research well, and find a good tattoo artist and a suitable design before you go for this beautiful ornamentation that is going to add to the beauty of your feet for years to come.