Anywhere on your body that has a little more muscle would be the best spot for the first tattoo. Generally speaking, an area will feel less uncomfortable the more body fat there is in that location. Therefore, some good spots to target are your calf, bum, bicep, and thigh.
Some classic spots are behind the ear, sternum, and joint areas such as the wrist, ankle, and hip." Her personal favorite spots for smaller tattoos that flow well are "anywhere on the arms, the side of the neck, the top of the foot, the upper butt bordering the hip, above the knee, and upper hamstrings."
Tiny tattoos are a popular first choice as well. Whether it's hearts, stars, or zodiac symbols, fine line techniques are ideal for a first tattoo because of their delicate design and barely-there size. Another memorable first tattoo choice is a word or mantra that defines who you are.
The least painful places for a woman to get a tattoo are areas with less nerve endings and thicker skin like the outside of your shoulders or the outside of your upper thighs.
However, there are certain areas where tattoo pain is more intense for females than males and vice versa. Tattoo pain for females is often more intense in the breast and stomach regions than it is for males. However, tattoos done on the back, hip or groin area rank higher on the pain scale for males than for females.
A closer look at the US data shows that 39% got their first tattoo between 15 and 19, and one in four went under the needle after they turned 30. A survey from Remember a Charity also found that 5% got their first tattoo after turning 60.
Don't panic. While this might be your first tattoo and you're understandably nervous, it's important to remember your tattoo artist has done this countless times. "Trust in your tattooer because they're doing this every day," Lori says.
For those worried about pain, Lavriv says tattoo newbies should start small. "I always recommend getting a smaller piece — under an hour — as a first tattoo," she says. "Tattoo pain is a very subjective thing and while it can feel like not a big deal to some people, it can be excruciating for others.
Butterflies are the most popular tattoos in the USA
Again, whether you opt for a large or small design, with vibrant colors or intense shading, flower tattoos are extremely versatile.
Tattoos are a super popular art form and they're known for being permanent but if you're not satisfied with your ink you have a few options. Touch-ups, cover-up designs, and laser removal are some possible ways to deal with a tattoo you no longer want. However, every tattoo must be approached on a case-by-case basis.
Do clients ever cry while getting their tattoo? Stephan Hipwell, tattoo artist and owner of Goodbye Horses, told Insider that it's not unheard of for clients to shed a tear or two while being inked. "Not many clients cry, but it does happen," Hipwell said. "[Tattoos] can be very painful, so a little crying is OK."
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
Some lettering may need to be enlarged so they can be legible over time. And if you're hoping for it to be on the smaller side because you think it'll be easy to start with, "that's totally fine, but the tattoo is not going to hurt any less," Garner says. "The size of the tattoo isn't going to decrease the pain.
Ankle tattoos are perhaps the most popular designs for first times and based on the many tasteful and subtle examples out there—we can tell why many tattoo virgins go for the ankle.
Unlike outlining, shading isn't necessary for every tattoo. Color and shading simply provide more dimension than line work. Contrary to what you might expect, many people report that the shading hurts significantly less than the outlining of the tattoo.