Hand and Finger Tattoos: 5 Key Considerations

Finger and Hand Tattoos: 5 Key Considerations

Hand and finger tattoos are quickly becoming some of the most requested tattoos. Whilst they are bold and beautiful, they come with unique challenges. Before committing to this highly visible placement, consider these key factors to ensure your tattoo stays put for years to come.

1. Prepare For and Consider External Opinions  

Let’s get the most obvious consideration out of the way first – job prospects and first impressions.

Whilst tattoos are becoming more accepted in society, discrimination still happens. Be prepared to face judgement for simply making the decision to express yourself, especially in the workplace and by family members.

Traditionally hand tattoos were not completed until the client had a full arm sleeve, so that they understood the commitment to living an ‘unconventional’ lifestyle and the potential judgement that came with it.

A hand tattoo was simply the next step in that journey, and the biggest, as it’s arguably the most difficult placement to conceal from others.

Whilst we all hope that one day we can express ourselves freely without judgement, it’s still necessary to be respectful of a workplace’s policies and understand that there might be kickback should you decide to pursue a job where tattoos are not allowed to be on show.

2. Choose the Correct Artist

The skin on the hands is incredibly thin. There’s a delicate balance between ensuring that the needle doesn’t penetrate too deeply and depositing enough ink that the tattoo will stay.

As with any tattoo, it’s important to see if the artist you’ve chosen has any existing hand tattoos in their portfolio – even better if they’re healed and in the style you’re after.

Listen to any suggestions or concerns that the artist may have about the design of the tattoo too. It always comes from a place of wanting the best outcome and longevity for the piece.

3. A Stricter Healing Process

We use our hands for just about every task in life, cleaning, eating, washing, touching, etc. so it’s not surprising that they can be the most difficult to heal. This constant movement creates friction, which can irritate a healing tattoo and can lead to uneven healing, drop out or, in worst cases, infection.

The other concern with hand and finger tattoos is hand washing. You’ll want to keep the tattoo dry but also maintain clean hands. The best way to do this is to not get your hands dirty so that they don’t require constant washing. This can be a difficult task if you’re used to using your hands a lot, so it’s recommended that you get tattooed in this area when you know you won’t need to use your hands as much for a few days to a week.

Tattoos are a lifetime commitment so it’s worth choosing the right time, to ensure that such a highly visible piece of art is going heal well and look good for years to come.

4. Healing and Fading

Once healed, exposure to the elements can cause hand tattoos to fade considerably more than other areas of the body. Frequent hand washing, prolonged sun exposure and regular contact with abrasives and dirt are some of the biggest culprits for fading hand and finger tattoos. Consider what jobs or hobbies you have as to whether this placement will suit you and your lifestyle.

Additionally, the closer the tattoo is the edge of the hand or down the sides of the fingers, the more likely it is to drop out. This makes finger tattoos some of the most difficult tattoos to maintain due to their high dropout rate. Everyone’s skin is different too, so as much as your daily life affects the healing, so too does the type of skin you have.

5. Touch Ups

This placement may need touch ups more frequently than other types of tattoos, especially for finger tattoos as they are the most prone to drop outs, with the sides of the finger being most common.

There might also be places on the fingers or hand that struggle to retain the ink more than other areas no matter how many touch ups you get.

Each artist handles touch ups differently so check with your artist what their policies are before booking to ensure you know what to expect going forward.

With all considerations, hand and finger tattoos can be a stunning way to accentuate the body, and we hope that this information can serve as a way to navigate the unique challenges that come with this placement.

Remember to take your time, research thoroughly, make an informed decision and wear the final result with pride.