Parts Of The Body That First Time Tattoo Patients Should Avoid

Unlike in the past, when getting a tattoo was a big deal and also a kind of social taboo, tattoos have become quite acceptable. And for this reason, many people — especially young adults — have become more open-minded toward body art. According to Statista, getting a tattoo has gained a lot of popularity over the last decade, so much so that as of 2019, more than a quarter of Americans had at least one tattoo on their bodies. Most people get their first tattoos in their 20s, but some even get them in their 50s.

If you are planning to get a tattoo, there are certain things that you must bear in mind. First, don't decide on a whim that you would like to get inked. In most cases, your tattoo will be your lifelong commitment to a piece of art. Therefore, think carefully before walking into a tattoo studio (via Byrdie).

As Byrdie further suggests, always choose a reliable tattoo artist who is not only skilled but also maintains high standards of hygiene in their studio. And if you are getting a tattoo for the first time, you might want to avoid certain body parts, because the pain involved might not be worth it.

If you have already made up your mind about getting inked, you must be prepared to experience some level of pain. This is because your tattoo artist will use a machine to repeatedly pierce the topmost layer of your skin with a sharp, ink-drenched needle. However, different people have different pain thresholds, so their experiences could vastly differ from each other (via Healthline). Per the website, while there is no scientific evidence as to which body parts will experience more pain when getting tattooed, anecdotal information suggests that locations with fat deposits, fewer nerve endings, and thickest skin would hurt the least.

That said, you might want to avoid getting a tattoo on your armpits, as you might experience a lot of pain in this particular location. In fact, most tattoo artists advise people against getting their armpits tattooed. Likewise, as Healthline explains, avoid getting a tattoo on your rib cage, as there is less fat in this area and the skin covering it is also generally thinner, as compared to many other body parts.

If you are getting your first tattoo, avoid getting one on your ankles or shins, because of the thin skin there. Per Healthline, getting a tattoo on your nipples, breasts, hips, and groin could also be very painful because of the large number of nerve endings there, making these body parts very sensitive. You might also want to avoid getting inked on the stomach, neck, and spine, because they are considered to be the most painful tattoo spots.

If you are planning to get your first tattoo, your shoulders and calves could be good locations. This is because there are fewer nerve endings on both these body parts. Calves also have more cushion, as compared to the bony areas (via Tattoo).

It might sound strange, but getting a tattoo on your ear cartilage could also be a good idea if you are getting inked for the first time. As the Tattoo website explains, getting inked on this location is not only trendy, but you will probably experience much less pain than many other traditional spots. Some people, however, have reported feeling dizzy or experiencing headaches while getting an ear cartilage tattoo, so don't forget to talk to your tattooist beforehand.