advice when getting a finger tattoo

[Rpacheco]

Here is a pic of one of my fingers. This is over 5 months old and will not fade. I did the work on my hand myself.

The skin on the top of the hand is called the Dorsum. The skin on the bottom, Palmal. Where the two types of skin meet there is a distinct junction. In this picture you will notice that the line is above the area where the dorsum and palmal meet. This area is where any tattoo must be placed in order to remain intact and not fade. It is important that you find an artist that has done many hand and finger tattoos. Another important factor is that the artist must use a small needle grouping, between 1 and 3. Any larger (like the 'love' tattoo, above) and the ink has a greater chance of falling out.

Another factor to consider is healing. The healing process is crucial and one should move the finger (or hand) as little as possible during healing. Flexing the digit will cause the ink to ghost and fall out because the cell structure of the hand is adapted more for pliability and because of the nature of the hand to shed dead skin (over simplified). The ink needs to settle inside the skin that has just been traumatized, in order to heal correctly. Flexing the skin ensures that the body will consider the tattoo as a cut and will attempt to remedy the injury by restricting blood flow to that area so that the skin dies and is shed, to be replace by new skin.

The artist needs to both be gentle and forceful, in the sense that he/she needs to tattoo with intent and purpose, keeping needle depth consistent is a must.

Good hand/finger tattoos hurt like hell. If it doesn't hurt, chances are it will fall out.

My 2 ¢

I learn something new everyday.

[dougal]

Thanks for the advice. I shall remember this for next time. X

[brother10]

aye, the best post i've read on here in sometime Mr. Rpacheco. Thank you

[oi_ink]

Very informative , i have done a fair few finger tattoos and i always keep them placed as high as possible .I still seem to find only about 50% of them stay in well, i will have to use a smaller needle grouping next time and see if that helps, obviously it's very difficult to insure the customer looks after them well!

[easy]

Originally Posted by Rpacheco

Here is a pic of one of my fingers. This is over 5 months old and will not fade. I did the work on my hand myself.

The skin on the top of the hand is called the Dorsum. The skin on the bottom, Palmal. Where the two types of skin meet there is a distinct junction. In this picture you will notice that the line is above the area where the dorsum and palmal meet. This area is where any tattoo must be placed in order to remain intact and not fade. It is important that you find an artist that has done many hand and finger tattoos. Another important factor is that the artist must use a small needle grouping, between 1 and 3. Any larger (like the 'love' tattoo, above) and the ink has a greater chance of falling out.

Another factor to consider is healing. The healing process is crucial and one should move the finger (or hand) as little as possible during healing. Flexing the digit will cause the ink to ghost and fall out because the cell structure of the hand is adapted more for pliability and because of the nature of the hand to shed dead skin (over simplified). The ink needs to settle inside the skin that has just been traumatized, in order to heal correctly. Flexing the skin ensures that the body will consider the tattoo as a cut and will attempt to remedy the injury by restricting blood flow to that area so that the skin dies and is shed, to be replace by new skin.

The artist needs to both be gentle and forceful, in the sense that he/she needs to tattoo with intent and purpose, keeping needle depth consistent is a must.

Good hand/finger tattoos hurt like hell. If it doesn't hurt, chances are it will fall out.

My 2 ¢

Fucking spot on!

[Rpacheco]

[dougal]

I think I may be a little on love with rpacheco for giving us one of the most sensible answers ever. And not in a patronizing way either. Xx

[Rpacheco]

[tattyt]

i have just got my little finger done on the out side[down to wrist as a continuation]

the advise given for initial care 'personnally'think should be carried through, ie- no hot water protection when washing up detergents mess with the ink.

that is my opinion if theres a professional who would like to advise different i dont mind