To prepare for your upcoming tattoo, here are some tips about each spot that can typically affect the tattoo and aftercare processes as well as the general life or longevity of the tattoo itself.
front and inside of body
Head - Thicker skin, prone to swelling and bleeding. Slower to tattoo.
Face - Tattoos in this area are prone to spreading and fading over time.
Permanent Makeup - Slower to tattoo, these areas are typically prone to fading over time.
Ear - Prone to blowouts, the area in and around the ear has an odd shape and doesn't allow much room to work.
Neck - The skin in this area is very stretchy in multiple directions, is prone to swelling, has multiple curves making it difficult to place a stencil and tattoo, and is also slower to tattoo.
Collarbone - This area has multiple opposing curves and can be difficult to place a stencil and tattoo.
Shoulders - Prone to bleeding and blowouts, the skin here is stretchy in multiple directions and tends to swell easily.
Inner Bicep - Sometimes slower to tattoo due to thinner skin.
Inner Elbow - Prone to blowouts and minor swelling from the soft stretchy skin, this area is difficult to heal.
Inner Forearm - In some instances the curves in this area can make for a difficult stencil placement.
Wrist - Ink in the lower inside wrist has a tendency to spread over time due to repeated movement in the area.
Palm of Hand - The thicker, tougher skin in this area has a tendency to push ink out and is very difficult to heal.
Chest - The multiple curves and odd shape of this area can make some stencils and tattoos slower.
Sternum - The skin in this boney area can by tighter which can lead to blowouts and is typically slower to tattoo.
Ribs - Much slower to tattoo typically, the ribs have stretchy skin and are prone to blowouts.
Stomach - With stretchy and softer skin, the stomach can be slower to tattoo.
Hip - Slower to tattoo typically, this area has stretchy thin skin and is prone to blowouts and spreading over time.
Groin - Difficult to heal, tattoos around the groin are slower to tattoo.
Thigh - The inside of the thigh can be soft and stretchy, and blowouts are common.
Knee - Difficult to heal, the skin on the knee is tougher and takes heavier wear than most areas.
Calve - Tighter skin can lead to blowouts.
Ankle - Oddly Shaped and with multiple curves, the ankle is boney and can be difficult to heal.
Top of Foot - Difficult to heal, the foot takes heavy wear and is difficult to place stencils due to the odd shape.
back and outside of body
Head - Thicker skin, prone to swelling and at times bleeding, this area is slower to tattoo.
Behind Ears - The workspace in this area is very small, making it slower to tattoo. Can be difficult to heal due to proximity with hair.
Neck - The skin in this area is very stretchy in multiple directions, is prone to swelling, has multiple curves making it difficult to place a stencil and tattoo, and is also slower to tattoo. Shoulders - Prone to bleeding and blowouts, the skin here is stretchy in multiple directions and tends to swell easily.
Outer Bicep - Sometimes slower to tattoo due to thinner skin.
Elbow - Difficult to heal, the skin on the elbow is tougher and takes heavier wear than most areas.
Outer Forearm - In some instances the curves in this area can make for a difficult stencil placement.
Top of Hand - The tougher skin in this area tends to push ink out, is prone to blowouts and is difficult to heal.
Back - This area typically has stretchy skin with multiple curves, including the boney spine.
Ribs - Much slower to tattoo typically, the ribs have stretchy skin and are prone to blowouts. Lower Back - The skin is this area is very stretchy and much slower to tattoo typically.
Hip - Slower to tattoo typically, this area has stretchy thin skin and is prone to blowouts and spreading over time.
Butt - Difficult to heal, this area has stretchy skin and is slower to tattoo.
Thigh - The inside of the thigh can be soft and stretchy, and blowouts are common. Behind Knee - Prone to blowouts and swelling from the soft stretchy skin, this area is difficult to heal.
Calve - Tighter skin can lead to blowouts.
Ankle - Oddly Shaped and with multiple curves, the ankle is boney and can be difficult to heal.
Bottom of Foot - The thicker, tougher skin in this area has a tendency to push ink out and is very difficult to heal.