Foot Tattoos: 5 Things To Think About Before You Get A Foot Tattoo
Foot tattoos seem to be all the rage right now, everyone wants one!
And while tattoos that are tasteful can look really nice and make you feel attractive, you might want to reconsider before getting one on your foot.
There are actually a number of reasons that putting your tattoo somewhere else on your body is a better idea...
1. The pain.
There is almost no muscle on your feet. In fact, it's pretty much skin on top of bone, particularly on top of your foot. Because of this, getting a foot tattoo can be extremely painful. And some people even put foot tattoos on the bottom soles of the foot. This too, is incredibly painful. So, if you are someone who does not like or cannot tolerate pain well, it's a good idea to get your tattoo somewhere other than your foot.
2. The amount of space available on your foot.
Because there is not much space on your foot, you won't be able to get a very large or a very detailed tattoo. Also, tattoos on the foot are more likely to spread and blur, so that is another reason that choosing large or detailed designs isn't such a good idea. So, if you were thinking of getting a foot tattoo that was either large or detailed, then you may want to consider getting your tattoo elsewhere on your body.
3. A foot tattoo can take from 2 to 3 weeks to fully heal.
And even then, it's not a guarantee that the skin where the tattoo is won't get infected. You have to be very careful to keep a foot tattoo clean and sterile -- which can be a drawback, especially if you work at a job that requires you to wear closed shoes.
4. Some tattoo artists won't put tattoos on feet.
Because of the 3 concerns mentioned above, as well as others, some tattoo artists will not do foot tattoos at all. They simply don't want to be responsible if someone decides they don't like the tattoo or if there are problems with infection, for example.
5. It can be difficult to hold still while getting a foot tattoo.
The foot is a very sensitive area and just like the knee -- where hitting it may sometimes elicit an uncontrolled reaction -- the same is true of the foot. Even if you are doing your best to hold still, there may be instances when the tattoo artist is doing the work that you make involuntary movements. If you make an involuntary movement and cause the art to get mucked up, it may not be able to be fixed which could mean that you are stuck with a crummy looking tattoo on your foot for many years to come.
I love the way tattoos look when they are done tastefully and by a good artist, but I would hate to start to have one done on my foot and then because of a reflex action, end up with a tattoo I didn't like.
While we all may agree that foot tattoos look really cool, I personally think there are enough disadvantages to getting them that I wouldn't get one.
- Before you get a foot tattoo, be sure to check out these videos of other people getting tattoos on their feet first!
- See how much it costs to get a tattoo.
- Wondering what it costs to get a tattoo removed?...
both of of my feet are covered with a pond scene. yes it hurt and no the colors didnt blur together. if you take care of it right and get a good tattoo artist than you have nothing to worry about. yes it is going to swell and hurt for about 3 or 4 days but it will get better. dont let people discourage you from doing what you want... all tattoos hurt no matter where you get them just some hurt way more than others. i had my feet done like two years ago and they are still bright and pretty....
tattos are cool
I got a tattoo on my foot and let me tell you it was nothing. I could of gone to sleep if I wanted to! I have two tattoos and plan on getting more; for me my pair of lips on my butt hurt worse then the cross and vines on my foot. I had no problems with it healing eithier. Don't let these samll incidents discourage you from getting something you will love for the rest of ur life!
Hey Shirley,
I don't know but if it's seeping color and or blood I'd call the tattoo place you had it done at and ask. If you don't get any satisfaction that way or it doesn't improve I'd go to the doctor to be safe. Just my two cents.
I just got my foot tattoo'd 3 days ago and the tat hurt less being inked than it does now. It feels like the most horrendous bruise and even wept blood the dy after. Then I limped for the next two days. It's not my first tattoo but my others didn't feel like this. Its still seeping color too. Anybody know if this is normal for a foot tat? And if I'm gonna haveany color left when it heals? Right now it's a really vivid stargazer pink lily, I don't want to end up with a pale Asian lily.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Princess! That helps the rest of make good choices. :-)
Regina
I have the least amount of tollerance for pain EVER. about a week ago i got a tattoo on my foot of angel wings which is quite large. shading was quite painful while the outline didnt hurt at all. i sat completely still and didnt move once. i wore runningshoes twice and have just been in flip flops. getting a foot tattoo isnt at all as bad as what you are making it seem. tattoo is almost healed and i love it!!
ahh yeaa im finally getting a tattoo and i wanted a little one on my foot but after reading this im not so sure....
i can handle some painn but not a whole lot
soo im kinda second guessing it but no one i kno has one...soo i dontt knowww
hi
i had a tattoo done on my foot and i loved it it was so relexing i was going to sleep,lol.it did take a little longer to heal but now it looks wicked and im going to have my other foot done in a couple of weeks.
i say if you have found a design your 100% on get it done.x
Yeah its completely fine i got my back done in april and mine flaked too. Tattoos heal like sunburn so when they are almost healed they will peel and flake like sunburn.
Tattoos on your foot is not that scary. I was 16 when i qot mine done and i felt nearly no pain at all.
well i had my tattoo on my foot/going up my leg and yeah it did hurt but i wouldn't tell you to have it some where else unless u wanted to, and i got mine re-done the other week and seems to be healing fine. But i'm the sort of person that would take care of it and researched be for i had it done on my foot
Thank you Nikki, for commenting and sharing your expertise.
hi i am thinking about getting a tattoo on my foot. but people have been telling me it hurts??? so now staring to get scrad.. but can you tell me if it hurts????
I have a question for you. I had a tattoo done on my foot 2 weeks ago, and at first it looked great, but now all the color is flaking off. I followed all the rules and restrictions to a T, but I don't know why it is doing this. Is this a common thing to happen?
I agree with the comment above. I just got my tattoo this weekend and yeah it does hurt, you dont have alot of room on the foot but it is TOTALY worth the pain. But I will say that if you dont have a good pain tollerence DONT get a tattoo on your foot. Your tattoo artist should tell you how to take care of the tattoo. Oh and most important if you are going to get one on the foot get it where the thongs on the flip flop wont touch it..
I am a Tattoo Artist and 1. If you want to get a tattoo and your foot and you are concerned with the pain and choose a different location on your body, It is still going to hurt and you are going to have a tattoo where you didnt want it. 2. If your tattoo artist knows what they are doing they will tell you if the design is too big or has too much detail fot the location you want it done on. 3. It is true a foot tattoo can take a bit longer to heal it also needs extra attention it is important to keep it clean to avoid infection Your tattoo artist should give you strict care instuctions- early spring is the best time for a foot tattoo- Because you want to wear flip flops for three weeks but you dont want the sun beaming on it. 4. If you are not complaining about price and you are not being obnocious most tattoo artists will help you out. 5. Once again if your tattoo artist knows what they are doing they will know how to hold you down and know what to do when you start flinching and moving around. This is why you want to choose an experienced tattoo artist (experienced meaning 3 or more years under their belt)My advice - If you want a tattoo on your foot then get one ! Talk to as many different artists as you have to until you find someone you are comfortable with make sure you look at their work and like what you see. Price should not be a concern and if they tell you you might have to come in twice that is normal tattoos on your feet, hands, neck mostly fade more than other locations. If you take really good care of the tattoo you can usually avoid the pain for a second time!