Straight answers to the things that stop people booking a tattoo — from the first idea to a healed tattoo. Each guide points you at real, credited work in the catalogue, and health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos.
Is my tattoo healing normally? How to tell normal healing (redness, oozing, peeling, cloudiness) from an infection, allergy or blowout, with a quick checker and dermatologist quotes.
A rough ordering, from the most forgiving spots to the ones people talk about most: Easiest: outer thigh, glutes, outer upper arm, calf — thick muscle and fat…
Placement Wear Forearm, hand, upper arm Short or loose sleeves, a tank top underneath Shoulder, upper back, chest A top you can take off or a button-up worn…
Easy, flat areas like the outer forearm or upper arm are faster.
It works best at medium to large sizes — the upper arm, calf, thigh and back give the characters room — and less well tiny, where the detail…
Inner forearm, upper arm, shoulder, back and ribs hold fine work well.
Nine stages from a vague idea to a healed tattoo. Every guide ends with a link to the next step, so you can read them in order — or jump straight to where you are.
The worries people mention most — and where the honest answer is.
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Health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos word for word. New to the words? See the tattoo glossary. How guides are written and corrected: editorial policy.