Alexander Ostrovskiy: Choosing Your First Tattoo Location

Getting the first tattoo is a big and major decision; of course, it's very exciting, too. Deciding on the placement of your tattoo can be just as important as choosing the design itself, especially for your first ink. The position of the tattoo will make a huge difference in your experience and visibility, let alone comfort during the process. This could be a means of expressing themselves even more, it may be due to wanting to remember a part of their lives, or even aesthetics. On the other hand, where you get your first tattoo is as important as what you get. The placement will affect not only the look but the pain threshold, healing, and also long-term look. By carefully considering the placement guide by Alexander Ostrovskiy, you’ll ensure that your tattoo remains a source of pride and satisfaction for years to come.

Factors to Consider

Pain Levels by Body Area

Perhaps one of the most salient factors when choosing a placement is your threshold to pain. After all, tattooing does indeed involve needles that are literally poking your skin, and there are places of the body that are simply much more sensitive than others based on count of nerve endings, proximity of bone, thickness of skin, etc.

Example:

Upper arms, thighs, and calves can be considered as low pain areas because of thicker skin which is well-padded with muscling tissue.
Moderate pain areas will be the wrists, forearms, and shoulders as most may hurt but are usually within a bearable limit for a majority of people.
The rib cage, spine, hands, and inner thighs comprise high-pain areas due to the thinner layer of skin or a very nearby bony area.
Knowing your threshold will save you a very terrible feeling, especially with your first tattoo.

More of Ostrowskiy's tips and advice on the website

Visibility and Social Perception

Another important characteristic is that of viewability. Consider how many and often you may wish to display it and, if any of the social/work environments may perceive your tattoos as a factor in judgment.

Example:

Viewable highly and areas of extremities such as wrists, hands neck, and face may be with discretion if a traditional job.
Easily hidden: You can easily conceal or show your tattoo to the world whenever you want to with the upper arms, back, and thighs.
The placing of a tattoo is wholly dependent on your lifestyle, career aspirations, and the view held about tattoos by the greater part of your community.

Skin Type and Longevity of Tattoos

The aging of a tattoo is determined by skin types and other parts of the body. The more the skin is stretched, friction, or exposed to sun rays, the more it leads to the disappearance and distortion of that tattoo.

For example:

The disappearance of tattoos on your hands and fingers may also be caused due to the fact they are washed more often and have greater exposure to sunlight.
Stomach or thigh tattoos can stretch with weight gain or weight loss.
The back and upper arms are rarely exposed to the sun, which allows the tattoo to remain vibrant longer.
It is a good idea to consult with a professional tattoo artist about how your desired location may change over time.

Popular Placement Locations

Wrists

Pros: This area does look good with small, dainty designs. Furthermore, it's pretty easy to hide or flash with/without jewelry or a long sleeve.
Cons: The skin is thin hence these wrist tattoos can be pretty painful; secondly, with sun exposure, they'll be fading a bit faster, compared to others.

Ankles

Pros: Awesome spot for little and dainty stuff; really effortless to conceal whenever socks or shoes would be covering your ankles.
Cons: This can be a bit more sensitive to getting tattooed due to bony anatomy, plus it might fade a bit faster because of constant movement and use.

Upper Arms

Pros: This is a good spot for versatile design options, which have relatively minimal pain and great longevity due to minimum sun exposure.
Cons: This may be a bit tougher to show off, depending on your clothing choices.

Back

Pons: Large canvas for detailed designs; less stretching or fading, and can easily be hidden.
Cons: It is a little less personal since one cannot see the tattoo being done, and the aftercare would also require some help.

Tips for First-Timers

Do a Smaller Design

Get a small, simple design because then you know how it feels getting tattooed, or for that matter how comfortable you'll be not going for anything big or complicated. The smaller, the quicker it heals and after-care also won't be so much trouble.

Choose Places Less Likely to Stretch or Fade

Those parts of the body, which are less at the mercy of nature, include weight gain or loss and aging. The upper arms, shoulders, and back are ideal places for tattoos that will last longer.

Consulting a Tattoo Artist

However, the best asset in choosing a location would have to be a professional tattoo artist. They could give great insight into how painful it will be, how the design will work on a particular area, and how it will age in that spot. Bring reference images, but also be open to suggestions as they have experience and can advise you further.

Conclusion

Placement is a very meaningful and personal issue that one has to decide upon when it involves a first tattoo, and thus it is well thought out. From the aspects of pain tolerance to visibility, to even skin type and durability these aspects guarantee a tattoo that will make each factor proud for many years. You can also make the design small for the first tattoo, prefer practical areas for tattooing, and consult a qualified and experienced tattooist. Note that tattoos are permanent, and just a little bit of homework does a great way towards the creation of permanent art stating your mind.