Within the world of tattoos, there are a few body parts that people need to be more wary of before deciding to permanently place them on their bodies. One of these types of tattoos is hand tattoos.

Although hand tattoos have consistently been growing in popularity in recent years, they also have many more implications involved than their more concealable counterparts. For example, they can affect how people perceive you, they fade more easily, and the hands are one of the most painful places to get tattooed.

So, is it worth it to get a hand tattoo? The answer depends on several different factors. In this article, we will help you weigh all the pros and cons of hand tattoos before making that decision.

Pros and Cons of Hand Tattoos

The following are some of the key pros and cons to consider before getting a hand tattoo:

If the pain of a hand tattoo is a concern for you, click the image below to shop our store for excellent numbing creams!

Are Hand Tattoos a Bad Idea?

There are several reasons why hand tattoos might be a bad idea for any given individual. On the other hand every persons life is different.

Each person must have a serious and honest conversation with themselves about their reasons for wanting a hand tattoo and what its effects will be. This conversation may include input from others but ultimately you must do what is right for YOURSELF regardless of what others think.

Pros	Cons
Having a piece of artwork in a prominent place like a hand can be a way to express yourself. It can also act as a conversation starter if you enjoy socialization.	Having such a visible tattoo can make it easier for people to pass judgment on you before even getting to know you. You can be viewed as scary, trashy, a delinquent, and incapable.
It could serve as a confidence boost and a way of putting yourself out there with no shame. It can show that you’re self-assured, strong-willed, and bold.	It can limit the type of jobs you can get. Most professionals in higher-paying jobs do not have tattoos or keep them in less visible areas.
You get to wear your art on your sleeve, literally. It is a way to showcase your individuality and creativity. It can also serve as a way to commemorate a special moment, person, or place.	Getting a tattoo can be painful, and the healing process can be uncomfortable. It can also be costly, and if you’re not satisfied with the result, the removal process is even more expensive and painful.

Reasons a Hand Tattoo Might Be a Bad Idea	Reasons a Hand Tattoo Might Not Be a Bad Idea
You are young (18-mid 20's) and don't know with certainty what your life is going to be like in the near future	You are independantly wealthy
Your future employment prospects are not 100% certain	You are committed to a life or lifestyle that can accommodate hand tattoos
The hand tattoos you want are gang affiliated	You are already very heavily tattooed in visible areas or plan to be in the near future
The Hand tattoos you want are associated with intolerance and bigotry	You are retired and don't have to worry about getting conservative jobs
	You are in an occupation that will not be affected

You cant make any decisions based on what your culture, friends or associates think. You have to be ready to think very critically about your own life. For instance: You may not be able to say beyond a shadow of a doubt that your life will be able to accommodate a hand tattoo in the future. If you are not prepared to accept the life-long commitment of a hand tattoo then don’t do it. And do do it just because you think you are prepared. Most people don’t know what the rest of their lives will be like and cant say for sure they will always be able to do whatever they want. You have to be a very certain type of person to be that sure of yourself.

Do Hand Tattoos Affect Jobs?

Even though tattoos are now common, many people trying to enter the workforce tend to get them in less visible areas. This is because certain places of work have stricter dress and conduct codes and may view hand tattoos as unprofessional.

Hand tattoo will greatly affect your job opportunities. However this may not matter if you are committed to a career that can accommodate their presence

The location of the hand tattoo also matters. For example, if the hand tattoos are on the back of your hand, then that would affect your chances of getting hired far more than if they were in between your fingers. That is why it is imperative to do your research for any job you apply for to see if their guidelines align with you.

What Jobs Don’t Allow Hand Tattoos?

The following is a list of jobs that typically don’t allow hand tattoos:

Teachers/educators
Bankers
Armed forces
Law enforcement
Receptionists/assistants
Healthcare workers
Government officials

For occupations such as the armed forces or law enforcement officers, tattoos are abundant. It may seem hypocritical that the jobs with these specifications for tattoos are also where you can see them more often, but that is just how things are. Nothing is black and white, so you could probably find a grey area within your desired career if you look hard enough.

You can also skip the potential challenges and choose to get a tattoo elsewhere on your body. In this guide from Top Trends Guide, you can find popular tattoo ideas that can be shown off or hidden when necessary.

And don’t assume that just because you read about hand tattoo that you know everything about what they will do to your life.

If you remain open and prepared for potential employers and sometimes complete strangers to pass judgment on you because of some ink on your hands, then hand tattoos could work for you. However, there are still some things you need to be aware of before taking the full plunge into getting a hand tattoo.

Are Hand Tattoos Painful?

One of the most common questions asked by people contemplating getting a hand tattoo is: how painful is it to get one?

Hand tattoos are listed by many to be among the more painful tattooing experiences. Hands have a very high number of nerve endings and are vital parts of your body’s interaction with the world.

Moreover, the ink doesn’t fix in the skin as easily on the hands, so fading is a greater risk. This might mean the artist will apply some extra work to the area or that you will need to get touch ups in the future.

I wrote an article all about dealing with tattoo pain that you can read by clicking here

However, the pain of a hand tattoo could last even after the actual tattooing session if you are not careful. Like all tattoos, the aftercare of a hand tattoo is essential for it to heal properly.

If the pain of a hand tattoo is a concern for you please consider clicking the image below to shop our store of excellent numbing creams!

Is Swelling Normal for Hand Tattoos?

Swelling is a common side effect from getting a tattoo. Typically it is not very noticeable or does not look severe. Because of their shape and construction swelling in the hands from a hand tattoo can be more noticeable.

The hand is much less fleshy so swelling will be more apparent or pronounced but there is no need for concern if the site of your hand tattoo is swollen after the initial session.

Healing tattoos are also susceptible to flaking, peeling, itching, and oozing. Make sure to not pick on the flaking skin and let your body do its thing during the healing process. It will be worth it in the end.

Although other tattoos usually experience swelling for only a couple of days after their completion, hand tattoos will likely be swollen for up to a week. This is because the hands are body parts consistently in motion and have many veins, directly affecting that blood flow and causing more swelling than tattoos in other areas.

Here are some methods you can use to help the swelling of a hand tattoo:

Do NOT take pain medication before your tattooing session. A lot of pain relievers are also blood thinners, which can make the swelling even worse.
Do keep the area elevated. For example, you can rest your hand on a pillow at a level closer to your head than usual. This will help blood flow and cause the swelling to decrease.
Do ice the tattoo. However, make sure to separate the ice with a cloth or other type of fabric. You don’t want a new tattoo to be wet for long periods.
Do NOT apply heat to the tattoo. Warm temperatures are not good for new tattoos; they can negatively affect the healing process and the fresh artwork.
Do keep an eye on the swelling. If it lasts for more than a week and is getting worse instead of going down, then you should contact the tattoo shop to address your concerns. You can decide from there whether professional medical help would be needed or not.

Besides swelling, there is one more side effect of tattoos that needs to be attended to during the aftercare process: Itching!

Do Hand Tattoos Itch?

When a tattoo is healing a slight scab may form and the skin will become tight and dry. This will cause itching.

Hand tattoos can start itching during the healing process, just like any other tattoo. This is normal, but it is essential to make sure the itching is not a sign of anything worse. Itching can be an effect of:

Infection: If your tattoo is infected, you will likely have other symptoms along with itching. If you are experiencing bumps, opaque or discolored oozing, and/or a bad smell in the area, then you need to seek medical attention right away
Allergic reaction: Though it is very very rare, people can get an allergic reaction years after getting a tattoo, so this is definitely something to keep in mind.
Skin condition: If you have a preexisting skin condition or even just dry and/or sensitive skin, then that may be why your tattoo is itching.

If you got your tattoo done at a clean, reputable place, have had no previous bad reactions with tattoo ink, and don’t have a known skin condition, then you do not have anything to worry about. The presence of itching after a tattoo is usually because tattoos are technically open wounds.

Think about it: a needle has just repeatedly gone in and out of your skin and pierced your skin with a foreign substance—and in a highly sensitive area as the hand, no less. Itching is simply an indicator that your body is doing its job of identifying and healing that wound.

How Do I Treat Itchy Hand Tattoos?

If the itching is getting to the point that it’s intolerable, then treatments and products are available to help alleviate that. It’s essential to keep the itching at bay to avoid the urge to scratch. Picking or scratching a tattoo during the healing process is going to ruin the finished result.

To treat the itching, here are some things you can put into practice:

Keep the area moisturized. Itchiness comes with the dryness and flaking of a healing tattoo, so make sure that the site is moisturized with a fragrance-free, gentle product at all times.
Slapping. It might seem silly but this really can help. slapping applies the same sort of pressure and force as scratching with risking scrapes and cuts in the fresh skin and scab. The key is to slap just hard enough to create a sensation but not to the point of severe pain.

Now, there is a reason why it is so essential for you to recognize and treat the swelling and itching of your hand tattoo. This is because of their limited longevity.

How Long Do Hand Tattoos Last?

Compared to other parts of the body, the hands are washed and exposed to the elements more frequently. They also shed skin skills faster than other areas of the body and these factors can affect your tattoos

When properly applied hand tattoos will look beautiful for many many years however, hand tattoos are more prone to fading and developing light spots. For this reason it is imperative that you find highly skilled tattoo artists to do your hand tattoos and follow after care instructions closely.

Even in the best of circumstances hand tattoos may require touch-ups. Perhaps even repeatedly. Consider this as part of the expense of getting a tattoo on the hand and accept it for what it is.

If you are still sure and set on getting a hand tattoo after reading about all the possible risks and complications involved, know that there are some steps you can take to ensure they last for as long as possible.

How Do I Take Care of My Hand Tattoo?

After the allotted time passes and you take the dressing off of your fresh hand tattoo, you should wear gloves to protect them for the next week. Latex or polyurethane gloves are recommended for this purpose.

The next biggest thing for hand tattoo aftercare is to keep your hands moisturized at all times. You can use something more heavy-duty until the tattoo begins the peeling process, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor. After that, you can switch off to a regular moisturizer or lotion.

For hand tattoos, it would be best to wash and moisturize them with fragrance-free products while they are healing. You wouldn’t want something with harsher ingredients to interfere with the process, so the simplest products are the way to go.

Here are some other tips to put into practice while your hand tattoo heals:

Don’t wear rings until your tattoo is completely healed.
keep your hands clean and moisturized.
If you really want to ensure the longevity and quality of your tattoo, there are specific soaps and moisturizers for tattoos you can use.

Now that you know how to properly take care of yourself both before and after getting a hand tattoo, let’s look at some of the tried and true products you can purchase to fully prepare yourself for the commitment of caring for it.

What Are the Best Products for Hand Tattoo Aftercare?

Even though tattoos eventually become a permanent part of your skin, their upkeep differs from the rest of your epidermis. Here are some of the best products for tattoo aftercare on the market today:

My personal favorite is plain old coconut oil: Make sure you get pure organic coconut oil! It is very easily absorbed into the skin, easily processed by your body and because its a single ingredient there is less likelihood for reaction or toxicity.
Aquaphor: This product is moisturizing and so versatile. It can smooth out the rough skin on elbows and knees while also moisturizing the sensitive skin on your lips and face. This will protect and heal your tattoo with an affordable price tag to boot.
Aloe Vera: This product is great for tattoos. It is natural and absorbs quickly, so the tattoo won’t be wet for too long. It is also known to relieve itching, burning, and inflammation, making it a perfect solution for all the side effects of a healing tattoo.
Hustle Butter: This product is a great product to own if you want to refrain from buying products that harm the environment. This product is 100% vegan and still impeccably does its job. It can be used at any stage of the tattooing process and is specifically made for tattoos.
Ora’s Amazing Tattoo Salve: This product is oil-based and made with organic ingredients in the United States. If you are looking for ethical, locally-grown products from smaller businesses, then this could easily become a staple in your tattoo aftercare arsenal.

I have also written in depth after-care instructions that I provide to all my tattoo clients which you can read by clicking here!

Thanks For Reading!

If you ever want to ask questions or discuss anything you read here please feel free to reach out through the contact page or visit my Twitch channel and ask me anything in real-time! I stream Wednesday-Friday 10 am-3 pm PST.

I also co-host a podcast for artists called Art Condition where we discuss the business and mindset for artists. Click here to see past episodes and subscribe on your favorite platform.