Recently I have been asked what places generally people get tattoo'd. I send people to a website that list's most. (you can by the way tattoo anywhere just about) but Im talking about most popular.. I decided to post it here instead of referring to website.

Where on my body should i get a tattoo?
This may seem VERY trivial, since the answer can be "anywhere you please!" The ONLY places you cannot technically get permanent tattoos are your hair, teeth and nails (even the cornea used to be tattooed years ago for medical purposes). Interestingly, women and men tend to get tattoos in different locations. This, according to sociologist Clinton Sanders, is because men and women get tattoos for different reasons. Men, he says, get them to show others, while women get them for the sake of decorating their body--and often place them where they can't normally be seen, so that it doesn't prompt comments about her "reputation." However for the sake of this FAQ, the following is a short list of areas to get inked. I am included the statistics from Clinton Sanders' study on the body location of the first tattoo for men and women as well (there were 111 men in his survey group and 52 women).

Head:
The "head" here refers mostly to the area where your hair grows. You'll need to shave the area for the tat to be most visible. If you need to hide your tat, you can grow your hair out. Areas more commonly inked are the sides of the head (above the ears), and above the nape of the neck in the back. There are people who have their entire heads inked. I am told that the tattooing process vibrates your skull!

Sides of neck (nape).
Back of neck: I've seen some tribal pieces, and bats done on the back of the neck. You'll need to keep your hair short or tied up to keep it visible.

Face:
Various areas possible. Facial tattoos could fall into the cosmetic or standard categories. Cosmetic would include darkening of eyebrows, eyelining, liplining, etc. Getting a tat on the face is serious business and crosses a portal because people will never look at you the same way.

Upper chest:
One of the standard areas for tattoos for both men and women. Allows lots of flat area in which to get a fairly large piece. One of the areas where you can choose to get symmetrically inked on both sides. (Men: 5%, women: 35%--chest & breast combined)

Breasts (women):
Used to be trendy to get a tiny tat on the breast. Women (particularly larger breasted ones) need to be careful about eventual sagging of the skin in the area. Don't get a tat that will look silly when it starts to stretch (like a round smiley face that'll turn into an oblong frown).

Nipples:
Usually the artist leaves the nipples alone--the omission of ink tends not to be so noticeable. There HAS been work done with tattooing a facsimile of a nipple onto a breast in reconstructive surgery for those who have lost their nipples, tho--for aesthetic and self-esteem purposes.

Rib cage:
Can be rather painful because of all the ribs you work over. However it offers a fairly large area, and can be incorporated into a major back piece, wrapping around toward the front.

Stomach/Abdomen:
Some people choose not to get work done on their stomachs for a couple of reasons. Area is difficult to work on because there's no solid backing to hold the skin down. It is a sensitive area that may feel uncomfortable. The tat may look horrible after your metabolism slows down and you develop a - er-- "beer gut." (Men: Less than 5%, women: 14% )

Genitals:
Yes, some people do get inked in their genital area. The idea may sound very painful, but it's really not all that bad. However, do consider that, due the to the stretchiness of the skin and the amount of movement the area experiences, it's not really possible to do anything with a lot of fine detail. And no, the penis does not have to be erect during tattooing, although a tattoo artist I know who has done several penis tattoos said that he did have one customer who had a full erection the whole time. The only female genital tattoo I've seen (inner labia, I think) was in _Modern Primitives_, and it looked rather blurry. Note: Some artists refuse to do genitals. (Men: 0%; women: 5 %)

Thighs/hips:
A popular area for women to get larger pieces (often extending from the hip area). Shows well with a bathing suit but easily concealable in modest shorts. The entire area of skin around your thighs is bigger than your back, so you can get quite a bit of work done. (Men: 3%; women: 10%)

Calves:
Nice area to get a standard size (2" x 2"). However if you have very hairy legs, it may cut down on the visibility somewhat. (Men: 7%; women: 8%. Category simply listed as leg/foot)

Ankles:
Currently trendy. I think you have to have an ankle tat before you can go to the Eileen Ford Agency with your modeling portfolio. You can either get a spot piece on the inner or outer ankle, or get something that goes around in a band. Vines and other vegetation seem popular (pumpkins, anyone?)

 [ send green star]

Anyone who gets their nipples tattooed has some serious guts!!  EEEEEEEEEEEEkkkkk!

Thanks for posting this!!

 [ send green star]

Feet:
I've seen some incredible footwork (pun intended) in some of the tat magazines. Concealable with shoes. Probably don't have as much wear and tear as hands so you might get less blurring and color loss. This however, is the TOPS of your feet. You will have trouble retaining a tattoo on the bottom of your feet.

I have the tops of my feet tattooed (and I know Barb does too), mine have lost some color.  If you do intend on getting your feet done, please try and take about a week off from wearing shoes and stick to flip flops.  I was bartending at the time of my feet tattoos and according to the health code, I have to wear shoes...and it hurt sooooo bad and due to wearing shoes I lost color.  

 [ send green star]

Kathleen: Im happy your finding this information useful. Thank you for your kind words.

Silver Nyte:  I want to get two seperate tribal dragon tatts. One on each side of my chest. The tribal design will go through my nipples.  So if I have it done I will let everyone know if it hurt like hell or not..

Phil.

 [ send green star]

you didn't say ear... i have a daisy in my left ear and i get tons of commplements on it

it's one of my favorites

 [ send green star]

Oh my goodness Phil, you're nuts!!   I can imagine that will hurt baaaad!  The insides of my arms were the worst pain for me out of alll the places I have had done, so I can't even imagine the nipples!   You will have to let us know for sure!!

 [ send green star]

Tina

Sorry about that. The ear is not really a common place that I have noticed. Although I have seen a couple people with ear tatts they are generally a flower, vine, or chinesse symbol. It really wouldnt pose anything long term discomfort ie drooping or wrinkling, so it would be good place for a tatt. You just have to be careful with piercings.

I would like to see the pic one day though if you wouldnt mind.

Safe Journey

Phil

 [ send green star]

Fingers I have heard do hurt a lot. This is one along with the face and ears (i didnt forget this time lol) that I would make sure you really want. People will see, (not a bad thing for some people) Im mostly concerned about the work place. A lot of Co. frown upon visible tattoo's SO please use your best judgement.

Also keep in mind age with play a factor on this as well. Wrinkles, sagging, and for some the bony finger will take effect...

Safe Journey

Phil

 [ send green star]

i'm working on the photo problem now

currently i'm cameraless but i plan on getting one soon

i'll post it asap

 [ send green star]

i finally got my camera

it doesn't look good does it?

i'll post a better one as soon as i get used to the setting

 [ send green star]

i just read the nipple post

you can get one and i am getting one

i could only find one studio that would do it though

 [ send green star]

Your ear tattoo is pretty cool Tina!  I once knew a guy who had spider webs going all throughout his ears.

You need to get some tattoo artist buddies... usually they'll tattoo anything for ya!

 [ send green star]

Soooo many women are getting tattoos on their tailbones.....This can be a painful area!    When picking an artist- not only should you look at their work and portfolio---but see about their speed and what they have for you to sit on when getting one of these.   

   In the studio I work at there's one artist that makes everything into a Rembrant--he is slow and has his clients kneel backwards in an old dentist chair he uses.     Another artist is very good, quick, and has a massage chair to put clients in to get the right position for this.....now which would you choose?

A friend of mine got a tattoo done the other day and he said it hurt but no to the point of total discomfort. People feel pain differently so I say go for it. BTW. more and more tattoo artists are starting to use a numbing cream so ask when you go in. My friend whom did most of mine uses it (not on me though). Some people are too afraid to ask because they dont want to be viewed as wimps and that is not the case at all. Tattoo artists are there to help you reach your goal not to put you down. So ask away.

Phil

 [ send green star]