How Badly Does a Tattoo on Your Sideburn or Face Hurt?

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Getting a face tattoo is one of the most significant commitments a person can make in their tattoo journey. A design on the sideburn, temple, or cheek is a bold...

Behind the Knee ("Ditch") Tattoo Pain: A Survival Guide

Michael Hollman
In the tattoo world, certain placements are spoken of with a mix of reverence and fear. They are the "boss levels" of tattooing, the ultimate tests of a client's endurance....

Healing a Foot Tattoo: A Complete Survival Guide

Michael Hollman
A foot tattoo is a bold and beautiful choice, but it is famous in the tattoo world for being a double threat: it's one of the most painful tattoos to...

A Guide to Managing Pain for Tattoos Near Your Armpit

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
When planning a sleeve or a large chest piece, there's a certain zone that even the most seasoned tattoo collectors approach with respect and a little bit of fear: the...

Inner Wrist Tattoo Pain: A Survival Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
The inner wrist is a classic, popular, and deeply personal spot for a tattoo. It's the perfect canvas for a meaningful word, a significant date, or a delicate symbol that...

Do Hand-Poked Tattoos Hurt More or Less Than Machine Tattoos?

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
In the world of tattooing, you have two fundamental ways to get ink into skin: with a modern tattoo machine or with the ancient, manual method of "hand-poked" or "stick and...

How to Manage Pain for a Tattoo Near a Major Joint: A Survival Guide

Michael Hollman
Tagged: pain placement
Tattoos that flow over major joints—like a mandala on a knee, a web in an elbow ditch, or a design wrapping around an ankle—are some of the most impressive and...

How to Heal a Tattoo on a Constantly Moving Body Part (Hands, Wrists, Ditches)

Michael Hollman
You've just gotten a new tattoo on one of the most dynamic parts of your body—a hand, a finger, your inner elbow, or even your knee. These placements can look...

Why is My New Tattoo Leaking Clear Fluid? A Healing Guide

Michael Hollman
You've just gotten a new tattoo. It's wrapped up, and you're excited. But when you take off that initial bandage for the first wash, you notice it's covered in a...

Can You Get a Tattoo on a Hairy Part of Your Body?

Michael Hollman
Tagged: placement
You're planning a new tattoo. You've found the perfect tattoo placement—your forearm, your leg, your chest—but you notice it's a naturally hairy area. This leads to a very common and practical...

What is the Best Placement for a Small, Hidden Tattoo?

Michael Hollman
Tagged: placement
You've decided you're ready for a new tattoo. You know the design you want—something small, personal, and meaningful. But you're not looking to make a loud public statement. You're searching...

Can You Get a Tattoo on Your Palm? A Guide to a Difficult Spot

Michael Hollman
Tagged: placement
In the world of tattooing, there are certain placements that are considered the final frontier—the ultimate test of a client's pain tolerance and a testament to an artist's skill. The...