Are Butt Tattoos a Good Idea? The Pros and Cons

Michael Hollman
In the world of tattoo placements, few are as simultaneously popular and mysterious as the butt tattoo. Once considered a more taboo placement, it has exploded in popularity as a...

How Badly Does a Full Back Tattoo Hurt? A Pain-Level Guide

Michael Hollman
A full back piece is the pinnacle of tattoo collecting. It's a true masterpiece, a sprawling mural that transforms your entire back into a single, cohesive work of art. But...

How Painful is a Tattoo on the Top of the Shoulder?

Michael Hollman
The shoulder is a fantastic and classic canvas for a tattoo. It's a placement that is both easily shown off and easily covered, making it a top choice for everything...

Are Knuckle Tattoos a Good Idea? The Pros and Cons

Michael Hollman
There are few placements as iconic or as polarizing as knuckle tattoos. They are a bold, upfront statement—a style deeply rooted in tattoo history that has seen a massive resurgence...

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

Michael Hollman
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...

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

Michael Hollman
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...

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...

What Does a Perfectly Healed Tattoo Look Like? A Guide to the Final Result

Michael Hollman
You've successfully navigated the entire healing journey. You survived the initial soreness, you resisted the urge to scratch the maddening itch, and you patiently watched the last of the peeling...

The Vaseline Paradox: Why Tattoo Artists Use It, But You Shouldn't

Michael Hollman
You're in the studio, watching your artist work. You notice they are using a petroleum-based product like Vaseline on your skin as they tattoo. But then, at the end of...

Can You Use Vaseline or Aquaphor on a New Tattoo?

Michael Hollman
You're standing in the pharmacy aisle, ready to buy your tattoo aftercare supplies. You remember hearing the classic advice from a friend or an old forum: "Just grab a tub of...

Should You Let a New Tattoo "Breathe"? A Guide to Healing

Michael Hollman
You're navigating the crucial first few days of the tattoo healing stages. As you research how to care for a new tattoo, you'll inevitably come across a common piece of advice:...