Can you get a tattoo on the pad of your finger?

Author: Rhianna Haag  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

We recommend you don't get your fingers or pads, or your hands tattooed. Not because we are not skilled(take a look at our portfolios) it's because it's the nature of the area and the makeup of the skin.

Do finger pad tattoos hurt?

Some people think that finger tattoos come with little to no discomfort, but that's certainly not the case for everyone. Some people have a high pain tolerance, while others have trouble tolerating tattoos at all. Since your fingers are on the sensitive side, you may find certain areas to be more tender than others.

Can you get a tattoo on the underside of your finger?

it is COMPLETELY fine to get a hand or a finger tattoo. BUT I strongly advise NOT to get a tattoo on the INSIDE of your finger as that does not last and fades VERY quickly. If you get fingers get the tops of your knuckles done. Also, good tattoos are NOT cheap and cheap tattoos are NOT GOOD! You get what you pay for!

Is it safe to get a tattoo on your finger?

The Final Takeaway

Know that it will hurt more than other areas, and it likely won't heal as perfectly. Additionally, it will fade faster. But if you don't mind getting touch-ups every few years, finger tattoos can make great additions to your ink collection.

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo?

Forearms (this is the number 1 least painful spot) Outside of upper arms. Outside of shoulders. Outside upper thigh.

How To Tattoo Fingers?-Tattooing 101

Where should you not get a tattoo?

Areas like the feet, hands, stomach, chest, elbow, lips, and inner ear are not good tattoo locations. It's essential to consider a few things when choosing a proper placement, such as pain intensity, practicality, and visibility.

What is tattoo pain comparable to?

How bad do tattoos hurt? There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much pain you'll feel when getting tattooed. But if you're wondering what type of pain to expect, Caranfa says the experience is comparable to the feeling of a cat scratch or a sunburn.

Do tattoos on fingers last?

Finger tattoos will fade faster than most other tattoos because of how rough we are on our hands. Our hands are built-in tools that we use to do almost everything. They're constantly in motion, and they're always exposed to the elements.

How much do finger tattoos usually cost?

Finger or hand tattoos can start as low as $50 for basic designs and go up to $300 for more intricate ones. Most people don't spend a lot on finger tattoos since they tend to fade quickly. Some shops do deals where tiny tattoos are around $25.

Why do tattoo artists not do finger tattoos?

The skin of hands and fingers is very delicate. It can be difficult for any tattoo artist to determine which layer is the epidermis, and this confusion can cause multiple mistakes. That is one of the major reasons why newer and expert tattoo artists won't tattoo on hands or fingers.

What do black fingertips mean?

Why Are My Fingertips Blackening? Cold weather or stress may cause color changes in your fingers. Other times, darkening fingertips signal your blood vessels are too narrow. Amanda MacMillan.

Can you tattoo your underarm?

Honestly it's not great but not terrible either. You have less surface nerve endings in the middle of the armpit because you don't use it to “feel” things or for spatial awareness. Most of the pain associated with an armpit tattoo is on the edges.

How long do you leave a tattoo pad on?

You should leave the pad on your newly tattooed skin for 1 to 2 hours. The pad will not only protect the skin but absorb any excess ink or blood.

What is the best place to get a tattoo?

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo? The least painful place to get a tattoo is going to be any area that isn't close to bone. The arms and upper thighs are a good example.

Is $200 an hour a lot for a tattoo artist?

According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for tattoo artists is about $100. This is typical for experienced, non-apprentice tattoo artists with solid portfolios, but some popular tattooists charge as much as $300 per hour.

Do you tip a tattoo artist?

You want to be treated with dignity and respect, but so does your tattoo artist. Tipping is a part of that, but so is showing up on time and being ready for your appointment. In most instances, tipping is appropriate and encouraged. While you can tip less than 15%, try to avoid it.

Where is the best place to tattoo your fingers?

The best area of the fingers to tattoo would be the top of your fingers (see photos below), the space between the knuckles where it's smooth. We would advise against tattooing the side of the fingers, side of the hand and the palm or palmar side, as ink generally comes out a lot quicker in those areas.

Where are the least painful places to get a tattoo?

The Least Painful Places To Get A Tattoo
  • Shoulder area - lots of muscle and minimal nerves.
  • Upper thigh - most of us have a little more meat up there to lessen the sting. ...
  • Back - since the skin there is thicker and there's a lot of surface area to work with, too.

Does numbing cream work for tattoos?

There are many benefits to using a tattoo numbing cream before getting a tattoo. They help reduce the pain you feel during the tattooing process and speed up the healing time. A tattoo without a numbing cream applied beforehand can take longer because you may need more breaks. The session can cause quite a bit of pain.

Do finger tattoos hurt?

Finger tattoos are known to be more painful than tattoos on other body parts due to the proximity of bones and nerves. The pain level can vary depending on individual tolerance and the specific area being tattooed. For example, tattoos near the knuckles or on the inside of the fingers are typically more pain intensive.

What painkiller before tattoo?

With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.

Where is the best place to get a first tattoo?

Before choosing a location, assess your pain tolerance. The best lower pain areas are the outer arm, upper thigh and calves. These are all good spots to consider for a first tattoo.

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