The 12 Worst Places For A Tattoo On A Guy

Tattoos are a popular way for people to express themselves. They can be artful, meaningful, and even fun. 

But when deciding to get a tattoo, it’s important to think carefully about where on your body you want it. Some spots might seem cool at first but can cause problems later on.

One thing to consider is how much the tattoo will hurt. Some areas of the body are more sensitive because they have thinner skin or are close to bones. 

Another thing to think about is how the tattoo might affect your job or how others see you. Tattoos in very visible places can make certain situations tricky.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 places on the body where guys might want to think twice before getting a tattoo. 

From dealing with a lot of pain to having trouble with jobs and how people view you, these spots can bring more hassle than you might expect. 

Let’s dive in and see which spots might be best to avoid for your next tattoo.

1. Face

Getting a tattoo on the face can really stand out, but it might not always be in your favor. 

A lot of people might judge a facial tattoo harshly because it’s so visible. It can affect job opportunities, as some employers might be hesitant to hire someone with such prominent ink. 

The face is a part of your identity, and adding a tattoo can significantly alter how you’re perceived by others.

Another reason to think twice about facial tattoos is the social impact. Meeting new people can become a bit more challenging because the first thing they notice will likely be your tattoo. 

It can be a conversation starter, but it might also lead to some unwanted attention or judgment. 

Tattoos here require a lot of commitment and confidence because they’re hard to cover up if you change your mind.

2. Hands

Tattoos on the hands are becoming more popular, but they still carry some drawbacks. 

First, they fade quicker than tattoos on other parts of the body. 

Your hands are always exposed to the sun and are constantly being washed, which can make the ink blur or lose its sharpness over time. 

Maintaining hand tattoos can be a lot of work, and might mean more frequent touch-ups at the tattoo shop.

Also, like face tattoos, hand tattoos are very visible. This visibility can limit professional opportunities in fields that are conservative about appearances. 

Even with the increasing acceptance of tattoos in the workplace, some jobs might still be off-limits for someone with hand tattoos. 

They can make a bold statement, but that statement might not always help you in every situation.

[Interesting: What Does The Playboy Tattoo Mean?]

3. Neck

Neck tattoos, especially those that are hard to cover with clothing, can be a bold fashion statement. 

However, they come with their own set of challenges. The neck is a sensitive area, which means getting a tattoo there can be more painful compared to other body parts. 

The pain factor is definitely something to consider if you’re thinking about a neck tattoo.

Moreover, neck tattoos can also influence your professional life. They are difficult to conceal, especially if you’re in a job that requires a more traditional appearance. 

Like tattoos on the face and hands, those on the neck might limit your career options or affect how others perceive you in a professional setting. 

They demand a level of commitment to being visible and can steer the course of first impressions.

4. Elbows

Elbows are a tricky spot for tattoos for a couple of reasons. 

First, the skin around the elbow moves a lot and stretches differently than other parts of your body. 

This can make the tattoo process more difficult and also affect how the tattoo heals. Sometimes, the design might not look as sharp or clear once it settles into the skin.

Another issue with elbow tattoos is the pain involved. The elbow has less flesh padding over the bone, which makes getting a tattoo there more painful. 

Also, since the skin is constantly bending and stretching, the healing process can be longer and might require extra care to avoid infections or distortion of the tattoo design.

[Read: 10 Vital Things You Should Know Before Getting A Tattoo]

5. Ribs

Rib tattoos are known for being quite painful. The ribs are a bony area with thin skin, which means you feel every bit of the needle. 

Many people find this area to be one of the most sensitive for tattoos. This can make the tattoo session more challenging, especially if you’re planning a larger design.

Besides the pain, rib tattoos can be tricky because the area is prone to changes. If your weight fluctuates, the skin on your ribs will stretch or shrink, which can alter the appearance of your tattoo. 

This means that the beautiful artwork you chose could change shape or look different as time goes by.

6. Feet

Feet tattoos might seem like a cool idea because you can hide them easily, but they have their downsides. 

Since the skin on your feet sheds more frequently and undergoes a lot of wear and tear from walking, the tattoo can fade or blur quicker. This means more touch-ups and maintenance to keep the design looking fresh.

Also, getting a tattoo on your feet can be more painful due to the bony structure and lack of flesh. 

Plus, the healing process can be inconvenient because you need to keep your feet out of shoes as much as possible.

7. Armpits

Armpit tattoos are definitely not common, and for good reason. 

The skin in the armpit area is very sensitive, making the tattooing process quite painful. The pain can be intense because of the nerve endings and the thin skin in this area.

Additionally, the armpits are a place where your body sweats a lot, which can complicate both the healing process and the long-term maintenance of the tattoo. 

Excessive sweat can cause the ink to blur or fade faster, and the area is also prone to irritation during the healing phase. 

Tattoos here require careful and consistent aftercare to ensure they heal well and look good over time.

8. Behind the Ear

Tattoos behind the ear can seem like a neat idea because they’re somewhat hidden but still stylish. 

However, this spot can be quite painful for getting inked. 

The area behind your ear has very thin skin over bone, which means less cushion between the needle and your skull, leading to a higher level of discomfort during the tattoo process.

Also, tattoos behind the ear can be hard to heal properly because of the constant movement and contact with hair and pillowcases when you sleep. 

This can lead to issues with the ink not settling right, making the tattoo look faded or smudged over time.

9. Lower Back

Lower back tattoos were extremely popular at one point, but they have a few drawbacks. 

One major issue is that they’re often considered cliché or out of style now. 

Trends in tattoos can change, and what is cool one decade might not be the next. This can affect how you feel about your tattoo later on.

Plus, the lower back is an area that often stretches with changes in body shape, like weight gain. This stretching can distort the design, making it look different from how it originally appeared. 

It’s important to think about how body changes might affect the appearance of a tattoo in this spot.

10. Palms

Getting a tattoo on the palm of your hand is another tricky choice. The skin on your palms is very thick and regenerates quickly because it’s an area exposed to constant use. 

This means that palm tattoos can fade or become blurred much faster than tattoos in other locations, requiring more frequent touch-ups.

Palm tattoos are also known to be quite painful. The skin here is full of nerve endings, and the dense, tough texture makes the tattooing process more uncomfortable. 

Considering the pain and the rapid fading, palm tattoos can be a lot of hassle for something that doesn’t last as long as tattoos in other areas.

11. Inner Lip

Inner lip tattoos might look cool or feel daring, but they come with their own set of challenges. 

Firstly, tattoos inside the mouth fade extremely quickly due to the moist environment and the constant rubbing against teeth and food. Many inner lip tattoos start fading within a few years or even months.

The healing process for inner lip tattoos can also be uncomfortable, with an increased risk of infection due to exposure to food and bacteria. 

You have to be very careful about keeping the area clean and might need to adjust your eating habits while the tattoo heals.

12. Scalp

Scalp tattoos are an unusual choice and are typically sought by those looking for something truly different or trying to cover bald spots. 

However, tattooing on the scalp involves directly inking over the skull, which can be very painful because of the lack of cushioning flesh. This area is also sensitive, making the tattoo process more intense.

Scalp tattoos require careful maintenance as well, especially since the skin on the head can be exposed to a lot of sunlight. 

Frequent sun exposure can lead to quicker fading and the need for touch-ups. Plus, you have to be extra cautious about using harsh hair products that could irritate the tattooed skin.