Miami

Best, Worst Spots on the Body to Get Tattoos

Which spots on your body are the best and worst for getting a tattoo?

"It hurts a lot right where he's at," said Marco Arriaga, as he was being inked. "The shoulder is a pretty painful place."

Arriaga got his tattoo at Ocho Placas Tattoo Company in Miami. He's been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to do it.

"I've wanted it since I was about 14 and I've just always loved Japanese culture," Arriaga said.

"I'm doing a classic Japanese image. It's called a Koi fish," said Jerry Blades, a tattoo artist at Ocho Placas Tattoos, who has 11 years of experience. "I've had a lot of weird spots. People wanted a tattoo in the lip. The lips were popular about five years ago. Finger tattoos. Things that generally don't hold up well over time."

It is to each their own when they decide to get ink, but when it comes to quality, some body parts don't hold up as well as others under the needle. But just as important as quality, if not more, is health.

"I have had many [come through my office], both infections and reactions," said Dr. Manjula Jegasothy with the Miami Skin Institute.

Tattoo after-care is critical. Dr. Jegasothy said places where you sweat, are more at risk for infection. Also, newer better looking inks are causing allergies.

"We're finding that they actually carry with them a bigger allergenic load, which means there are more molecules in them, more proteins that actually cause allergies," Dr. Jegasothy said.

Other things to consider when getting a tattoo:

  • Pick a reputable artist and shop.
  • Pick an artist who has a clean portfolio.
  • Never go to someone's house for a tattoo.

Remember, common sense research will pay off for something you'll have for the rest of your life.

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