At present, a wrist tattoo is one of the hottest designs that you can select. From Hollywood A-listers to ordinary people in the street, thousands are choosing to place a tattoo on this part of their body.
But what do wrist tattoos mean?
As with all tattoos, designs placed on the wrist can mean many things to many people. In past centuries wrist tattoos were used to ward off illness and disease.
Over the years many seagoing people have also relied upon wrist tattoos, especially nautical star designs, to act as their guide and keep them safe until they arrive at their destination.
And in modern times many people use their wrist tattoo as a source of inspiration. When times are tough, one glimpse of their wrist design helps to carry them through their difficulties.
The most important thing is to find a wrist design that means something special to you and makes you feel better every time you see it.
But before you set your sights on a wrist tattoo there are a few important points to bear in mind.
First, it’s important to consider the pain factor. Is a wrist tattoo painful? Traditional wisdom suggests that tattoos are more painful on areas where the skin is thinner and has less flesh to cushion the needle. So if your pain threshold is particularly low, it might be better to consider placing your tattoo on an area of your body that has more padding.
However, many people who have had a tattoo placed on their wrist have stated that the discomfort is no greater than areas where the skin is thicker. But regardless of the pain aspect, wrist tattoos can take longer to heal because the area is more exposed. And for the same reason, wrist tattoos may need to be refurbished years into the future in order to maintain the general sharpness of the design.
Second, it’s vital that you’re 100% committed to your choice of wrist tattoo. According to various reports, 25% of people who have tattoos placed on their wrists regret the decision shortly after the design is completed. In comparison all tattoos, wherever placed, cause fewer regrets that wrist tattoos, with only 17% of people unhappy with the outcome. So it’s extremely important to be 100% certain before you place a tattoo on one of your wrists.
And finally, during the 1950’s and 60’s before tattoos had achieved mainstream acceptance, wrist tattoos, especially those depicting stars, were closely identified with the gay and lesbian communities. And although times have changed and the old associations have almost disappeared, it’s worth being aware of the history of these tattoos before you proceed with your design.
If you bear these things in mind you’ll be able to find a meaningful and popular design that you’ll be happy with for many years to come.