A tattoo is not just a design on the body. This is a way of self-expression, emphasizing individuality. Tattoos often carry a sacred meaning and serve as a talisman or reminder of an important event. Men's tattoos are designed to emphasize the strength, masculinity, will and brutality of their owner.
Location of tattoos for men
Men in most cases prefer large tattoos, so they choose places that will accommodate a voluminous design.
Common places for tattoos in men:
- Hips
- Back
- Breast
- Side and back of neck
Men's hand tattoos most often done in the upper part. The shoulder is considered a universal place for this. The pattern emphasizes the power of the biceps, and a correctly filled pattern will also “come to life” from the play of the muscles. Large images are best suited for application on the shoulder: animals, ornaments, etc.
If you plan to put a tattoo on your back, chest or neck, then you should think about the integrity of the plot. So that the pattern on the shoulder smoothly transitions to another area.
Forearm
The forearm, as a place for body art, is popular due to the low sensitivity of this area to pain and openness to prying eyes. All kinds of inscriptions and quotes are suitable for applying to the forearm. On the wrist, men often get a closed tattoo that encircles the entire wrist. These could be images of watches, ornaments, bracelets, a growing forest, etc. Men also put small designs on their wrists, such as barcodes, inscriptions, and other small symbols. Wrists are sensitive to pain.
Men's tattoo on wrist and forearm
Legs
The calves have recently become a favorite place for tattooing. They can get tattoos on one leg or both. A paired design is applied to the calves, one plot divided into two legs, or unrelated tattoos, but made in the same style. The design is most often large, sometimes it is applied to the entire lower leg. It is believed that the calves are not very sensitive to pain.
A large pattern is also printed on the hips, representing a whole plot or images in the same style. This pattern can be located either on the front of the thigh or completely enclose the leg. It hurts most on the inner thigh. The pain on the front and outer thighs is tolerable.
Back
The back is the largest place for a tattoo. Entire plot paintings, military battles, or simply a large image of something are usually painted on the back. Because of its flat surface, the back is the most convenient place for tattooing.
The back is a painful place because there are a lot of nerve endings along the spine. And you need to keep in mind that a tattoo on your back will be inconvenient to take care of yourself.
Breast
A universal place for a man's tattoo is also the chest. The size of the chest area allows for large-scale paintings. Men most often get tattoos on the upper chest, emphasizing the breadth and power of the shoulders and sternum. Due to the presence of the pectoral muscles, this is a fairly painless area. Exceptions: nipple areola, collarbone area, armpits, these places are quite sensitive.
If you plan to build up your pectoral muscles, then the tattoo should be postponed until muscle mass is gained. Otherwise, if the tattoo is done before the muscle volume increases, it will stretch and this will spoil its appearance.
Neck
A neck tattoo can be either a continuation of other tattoos or a separate image. Such tattoos can be small or large. The neck is almost always visible to others, so this should be taken into account when choosing a sketch. The neck is quite a painful place for piercing.
Large-scale tattoos and covering the entire body with a design are gaining popularity. Such a tattoo can begin on the foot and end on the neck. An example of a large-scale “sleeve” tattoo, a design tattooed on the entire arm, which can go to the back or chest, represents one plot.
Themes of men's tattoos
The popularity of tattoo themes includes:
- Large predatory animals and birds (wolf, bear, lion, tiger, eagle);
Leo - victory, nobility, justice, pride.
The wolf is a symbol of strength, courage, loyalty, bravery and freedom.
Bear. A raging bear means strength, courage, power, courage. Calm bear - wisdom, confidence.
- Mythical, heraldic animals (dragon, chimera, unicorn);
Centaur - thirst for freedom and adventure, desire for independence.
Chimera-mysticism, aggression, fascination with esotericism, fatalism.
The Dragon. For Eastern culture, it is a symbol of courage, kindness, nobility. For Western culture - strength, aggression, courage.
Unicorn - courage, strength, purity.
Gargoyle is a talisman against evil and temptation.
- Gothic drawings (Skeleton, skull);
The demon symbolizes a vice that the bearer has or that he wants to get rid of.
The skull is a reminder of the finitude of everything, a talisman of death.
- Japanese motifs (samurai, geisha);
Geisha - desire for beauty, love for women.
- Religious motives;
An angel-talisman for its owner, protection from misfortunes.
- Ornaments (Celtic, Slavic motif, runes, mandalas);
Mandala - harmony, orderliness of the inner world.
- Military motifs (warriors, knights, Vikings);
Knight - courage, courage, morality, honor, the ability to overcome everything.
- Marine motifs;
Steering wheel - passion for adventure, changeability.
Anchor - reliability, constancy.
- Inscriptions (quotes, aphorisms, phrases, names, individual words). Inscriptions carry a certain meaning for a person, remind of an important event, and become a life credo;
- Biomechanical images. Such images represent torn flesh, inside of which there is a mechanical structure. The mechanisms are drawn very clearly, faithfully copying reality.
- Depictions of membership in a subculture or group. Such tattoos are tattooed, for example, by goths, bikers, military men, and criminals.
The presented themes can be performed in different styles and using different techniques. The image can be black and white or color, natural or graphic.
Since ancient times, tattoos on the hands have been very popular and in demand. In tribes, a tattoo on the hands could indicate an occupation, profession, or social status. Also, body designs on the hands were applied for beauty, that is, for aesthetic purposes.
In the modern world, the tendency to get tattoos on the hands has continued, because this is the most mobile part of the body, which has many curves. Usually masters divide the hand into several parts: , . Tattoos can be applied to a specific part of the arm, or to several at once.
As a rule, certain designs are depicted on each of the above body parts. Fingers are often used to write letters, numbers or small inscriptions. Recently, it has become fashionable to depict mustaches or other original sketches. Names are often written on wrists or stars are drawn on them. The outer part of the palms is characterized by inscriptions and drawings, most often of an individual nature, because the palms are most often visible to other people.
Single tattoos are rarely depicted in the elbow area. More often, the ulnar part of the arm is associated with a tattoo, for example, on the forearm. Images of fire, flames, flowers or small animals are perfect for the forearm. And on the shoulder you can depict almost anything. This place for tattoo artists is often called universal.
It is worth noting that the most popular type of design for tattoos on the hands is still inscriptions. To depict them in the salon, you can choose a specific font and size, because there are a great variety of them. Here, both the client’s desire and the aesthetic value of the tattoo are taken into account.
In addition to individual tattoos on the arms, there is a type called “sleeve”. This is the name of a continuous pattern that completely occupies the space of the hand. This type is popular among both men and women, because in this way you can emphasize a person’s individuality, in addition, it is a great way to stand out from the crowd. "Sleeve" can be divided into two categories, depending on the format:
- Long sleeve - the design is applied to the entire arm, from shoulder to wrist.
- 1/2 sleeves - the sketch is printed from shoulder to elbow, or from elbow to wrist.
Sleeve tattoos most often represent an unusual pattern into which, at the client’s request, meaningful inscriptions or drawings are inserted.
Women's arm tattoos are often placed on either the wrist or forearm. Their theme and format are individual, but most often it is something beautiful and unusual. Men's tattoos on the hands, as well as on some other parts of the body, are depicted in the form of predatory animals, significant dates or words. Flames are also popular.
If we talk about the pain of this procedure, then it is worth saying that the process of needling is not the most pleasant, but it is not felt so strongly on the hands. Therefore, not only men, but also women get tattoos on their hands. Pain can be rated at 4 out of 10 on a scale.
Tattoos on the arm have always been considered a manifestation of strength, spirit and emphasize originality.
Video of tattoo on hand
Watch this video of a tattoo artist covering up an old tattoo on his client's arm. The result was a whole sleeve.
Below are various photos of hand tattoos from different artists.
Tattoos on the arms are most often on display, but they are easy to hide if necessary.
This is one of the favorite places for masters, because there are no problems with either the relief or skin turgor. You can apply drawings of any size, color and complexity without fear for their quality.
Select a sketch
- As extensive is the design of a tattoo on the hands, so are its sizes. Since hands consist of different parts, tattoos can be applied in different ways. For large jobs, sleeves are most often used:
- The long one represents an extensive tattoo covering from the shoulder to the wrist, representing both a complete image and a composition of several small drawings, merging into a single whole.
- When applying a half sleeve, the design is located on the upper or lower part of the arm.
- There are also so-called quarter sleeves. This is when the sketch is drawn from shoulder to elbow.
Today, hand tattoos for men are most often symbols - dragons, lions, eagles and other paraphernalia, which are signs of power, strength and courage.
Women prefer small pictures that are more gentle and congenial to them - flowers, stars, zodiac signs, and sometimes small inscriptions. Women's hand tattoos look great - bracelets made up of small flowers, pictures or inscriptions. This ornament is good to place on the wrists or forearms.
Images of a small format can also decorate men’s shoulders, especially if it is a bracelet with an woven ethnic ornament.
Many people apply tattoos on their hands only on the outer part, forgetting about the inner part. This is completely wrong, since this is just as good an area for application. They look especially good
Hands are the active and most exposed parts of the body: we use them every day to prepare food and get dressed, drive a car and communicate on social media. networks, and in the summer we wear T-shirts and sunbathe. Because of this, it is important to get a high-quality tattoo and properly care for it in the sun so that the outline does not float and the colors do not fade in a year and a half.
We'll tell you what types of tattoos on the hands there are, how to make a choice and what you need to know about care.
This tattoo is called a “sleeve” and looks like a real work of art on the body. A complex surreal drawing, paintings by famous artists, biomechanics or a whole story - nothing limits your imagination, and you want to endlessly examine every detail.
A sleeve covering the entire arm is a serious choice; not every boss will hire a person with such a tattoo. If the company policy is against it, but you want beauty, we recommend half a sleeve on the shoulder, which will be reliably hidden under clothes.
On the shoulder
One of the most popular places for both a small tattoo on the arm and half a sleeve. Even if there is a strict dress code at work, no one will know about the design under your clothes, and in the summer after everyday work, calmly put on light T-shirts and proudly show off the tattoo on your shoulder.
On the forearm and wrist
The forearm and wrist are often exposed, so a tattoo requires more careful attention, and it is more difficult to hide than on the shoulder.
We have excellent tattoos and tattoos on the wrist with the works of our artists.
On the hand and fingers
Hands and fingers are the most exposed parts of the body at any time of the year, so carefully consider the tattoo together with the artist: the design will be hidden only with gloves or a very (very!) thick foundation, and it will be difficult to cover it up due to the small area. Tattoos on fingers fade faster, so correction will have to be done more often.
“If there are scars, scars or stretch marks on your hands, a tattoo will hide them beautifully and reliably”
What tattoo to get on your hand
If you want scope
A sleeve in the same style or with one story looks great - for example, a painting by a famous artist or space, smoothly flowing into the sky, trees, sea. More living paintings on hand in our gallery.
If you sometimes want to hide it under clothes
A medium tattoo would be suitable for the shoulder or forearm. Men often choose something scary, humorous or showing the strength of the owner, while girls choose floral designs, animals or patterns.
If you want accuracy and unobtrusiveness
A small drawing or a cute quote that means something to you is ideal.
Preparing and applying a tattoo
When you have already decided on a sketch and communicated with the artist, the magic begins - soon you will go out into the world with a work of art on your body. A little preparation for the session will save you time and set you up for skin renewal.
Before the session
Free up some time so you don’t rush yourself and don’t rush the master.
Shave the tattoo area or bring a razor with you to do it in the studio.
Do not drink alcohol the day before or before/during the procedure: it causes increased blood circulation - the paint adheres worse and more blood flows.
During and after the session the master
- Prepares a transfer - paper with which the design is transferred to the skin.
- Disinfects the application site and transfers the transfer, completing the missing elements.
- Prepares the workplace: tattoo machine, disposable sterile needles, paint. We take sanitary standards seriously and have dedicated an entire article to them.
- Draws the outlines of the drawing or the main shadows.
- Paints and finalizes details.
- Lubricates the finished tattoo on the arm with ointment and wraps it in film - this way the tattoo will not dry out or get dirty.
- He hands you a care manual, carefully sees you off and wants you to wear your new design with pride :)
How to care
- Caring for a fresh or long-ago tattoo is important - the appearance and quality of the design depends on it.
- 8 hours after applying the tattoo, remove the film and carefully rinse your hand so that nothing slips.
- Apply a thick layer of Doctor Pro ointment and wrap with disposable baby diapers or cling film. We lean towards diapers, because under them the skin “breathes” and does not sweat, the pattern is clearer and less paint comes out.
- After 8-10 hours, rinse the tattoo again and cover with a fresh diaper or cling film. These steps must be repeated for 3-4 days, after which there is no need to cover the drawing.
- Wash and smear the tattoo for about 7 more days to prevent it from drying out.
None of the tattoo placement options are as popular as hand tattoos. The sketches of the images located here are infinitely varied, the pain of application is minimal, and the ability to display the design on display or hide it from strangers inspires many to choose their hands as the canvas for a tattoo.
Lighthouse on hand in color
History of development
Probably, no type of tattoo has such a long history as hand tattoos. This is due to the fact that here the image is easiest to notice.
It is curious that in many cultures, tattoos on the hands were a purely feminine decoration. Thus, in the Mbaya tribe, only women covered themselves with patterns from wrist to shoulder, pricking the skin with cactus spines or fish bones, and introducing soot mixed with saliva as paint. Eskimo women also had compositions of lines and arcs on their arms. And the women of the Khanty and Mansi peoples hid the meaning of the tattoos on their hands even from close men.
Tattoos on the hands had, first of all, informative and identification functions, helped to distinguish friends from strangers and told about the biography, character and worldview of the wearer. In Medieval Europe there was a tradition of having a sign associated with a person’s craft stamped on the body. For example, butchers decorated their left hand with two bull's head axes.
Pilgrims to Jerusalem dreamed of bringing with them a tattooed cross from the Holy Land. In addition, lifelong hand painting was typical for the punishment of criminals and robbers, so that every person, looking at them, would immediately understand who he was dealing with.
Now the informative function has faded into the background, although it continues to exist in some individual cells of society: the army, prison, clans and groups. Most people apply images for aesthetic purposes, preferring abstractions.
On men's hands, Polynesian, Celtic and Slavic motifs, fantasy sleeves, and scenes involving various animals: wolves, dragons, lions predominate. Women more often strive to immortalize events and internal experiences that are important to them on their bodies. Hence the love for inscriptions and dates, astrological symbolism. No less popular are floral patterns, bright floral motifs, stars and hearts.
Rose on hand in color
This is interesting. Famous people of this world love to attract attention to themselves. Tattoos on the hands are one of the easiest ways to bring this idea to life, because their hands are always under the gun of cameras. Rita Ora wears a dainty feather on the inside of her palm. Cara Delevingne will boast a lion's face on her finger, and Zoe Kravitz will boast an all-seeing eye on the crook of her elbow. Ireland Baudwin has a stylish black arrow on her forearm, and Emma Stone has unusual bird's feet on her wrist. Supermodel Kate Moss surprised fans with a small anchor on the inside of her arm. Olivia Wilde wears "All love, A" on her arm as a tribute to her uncle Alexander. The bracelet on Scarlett Johansson's wrist is very interesting: it is a chain with the hammer of the thunderer Thor and an inscription that speaks of her love for New York.
Tattoo on arm in old school style
Why are hand tattoos so popular?
I have several stars on my wrist and a swallow on my shoulder. I like my tattoos, and I think others do too.
Victoria, Veliky Novgorod
- The ability to choose one of the parts of the hand, experiment with colors and sizes, because a wide variety of sketches look equally good here.
- Relative painlessness of stuffing, compared to other parts of the body.
- The ability to hide the image under clothes with long sleeves.
- Convenience of applying a pattern to this area, both for the master and for the customer.
- The skin here is less susceptible to changes with age or weight gain, which means your pattern will remain in its original form for much longer.
Tattoo on arm in biomechanical style
Advice. Be especially careful when choosing a specialist and a salon, because your hands are the most exposed place and will most often be visible. The work must be done very well so that you are not ashamed of it and do not want to cover it up later.
black rose tattoo on hand
Areas for drawing
- Fingers. Ideal place for small symbols and rings. It is worth remembering that the images here are not so durable, because the skin on the fingers is renewed very quickly.
- Palms. A very rare, but nonetheless common location option. Hidden signs and amulets are placed here.
- Back of the hand. Tiny images and subtle inscriptions are usually located here.
- Wrists. A popular area for applying small drawings, floral patterns and lettering.
- Hands. An unconventional, but very interesting choice for brave individuals.
- Back of the hand. The design here is hidden from prying eyes, and this option is chosen by those people who only want a conscious demonstration of their decoration.
- Forearm. Often, a tattoo filled here smoothly flows into an image on the shoulder.
- Shoulder. One of the most popular options for medium-sized drawings. The smooth skin of this area allows you to place various portraits here, and those with pumped up muscles are famous for their greatest love for drawings on the shoulder.
Such different tattoos on hands
The sleeve is the pinnacle of art
When I decided to get a tattoo, I didn’t even have any doubts about where to get it. It seems to me that hands are the ideal canvas for body art. I got the grin of a wolf on my shoulder and never regretted the choice I made.
Grigory, Smolensk
Very beautiful tattoo on the hand in the style of realism
The most difficult, responsible and time-consuming of all the options for tattooing on the arm is making a sleeve. It is curious that tattoos on the arms, the meaning of which are so diverse, largely unite their symbolism in the extensive composition of a well-made sleeve. Today, the sleeve has become an attribute of both men's and women's tattoos, and is rightfully considered the pinnacle of the artist’s skill.