Do Wrist Tattoos Hurt? Here's What You Need to Know

Wrists are a popular sport for tattoos—but do wrist tattoos hurst? We tapped professional tattoo artists Eva Karabudak and Nick the Tailor to get the lowdown. Keep reading to find the answers to all your questions about wrist tattoos, including how much pain to expect, how to care for them, and how to find the best tattoo studio.

How Much Do Wrist Tattoos Hurt?

Tattoos never feel great, and a wrist tattoo won't be an exception. "As a general rule of thumb, areas that are closer to the bone or joints will be more painful," says Karabudak.

Nick the Tailor agrees, but emphasizes that it's not the worst place you could put your new ink. "In terms of pain, the chest and the ribs are the worst. If those are a 10 on the scale, I would say most places on the wrist will be a two, with the area near the palm being more like a four." Pain is anything but objective, though, so consider your typical threshold for discomfort when considering a wrist tattoo.

Placement Is Important

As we've mentioned, the closer to the actual wrist joint your tattoo is, the more sensitive the area will be. "The inner wrist near the palm is going to be the most sensitive," says Nick. Kabadurbak agrees, noting that this spot "can be one of the more painful ones on the body."

Conversely, the outer or inner sides of the wrist, or the top of the wrist, won't be as bad in comparison. If you're set on the inside wrist for placement, though, don't despair. "I generally recommend going [up the arm] 1.5 to 2 inches to avoid [this issue]," says Nick.

Tips For Getting A Wrist Tattoo

Other factors you will want to consider when it comes to a wrist tattoo include the following:

• Design intricacy: "[The inner wrist] can be problematic for detailed designs because of the wrinkles from bending your wrist," says Nick. A simple design may be more realistic for this area.
• Length of an appointment: Depending on the detail you want, it might be necessary to break your tattoo up into two separate appointments. "Skin can be damaged if an artist works in a concentrated area for too long," says Karabudak. "Additionally, swelling can inhibit the skin's ability to retain ink."
• Artist style: There are as many tattoo styles as artists, so make sure to do your research thoroughly before calling up to make an appointment. Karabudak says the collaboration with a client is part of the fun to create a one-of-a-kind design. "Part of the beauty of this industry is that everyone is still an artist at the end of the day. Many have their own style that they can incorporate into your design to collaborate and create a truly unique result."
• Studio cleanliness: The shop of your choice should meet all health department requirements for sanitation. Needles and any other implements should be in sealed, sterile packages until they're opened to use on you while you're in the chair. Your artist should also wear sterile gloves while working.

How Much Does it Cost?

Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to this question. Pricing will vary depending on the design of the tattoo, the artist, and geographic location. A newer artist in an area with a low cost-of-living might charge $80-$100 for small work, suggests Nick. Karabudak says her studio's minimum is $300 for a wrist piece. Expect to spend at least $100 for a quality piece of work (not including an artist's tip).

Wrist Tattoo Aftercare

Each artist will have different suggestions for aftercare, but generally, the key practices remain the same, regardless of tattoo location: keep the tattoo clean using gentle soap; avoid itching or picking at the tattoo during the healing process; keep the skin moisturized and apply SPF liberally whenever the tattoo is exposed to the sun—which it will be more often than not, with a wrist tattoo.

Additionally, wrist tattoos require a little extra monitoring when they're fresh because of the high-motion nature of the area. "We recommend keeping a close eye on how often the area is in contact with surfaces and doing your best to avoid unnecessary contact or flexing," recommends Karabudak. "High-motion areas are more prone to abrasion and infection due to consistent contact and flexing."

How Long Does the Tattoo Pain Last?

After getting a tattoo, you can expect a little soreness for at least one to two weeks. As the skin heals, the pain will gradually lessen. In general, it takes about a month for a tattoo to take its final form. For a detailed rundown of the tattoo healing process, click here.

The Takeaway

Wrist tattoos are a personality stamp for everyone to see. If you're ready to take the plunge, do your research, prepare for your appointment, and take aftercare seriously to make sure your new ink stays beautiful on the inside or outside of your wrist.