How to Get a Wedding Band Tattoo

A marriage includes the choosing and exchanging of wedding rings. Some newlyweds want the permanence found in a tattooed wedding band. Others choose a tattoo because you can't lose it or the person can't wear jewelry at work. However, there are many underlying problems with getting a tattoo around the finger, and they aren't as permanent as you think.

Instructions

1. Consider the unavoidable problems you'll face with a tattoo around your finger. The skin on the hands and fingers heals differently than other areas of the body and it's a hard area to tattoo. Additionally, the finger doesn't hold ink well and the tattoo may distort or spread over time.

2. Keep in mind that you'll have to have the tattoo redone on a regular basis. Your hands and fingers take constant abuse, so finger tattoos will fade and require recoloring, sometimes yearly or even more frequently depending on your line of work. In addition, the natural tendency to distort or blur may become more noticeable each time it's recolored.

3. Prepare for a lot of pain. This is an extremely tender place to have tattooed. If this is your first tattoo, your other tattoos were almost unbearable or you just don't deal well with pain, this is not a good placement for you.

4. Choose a simple design that's easy to maintain. Some wedding band tattoos are simple black bands while others are Celtic designs or incorporate the name of their spouse.

5. Find a tattoo artist willing to do a wedding band tattoo. Many tattoo artists won't tattoo highly visible areas, such as the hands, face or neck. Some studios have rules against their employees tattooing these areas. Many artists won't place tattoos in areas that don't hold up well.

Tips & Warnings

• The permanence you found appealing when getting your ring tattoo may actually work against you if the relationship doesn't work out. This is a highly visible place to try to get a cover-up or alteration, and it's more painful to have a tattoo removed via laser than the original tattoo procedure.