Hand tattoos are bold, beautiful, and almost impossible to hide, making them the ultimate statement. But are they still taboo, or is society finally embracing visible ink?
Tattoo by @ghislain______
Hand tattoos have become massively popular lately, especially among celebs like Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato, who all sport striking designs on their hands and fingers. For women especially, hand tattoos are an edgy choice, representing confidence, resilience, and a bold attitude.
Tattoo artist Megan Stacey (@meganstaceyartist) is known for her stunning, patterned designs, which look incredible on hands and fingers. Her advice for anyone thinking about a hand tattoo; take your time and make sure you’re ready.
"Make sure you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it and make sure it’s definitely the right decision, as hand tattoos can impact your job/career. A lot of people go for hand tattoos later in their tattoo journey, once they’ve got a few pieces elsewhere and are ready for something more visible."
Choosing the right design is a big part of the process. Because hand skin doesn’t age like other areas, certain styles hold up better over time. "Simple and bold designs work well on the hands as they will last and age the best," Megan says. Detailed or delicate tattoos might fade or blur as hands are high-use areas.
Jules, a lawyer, got her hand tattooed by Megan at Stories & Ink in Falmouth. “I wanted something dainty and feminine,” she says. “I liked her style of designs – both spiritual and symbolic.” She ended up choosing a small piece along the side of her hand, meaningful yet professional.
Tattoo by Megan Stacey
Hand tattoos don’t need extra care compared to other tattoos, Megan says, but fingers may need touch-ups. “I would never put someone off getting a hand tattoo, if it’s what they want. I would just make them aware that if it’s on their fingers, they might need a touchup, as the skin is slightly different and doesn’t always hold ink very well.”
Hand tattoos can hurt, especially on fingers, where the skin is thin and close to the bone. Megan remembers tattooing her own fingers: “The most memorable hand tattoos I have done is tattooing bold lines all over my own fingers as it was very painful and I almost passed out,” she admits. "But the reward was worth it."
For Jules, her tattoo was on the side of her hand, and the pain was pretty mild. "It was actually ok, nothing too unbearable," she says.
So, are hand tattoos still taboo? While some workplaces are still hesitant about visible tattoos, attitudes are changing. In traditional careers, like law, it’s worth considering how a hand tattoo might go over. Jules was a bit concerned about her colleagues' reactions, but it went better than she’d expected.
“It did worry me a little bit what people at work would say, but then again not really because it’s 2024," she says. "And, in the end, loads of people have actually complimented me on it."