The bottom of the foot is one of the most unusual tattoo placements to choose from. There are a few reasons why this spot isn’t popular: Getting tattooed on the bottom of the foot is a complicated and painful process, aftercare can be a challenge, and a tattoo here doesn’t always last.
However, this unique placement can be a tempting choice for people who want their tattoo to be their little secret. A tattoo on the sole of the foot is very easily hidden from the world and only shown to a select few.
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo on the bottom of your foot, here’s what you need to know:
Do Tattoos On The Bottom Of Your Foot Hurt?
Yes, getting a tattoo on the bottom of your foot does hurt because the skin in this area is thin and there are nerve endings here.
“The procedure itself may be more painful because the foot is more highly innervated, and it may be a little bit more tender during the recovery process,”
Bustle
To make the tattoo process a bit easier, it’s important to prepare beforehand. Have a full night’s rest before your appointment – when you’re well-rested, you’re able to handle pain better.
Plus, a calorie- and protein-rich meal will also go a long way in helping your body handle the trauma of getting a tattoo.
Do Bottom Of The Foot Tattoos Last?
Tattoos on the bottom of the feet tend to fade faster compared to ink on other parts of the body. This is because the skin on the soles of the feet is constantly exposed to friction and pressure from walking and standing, which plays a huge role in blurring a tattoo.
Also, the skin on the bottom of the feet naturally sheds more frequently, which can also cause a tattoo to fade quickly.
So, if you do decide to get a tattoo on the bottom of your foot, you’ll probably need more frequent touch-ups to maintain the tattoo’s appearance.
One of the best things you can do to ensure your tattoo will last as long as possible is to get tattooed by a professional artist. An experienced tattooist is way more likely to avoid complications such as tattoo blowout.
What Types Of Tattoos Work Best On The Soles Of The Feet?
Not all tattoo styles will work well on the bottom of the feet due to the thin skin.
“Intricate shading and color will not heal correctly if done on the soles of the feet, therefore bold black and heavy outlines are your best bet,”
Inked Mag
For an under the foot tattoo, avoid fine lines and a lot of tiny details as these types of designs lose definition easily and in a short amount of time. Instead, opt for thick black lines to hold the shape of the tattoo for as long as possible.
Ink Art By Kate also advises getting a solid tattoo in this placement,
“In line with avoiding fine details in your foot tattoo’s design, it may be worth your while to make your foot tattoo solid where possible. For example, if you have chosen a heart design, consider filling it in to make a solid black heart instead of a simple heart outline. This will help your tattoo stay more clear…”
A style of tattoo that works really well on the bottom of the feet is mirror tattoos or a matching tattoo with yourself. For example, you could have one half of a mandala design on one sole and the matching half on the other to create one tattoo.
Tip: If you want to get both soles of the feet tattooed, do one at a time. The healing process will be a lot easier when you have an untattooed foot that can take most of the strain when walking.
How Long Does A Tattoo On The Bottom Of Your Foot Take To Heal?
Tattoos on the feet present unique challenges when it comes to the healing process. This is because you can’t really go about your regular daily routine while a foot tattoo heals as you need to try to stay off of your feet and out of your shoes.
“There are two major reasons why shoes are bad for a healing tattoo: One is that the shoe creates friction against the surface of the foot, which can cause irritation or even remove some of the tattoo ink, leaving you with a faded tattoo. The other major problem is that it suffocates the tattoo, building up sweat and not allowing it to breathe. The combination of sweat, irritation, and lack of air is the perfect environment for bacteria and infection,”
Byrdie
Plan your under the foot tattoo during a time when you can take a few weeks off work.
Under the foot tattoos are also prone to infection because your feet are in constant contact with the ground, so it’s easy for dirt to get into your open skin. Getting a tattoo is getting a wound – your skin is open – so it’s important to protect the area from bacteria.
As well as keeping off of your feet, it’s important to also not swim or soak in any bodies of water (including pools, the ocean, hot tubs, rivers etc.) while your tattoo heals.
When it comes to the length of time an under the foot tattoo takes to heal, a lot depends on the intricacy of the tattoo design and the aftercare. Typically a tattoo can take around a month to heal.
The placement of a tattoo on the bottom of the foot is a unique option for those who desire a secret, hidden tattoo. But, this placement can be challenging because of the pain and complicated healing process. It’s essential to plan ahead before getting a bottom of the foot tattoo.
Take time off work to allow proper healing, discuss the ideal design for this placement with your tattoo artist, and prepare your body to handle the process. By taking these steps, you can make sure that your bottom of the foot tattoo will be a beautiful addition to your body art collection.