The Ultimate Guide to Foot Tattoos: Inspiring Designs, Placement Tips, and Aftercare Advice

So you’re thinking about joining the brave ranks of tattoo enthusiasts who have opted for a foot tattoo. After all, beautiful images of carefully placed and designed tattoos for feet have been flooding Instagram and Pinterest over the past few years, making it hard not to give in to temptation. But not so fast! I’m sure you’ve heard the rumours drifting through the tattoo community about these increasingly popular tattoos. After all, foot tattoos have a reputation for being painful tattoos, difficult to care for, and fading quickly. Does this mean you should rethink your stance on foot tattoos? Definitely not. It just means a bit more research into the subject is ideal before booking your appointment. With the right planning, a foot tattoo can be a beautiful addition to your ink collection.

Foot tattoo placement options

The first thing to think about with your foot is tattoo placement. Top of the foot, side of the foot, toes, and ankles are all fair game, but each come with their own pros and cons to consider. For instance, the side of your foot is going to be more prone to fading as it will likely rub against your shoes. On the other hand, the top of your foot is likely going to be the most painful. You will also need to take extra care to protect the top of your foot from the sun in the summer. Ankle tattoos tend to be the most risk-free option and are therefore a great choice for newbies.

Deciding on the right season to get a foot tattoo

You likely won’t be able to wear your favourite closed-toed shoes or socks for the first few days while your foot tattoo heals. So if you live in an area with harsh winters, you may want to wait on that new tattoo until the summer months roll around. Additionally, if you have a job with a strict dress code, you may opt to wait for some vacation days.

Do Foot Tattoos Hurt?

There are a few areas of the body that have a reputation in the tattoo community for being the most painful. A few of the top performers on the pain scale are the ribs, any area close to the armpits, and, yes, the feet! The feet have a lot of nerve endings. Combine that with the fact that there isn’t a lot of padding on your feet to protect you from the bone-rattling sensation of the tattoo machine. Does this mean your foot tattoo is destined to be painful? Not necessarily. Everyone’s ability to handle pain is different. Some find that the most difficult part of a foot tattoo is simply keeping your feet still during the process.

Foot tattoo healing and aftercare

Due to the sensitive location of foot tattoos, you have to be a little bit more diligent with your tattoo aftercare. This means paying extra attention to footwear and sun exposure. Some foot tattoos may also cause pain or swelling for the first few days, making it difficult to spend too much time on your feet. It’s best if you are able to get your tattoo done at a time when you have a few days to relax afterwards in order to avoid aggravating the area. In addition to selecting proper footwear, you’ll want to gently wash your tattoo with a fragrance-free soap at least twice a day. After washing, pay the tattoo dry with a clean towel or fresh paper towel and then apply a thin layer of unscented lotion or tattoo aftercare balm. You’ll also want to resist the urge to pick at any scabs or peeling skin. Scabbing is normal and should be left alone. Once the tattoo is fully healed, take care to protect it from the sun by either covering it or applying sunblock before going out. Do keep in mind however that foot tattoos will almost always need touching up at some point in their life-span, as they will usually fade a bit over time, even when cared for properly.

Foot tattoo design ideas

There are endless options when it comes to beautiful foot tattoo designs. Some popular styles of foot tattoos include floral designs, tribal designs, or quirky and unique small tattoos. To find the perfect idea to add some body art to your feet, consult with your favourite tattoo artist. The best tattoo artists will be able to tell you what may or may not work well for a foot tattoo and help you design the perfect piece of art that’s well suited to the placement you’ve agreed upon. If you’re located in Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, or Kitsilano Vancouver, the experienced artists at Chronic Ink Tattoo are always ready to help breathe some life into your wildest tattoo ideas.

Final Thoughts About Foot Tattoos

Foot tattoos are unique and stylish ways to express your personality and adorn your feet with artwork that will last a lifetime. They are also a great option for those individuals that want a tattoo, but can’t have any visible due to their profession. If you’re ready to learn more or take the next step to get your very own, give us a call or drop by one of our conveniently located tattoo shops. The talented tattoo artists at Chronic Ink and Tattoo would love to help out.