I'd like a tattoo on my hand?

Question

Im turning 18 in the winter and want to get a tattoo on my hand.

It would be 3 small symbols in this order right next to each other:
A Peace Sign, A Cross, and a Ying Yang.


Would this be painful?
If my boss were to see it could they fire me?
Instead of the ying yang what other small symbol would you get?
If you were to come across me and see it what would your first thoughts of me be?

It would be on the side of my thumb where the bone is, or on my wrist next to my palm, upside down for me but rightside up for you

Answer 1

I would think very carefully before getting a tattoo on your hand. They don't always last so well, because hands are exposed to the sun a lot, the skin moves around constantly, and it's a difficult area for the scabs on the new tattoo to be able to heal properly - all of which can mean it doesn't look all that good in the long term.

'If' your boss sees it doesn't come into it. If it's on your hand, they WILL see it, unless you propose wearing gloves all the time when you're at work. Employment legislation obviously differs from place to place; I doubt there's a law anywhere that says you can fire people just for getting tattooed, but your employers may have a policy on visible tattoos (forming part of your contract), and even if they don't, it would affect how they and future employers thought of you.

Many tattoo artists won't tattoo people's hands anyway - particularly not at age 18, for a first tattoo. This is because, as you correctly identified, having a highly-visible tattoo can affect how people see you.

Personally, I wouldn't let it drive me to judge you; if I met you, I'd want to know about you as a person rather than jumping to conclusions. But a lot of people do hold stereotypes about tattoos and tattooed people - just hang around here for a while, and read some of the 'hater' answers that get posted! Some people certainly would judge you for it - which is why it's a big commitment. I won't tell you not to get it - that's up to you. But do give it a lot of thought first.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There is a lady at my job that just got a hand tattoo and it's beautiful, it's 3 small pink butterflies betweeen the thumb and index finger. She did not get fired because she wears gloves granted she makes $9 an hour and hands out food samples for a living. So just keep in mind it may limit where you can work in the future. I know I want to teach kindergarden when I graduate so I'm trying to stay away from anything highly visable that may get me turned down for a teaching position.

Answer 3

Well, first let me tell you that not many artists like doing tattoos on hands. The reason is that they fade very fast. Just a waste of your money. With your hands in water and used alot, it isn't a practical place to have them. Maybe the inside of your wrist would be a better place for them. Take a look at someone who has tattoos on their fingers and hands. They don't look great after awhile. You are only 18. Can you imagine what they will look like in 10 years. Just blobs of ink most likely.
I have 7 tattoos and plan for more, but I won't get them on my hands or feet for this reason.
Oh, and yes it will be painful. Especially on any bones.

Answer 4

i am going to have to agree with a lot of whats been said, i am tattoed and worked in a studio for a long time, and its not something i would encourage, Take a few days, and look at peoples hands, they age more than any other part of the body apart from face but along a similar path, its easy to tell a persons age from their hands, few places are willing to employ someone with such a visible statement too, and once its there, its there. Have your work done, by all means and enjoy it, but think carefully about having your hand done, i have had some of mine for years and years and still enjoy it as much as i did when i got it, i can have a lot of it on show if i want to, but cover it when its appropriate. I was lucky enough to have my hands done with proper henna a few years ago, by a very professional artist, it was very beautiful, but after 5 weeks i was so glad it was fading, it was just too much looking at it all the time. i hope some of this has helped a little, even if its not really what you wanted to hear, good luck

Answer 5

I would get it were it could be covered up for work. I really like the idea your thinking of though. I like all those symbols. You should look more into you employee rules and stuff. Every workplace is different. You probably can't have tattoos unless they are covered up, but if you work at another place, then you may be able to. Plus your 17 now, soon to be 18 and as much as you love your job, I'm sure, you won't have it the rest of your life, and it may be different at your next, regarding tattoos.

Answer 6

I still have to see someone with a tattoo on their hands but i think it would be very cool! Very gutsy! The only thing is that it may fade away since you do use your hand all the time!
My brother got a tattoo ring on one of his fingers 5 years ago, and already its faded away, especially on the inside of his hand, you only see faint green lines, very crappy i think!
I like the symbols you chose, personally i like to draw on my hands with a black marker but i usually make silly symbols!
Maybe you can have a sun and moon instead of the ying yang? Just a suggestion!

Answer 7

I would stay off the hand, and go with the wrist. I am friends with a few tattoo artists. Even they said that for the first few weeks after getting their hands or knuckles tattooed, they were wondering "what the hell they just did to themselves." Many tattoo artists won't do your hands unless you are already heavily tattooed, the same goes for the side of the neck and throat. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 8

hi i have 3 tattoos and I'm getting another 2 in a couple of weeks I'm having 1 on my wrist of a band of Lily's with a butterfly. I think you're design sounds really good.different peoples pain barrier is diffrent it may hurt a little but its all worth it in the end. I reaslly like the little symbol christina aguileras got on her wrist its simple but looks really nice hope ya get what ya want
GOOD LUCK HUN

Answer 9

You may just realize your fears when your boss sees it. Most employers don't keep or hire employees with tattoos where the general public can see them as it reflects back on the company. Besides, this hand will be seen by millions in your lifetime. My first thoughts of you would be "what were you thinking? Were you drunk"? How many men would want to introduce their wives to others shaking a hand with a juvenile tattoo on it? Can you imagine holding your baby with everyone looking at your tattood hand? Think about it!

Answer 10

i would suggest not getting a hand tattoo, especially if it will be your first tattoo... or your third or fifth or seventh. there is a stigma to visible tattoos. especially ones on the hand, neck and face. i know very few people with hand tattoos (most of them are tattoo artists) i wouldn't think anything negative about you but a lot of people would and that probably would get annoying.
as for WHAT you're getting... it's not something i would ever get but it's your body.