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Can You Get a Tattoo On The Sole of Your Foot?

tattoo on sole of foot

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It is possible to get a tattoo on the bottom of your foot, but most tattoo artists advise against it. In fact, some artists believe in this so strongly, they won’t tattoo the soles of feet at all. There’s two reasons for this: 1) Unless you’re able to stay completely off of it, most of them will heal terribly and even have a higher chance of infection. 2) They fade very quickly and can even be referred to as temporary tattoos. If you have your heart set on a sole tattoo, make sure to ask your artist if they’re willing to place a tattoo there before you book a consultation.

Do Tattoos On The Sole of Your Foot Fade?

Tattoos on the sole of your foot fade very quickly. They are likely the fastest fading place to get a tattoo. The reason for this is, as you’re walking around, the skin on the bottom of your foot will be constantly rubbing against your sock, shoe, or the ground. As it rubs, it will shed off layers of skin, which is what causes these tattoos to be temporary. The type of skin located on the sole of your foot also tends to be very thick and isn’t ideal for tattoos.

Does a Tattoo On The Sole of Your Foot Hurt?

Perhaps surprisingly, tattoos on the sole of your foot hurt pretty bad. The arch and areas around your toes are commonly referred to as the most painful part of a tattoo on the bottom of your foot, but even a tattoo on the actual fleshy sole of your foot hurts pretty bad. It’s also one of the more painful tattoos to heal because it will constantly have pressure and weight on it, which will cause it to feel sore and delay the healing process.

How To Take Care of a Tattoo On the Bottom of Your Foot

Tattoos on the bottom of your foot are hard to heal and can become infected easily, so proper care in this case is vital. You should ideally be barefoot as much as possible. Socks and closed toed shoes will suffocate your tattoo, which slows down the healing process and can also be a breeding ground for bacteria. You’ll also want to minimize walking in general as this will rub your tattoo and cause fading and even infection. As with all tattoos, keep it dry, moisturized, and don’t scratch!

Conclusion

It is possible to get a tattoo on the bottom of your foot, but it’s generally not advised. You may even have a hard time finding an artist willing to tattoo you. Sole tattoos are very hard to heal, fade quickly, are painful, and have a higher chance of infection than other tattoos. If you have your heart set on a sole tattoo, you’ll need to take proper care of it by avoiding socks and closed toed shoes and making sure it stays clean throughout the duration of the healing period. To prolong your tattoo as much as possible, keep it well moisturized.