Getting That Hand Tattoo Idea
So, I’d been seeing Ryan Garcia, you know, the boxer, flashing his hand tattoos quite a bit. Can’t deny, they looked pretty cool, got a certain vibe. It got me thinking. I’ve got a few pieces already, but never ventured onto the hands. Seemed like a big step, honestly. Hands are always out there, visible.
Mulling It Over
I spent a good couple of weeks just turning the idea over in my head. Was I really ready for a hand tattoo? What kind of design? I didn’t want an exact copy of Garcia’s stuff, that’s not my style. I wanted something that felt like me but maybe captured some of that bold energy. I started sketching some rough ideas, nothing fancy, just getting thoughts on paper. Looked at tons of hand tattoo pictures online, trying to figure out what kind of placement and style would work best for my hand shape and existing ink.
Finding the Right Artist
This part was crucial. Hand tattoos are tricky, you need someone who really knows what they’re doing. I didn’t just walk into the first shop I saw. I spent time looking through local artists’ portfolios online. Specifically searched for artists experienced with hands. Found this one guy whose style seemed to click. His lines were clean, his hand pieces looked solid. I booked a consultation.
The Consultation and Design
Went in, chatted with the artist. Showed him my rough ideas and talked about the vibe I was going for, mentioning the Garcia inspiration but stressing I wanted something original. He got it. We worked together, tweaked my initial concept. He did a quick stencil mock-up on my hand so I could see the placement and size properly. Felt right. We locked in the design and booked the appointment.
Getting Inked
Appointment day. Have to admit, I was a bit nervous. Heard hands can be pretty spicy. Got settled in the chair. The artist prepped my hand, cleaned it real good, then applied the stencil. Looked good. He got the machine ready. That buzz… you know it. Okay, here we go. Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Certain spots near the knuckles and bones definitely made me grit my teeth, but overall, manageable. We took a short break midway. The whole thing probably took about two hours, maybe a bit more.
The Aftermath and Healing
Once he finished, wiped it down, it looked raw but awesome. He wrapped it up carefully, gave me the whole aftercare speech – keep it clean, use the right ointment, don’t soak it. The first couple of days it was pretty swollen and tender, which is normal for hands. Washing it gently was key. Then came the peeling stage, looked kinda gross for a bit, but that’s just the healing process. Had to resist the urge to pick at it. Just kept applying a thin layer of unscented lotion.
Healed and Happy
Took about three weeks, maybe four, for it to fully settle in and look properly healed. I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s bold, yeah, but it feels like a part of me now. It’s a reminder of pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone. Definitely a conversation starter too. Worth it? Yeah, I’d say so. Just make sure you really think it through and find a good artist if you’re considering getting your hands done.
