You are seeing them more and more everywhere you go, but getting a neck tattoo is a big step. With the neck being one of the more visible parts of the body there are a few things one must consider. Besides the sensitivity of the area, choosing the right artist and style of tattoo is important, or turtlenecks and scarves may be a necessary choice of wardrobe.
In today’s modern world, it is more of a way of making a statement to express one’s thoughts and personalities rather than a tradition. People get tattoos on practically every part of their bodies; however, neck tattoos have a special appeal due to it’s placement on a highly visible and very sensitive part of the human body.
Here are some of the options for common neck tattoos.
- Back neck tattoo: It is one of the most popular tattoo placements. It suits a smaller or more subtle design and is ideal for your first neck tattoo. That’s because you can cover it with your collared shirt or your hair.
- Full neck Tattoos: A full neck tattoo wraps around your throat to form a ‘collar’ effect. A full neck tattoo allows you to stand out from the crowd.
- Front neck tattoos: The front of your neck is an excellent place for an eye-catching tattoo since it will always be visible to other people.
- Religious tattoo: The neck is one of the most popular places for religious tattoos, including the classic cross of wings representing guardian angels. Faith is an essential thing in one’s life therefore this tattoo shows to every one of your deep devotion.
- Shoulder and neck tattoos: One of the coolest tattoos is a combined shoulder and neck tattoo. The artist has plenty of room for a detailed and elaborate design.
How bad do neck tattoos hurt?
A neck tattoo tends to be very painful as the skin around the neck is very sensitive. How much it hurts will also depend on exactly where you’re getting inked.
Front of the neck tattoos: The front neck has very thin skin and a lot of nerve endings and muscle mass, which only makes it more sensitive. One of the most uncomfortable points during the procedure is that it becomes uncomfortable to breathe.
Side: The side of the neck is considered to be one of the least painful areas to get a tattoo. As it does not have nearly the number of nerves as the front does. However, it may depend from person to person.
Back of the neck tattoo: The pain depends on the precise location of the tattoo. Usually, people who have neck tattoos mention that the least painful area is the lowest part of the neck – either side of the spine and near the shoulders. As the skin tends to be thicker in this area.
The type of design you’re going for also plays a significant role in the amount of pain you might have to endure. For those getting inked for the first time, it is suggested to start with small tattoos since the bolder and bigger the tattoo the more painful it will be.
One way of finding some relief from the pain is to take small breaks during the inking process. Always advise the artist when you’d like to step away for few minutes. You may find that gentle breathing and relaxation exercises can work wonders to alleviate neck tattoo pain.
How much do neck tattoos cost?
As common and popular tattoos are, they don’t come cheap; there are many factors that affect the prices – size, the complexity of the artwork, the color used, time spend, etc.
| Experience | $ Hourly Rate |
| Beginner (1-3 yrs) | $80 – $120 per hour |
| Solo Tattoo Artist (3-5 yrs) | $100 – $150 per hour |
| Pro Artist (5 – 10 yrs) | $150 – $200 per hour |
| Popular Artist | $200 + |
Note: Expensive cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York can charge more than their counterparts in cheaper parts of the world.
How do you shower with a new neck tattoo?
While showering try not to spray water directly on the inked area. Standing under a shower and letting the water run over or using your clean hands to rinse the tattoo is fine. Be gentle to avoid irritating your newly tattooed skin which means avoiding loofah, washcloths, or sponges. These may harbor bacteria and increase the chances of infection. Wash the area gently with mild and fragrance-free soap.
Products with alcohol and certain chemicals which can dry your skin should also be avoided. Swimming or sitting in a bathtub, hot tubs, pools, or open water for at least 2 weeks should be avoided (or as long as your tattoo artist recommends).
How do you sleep with a neck tattoo?
Sleep is important when your body is healing. So, make sleep a priority during the initial week. If the artist sent you home with adhesive wrap, you can leave that on the tattoo overnight and it should protect both the ink of your new tattoo and your bed sheets. Using a clean bed sheet will help in keeping the tattoo clean and protect from germs, sweat, bacteria that may have accumulated overtime on a sheet.
If you find that your tattoo has pressed up against the sheet at night and is stuck to the material they do not pull or yank it off without loosening the area by wetting the fabric.
If at all possible, try not to lie on the freshly tattooed area to avoid unwanted pressure on the new piece so try to lie in a position that doesn’t apply pressure.
Can you get a good job with a neck tattoo?
Today’s youth are embracing more and more unique ways to express themselves through tattoos. Over the past few years, a lot of startups or tech companies really gearing their culture towards millennial’s, with openwork environments or social hours, etc. However, there is no one answer to fit all the situations. It all depends on the person sitting on the other side of the table, and on their views about tattoos. Officially there is no such guideline to bar a person from working just because he or she has a tattoo. People working in the creative sectors like media, fashion designing, etc can have them without any problems as tattoos can be taken as an extension of their creativity.
Are neck tattoos a bad idea?
A tattoo’s impact and symbolism differ from place to place and culture to culture. The main reason why neck tattoos can be a bad idea is that the neck skin, it is extremely thin, stretchy, and delicate to handle. Neck tattoos can look bad if not done by a well-experienced artist. A visible neck tattoo also affects chances of future jobs therefore one should be careful while making a decision in getting a neck tattoo.
Whether you decide to get inked on the neck or at any other body part, one of the most important things to remember is to always go to a verified tattoo artist and ensure the safe use of inking instruments. The instruments should always be sterile to ensure there is no transmission of diseases. Choose your designs carefully and give it a good thought before you get inked, because tattoos permanent and are a window to your personality. Have fun getting inked!