From simple symbols adorning a person’s finger to realistic animal portraits done on a tiny scale, it seems that any tattoo you want can be reduced.
Before you jump on the mini-tattoo trend, there are a few things to consider. After all, a tattoo is a decision you make not only for the moment, but for years to come – even the smallest tattoo is still a permanent mark on your body.
Tattooing has limits
When you look at tattoo artists’ portfolios, you may get the impression that anything is possible in this world of ink and skin. Yes, while many incredible designs can be created with a tattoo machine in the hands of a skilled artist, this art form has its limits.
If you feel that your chosen design, a miniature portrait of your cat full of fine detail on your finger, will hold up and that there is nothing different about large tattoos compared to small designs, other than the size, then read on.
Here are five things to know before you opt for a miniature, delicate mini-tattoo:
1. Thin lines don’t hold up
A recent tattoo is beautiful: the colors are bright, the lines are clean and you think you’ll never regret the choice. However, time takes its toll.
The older your skin gets and the more sunlight it gets, the older your ink gets. But the larger the tattoo and the deeper the contrast, the longer it can remain in its clear glory.
When it comes to delicate tattoos that only occupy a small area of your skin, a smaller, finer needle will need to be used to produce the fine lines and details that the mini tattoo requires. Also, compared to more traditional tattoos, much less ink is needed.
“If it’s a single-needle tattoo, most artists reduce the amount of ink because they can’t use pure black, which would bleed, and reduce it so that the black pigment is not as strong, so the body removes it more quickly.” Brian Keith Thompson, renowned piercer and owner of Body Electric Tattoo, told Bustle.
Ink is a foreign substance that your body is actively trying to get rid of. So the less of it that is present in your tattoo, the less time your body will take to break down the design.
The less ink used is not the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to fine lines.
2. Mistakes can be more expressed in tattoos with delicate lines
When creating a large tattoo with lines made with an ordinary tattoo needle, small mistakes – a shaking of the hand while tattooing or a slight overshoot of the stencil image – are not noticeable.
But when it comes to delicate, tiny tattoos with fine lines, any mistake will be easily spotted.
Bang Bang, a famous tattoo artist, told Inked,
“If you have a very large needle and you have to make a line, any movement in your hand is very hard to see, because that line is going to be pretty thick. If you have a very thin needle, any movement is very easy to see because you’ll be moving essentially beyond the thickness of the line in any inaccuracy. So it’s very difficult to hide errors when you’re using very small needles.”
3. Blur and fade
In a delicate tattoo with fine detail, the lines are often very close together. If the area of skin between two tattooed lines is really small, over time, both lines can fade.
“Tattoos that have fine lines and detail are likely to blur over time, given their complex nature. Designs that are close together may also eventually fade, thanks to the natural regeneration of your skin cells. If your tattoo has a lot of small negative spaces, these will tend to fade over time. This is because the elasticity of your skin changes over the years, which affects the boundaries of your tattoo. Authority Tattoo
However, there are a variety of factors involved in tattoo fading, including how you care for your ink. Keeping your tattoo out of the sun or putting on SPF and following your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions can help preserve the longevity of your ink.
4. Mini tattoos can be a great way to get started with tattooing.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of getting a tattoo, but are put off by the idea of going under the needle or having a large design, starting with a small tattoo can be a great way to test the waters.
While tattoos are a commitment, there is a big difference between getting your entire upper arm inked and getting a small lightning bolt tattoo on your ankle. You can judge the pain and process, and decide from there if you want to add ink at a later stage.
A small tattoo can be easy to cover up – with ink if you want to opt for a larger design later, or with clothing.
5. Choose your artist carefully
This is a good rule of thumb for all tattoo styles: make sure the artist you choose is familiar with the type of design you’re looking for.
If you wanted a great birthday cake, you wouldn’t go to a baker who specializes in pies, would you?
Do your research and browse through portfolios so you can choose an artist who has mastered the fine, delicate line mini tattoos.
Also, an added bonus of going with a tattoo artist who has done a lot of mini tattoos is that they will be able to advise you on the design you want and whether or not it will work.
When it comes to choosing the type of tattoo you want to get, you don’t need anyone’s permission! What matters is that you know the risks involved and accept them. If you’re happy to get a very delicate and detailed mini-tattoo and enjoy it while it lasts, go ahead!