Down-there Body Art (Vaginal Tattoos) — Don’t Even Think About It!

Your vagina can bring incredible pleasure—this we know. But it can also feel significant amounts of pain if it's not taken care of correctly. That includes avoiding products, toys, and toiletries that pose a hidden threat to the health of your vajayjay. "The vagina contains the most delicate and sensitive skin of your entire body, and things that seem harmless can leave you with an infection, irritation, burns, or other damage.

What is a Vagina Tattoo?

A common misconception is that a vagina tattoo only applies to the actual vagina itself. This is not the case, the term “vagina tattoo” applies to the pelvic area as a whole. Where the pubic hair grows, and that which can be concealed by standard panties, falls under this category. Some artists may only consider anything below the pantie-line of low rider panties as falling under vagina tattoos. Others use the pantie-line of standard panties to determine what is considered a vagina tattoo.

Ultimately this is nothing more than semantics. Artists use the varying border lines to either set price guides, or for marketing purposes. Not everyone responds well to the idea of getting a “vagina” tattoo, but are OK with a “lower tummy”, “groin”, “inner hip/thigh” or a “pelvic” tattoo.

Why Would Someone Ink Their Vagina?

Choosing to get a tattoo is always a personal choice. Where you choose to get said tattoo, could have even more diverse reasoning behind it.

Vaginal Tattoos Risk Factors

Now that you've known what a vagina tattoo is, it is important to examine the risk factors associated with getting a genital tattoo.

Infection

At any given moment, your skin is covered in microscopic bacteria. Anytime that you puncture the skin from a scrape on your knee to a tattoo, you are letting bacteria in. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that skin infections and allergic reactions are among the most common complications from tattooing, according to the Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management.

While there isn't any conclusive evidence that states genital tattoos are more susceptible to infection, it's always a concern. Symptoms of an infection at the tattoo site could include inflammation, rash, fever, crusting, and oozing.

To lessen your chances of getting an infection(if you need a vagina tattoo really bad):

• Ensure that the facility you use is reputable and clean and in compliance with all state and local laws, especially in regard to sterilization techniques.
• Additionally, ensure you follow all the aftercare recommendations given by your artist, such as keeping the area clean (with antibacterial soap) and dry, using a sterile bandage or covering if possible, and applying the recommended ointment several times a day.
• Lastly, given that this area is sometimes difficult to monitor and care for, it may be necessary to use a mirror or have a trusted individual aid you in ointment application or infection monitoring.

Scarring

All tattoos can scar, depending on your body or the depth of the needle. While this can be a problem from an aesthetic viewpoint, it might also affect the sensitivity and function of the genital area.

Comfort Factor

Genital tattoos can be very bold and beautiful, making a very important part of your anatomy unique. However, it does take a certain kind of person to lay it all out on the table, so to speak. Not only must you be able to handle the pain of a needle poking this very sensitive area, possibly hundreds of times, but you need to ensure that you'll be comfortable with the artist touching you in the area that is being tattooed.

Pain

Pain and tattoos seem to go hand-in-hand. As with other areas of the body, tattooing the genitals requires pulling the skin taunt and placing a needle into the skin, about 1/64th to 1/16th inch into the dermis. Along the pubic bone, the vagina is some of the most painful places to tattoo.

Therefore, a genital tattoo is not suggested for your first tattoo. Getting a tattoo in other places first can ensure you understand the pain involved and the length of the tattooing process. Depending on the size and intricacy of the design involved for your genital tattoo, it might be helpful to talk to your tattoo artist about scheduling several sessions.

Final Word.

There is no getting around it, with a genital tattoo, there will be touching involved. From the placing of the stencil to the actual tattooing, a tattoo artist, possibly a stranger, will be touching you in a very intimate place. Tattoo artists will be required to manipulate the area to get the right angle and position for tattooing, and this will not always be gentle.

A Lot to Consider

While genital ornamentation has been around for millennia and can make a very bold, powerful statement about your body, there are some very real concerns that you should take into consideration when thinking about that genital tattoo. If the risks outweigh the benefits in your mind, go for it. With an open mind, self-confidence, and a touch of humor, you can turn your personal space into a work of art.