Trying to innovate in tattoos to be more and more extravagant is something that many people try to do. For a few years, tattoos on the tongue have become a trend, and it appears that it is here to stay.
But, many doubts arise when thinking about this type of tattoo. The tongue is an essential and also very sensitive muscle that cannot be tattooed in the same way as the rest of the body.
That is why certain care and fundamental data must be considered when thinking about this type of tattoo. Let's see.
Are there risks in tongue tattoos?
Any type of tattoo, to a greater or lesser extent, involves some type of risk. But when it comes to the mouth, we need to be more cautious, since it is a very delicate area.
One of the main risks is that tongue tattoos can alter taste.
When tattooing the tongue, puncturing the taste buds in the wrong way could cause permanent damage. Therefore, we recommend thinking carefully before tattooing this area to avoid future problems.
On the other hand, as it is a very sensitive and infection-prone area, extreme hygiene is essential.
You have to clarify it for the client that they maintain extreme hygiene both before getting the tattoo, and in the subsequent process.
For this, some people recommend helping this sterilization work by adding mouthwash to keep the area free of unwanted bacteria.
What do you need to know to tattoo them?
As unconventional tattoos, the ways to make them will be different. This is why we’ll develop the most important points.
Machines
Some comment that, as the tongue is a muscle covered by a very thick layer of epithelial tissue, electric machines used to tattoo the skin, both coil and rotary, may not be suitable for this type of tattoo.
According to some professionals, the punctures don’t get deep enough, and this causes the ink to disperse and fade out.
However, the lower part of the tongue may be tattooed with conventional machines, since this area has a smaller layer of epithelial tissue, which allows the ink to settle and not move or fade.
On the other hand, there are some artists who experiment with tattooing the upper part of the tongue using the hand poke method to achieve a more precise ink injection. But since there are no regulations or certifications on this subject, it is all trial and error.
The design
The simpler, the better. In this type of tattoo, it is highly recommended to keep it simple because since it is a very irregular surface, trying to make the strokes very neat is almost impossible.
In addition, as we mentioned before, these types of tattoos fade away rapidly and, generally, the changes are already noticeable from the next day. That is why it is not worth spending so much time on designs that, in the end, will be temporary.
Pain
Contrary to what many may think, tattoos on the tongue usually hurt less than any other. There are those who say that they only feel a small prick or discomfort.
Some people feel numbness or a slight tingling, but this always depends on each person and their pain threshold.
If you want to know more about this, read our post about the most painful areas to tattoo, Clearing doubts, where does it hurt more to get a tattoo?
Healing
Interestingly, this type of tattoo tends to heal much faster than others.
In general, while conventional tattoos take around 50 days to heal, tongue tattoos do so in a maximum of three weeks.
This only happens if the ink is well-inserted. Often, the tattoo fades in areas at very different levels, which is why the healing process will be somewhat irregular in this regard.
Care
As we mentioned before, good hygiene and extreme care in this area is essential, since it is very prone to infection. Both before and after, it is a task to be respected at all costs.
In the event of any complications, whether it be swelling or discomfort of any kind, visit a doctor.
Tongue tattoos, yes or no?
Undoubtedly, these tattoos generate controversies. Some think they are not worth it since they fade away after a short time and there is nothing else to do. Others, on the contrary, find it a fun option and choose to tattoo them.
In any case, it is important to note that there are no specific regulations on this practice, and tattoo artists have been on a trial-and-error basis for a long time.
What we can say is that, as with any tattoo, there are always risks, but in case of any doubt or insecurity, a medical consultation is essential, both by your client and by you as a tattoo artist.
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