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If you’re looking for tattoo ideas, hand and finger tattoos are more popular than ever. But if you look closely, you could notice some high-level nail art: nail tattoos. Tattoo artists have been adorning their own and their clients’ tips with ink all over TikTok recently, using an actual tattoo gun to apply star signs, calligraphy, and abstract art designs to their nails, and we have to say, we’re tempted. With Maby, you can take the initiative in everything.
Tattoos are typically permanent. However, it turns out that nail tats are not. That means you can explore as much as you like without committing — but more on that later because there’s still a lot to think about before you go to the tattoo shop. We contacted a tattoo artist and a dermatologist for their opinions on everything you should know about your new inky manicure. Visit the Maby blog to discover the most trending nail designs today.
What exactly are nail tattoos?
Nail tattoos are what they sound like: tattoos that are put to your fingernails instead than your skin. While they are applied using the same tattoo gun and ink as traditional tattoos, they require an additional steady touch from your artist.
“They’re not difficult to apply per se, but they’re more like a scratching motion on a hard surface, so making a neat line is a little more difficult,” Pignanelli adds. While your nail tats may not be suited for complicated works of art, they can be a great place to showcase amusing fonts or tiny, meaningful motifs.
“The simpler the design, the easier it will be to tattoo in such a little place,” Pignanelli argues. Here are some ideas for Aura nails.
Are nail tattoos permanent?
Surprisingly, the answer is no. Rather than tattooing your skin, your artist embeds the ink in your nail, making nail tats impermanent.
“The tattoo is scratched into the nail’s surface, so it grows out with it. It does not penetrate far enough into the nail to reach the nail bed, “Gabby Pignanelli, a tattoo artist at Inked NY in New York City, explains. Pignanelli tattoos her and her clients’ nails with everything from nails to spiderwebs.
“Nail tattoos should grow out with the nail, which takes six months, and should not travel down to the nail bed,” says Ellen Marmur, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Instead of stressing out trying to choose a design you’ll like in twenty years, use it as an opportunity to experiment with design and color.
“I like black, but any color will work,” says Burak Noire, owner and tattoo artist at Fleur Noire, which has locations in New York City and Los Angeles. “I would recommend keeping the design as simple as possible. You can be creative by utilizing thin lines or dots, “he adds. You can also apply a gel top coat over the top to make the design pop, or if you need to cover them up for some reason, a couple of coats of pigmented polish will cover up the evidence of your new ink.
“Just have fun with it,” Pignanelli says, “it’s just for a little time!”.
Are nail tattoos safe?
Dr. Marmur and Pignanelli both agree that nail tattoos are generally safe. That said, it’s best to get it from a tattoo artist you trust; like with most body alterations, it’s not without risk.
“It is safe when done at the proper depth,” says Dr. Marmur. “Nail tattoos are like scratches in the nail plate, like hair, firmly packed keratin. “Unlike hair, there is delicate tissue beneath the nail that might be harmed by the tattoo artist if done too violently,” she notes. And if you’ve ever had a fingernail injury, you know it’s a delicate and fragile area. “The risk would be bleeding and infection, which can become deadly quickly in the finger. “The worst case scenario is compartment syndrome, which is an emergency,” she continues. In general, it’s as safe as a regular tattoo.
Nail tattoos are not a DIY project. “No tattoos, especially nail tattoos, should ever be done at home,” Noire cautions. “Always consult a specialist; the danger is not worth it. I would especially avoid sticking and poking your nails. Conduct some research and discover an artist you can rely on.”
Do nail tattoos hurt?
Noire and Pignanelli tell Allure that the procedure will be painless, except for some moderate pressure. “It can’t hurt. It feels more like pressure on your nail, or if you’ve been to a nail salon, it feels like when they sand your nails down with the [electric file], “Pignanelli explains. She does mention that folks with weaker nails may have a more intense sensation. “I’ve heard it might be a little pinch if you have thinner nails,” she explains.
How much do nail tattoos cost?
Tattoo artists often charge by the hour or time spent, with art size and detail considered. A minimum price specified by the artist or the tattoo shop may apply. However, because nail tattoos are often relatively small, some artists may offer to do numerous nail tattoos at once for a predetermined price.