Choosing the right tattoo design matters — so does finding the right spot for it.
Wrist and ankle tattoos are popular choices, but if you’re still unsure about your tattoo commitment levels (but you really want one), here’s an idea. Why not get an underboob tattoo?
“Wait, aren’t underboob tattoo designs very front and center?” you might ask, and they are. The placement of these tattoos (which is under your breast) can be intimidating, but it is an idea worth exploring. If you feel uncertain, that’s understandable since underboob tattoo designs can be provocative and intimate. However, they give tattooers enough space to create beautiful designs.
If you’re thinking about getting an underboob tattoo, you might have a few questions. So, we’re here to help you make the decision by answering frequently asked questions concerning underboob tattoos.
What are Underboob Tattoos?
Literally, an underboob tattoo is a tattoo designed under your breast (hence, its other name under breast tattoo). However, the term covers a wider scope since it includes tattoos that wrap around the cleavage, ribs, sternum and side boob — basically anything in your chest area.
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Most people prefer to have floral pieces or scripts designed on their ribs or around the side of their breasts, but tattoos on the sternum area are growing in popularity as well. Whether you prefer simpler underboob tattoo designs between your breasts or bigger pieces stretched out under them, the sky’s the limit.
With how many tattoos you should have, it depends on you. You can choose to have a standalone underboob flower tattoo or you can incorporate underboob tattoo designs with other parts of your body. Choosing the perfect size for your underboob tattoo can be more complex than inking your limbs, but your tattoo artist can help you figure out the proportions.
How Long Do Underboob Tattoos Last?
Your sternum tattoo can look good for a lifetime as long as you practice proper care. Underboob tattoos need a lot of TLC. Your clothes, which can rub against your new ink, can cause friction damage, not to mention the effects of moisture and sweat.
As long as you ensure that your skin heals perfectly and you follow a strict aftercare regime (which we’ll discuss later), you should be fine with your tattoo for a long time. The skin under your breast doesn’t receive as much exposure to natural elements. Also, this area of the body rarely suffers from dry skin, so expe4ct your tattoo to age gracefully with you.
How Much Does an Underboob Tattoo Cost?
The cost of a tattoo depends on a variety of factors, which is why giving a good estimate isn’t easy. However, if you’ve decided to get a tattoo under your breast, save up! Underboob tattoo designs are more expensive compared to other tattoos because of their difficulty for tattoo artists. The sternum area is a difficult place for a tattooist since the skin is thinner compared to your forearm, which makes the job trickier.
Apart from the location of your tattoo, its size and design will influence the price. In general, the more coloring, shading and lines your underboob tattoo has, the pricier it will be. If you want to get a more accurate estimate of your preferred underboob tattoo design, request a quote from your local artist.
Why Do Underboob Tattoos Hurt?
Like any tattoo, this one is bound to sting but it is more painful compared to other areas of your body. Most people have different tolerance levels for pain, but in terms of pain levels, underboob tattoos are infamous for being too painful. The ribs and sternum are delicate areas since the skin is thin and the bones are under the surface.
If you’re not a big fan of pain but still want the tattoo, go for simpler designs like micro tats, dotwork or one-line designs. Writing under your breast is a tattoo you can tolerate, as long as the writing isn’t too long or the script is too thick.
Choosing Your Underboob Tattoo Design
When it underboob tattoo designs, you have more freedom with your choices since you have plenty of space in this area of your body. Flower tattoos are popular underboob tattoo designs, and so are script writings.
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Other popular underboob designs include the following:
Landscapes
Drawing inspiration from Mother Nature always helps. If you want a landscape tattoo, make use of triangle shapes to get the most out of your under cleavage area. A tidal wave or a mountain range is perfect for an underboob tattoo design.
Text
Tattoos are personal and meaningful. What better way to represent something personal than with a quote or text that matters to you? Text tattoos look great as side boob or underboob tattoos. However, brace yourself for the pain since the rib cage area hurts more.
Wings
There’s plenty of space under your breast area. Balance both your boobs out with a pair of wings. Angel wings, bat wings, insect wings — no matter what the design is, the wing tattoo can beautifully perch on your undercleavage.
Mandala
If you’re looking for something calm and artistic at the same time, the mandala’s intricate and round design is perfect for you.
If you need more inspiration with the design, consider the underbreast tattoos of the following celebrities.
Rihanna
Apart from her musical talents, Rihanna makes waves in the industry with her fashion statements. One way she does so is with her tattoos. Her most popular inked art is the gorgeous and ornate Egyptian goddess tattoo under her breasts. Her tattoo of the goddess Isis was a tribute to her grandmother, Dolly.
Miley Cyrus
If you’re a big fan of quotable quotes, take a page out of Miley Cyrus’ book with her ‘Just Breathe’ tattoo under her left breast.
Ruby Rose
While plenty of underboob tattoo designs depict mandalas or flowers, actress Ruby Rose thought out of the box and had a crown design. The grungy crown tattoo gives off a more edgy and modern vibe, which is fitting for Rose.
Sarah Hyland
Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland had her favorite quote from Robert Frost turned into a tattoo with symbolism. Her text-based tattoo is neat yet elegant.
Cara Delevingne
If you want something more simple, go with Cara Delevingne’s tattoo design — a simple script under each breast.
Underboob Tattoo Aftercare
Taking care of your underboob tattoo design can be tricky due to its placement, especially if you’re always wearing a bra. To ensure the proper healing of your tattoo, be extra careful with your skin art. Here are some important aftercare tips to follow:
- Avoid activities that expose your tattoo to humidity or sweat.
- Stay away from the sun as much as possible. This means no beach outings until your tattoos have healed.
- Be mindful of your posture. Avoid slouching as much as possible.
- Avoid sleeping on the sides. Once you’ve had your tattoo, sleep on your back to reduce the pressure on your new tattoo. Do this until your tattoo has healed.
- Practice a simple care routine for your tattoo. During the first two days, clean the area with unscented soap. Once the skin has tightened after Day 2 or Day 3, start applying scent-free moisturizers on the skin after cleaning your tattoo.
- Refrain from peeling or picking your scabs. They might be fun to touch, but if you keep touching them, you’ll end up with a faded tattoo.
- Keep in mind that healing takes up to two to three weeks. Until then, follow a strict aftercare routine, as well as the instructions given by your tattoo artist.
One of the common questions people ask concerning this tattoo is “Can I wear a bra after getting a sternum tattoo?” We don’t recommend doing so. Avoid wearing something immediately since the fabric will create friction or rub the area. Your bra can also cause scabs or flakes to rub off the night before, which could speed up your tattoo’s fading.
If you need some support for your girls, wear a string bikini for the first week. This way, it’s not too tight around your torso.
Another thing to consider is what you should wear during the appointment. To make things easier after your tattoo session, bring a zip-up or a button-up jacket.
The Bottom Line
Tattoos are a form of self-expression, and if having a beautiful underboob tattoo design helps you express who you are, go for it! It might be the breast — we mean, BEST — decision that you’ll ever make.