Sternum tattoos! Of course, we are talking about one of the most painful and hardest tattoos. A sort of tattoo, your tattoo artist will hesitate to get for them. What makes the sternum so hard to get? Yes, it is not all about pain.

There are some major precautions ns, screams to be taken. Most people miss those and end up experiencing the worst. We have researched some most basic things that need to be looked after before and after getting a sternum tattoo.

 Let’s take you to the dos and don’ts of pre and post period of getting a sternum tattoo.

Sternum tattoos, what are those?

Before jumping to the complicated part, it’s what Rihanna, Melanie Martinez, and Betty have got. Talking about sternum tattoos, how can we miss out on Dwayne Johnson? The bone of your chest is called the Sternum. In the center of your chest, a sternum is a solid bone area.

When you get tattoos around your chest bone areas, it becomes and sternum tattoo. The bone is covered with a layer of very dilute skin. From decorative artistic little patterns around the chest to tattoos that cover the whole chest, sternum tattoos vary in design.  

We all attach meaning to the patterns that we get tatted on the skin but people pay extra attention to the meaning of sternum tattoos because our heart lives inside the chest and that makes sternum tattoos directly linked to the heart.

Do Sternum Tattoos Hurt?

Sadly, there is very less fat and thinnest tissue between the bone and our skin. That makes it the most painful sort of tattoo. This is your chest bones taking the hits of needles all on their own.

This anatomy is the thing that makes the sternum tattoos painful.  Tattoo equipment’s throbbing can add up to the ache. The pain of sternum tattoos can be felt and heard as well.

Sternum For Beginners:

We admire the people who have a love for ink. But getting your first one, the sternum is something we wouldn’t recommend. For a beginner getting a sternum is flying a plane after seeing one, flying high in the skies.

 The kind of pain that comes with a sternum tattoo is hard to go through even for a tattoo artist. That kind of pain needs a type of pain threshold, that you can only get after getting multiple tattoos.

So, getting your first one, a sternum tattoo? Um.. we don’t think so.

Things that require your attention before getting a sternum tattoo.

• Get yourself ready for the pain

Before getting into the wrestling- ring you need to prepare yourself for fighting the Haku, or at least taking his hits and punches.

Even if the pain is your buddy, with whom you have been hanging out around the town, you still need to get prepared for this one.

1. Do use a gel or cream to numb the targeted area so that it doesn’t send pain signals to your brain.
2. Chamomile, aloe vera, green tea, and calendula type of natural ingredients can also help reduce the pain
3. Soaps that are made to give relief from swelling and irritation can also be helpful
4. Let your tattooist do the touching and cleaning, do not touch the area during or before getting the session or prep.

• Appropriate clothing

We are sure that you would mind getting your cute top or branded shirt dirty. So wear something about which you couldn’t care any less. In case of leakage from tattoo bandages, your favorite shirt will be in the closet safe and sound.

The second thing you need to make sure about is, your clothes should be loose. Tight garments can rub around the wounds and create irritation also can make the wounds re-open. Go for something loose and soft with no inners.

• Meal and Music

If you are getting one of those patterns that are going to cover the whole chest or under area, this is going to be a long sitting for you. What’s the harm in keeping your earphones with you, the music will distract you from pain and help you relax.

Have a healthy meal to take punches and hits from Haku (tattoo machine). Keep yourself hydrated. Passing out from hunger, dehydration, and boredom, on your first sternum tattoo session can be a story you wouldn’t want people to know.

• Greens Flags Of a Tattooist

Your tattoo artist is very important in carrying out this difficult procedure. Who should be your tattoo artist? How will you know they are the one? A bad tattoo artist is like marrying the wrong person or even more deadly because you cannot divorce the infectious tattoo, right?

No need to get worried. There are some green flags that you are required to look for:

1. Your tattoo artist should be an “attention to detail” kind of person. You won’t want someone who wasn’t paying attention to you the whole time, to treat the central part of your body.
2. Hygiene is the reason many people are afraid to get even normal, regular, and easy tattoos. Be sure that your tattooist practices hygiene as much as they can. The tattoo ink they use should be free of toxins, and needles should be sterilized. The parlor should be tidy.
3. Try to get the information about the products they use. Ask them about the availability of numbing gels and soothing tattoo soaps.

If they are not fulfilling even one of these criteria, they are not the right choice for you. Move on!

• The season is the reason

Getting one in the winter will make it help with cleanliness and healing. It will be ready to flaunt when the summer will reach your doorstep. Winters bring no sweating with them so the tattoo wound will heal in a cleaner and dry atmosphere.

Aftercare for Sternum Tattoos

Now that you have survived all that pain of getting a sternum tattoo. To make it worth all that pain, you need to take care of these wounds with extra care, by following the instructions below.

• Daily Care
• Take at least 20-30 seconds to wash your hands.
• Then a soothing soap and apply it with a gentle touch on the inked area, don’t miss any spots. A soap without fragrance in liquid form will ease your task.
• Once you are done cleaning the area, use clean and cool water to rinse properly.
• It’s necessary that you dry while patting gently on your skin and use a disposable paper towel and microbial cloth for it. Never rub!
• You need to do this practice 2-3 times a day for two weeks whenever you are done with the tattoo session or sweat or have been out there anywhere, with the possibility of bacteria present.
  
  
• How to take a bath

A loofah and washcloth is big a NO. You must not use any kind of rough thing against your chest. Just apply a soothing soap and rinse it off. Don’t take a shower in hot water. It will not only ruin the ink but also create a playground for bacteria to have a party.

• Stay Moisturized

After the area dries out within 2 days after your session, you are free to use your tattoo moisturizer. In further st two weeks after your session use the moisturizer 2-5 times a day, then make it a part of your self-care.

• Don’t sleep on your chest

We can’t emphasize more, sleeping is crucial for healing. Sleep on your back to give your chest some relief. Try putting two pillows on both sides that will keep you from rolling over. Have difficulty sleeping on back

? Don’t hesitate to take help from sleeping aids, but try not to skip sleep. Also, prefer sleeping alone with minimum clothing or no shirt, any human or animal touch can ignite the irritation.

• Don’t Scratch

Fight the urge to scratch when feel itchy, try some moisturizer to relieve the pain.

• Swimming? Not a  good idea

We suggest not to get in any kind of pool or lake to avoid bacterial infection. If you have to get into the waters don’t go chest deep, and try to put on some bandage on your chest to rescue it from any harm. Don’t forget to clean it as we told you when you get home.

• Stay protected from UV rays.

While getting a sternum tattoo is cool, alas, in its pursuit we get to stop doing things that are also fun. We suggest breaking up with the sun for three to four weeks but it sometimes gets the impossible thing to do.

Well, if you do so, don’t forget to apply sun’s screen to save your tattoo from fading and cracking. Use a sunscreen that has 30-50 SPF to be completely on the safer side.

FAQS

On which spot tattoos don’t cause much pain?

• Forearm.
• Hands.
• Shoulder.
• Parts of the back.
• Back of arm.
• Stomach.
• Outer arm.
• Outer thigh.

At what age it’s best to get tattoos?

Some people get tattoos before 18, with parental consent. But the best age is go get tattoos legally is 18.

One thing that should be avoided before getting a sternum tattoo?

Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours  before getting a sternum tattoo

Conclusion

No matter how painful sternum tattoos are, these are desirable to many people. Enthusiast ink lovers would love to endure all the pain for this charismatic gain.

Getting a sternum tattoo can be risky business but isn’t it all about the distinctive and passionate sense of adventure inside all tattoo enthusiasts?  We love this adventurous aspect. 

In this article, we have tried to tell you the important dos and don’t before and after getting a sternum tattoo.  Couple of instructions that we would recommend you follow to keep you healthy and safe. Remember, wars are easily won when you go to the battleground armed and prepared.