*** Check out my page here about Ankle Tattoos ***
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Ankle tattoos are popular feminine tattoos. They show off sexy ankles, and are in a great location for visibility when you want it. Ankle Tattoos are also easy to cover up when you don’t want them seen.

Ankle Tattoos can even be made to draw attention to the calves or feet by extending upwards or down.

Designs that are Popular for Ankle Tattoos

Any design can be used for tats on your ankle. Traditionally feminine tattoo designs such as flowers, Chinese symbols, stars, fairies, butterflies and zodiac symbols can be used in any size or area of the ankle.

The usual placement for Ankle Tattoos that are a single picture is on the outside of the leg just above or below the point of the ankle.

More aggressive designs such as snakes and dragons are also good choices for ankle tattoos, but consider the visibility and tendency for those types of designs to be more noticeable before choosing such bold artwork.

The Power of Tribal and Celtic Ankle Tattoos

Vines, Celtic knots and tribal tattoos are popular ankle tattoo choices. Vines are very feminine and delicate, and can be made to trail down the foot in an enticing manner.

Tribal tattoos are powerful, and have deep personal meaning for the wearer. When choosing a design, make sure it strikes a meaningful note with you, because the most often cited reason for remorse in the years following a tattoo is that the wearer got it without understanding the significance of the picture, or having any personal connection with it.

Celtic knots are popular with women for ankle tattoos. They represent many different things and can be combined with other symbols to increase their meaning. A Celtic knot with a cross is a strong religious symbol, where a Celtic shamrock is good luck.

Another popular reason Celtic knots are popular for ankle tattoos is that you can start small to see if you like it, and then increase the size later if you decide you want a more visible tattoo.

Celtic knots are very versatile tattoos. They can also interlock with other Celtic knots to make a chain for a complete ankle bracelet tattoo.

Four Celtic knots represent the seasons, and interlocked trinity knots are a symbol of strength. Another Celtic knot that is popular for ankle tattoos is the infinity knot to signify romance and love.

Avoid choosing ankle tattoos that are designed to showcase a temporary hobby or affection for people who may not be in your life in the future.

Generally speaking, names of children or parents are okay, because they are going to be a part of your life forever, but it isn’t a good idea to incorporate names of boyfriends or even husbands in the design.

Picking the Right Size for Ankle Tattoos

If you already have a tattoo, or more than one, and know you are comfortable with the attention they attract, size isn’t an issue, and an ankle tattoo looks beautiful in any shape and size.

Traditionally ankle tattoos are small and delicate, but as taboos against feminine tattoos fade, women are choosing more striking and elaborate ankle tattoos.

However, if this is your first tattoo, it is wise to stick with a design that is small and delicate until you are sure you will be comfortable with an ankle tattoo since it is in one of the more visible locations on your body.

Ankle Tattoo Colors

Tribal ankle tattoos are usually black outlines, but are very striking. Any other ankle tattoo design comes in a wide variety of colors. Bold colors are more visible, so be sure you feel comfortable with such an obvious display before choosing designs with vibrant color.

Problems with Ankle Tattoos

The biggest problem women encounter with ankle tattoos is that the area is tough to heal because it is a common point of friction with socks, nylons or shoes rubbing on it.

The ankle is also one of the areas of the body that tends to bleed more easily than fleshier areas. For that reason, don’t be alarmed if your ankle tattoo starts to bleed while the artist is working.

If you’ve had a tattoo before, you’ll know that some blood is normal, but even for seasoned tattoo veterans the amount of blood with ankle tattoos can be alarming at first.

Vigilant aftercare for ankle tattoos is important to avoid infections and scaring. There is usually more swelling and irritation with ankle tattoos than with other tattoos.

Always keep the new ankle tattoo covered with a clean bandage, and whenever possible wear loose socks. Until the ankle tattoos are completely healed avoid shoes with ankle straps until the area is fully healed.

Great Reasons for Choosing An Ankle Tattoo

Along with the aesthetically pleasing aspects of the ankle location, ankle tattoos also stay looking good longer than many other popular tattoo areas.

They are less likely to lose their color due to sun exposure, and you’re probably not going to have to have ankle tattoos touched up as often as tattoos on the arm or more exposed areas of the body.

Pain Tolerance

Before you choose to get an ankle tattoo,  make a fair assessment of your pain tolerance. Tattoos that are done on areas with bone close to the surface generally are a lot more painful, however, the pain is only during the actual tattooing, and once the art is done, it is the same as any other tattoo.

Special Considerations

Foot tattoos are closely related to ankle tattoos, and often become part of the ankle tattoo design.

If you are going to have an ankle tattoo that extends down the top or sides of the foot it is best to get it done in the summer when you can wear sandals or preferably flip flops, or go bare foot while the area heals.

Even more than with the ankle, the tops of the feet are exposed to a great deal of irritation from socks and shoes that can make it hard to heal.

Myths about Ankle Tattoos

Shaving your legs will not make the color of ankle tattoos fade, or mar the artwork in any way. Of course, it is important to be sure you save before you go to the tattoo artist to have your ankle tattoo done. Avoid shaving until the tattoo area is healed completely, but otherwise, it is perfectly safe to shave around ankle tattoos.