Pros and Cons of Tattoo Wedding Bands

Should You Get a Wedding Ring Tattoo?

As the popularity of tattoos grows (32% of American adults have tattoos), so does the popularity of tattoo wedding bands.

Whereas there was a time when many companies and professions forbade being inked, now most have opened their policies to allow tattoo rings, including the military. In fact, there are even members of Congress who sport these trendy pieces of art.

They have also become more popular with celebrities, including Beyonce and her husband Jay Z, who each sport the Roman numeral IV on their fingers.

If you're considering getting inked for your big day and partaking in this fashion trend, let's take a look at both the pros and cons of getting a wedding ring tattoo so you can know all the facts before making a final decision.

The Pros of Tattoo Wedding Bands

To start with, the cost of wedding ring tattoos is much less than traditional wedding rings. While a wedding band can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, tattoo wedding bands can start at as little as $50.

While some people pay extra money to have their wedding rings insured, this is a cost you won't have to worry about.

You can also get more creative when dealing with tattoos because you can create any design you wish, which allows for much more flexibility. In fact, some people opt for a design versus a traditional band.

In addition, you can't lose any stones in them because they don't have any.

The Cons of Tattoo Wedding Bands

The most obvious con of getting a tattoo wedding band is what happens if you get divorced. Depending on your design, you might want to just keep it if it doesn't look too wedding-like. However, if you have the name of your ex on the band, you'll probably either want to alter the design or have the tattoo removed.

Depending on where you live, it might be difficult to find an artist who does ring tattoos because not all artists do, so that's something to look into before making any final decisions.

Keep in mind it can be quite painful to get a tattoo on your finger due to the nerves in the finger. The good thing, though, is that the pain does go away.

In addition, the ink on the tattoo can fade with time. This is due to sun exposure, friction from rubbing the fingers together, and even washing your hands. There's no set amount of time as to when fading will begin to occur as everyone is different, but some fading can occur in as little as 6 months.

When considering getting inked, keep in mind that tattoos are a current fashion trend. It doesn't mean they'll still be trendy in 20 or 30 years. What can pass for modern now could end up looking very old-fashioned in the future.

When Should You Get a Wedding Ring Tattoo?

It's best to get your tattoos 2–4 weeks before your wedding as they'll need time to heal, and you'll want them to look nice for your big day.

Initially expect soreness and redness in the area. As your skin begins to heal most likely you'll experience some flaking. Don't try to help this along. Instead, keep the area moisturized.

You also want to be sure you keep the area clean. However, avoid fragranced soaps. You should also avoid sunlight and pool water until your tattoo is completely healed.

After 3–4 weeks, you'll be completely healed and have a beautiful ink masterpiece on your finger. You'll want to be completely healed for your wedding as it's customary for the photographer to take pictures of the newlyweds hands with their wedding bands.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are both pros and cons to tattoo wedding bands. Unsure of what to do? Try wearing temporary wedding tattoo rings for a while and see how you like them. Then, decide if tattoo wedding bands are the best choice for you and your partner.

Sources:

The Finger Tattoo Aftercare Guide: A Simple Healing Solution

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/15/32-of-americans-have-a-tattoo-including-22-who-have-more-than-one/#:~:text=32%25%20of%20Americans%20have%20a,who%20have%20more%20than%20one&text=Tattoos%20have%20become%20a%20more,the%20U.S.%20House%

7 Things to Know Before Getting a Finger Tattoo, Straight From the Experts