A calf tattoo is a real thing. It does not matter whether it’s your first tattoo or your 10th. One question regarding calf tattoos will always resonate, and that’s: do calf tattoos hurt? Can I walk after a calf tattoo?
It’s better to tell you about the calf anatomy so you can better understand whether calf tattoos hurt or not. The calf is a house to some of the body’s most important muscles. You leverage these muscles whenever you do leg work, like walking, jogging, exercising, or anything else.
And since walking is all about balance, these muscles help you keep balance during legwork.
Moreover, these jampacks of muscles in the calf provide a cushioning to tattoo. Apart from this, there are a few nerve endings in the calf part, so it might not hurt to get a tattoo. But after getting a tattoo, things can get worse. You will feel pain if you stand up or walk after the inkwork. Depending on your tattoo, this pain can last a week or more.
So those who prefer calf over shin or ankle might experience less pain during the process. But after it is done, you will have trouble walking for a few days, And that’s because the giant muscles of the calf dissipate and absorb the needle impact better than other locations on the leg.
| Publisher | Alex Martin |
|---|---|
| Focus | Calf Tattoo Hurts |
| Category | Tattoo Pain levels |
| Article Type | Informative Guides, Tips & Advice |
| Update Frequency | Monthly to reflect new insights and trends |
Why does a Calf Tattoo Hurt?
Although the pain in the calf is moderate, sometimes it can hurt a lot. Those getting a tattoo for the first might be more prone to pain. So let me put it straight to you: why can you feel more pain during the calf tattoo:
- A calf tattoo can give you a tough time if your tattoo covers a lot of the leg part. Tattoos extending to the shin and ankle can be more painful than those covering only the calf part. So, whenever you consider a calf tattoo, ensure it doesn’t extend to your ankles if you can’t bear the pain. Why? Because ankles are the most painful to get tattooed.
- A calf tattoo can be bad news for those with less pain. We are all unique human beings, and so is our pain tolerance. If you are someone who can’t bear the pain, any tattoo can give you a tough time, let alone a calf tattoo.
- Although rare, a Calf tattoo can sometimes hurt a lot if the artist is inexperienced. Yes, the steady hands of an artist can make the whole process easy. So make sure you know the tattoo guy well and that they will not hurt you during the process.
That was for calf tattoo pain during the process. Now let’s explore why your calf tattoo hurt afterward:
Why Do Calf Tattoos Hurt to Walk?
Carving a tattoo on your body is painful regardless of location, but calf tattoo recovery gives you a tough time. Whenever you stand or walk after the tattoo, the muscles stretching put pressure on the tattoo, which hurts a lot. Some of the reasons why a calf tattoo hurts to walk are:
Leg Movement
The legs are prone to hurt more as we move them a lot. So, when you get a tattoo, it is an open wound, and when you step, the calf muscles are pulled to help you move forward. Whether you walk, jog, or run, the calf muscles will help you do that.
Now, picture this. You get a fantastic tattoo on a calf that extends to the ankles and toes, and you want to move the leg. You will feel aggravating pain in the area.
Not only that, but you also feel pain with a mere movement of the leg. Why? Because the blood flowing towards the leg will put pressure on it, and you will feel pain. The site might be swollen or reddish after the leg tattoo.
Moreover, you will feel stiffness in the leg, too. So, to overcome this, apply ice packs. You can put some ice cubes in a trash bag and put them on your tattoo. You will feel much relieved by this.
Restricted Leg Movement
Chances are your calf tattoo will be swollen for a week or so. If you have some real calf tattoos, it might take more. If you wear restrictive or tight clothes like a legging or socks on the tattoo, your tattoo will become swollen, and you will feel more pain. Moreover, if you don’t move your leg enough, you can block the blood flow, resulting in swelling. So it’s better to wear loose clothes that don’t get in touch with the tattoo.
No After Care Routine
Tattoo aftercare is your ground reality if you want to get the best out of it. Proper cleaning and moisturizing are essential as they prevent infections. So, make sure you take adequate care of the tattoo.
Your Reflexes
Tattoo engraving is excruciating since you put your skin under needles for hours. We will not be wrong if we say it’s a kind of surgery. So, When your body undergoes such a trauma, it develops a reflex in the shape of pain, redness, and swelling. And mainly, if it’s your first time, you will find walking after the calf tattoo difficult. If you are a timer, make sure to get a tattoo somewhere else, as you will develop pain tolerance toward tattoos this way.
Infections or Allergies
And lastly, it can be a nightmare for anyone to get an infection in the area. If your tattoo pain is getting worse instead of healing, chances are it is infected. In such a case, you should seek medical attention. However, many tattooists recommend using an antibiotic after the caf tattoo to minimize the risk of infection. Apart from this, allergic reactions to the ink can also be the reason for pain. So, if the pain intensifies, go to a doctor.
Pain Can Tell You a Lot About the Calf Tattoo
Burning Pain
A burning sensation in the tattoo area indicates a fresh and raw tattoo. A burning sensation is expected in the new tattoo. You will feel this at the time of getting a tattoo and afterward. The tattoo, in its pristine state, needs special care. You should keep hydrated and take antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to avoid infections.
Numbness
Sometimes, you feel numbness in the area. And that’s a classic indicator that a tattoo is healing. Moreover, it sometimes develops when the pain is intense. So, it is better to keep your leg high for better blood flow.
Scratching
When your tattoo starts to heal, you will notice it started to scab or dry out. The pain that comes with the drying out is not sharp as it spreads out around the area. You will want to scratch the area more than feel the pain. And sometimes, you can develop a rash or redness if you rub it too hard. So, to overcome this pain, you can apply ointment. Moreover, you should also follow a proper cleaning and moisturizing regimen.
Stinging Sensation
If you encounter a stinging sensation in the tattoo area or the pain is too sharp, you should be careful. Why? Because the tattoo pain hurts when you are doing it. Afterward, it tends to wear off with time. But when you see that the pain is getting worse and you are having trouble standing up, you should seek medical attention. Meanwhile, you can get some analgesics to overcome pain.
Things You Should Not Do After a Calf Tattoo
Since you might have trouble after getting inkwork on the calf, you should avoid activities that stress your leg. And when the tattoo is fresh, you should walk only when you need to. It’s okay to walk if you can, but keep in mind that it can get infected.
Don’t Exercise
For completely fresh tattoos, it is not even a good idea to walk around. So be mindful that rigorous exercise or running can be bad news for you. You have to wait at least 72 hours before going on a walk or jog after the inkwork on the calf.
Dont Wear Tight Sleeves
Make sure you don’t wear tight clothes over a fresh tattoo. The restricted clothing can hinder the airflow and blood flow to the tattoo area, which can lead to pain and swelling. Wearing loose and light clothes that don’t rub against the skin is good.
Avoid Sunlight
Sunlight is bad news for any tattoo, regardless of how old or new your tattoo is. UV rays of the sunlight can disclose or fade the tattoo. So, it is wise to cover your tattoo from sunlight to avoid fading or bleaching. Avoid wearing shorts in the sun.
Don’t get the tattoo wet
It might surprise you, but water is not suitable for the tattoo. Why? Because tattoos leave an open wound, and water can get you into infections. Yes, you can wet it while cleaning with the antibacterial soap or body wash, but refrain from soaking it unnecessarily.
How Long Does It Take for a Calf Tattoo to Heal?
The time you take to heal a tattoo differs from person to person. Some individuals take two months to recover from calf tattoos, while some can take up to four months. But that’s the time for complete healing. The initial healing period is one week.
Conclusion
The calf tattoo does hurt to walk. Since your muscles are stretched, and you put pressure upon walking on that tattoo, walking hurts. Make sure you take good care of your tattoo. Avoid walking unnecessarily or putting pressure on the leg. Moreover, you should also look out for the infection that can worsen the pain.
