You may have seen some tattoos peeking out from the shorts or dresses and wondered what’s the story here. Well, these are above-the-knee tattoos and they can curry various deep meanings and stories. You should consider all the aspects before jumping the gun. And make sure to consult with your tattoo artist about it. Not doing proper research before getting the tattoo is not recommended.
Above the knee is not a very common place to get a tattoo. And this particular area usually stays covered so even if someone has a tattoo above their knee, you are less likely to have a full view. But having a glimpse is possible if they wear shorts or skirts. Such an interesting place to get a tattoo! And what sort of tattoo would suit this placement? Today you will find out everything regarding above-the-knee tattoos in this article all the ins and outs that will keep you well versed with this query onwards.
Key Takeaways
- Getting a tattoo above your knee can mean elegance, beauty, resilience, and strength.
- Above-the-knee tattoos are generally not very painful.
- Things to consider before getting a tattoo above the knee are personal pain tolerance level, design size and complexity, visibility, healing time, and faster fading.
- A few above-the-knee tattoo design ideas are lettering tattoos, butterfly tattoos, Celtic tattoos, ghost tattoos, date tattoos, mandala tattoos, Illuminati tattoos, traditional tattoos, sun and moon tattoos, & movie character tattoos.
Above The Knee Tattoo: Introduction & Symbolism
The area above the knee represents an intriguing canvas for tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike. Unlike flat surfaces, the upper leg offers a landscape with natural contours and curves. That is why above the knee is slightly difficult for a tattoo artist to work on. Not to mention the skin on this area is quite thin so the amount of pain you feel during the tattooing procedure will be more compared to other body parts in general.
Getting a tattoo above the knee can symbolize strength and power. It can be a way to show resilience and sturdiness. At the same time because above the knee area is a bit sensitive, getting a tattoo here can mean delicacy and beauty.
You can get many sorts of tattoos for the above-the-knee area, but in general lettering tattoos suits the area best. You will see the majority of the people rocking quotes or some catchy lettering tattoos on their above-the-knee area.
Are Above The Knee Tattoo Painful?
You probably know that all tattoos hurt a bit. But depending on the placement the pain can vary. Now the question is, are above-the-knee tattoos more painful compared to other tattoos in general?
No, above-the-knee tattoos are definitely less painful compared to some of the other placements on your body. You may have the wrong idea that above-the-knee tattoo will be super painful because knee tattoos are super painful. But that is not the case.
The thing is, the skin over your knee is quite thin and it is right above the bone. So, when you get a tattoo on your knee, you may feel an increased level of pain. But the area above the knee has fat and muscle under it and the skin is not thin either, which makes it less painful to get a tattoo here.
Above the knee area or over the quad muscle or lower upper thigh muscle is one of those places where you do not feel much. You will get enough fat and muscle cushion on this area and tattoo without feeling the severe pain you would have felt if you chose the knee instead of above the knee for your tattoo.
That said, the pain tolerance level is not the same for everyone. It might feel less painful for you, but someone else who has a very low pain tolerance level may feel an increased level of pain when getting a tattoo above their knee.
5 Things to Consider Before Getting Above The Knee Tattoo
There are a few crucial things you should consider before getting a tattoo above your knee. Such as:
1. Pain tolerance level
Your personal pain tolerance level matters. If you have high pain tolerance then you may not feel much of a pain during the above the knee tattooing procedure. But if you have low pain tolerance then you may feel more pain during the procedure. Consider the pain level before going through the above-knee tattooing procedure.
2. Design size and complexity
Even though most people go for simple lettering tattoos, you may go for some other type of tattoo for your above-the-knee area. So, consider what sort of tattoo and the size and complexity of the tattoo you want to get. Because of the amount of pain you feel and later on how it looks, everything depends on the tattoo design. Do not rush the design process, take your time and choose a design that fits you well.
3. Visibility
If you want a tattoo to show off then the above your knee area might not be the best place. Consider changing the location. Because above the knee is an area that mostly stays concealed by your clothing. The tattoo will be visible only when you wear shorts or small skirts.
4. Healing time
Because the area above the knee stays hidden most of the time by your clothing and there is an increased chance of fabric friction, the healing time of your tattoo could be longer than usual. If you want faster healing then consider changing the location or discuss with your tattoo artist.
5. Faster fading
Thigh tattoos usually do not fade fast. But you are getting the tattoo above your knee, so it may face more fabric friction and face faster fading.
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10 Above The Knee Tattoo Design Ideas & Their Meanings
In this portion, I have listed a few of my personal favorite above-the-knee tattoo design ideas and their meanings
1. Lettering tattoo
Lettering tattoo is number one on my list of course. Because letters look the best above the knee area in my opinion. You can get any favorite quote or any catchy phrase inked above your knee. Not to mention you can go 100% authentic by clearing a line or two yourself and get that text inked in the skin. Many of my clients come with their own motto of life that they created to get it inked above their knee. Depending on what you say it can mean various things.
2. Butterfly tattoo
Butterfly tattoos are always pretty. And the prettiness increases by a lot when you choose a hidden place like above the knee to place it. Placing a beautiful butterfly tattoo above your knee can mean beauty with elegance and strength.
3. Celtic tattoo
Celtic tattoos are usually placed on arms, inner wrists, chest, and ankles. But have you ever considered getting one above your knee? Getting a Celtic tattoo above your knee can tell the story of how you have overcome the hardship of your life and showcase how strong you have become now.
4. Ghost tattoo
Are you into creepy or supernatural stuff? Consider getting a ghost tattoo above your knee. It can express your desire for unnatural things and your mysterious personality. You can pull off a creepily charming personality with the help of this tattoo, so why not give it a try?
5. Date tattoo
Want to remember a special date? Like a birthday, your marriage anniversary, or the day you found the love of your life? Then get that date inked above your knee. It can stay concealed from the world as above the knee area stays covered because of your clothing. But your loved ones will be able to see the tattoo and feel special. It can be a way to show that a certain date is special for you, remember the date, or a visual representation of bonding.
6. Mandala tattoo
I have to say, a mandala is a unique design for this unique placement. Mandala is a bit complicated design and it can fit well with the curve over your knee area. It can mean purity, and balance in life.
7. Illuminati tattoo
Are you interested or intrigued by the Illuminati theories? Then why not get that inked on your skin? Getting an Illuminati on exposed body parts may cause unnecessary attention. To avoid it, you can choose the area above your knee to get an illuminati tattoo. It can mean secret, mystery, spirituality, etc.
8. Traditional tattoo
Are you into traditional styles? Then get yourself a nice traditional tattoo for the above-the-knee area.
9. Sun and Moon tattoo
Get a sun above your one knee and a moon over the other knee. It can mean you can be as cool as the moon but also as fierce as the sun when needed. It can represent anger and calmness, power and control, life and beauty, etc.
10. Movie character tattoo
If you are a cinema lover and want to get a certain character inked on your skin, then you can get one above your knee. This way you can keep the character just to yourself and not many people will be seeing it. It can be a secret love letter or a way to show respect to that certain character.
FAQs
How painful is it to get a tattoo over the knee?
The pain level of getting a tattoo over the knee area is generally not that much.
How to reduce the pain level of getting a tattoo over the knee?
There are many ways to reduce the pain level of getting a tattoo over the knee, such as:
- Using numbing cream before the procedure
- Choosing a professional tattoo artist
- Choosing a small and simple design
- Staying relaxed during the tattooing procedure
- Not drinking alcohol before the tattooing procedure
How do I choose the right tattoo size for above-the-knee placement?
It depends on the side of the canvas. If the area above your knee is flat and big then you may consider getting a big-sized tattoo, but if the area is narrow then you have limited options. You can discuss with your tattoo artist regarding the size and they can help you choose the right sized tattoo design.
Can I get a tattoo above my knee if am pregnant or nursing?
It is safe to get a tattoo over your knee while you are pregnant or nursing. But I recommend you to wait while you are pregnant or nursing. Because tattooing can put a strain on your body and cause weakness. Not to mention if you catch a tattoo infection things may get complicated.
How much does it cost to get a tattoo above the knee?
On average getting a tattoo above your knee may cost around 150$ to 400$. The price may vary depending on what type of tattoo parlour you choose and what size and type of tattoo design you choose.
Final Thoughts
If you want to get a tattoo on some place where it will play hide and seek then get yourself a tattoo above your knee. This is an interesting placement as it can be seen if you wear shorts or skirts but even so, it will not be fully exposed. But make sure to consider a few crucial things like pain level during the tattooing procedure, healing time, visibility of the tattoo, design type, and size before you go for a tattoo above your knee.
Above the knee area has a slight curve which may make tattooing over it a bit complicated. However, choosing a professional tattoo artist will make things easier for you. And last but not least do not forget to take proffer aftercare of your above-the-knee tattoo. Hope your tattoo stays rad forever!
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