Penis Tattoos: Everything a Man Needs to Know

While tattoos, in general, can be daunting, penis tattoos seem to be a sign of a He-Man with unbelievable pain tolerance. However, these hidden works of art are growing in popularity as more men embrace what a penis tattoo can do for them. There are also more artists willing to tattoo a man’s penis to help him show off his unique personality. Let’s examine penis tattoos, from the why to the how, pay careful attention to the risks and how to care for it after.

Why do men get penis tattoos?

There are several reasons a man might opt to decorate his li’l fella. Here are a few some guys shared:

1) Making the moment memorable. If a guy’s penis says “Hubba Hubba” on it or has a picture of a banana on it, it’s going to be hard to forget.

2) It shows body confidence. If a man gets a tattoo on his penis, he’s obviously okay with showing off his stuff. It says he’s proud of what he’s got and how he uses it.

3) It gets a reaction. When a man strips down and his partner sees an elephant tattoo complete with “trunk,” there’s nothing to do but notice it. If there’s any ice to break, consider it broken!

4) Aesthetics. If a guy doesn’t love the way his penis curves or feels a little less impressive than other members he’s seen in the locker room, a penis tattoo can pretty up his favorite friend. Of course, some men are perfectly happy with their penises and just want to “throw a little tinsel on the tree.”

How to get a penis tattoo and what to expect

First and foremost, find a good tattoo artist with significant experience in giving penis tattoos. Do not drink or do drugs prior to making the appointment and show up with a clean member. Realize that this artist will be touching, holding, twisting, and manipulating the penis for a prolonged period of time – be sure that’s okay. Most men will need to be “mostly soft” during the tattooing so if a man is concerned about being hard the whole time, potentially rethink the tat or the artist. Finally, this is going to hurt like any other tattoo, so be prepared. Some people like to take a few over-the-counter pain relievers prior to tattooing.

Potential risks of penis tattoos

It’s not fun and games when a man gets a tattoo on his penis, there are also several risks to heed. Here are a few potential outcomes any man considering a penis tattoo should be sure he’s educated on:

1) Permanent Erection. Okay, okay. It sounds awesome to have a permanent erection but in real life, it’s not. Think about Grandma Betty’s 89th Birthday Party, does any man want to greet the family with an overanxious member? No, one wants that.

2) Infection. The best way to prevent infection is to confirm the tattoo artist's area is hygienic and they only use 100% sterile needles. Then closely follow all after-care instructions the artist gives. Follow them to the letter.

3) Scarring and Loss of Sensitivity. Penile skin is thin and very delicate, and as such, makes it very sensitive. By introducing hundreds of miniature needle pricks to the skin, scarring can develop. Scarring can lead to loss of sensitivity in the penis. If a man already has sensitivity issues, he may want to rethink a penis tattoo.

Caring for a penis tattoo

Tattoos require special care so be sure to follow the tattoo artist’s advice to the letter! After a few hours, very (very!) gently wash the penis with warm water and a diluted gentle cleanser like baby shampoo. Rinse well and then gently pat dry with a soft towel.

After cleansing the skin, apply a thin layer of specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) . Use a crème with an all-natural base like Shea Butter and vitamin E. Also, try to find a creme that contains additional nutrients and vitamins to promote healing and soothe the skin. This type of crème will prevent drying (which can cause itchiness) and keep the penis skin supple as it heals.

Getting a Tattoo? How to Ease Penis Pain

When a man chooses to get a tattoo anywhere on the body, it’s usually a given that he will experience some level of pain. When a man chooses to get a penis tattoo, he can rest assured that he will be dealing with a great deal of penis pain before the ink is complete. Fortunately, excellent penis care before and after the tattooing can help ensure he doesn’t suffer any more than necessary for the body art.

Get prepared for the tattoo

A man can start by getting ready for what’s going to happen when he gets a penis tattoo. First, he needs to get past some psychological issues. When he gets tattooed, the tattoo artist will need to move things around down there to ensure the proper placement. This means the artist will be handling a guy’s equipment - and that tattoo artist might be a guy. If a man has a problem with another man handling his junk in the course of creating a tattoo, maybe he’s not ready to get the ink just yet.

Another point to ponder is the needle itself. A tattoo needle pierces the skin many times during the procedure, and each one of those instances brings the potential for penis pain. To test his reactions, a man can try two things: He can get a tattoo in another area, one that is less sensitive, and see how he handles the pain. If it works out well for him, he can then try the ‘needle test.’ This involves placing a very thin needle into the skin of the penis to see how it feels. Sometimes a guy can handle this just fine, but other times it’s enough penis pain to make a man look for an alternative to penis ink.

Taking care of the penis skin

When a man chooses a penis tattoo, he is making a commitment to follow every instruction given by his tattoo artist. Here’s a basic run-down of what a man can do, either by instruction or on his own, to ensure the penis tattoo doesn’t lead to long term penis pain or other issues.

1. Keep things very clean. A man will want to go into the tattoo parlor with a penis that is as clean as possible. Though the artist will also disinfect the area, a little extra attention will never hurt, and will provide some peace of mind as well.

2. Don’t employ alcohol or numbing creams. Though it might be tempting to use these things to build up some courage, alcohol is a definite no-no. In fact, most reputable tattoo parlors will not tattoo someone who appears to be even slightly drunk. And when it comes to numbing creams, these might increase the risk of infection - ask a tattoo professional before using any of these concoctions.

3. Don’t use it. A man might be tempted to play around with a partner to show off the ink, but there will be plenty of time for that in the future. When the tattoo is healing, no sexual activity is allowed, even if it’s masturbation.

4. Do some research. Make sure the tattoo artist has a long history of great tattoos in the portfolio, and that the work area is entirely clean and sterilized. Ensure only new needles are used. Though most tattoo parlors are quite clean in this regard, it never hurts to double-check everything.

After the penis tattoo has done the initial healing, a man might be confronted with dry penis skin, peeling and other issues. To combat this, he should reach for a specially formulated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . In addition to Shea butter and vitamin E to fight the dryness, a man should look for a crème that contains alpha lipoic acid, which fights free radicals that can lead to signs of premature aging, as well as L-carnitine, which might help decrease scarring.

Addressing Penis Pain After Getting a Tattoo

The tattoo has become a common body adornment for millions of men, a way for a guy to express himself in a visible, permanent way. Yet, perhaps due to the penis pain that can result, most men tend to avoid tatting the body part which most visibly identifies a person as male. Although obtaining a penis tattoo is rare, those who do opt to get inked need to make sure that they practice appropriate penis care in order to make the experience as easy as possible.

Caution
Although getting a penis tattoo is clearly a personal decision, any man who considers it needs to approach it with caution. First and foremost, it’s important to choose a tattoo artist who is both experienced and reputable; getting a tattoo in an unhygienic environment - whether one the penis or elsewhere - can result in some serious health issues. (This assumes that a man can easily get a tattoo artist who will work on the penis; many of them do not provide this service. Those that do are likely to charge extra - possibly quite a bit extra.)

If a guy has never had a tattoo, it’s not wise to start with one on the penis. After all, the process involves sticking needles into the area to be tattooed. The penis is more sensitive than other body parts, so the potential for penis pain is greater; but at least if a man has previously been tatted elsewhere, he has some idea of what to expect.

Most tattoo artists will use a numbing cream to help deaden the sensation; however, this merely lessens the penis pain. It does not eliminate it completely.

The process
A tattoo is generally applied to the penis while it is flaccid, but in order to cover it appropriately, the penis has to be stretched, Sometimes the customer handles the penis for this, other times the artist needs to. While the stretching doesn’t induce the level of penis pain that the needles can, it can still be uncomfortable.

But it is the needling that tends to cause the most discomfort. Exactly how much depends upon an individual’s threshold for this kind of sensation.

Interestingly, some men report that the more lingering pain that they experience comes not from the stretching or the needling, but from wiping. The tattoo specialist may need to be constantly wiping away ink, which can cause irritation and chafing that has a more lasting effect.

Removal
Hopefully, a guy who gets a penis tattoo will be happy with it and want to keep it all his life. But some people do change their minds. Removing a tattoo can be challenging and often involves the use of lasers, which can be distinctly painful on the penis. (On the other hand, penis tattoos usually "come off" more easily than tattoos in some other parts of the body, due to their closeness to the lymphatic system, which is sympathetic to lasers.)

Afterward
So what should a man do to address the pain from getting a tattoo? He should leave the bandage on for as long as recommended by the tattoo expert. When it is removed, he should gently wash it with warm (not hot) water and a mild anti-bacterial soap with no fragrances. He may find an over-the-counter pain reliever can help with mild pain.

Once the tattoo is completely healed, he may want to address the lingering penis pain by pampering his member. Application of a top drawer penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is a sensible idea. The crème will need to include a combination of moisturizers, ideally a high end emollient (shea butter is excellent) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E). This will soothe the traumatized skin and help ease it back to health. Keeping bacteria at bay is essential, so choosing a crème that boasts vitamin A’s anti-bacterial properties is wise. Building up the penis’ natural health with a potent crème will help to ease lingering soreness from the tattoo process.

Penis Tattoos – 4 Risks that All Men Should Understand

While the idea of a penis tattoo may cause most men to physically cringe, there are some willing to brave the needle on their nether regions. While the process of a penile tattoo is no different than getting one on any other body part, there are potentially serious risks involved.  So while it is always a good idea to “think before you ink,” this mantra may be especially true in this scenario. In any case, men considering a penis tattoo need to be aware of the risks and side effects, as well as the best penis care methods post-procedure.

Potential Risk of Penis Tattoos

Infection:  As with any tattoo, there is a risk of infection. The actual process of tattooing involves a needle piercing the skin and injecting ink into the body.  The risk for infection is, of course, exacerbated by unsanitary conditions and dirty equipment. Tattooing of any kind should always be done by a professional in a clean environment with new, sterile needles.

Skin Damage:  A penis tattoo can easily lead to scarring of the delicate skin and underlying connective tissue.  Think about the skin on the penis compared to, say, the arm, which is overlying a thick layer of muscle. The skin of the penis is much more fragile in nature and thus, more susceptible to scarring.  Individuals who have a history of keloid scarring on other areas of their bodies – scars that are abnormally raised and spread beyond the site of the skin trauma – are well-advised not to get tattoos anywhere, especially on the penis.  The act of tattooing is highly likely to cause the raised scar in those individuals, which is not something most men want on their penis.

Permanent Erection: Also known as priaprism, the condition is not as much fun as it may sound.  Priaprism occurs when blood is physically unable to exit the penis, causing painful engorgement and potential nerve damage if left untreated.  Documented cases of penis tattoos leading to this condition are thought to be caused by a needle penetrating the penis too deeply, creating a fistula in the penis. Not only is this a painful condition that interferes with ones sex life, it is one that likely needs surgical intervention to be treated.  While not all penis tattoos lead to priaprism, it is a very real risk, particularly with a tattoo artist who is less experienced with tattooing that specific body part.

Nerve Damage: Even if a needle slip does not cause priaprism to develop, it may still lead to permanent nerve damage in the area.  The penis is a veritable roadmap of nerve endings and, unfortunately, a minor slip of the wrist could leave the wearer of the tattoo with unpleasant nerve damage to go with it.

Post-Tattoo Penis Care

There are ways to prevent or reduce unpleasant side effects of a penis tattooing.  Be sure to keep the entire area clean while it is healing and always maintain proper hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Do keep a close eye out for signs of infection and seek medical attention if pain, bleeding, redness, or soreness persists beyond a reasonable period of time.

The success and safety of a tattoo originates with the tattoo artist one chooses, so be sure they are reputable and have an impeccably clean space that they are working in. Needles, of course, should never be reused in order to prevent the transmission of blood-born illnesses such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. It is also prudent to ask the artist if they have completed penile tattoos in the past, and ask to see photos of the work.

Once the penis has returned to its normal state, aside from the new artwork, men should use a penis health creme which contains vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals (most professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) as part of their daily penis care routine.  A high-quality penis health creme may also reduce scarring of the area, decrease the chance of infection and help improve the health of the penis skin overall.