I got a below-the-boob tattoo last spring. Then I got a second one this fall. So yeah, I’ve lived with them a bit. I’ll tell you what felt great, what stung, and what I wish I knew before the needle hit skin.
Quick take
It looks stunning. It heals slower than I expected. Sweat and bras matter more than you think. Worth it for me.
Why I chose this spot
I like secret art. Something close to my heart that I can show or keep to myself. That space under the curve is soft and clean, like a small stage. Also, shirts sit different now. A little peek line makes a simple tank feel styled. Silly? Maybe. But it made me smile. And that’s the point, right?
Before I booked the appointment, I browsed The Ink Factory’s inspiring roundup of underboob tattoo ideas, which helped me picture how various designs curve with the body.
What I got (real examples)
- First piece: a thin, fine-line half mandala that sits in the center, under the sternum, with little dotwork rays that rise up. The artist used a 3RL needle and slow, steady lines. It took about 2 hours.
- Second piece: a tiny script date for my grandma under my left side, tucked in the fold. One hour, single-needle, very light line weight.
If you want even more ideas before you commit, the inspiration galleries on TattooRoadTrip show tons of under-boob pieces along with advice straight from seasoned artists. Their deep-dive on chest tattoo ideas—what I actually got, what worked, what I’d skip also helped me narrow things down.
I almost went with a floral garland. My friend Tessa did roses that wrap both sides, and it’s lovely, but that’s a bigger heal. I wanted small first.
The session: calm and a little weird
Was I nervous? Oh yes. I wore a front-zip sports bra and brought a clean cotton tee. The shop laid down Saniderm after we finished.
Stencil placement took longer than I thought. We tried three heights. One looked perfect standing, but when I sat, it shifted. The artist had me breathe and hunch a bit to see how skin moved. Smart. Skin there stretches more than it seems.
You know what? That little posture test saved me a crooked design.
Pain, real talk
It hurt. Not the worst, but spicy. Here’s where:
- Center over the sternum: dull, deep sting. I’d call it a 6/10.
- Under the fold near the ribs: sharp, buzzy bite, more like 8/10 in short bursts.
- Toward the sides: easier, like a 4/10. I could chat.
Need a broader comparison? Check out this detailed tattoo pain chart to see how chest work stacks up against other body parts.
It hurt less than I feared, but also more than I expected. I know, that sounds silly. It felt manageable, but the zaps were bright and quick. If the thought of those sharp zaps makes you hesitate, I tested a few products; you can read how it went in I tried tattoo numbing creams so you don’t have to, and if you just want the quick shortlist, here are the best numbing creams for tattoos straight from real sessions.
Breathing helped. Long inhale, slow exhale. The artist paused every few minutes so I could unclench my hands. I kept a peppermint candy in my mouth. Weird trick, but it grounded me.
Healing: the messy truth no one told me
Day 1–3: Saniderm stayed on. Warmth, slight redness, that tight, shiny look. Sleeping on my back only. I used a small pillow under my knees.
Day 4–7: Took the film off in the shower. Washed with fragrance-free soap. Pat dry. A tiny bit of Aquaphor day one, then switched to Hustle Butter. Peeling started like snowflakes, not big sheets.
Week 2: The fold got tricky. Sweat collects. I tucked a soft cotton pad there on busy days. Changed it often. No heavy bra seams on the line. FYI: light flaking is normal; heavier scabs can freak people out, so I found this honest take on tattoo scabbing reassuring.
Week 3–4: It looked dull, kind of milky. That’s normal. The “ugly” stage. Don’t panic. By week 5, the lines popped again.
Bras, shirts, and the friction game
This part matters. My wins:
- Soft bralettes (Calvin Klein cotton) were kind.
- Sports bras with wide bands rubbed if I wore them all day.
- Button shirts were perfect because I could vent air.
- High waist leggings + crop top kept fabric off the area when I was home.
For the side script, I taped a little gauze under the curve when I had a long work day. I changed it at lunch. It looked goofy, but it kept it clean.
Sweat, gym, and yoga moves
I skipped heavy workouts for one week. Light walks only. On week two, I did low sweat workouts but no hot yoga. Child’s pose pressed the area and felt awful. So I swapped it for a gentle seated fold. If I did bike rides, I put a thin tank between skin and bra band to cut friction.
Cost and time
- Mandala center: $350 plus tip, two hours in the chair.
- Side script: $180 plus tip, one hour.
- City shop rates vary. Fine-line artists charge more. Worth it if you want crisp lines in a soft spot.
What I loved
- It’s private but easy to style. A v-neck shows a hint. A swimsuit looks like jewelry on skin.
- The design sits balanced with my body. Clothes feel more “me.”
- Photos? Soft, pretty, not loud.
What bugged me
- Healing was slower than my arm tattoos because of sweat and seams.
- The fold can blur faster if the artist presses too deep. Pick someone who does a lot of sternum/underboob work.
- You have to plan outfits for two weeks. Not fun in summer.
Living outside a big tattoo hub? I learned that even small Southern towns hide talented artists—you just have to know where to look. For anyone near Thomasville, Georgia, check the latest artist and studio classifieds over on Backpage Thomasville to see who’s guest-spotting, running flash sales, or offering private appointments; the feed aggregates real-time ads and client feedback so you can vet options before you ever step into a shop.
Little things I wish I knew
- Bring a clean spare bra to the appointment. That fresh band feels nice after.
- Ask for a mirror check while sitting, standing, and slouching. Gravity is a prankster.
- Keep unscented baby wipes in your bag the first week. Sweat happens.
- If your skin swells, cool gel packs (wrapped in cloth) help. Short sessions only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Looks delicate and bold at the same time
- Easy to keep private
- Fun with swimwear and open knits
Cons
- Healing needs more care than most spots
- Sweat and bras can irritate it
- Touch-ups might be needed sooner on the fold
Who I think will love it
If you like body art that feels personal, this spot shines. For an extra dose of confidence-boosting inspiration from women who proudly show how ink complements mature curves, browse the photo diaries at MilfMaps, where you’ll find everyday styling ideas and community stories that could help you visualize how your new tattoo might look beyond the studio. If you sweat a lot, work long shifts, or live in sports bras, plan your timing. Cooler months helped me. My fall piece healed faster than my spring one.
Final thought
Would I do it again? Yes. I already did. The center mandala makes me stand taller. The tiny date makes me feel close to my grandma. It’s tender, and it’s tough. Both can be true. And on quiet mornings, when I catch a little line in the mirror, I smile. That’s the whole review right there.