dont have hand tattoos myself.
But I think they are nice.
I have heard from my friends that do have hand tattoos that they hurt...mainly on the back of the hand and on the palm.
Hope that helps?

i don't mind hand tattoos, but i think it would look kind of funny unless you had full sleeves to go with them.
i want full sleeves but i'm not interested in getting my hands done. i follow the words of the great brian setzer: "get as many tattoos as you want, but don't get them where the judge can see them if you have to go to court."

I think tattoos in general are more acceptable nowadays than they were even a few years ago...but even so, hand tattoos are impossible to hide..and there are probably some placs where you couldn't get a job, but fuck them...you don't want to work for them, anyway...I say get 'em, and if it ever becomes an issue, just claim they have religious significance to you.

You should listen to your parents *pssst*

I've got no problems with tats, have 1 myself, but hand tats are just as bad as neck tats. They are almost impossible to hide and that really cuts into your employment possibilities and unless you get work in a field where tattoos are really accepted, like music or sports or something like that, I'd put the hand tats on hold.

Ignoring your parents is good advice - I find when I stop trying to please mine, I feel like I'm more alive and in control of my life than before, and less weight on my shoulders. They'll deal with it in the end.

I can totally understand the fascination with tattoos - it's been an intrigue of mine for a long time too. Having said that, my skin is pristine only because I'm so indecisive I can't think of something I'd want to commit to in the long run.

My suggested way to think of hand tattoos would be to consider how often you'd be prepared to cover them up (ie. fingerless gloves) when the need arises, and whether it might be worth going for a design that is less likely to be perceived by conservative types as confronting, distracting or offensive - essentially minimising the risk of fallout. I rarely see people with hand tattoos myself, in my corner of the world, so I'm not really sure how I'd feel about having to work frequently with someone who bears them - but personally I'd keep an open mind and deal with it.

I hate the way people tend to pigeon-hole all tattoo-bearers (regardless of coverage) as more-maligned people - it really sucks. Hopefully in the future society will become more tolerant in general (as acthulhuspawn mentioned).

Good luck with your research though!

Hey pendejo, my advice: Don't make you first tattoo be a hand (or face/neck/knuckles) tattoo.

Everyone tends to regret their first tattoo, it's just some sort of undeniable law of the tattoo world. Although there are exceptions. But THINK ABOUT IT TWICE/THRICE/FOUR TIMES.

i agree with maga... going totally visible for the first tattoo is not a good idea...

and i heard that if you do get a tattoo on your hands/neck and you are not already heavily covered... el cucuy will get you while you're sleeping...

just sayin...

I agree with this hot mama completley. Most tattoo artists that I know have a personal policy about not tattoing someone's hands unless they're generally covered. It seems like you're jumping in wholeheartedly, which is commendable, but maybe starting with something you can cover until you figure out if you want to live as a person with visable tattoos is a good idea.

.... as for the employment stuff, i'm not sure what it's like in the states, but here, it's getting more and more acceptable everyday. I still hear people complain about not being able to get a "good job" because they're tattooed, but I call bullshit on that one, as my dude has his throat tattooed and he works in finance. He's a banker. and no one says shit.

I think some employers definitly do still have a problem employing tattooed folks, but I feel that part of the responsibility of being a person with visable tattoos is to not let it stand in your way, imho.

annnnnnnd i'm done. 2c.

I personally love hand tattoos. but it all depends of course on what it is.

I have one and it didnt hurt that bad compared to other ones ive gotten. And i originally sticknpoked it. I work as a customer service associate at Toys r us. whoooo. but i deal with people every minute of the day and my employers have no problems with it. Hell, i have a mohawk and 1.25" ears haha.

and i want cookies n cream, bitch!

i have a seahorse on my left hand.  i love it...
i'm a stripper, duh, so it doesnt hurt my current job.  before i got it done i considered what it would do for my future jobs, but honestly i'm not qualified for any sort of job that wouldnt hire me based on tattoos so whatever.
the pain is the same as any other tattoo i'd say.