The Art of Commitment; Full Bodysuit Tattoos
Tattoos are a personal commitment to art. Having a piece of art as a part of your skin shows your commitment to carry it with you for a lifetime. Although some tattoo artists and collectors take this a step above by committing to getting a full body tattooed. Especially when it comes to a full extensive design that covers the whole body, which is a full bodysuit tattoo. We’ll dive into what makes full bodysuit tattoos special, and what goes into them that makes them so unique.
What Are Full Bodysuit Tattoos?
A full bodysuit tattoo is a full tattoo, or connected tattoos that cover most, or all of a person’s body. These tattoos are design to follow a specific theme, style or aesthetic that is consistent throughout the entire body. These styles of full bodysuits generally tend to include Japanese Irezumi, oriental designs, realism black & grey, biomechanical and more.
A key aspect of bodysuit tattoos are that they require detailed planning for designs, especially to fill and entire person’s body and suit their proportions. The time taken to complete a bodysuit can take a large amount of sessions that spans months or even years. It’s a process that becomes a deep collaboration between the client and tattoo artist to make a cohesive bodysuit that is balanced, and flows nicely throughout the body.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Full Bodysuit Tattoo
While you might be tempted right away to jump into getting a full bodysuit tattoo. There are several things you’ll need to consider before getting one:
1. Commitment and Time
A full bodysuit tattoo is not a quick job. Even the fastest tattoos artists still need time to design, prepare and even tattoo your body. This process can take months or even years to complete. You also need to be sure that you are 100% satisfied with the aesthetic and design. Quitting partway through a bodysuit isn’t ideal. As this results in an unfinished tattoo that becomes hard to blend.
2. Budget and Cost
Tattoos aren’t cheap, especially if they are made by a quality artist, and are larger in size. Now factor the amount of work that goes into tattooing a full body. Even doing a bodysuit on a smaller person is a huge undertaking for any artist. This is reflected in the high costs of a body suit, which can set you back thousands of dollars. If you’re committing to getting a bodysuit that you will be proud to have for a lifetime, start saving up and budgeting.
3. Choosing the Right Artist
While there are tattoo artists that can work on big pieces, or the style that you like. You need to make sure your tattoo artist can do both. One important aspect is making designs flow throughout the whole body. Which sounds simpler than it does in reality. Designing pieces that cover a full body and flow well requires experience and knowledge of large tattoos, anatomy and design. Do your research, talk to tattoo artists and arrange consultations. See if the artists thoughts and suggestions match yours. Bodysuits are often a collaboration between the artist and client, so both of you need to be on the same page.
4. Pain and Healing
Going for a full body suit means that you’re definitely going to be tattooed over some sensitive areas of your body. While the coverage for bodysuits can be altered, and pain tolerance can differ person to person. Be prepared for long tattoos sessions that can get quite painful at times. This discomfort can be harder especially if you have to travel far to see your tattoo artist. Healing will also be tricky as some spots take longer to heal than others. Applying aftercare in certain spots such as the back can also be a hassle without some help.
5. Lifestyle and Career Implications
While the change in culture has shifted and tattoos have become more accepted. A full bodysuit is a strong statement of your lifestyle. Depending on where you live, this might have implications on your career and lifestyle. While some workplaces are quite accepting and welcoming of tattoos, other workplaces may see them as messy or unprofessional. Some cultures may still see tattoos as taboo. These considerations also need to be made for where you live and work.
The Process of Getting a Full Bodysuit Tattoo
Consultation: This is one of the most important parts of the bodysuit process next to the actually tattooing process. Meeting with the artist to discuss ideas, styles, and placement will be the starting point of your bodysuit. Be ready with references of what images, elements and styles you would like for your body suit. Your artist will also have their own thoughts and suggestions to implement in your bodysuit. Work with them to create one solid bodysuit concept.
Design Phase: The artist will take your references and ideas to create a custom design that complements your body’s flow and structure. During this period, be sure to give any feedback you feel necessary to your artist. Because once the design is finalized, there’s no going back.
Tattoo Sessions: The tattooing process will differ slightly between artists and styles. Starting with different parts of the body which will eventually lead up to all the full completion of your body suit. Be sure to take care of yourself, and rest properly between each tattoo session. Especially if you’re doing multiple days in a row
Healing and Aftercare: After each session, proper aftercare procedures need to be followed to make sure that your tattoo heals properly. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions of your artist, keep your tattoo clean, and watch out for any signs of infection.
Touch-Ups and Refinements: Even with properly aftercare, the healed result of the tattoo may not come out as intended. This is where touch ups and some refinements will be done by the artist to ensure the whole bodysuit looks its best.
Popular Styles of Full Bodysuit Tattoos
Japanese Irezumi: Traditional Japanese tattooing which features detailed dragons, koi fish, samurai, cherry blossoms, and mythological creatures. Irezumi often follows strict patterns and cultural meanings that date back through Japanese history.
Blackwork and Tribal: Using solid black ink, these designs can range from Polynesian tribal patterns to geometric and abstract motifs.
Biomechanical: Inspired by science fiction and machinery, biomechanical tattoos create an illusion of robotic or mechanical parts under the skin.
Realism & Surrealism: Some bodysuit tattoos depict lifelike portraits, animals, scenes, or surrealism style additions.
Neo-Traditional and Illustrative: A modern take on traditional tattooing, these bodysuit designs feature bold lines, bright colors, and clear designs. These designs tend to often come together for a variety of designs similar to a collage
Conclusion
Full bodysuit tattoos are the strongest commitment a person can make for art and self-expression. Whichever style or aesthetic you choose, it’s a big way to express your own self and commitment to making something real. If you’re ready to make that goal, research thoroughly, find an experienced artist, and steel yourself for tattoo journey like no other.
Here at Golden Hours, we are happy to help you with a new piece. Send us a message on our contact page or message us through the contact information below to schedule a consultation and booking. We’d love to have you in!
