This is exactly the kind of insight that I needed and the things I was afraid of.I am heavily tattooed... several smaller ones, a back piece that extends down over my hips, and a sizable one on my calf. I love ink.
It's beautiful but my vote is a solid no.
Here's why:
Placement - Ink does not last or wear well on hands and feet. It deteriorates rather quickly (look at Cara's lion). This would be compounded by the superfine line work. (I have a solidly lined one on my foot that I've had reinked three times - it's now a small patchy blob). Also hand tattoos are impossible to hide and, esp if you live in a conservative society or (want to) work in a business environment, they will limit your employment opportunities.
Fine/delicate line work - unless you are working with a highly skilled artist who specializes in delicate/fine lines the odds of a visible blowout or crooked line are extremely high... and even if you are the margin for error is as high as those lines are fine. Also longevity which I mentioned above. I know people with similarly fine tattoos who are experiencing fading/patchiness after less than two years and already looking at removal or coverups... and those arent even on their hands/feet.
I would also avoid any artist who doesn't explain these things to you before agreeing to ink you.
Ultimately the decision is your's to make but that's my two cents for what it's worth.
I haven’t even researched how badly something like this would age so thanks for opening my eyes. Actually, I just assumed that it would age just fine because that particular image is a work of Dr. Woo, -super famous and brilliant celebrities tattooist-, but I guess that doesn’t mean much (since you’re obviously right about Cara’s finger tattoo, and many other celebrities that have really bad tats despite going to excellent artists because they can afford them).
I’m such a perfectionist that if I ever get this and it turns out bad, I would want to cut my hand off or something lol.
Gonna forget about this, and think about something less risky.
Thank you