Tribal tattoo on the ribs
Thinking about getting a tribal tattoo on the ribs? Here is how well style and spot go together, what size makes sense, how much it hurts and how long it takes to heal.
Tribal and the ribs go well together: Thin skin right over the ribs, moving with every breath – one of the most intense spots there is.
- Pain
- 9/10 · very high
- Sensible width
- 6–25 cm
- Healing (surface)
- 14–21 days
- Visibility
- mostly covered
Is it a good match?
Bold lines forgive a lot, even on a spot with more movement. The design stays readable for years, even if the edges soften a little.
Little sun and black ink: the spot protects the design almost by itself.
More on the style: Tribal tattoo – every placement at a glance.
What size?
For a tribal tattoo on the ribs, a width of about 6–25 cm makes sense. At the lower end that is about half to three quarters of a credit card wide, at the upper end about 1.5 times the width of an A5 sheet.
Bold lines stay readable even at the lower end of the range – here you choose the size mainly by how present the design should be.
Try the size against your own measurements
How much does it hurt?
On the ribs, pain sits at about 9 out of 10 – very high. For comparison: on the chest it is about 6, on the stomach about 7. On the ribs it is the most sensitive of the three.
Lines tend to feel sharp, fills and shading more like scratching over irritated skin. The more is filled in, the longer the session.
Pain values are our own rough assessment on a scale of 1 to 10, not measurements – every body feels it differently.
How long does it take to heal?
On the ribs, the surface is usually closed after 14–21 days; the skin underneath takes several weeks to fully renew.
Bold lines and large black areas mean more worked skin: expect the upper end of the range and noticeable peeling. Scratching during this phase is the most common cause of patchy spots.
Frequently asked questions
Does a tribal tattoo on the ribs hurt?
On the ribs, pain sits at about 9 out of 10 – very high. Lines tend to feel sharp, fills and shading more like scratching over irritated skin. The more is filled in, the longer the session.
How big should a tribal tattoo on the ribs be?
About 6–25 cm wide. Tribal and the ribs go well together: Thin skin right over the ribs, moving with every breath – one of the most intense spots there is.
How long does a tribal tattoo on the ribs take to heal?
The surface is usually closed after 14–21 days. Bold lines and large black areas mean more worked skin: expect the upper end of the range and noticeable peeling. Scratching during this phase is the most common cause of patchy spots.
Preview it first
In Tattvue you photograph the spot where the tattoo should go and see your design in tribal style right on it – at the size you have in mind. That way you know before the appointment whether it works.