When did the popularity of tattoos among British people start increasing, what do you think caused?

[LadybirdsTakingTurds]

Can you tell me when tattoos became very popular in British culture? I recently went to a new gym and noticed a large number of young people, both men and women, with tattoos covering their bodies, even up to their necks and covering limbs. I was aware tattoos are much more common now than they were in previous decades but it was even more noticeable with everyone showing more skin.

It's now perfectly normal in the UK to see a person with a heavily tattooed leg, whereas this would have been considered unconventional just half a century ago. What do you think caused it - was it influenced by pop culture or a trend? Do you think its here to stay?

Some of the designs I've spotted repeatedly include lions, clocks, naked women, prayer beads, eagles, elephants, mandalas, chequered flags, clown faces, flowers, skulls, butterflies, roses, stars, and crying eyes.

You forgot we are also grubby😎

And terrify children 😨

I don't really get it; what exactly is 'precious' about naked unadorned skin? It's an organ, no more exotic or precious than your pancreas or your appendix or your little fingernail.

My 4 sprogs love mine! And to the wonderful artist who posted earlier, what a lovely post, the guy who did mine was very similar, took huge pride in his work.

Missed off aggressive and punk rock as well! As I'm sat here listening to Take That.

2 of mine were chosen by my dc. One is a ghost holding a daisy and the other is baby groot!

There is on mumsnet yes.

And also being young...

The quality of tattoos and the range of artistry is probably behind it.

Growing up lots of tattoos seemed to be very samey. The blokes with the hearts for Mam, the younger "cool" people with celtic bands/crosses etc.

If I look at friends and people I know there's a range of styles and designs and they suit the person.

I've got an Elvis....hardly punk😆

Just out of interest why would anyone do it? The pain. The terrible scarring. The toxic ink in your system. The trust needed that it won’t just look awful and ugly. The fact it’s there forever. You may grow to hate it. What looks fun at 29 doesn’t translate when 70. Just why?

Maybe have a read of the thread? It's exactly what it's about.

It's not painful as such, more like a hot buzzing sensation which is actually pretty pleasant.

If you get 'terrible scarring' then something has gone terribly wrong.

As a woman in her 40s I'm more than capable of knowing my own mind, and don't regret any of my tattoo choices so far.

Anything else?

Oh bloody hell. It's you again. Aren't you bored?

(Love your user name 😉)

In the 90's everyone and their grandma and dog started getting them done

The pain doesn't bother me. There is no scarring, tattoos should not leave scars unless you pick at them. Toxic ink? No one has ever dropped dead from a tattoo unless they are allergic. I do not think they look ugly, I think they look bloody great and since it's my body only my opinion on it matters. When I'm 70 I'll be looking back on my life thinking I did what made me happy and thank god for that!

Well yes. In another few decades and you are elderly won’t it just look weathered and horrid, and abit strange.

It’s so much money - don’t you think it’s a waste?

Do you see that those with whole legs and arms it looks disfiguring almost. I am sorry but I think peoples skin is precious and I can’t believe anyone would willingly pay to be disfigured.

Me too. 61 and no sagging skin. My tattoos still look good.

I do it because I like the look of them.

I'm 66 so I'm hardly going to dislike them now. You say 70, Jesus maybe I'm Peter Pan but mine look fine. And if you bleed and have scaring at ALL you've been to a shite practitioner.

Folk do all sorts of things that aren't the most healthy, adrenaline sports, skydiving, drinking, smoking, I could go on ....a tattoo is quite low on the list of harmful things.

It's doing no one else any harm, unlike a lot of other peoples choices

And yours @K0OLA1D 🖤🖤

DD let slip to my DM I had one

I had to lie and say DD was only joking whilst giving DD the death stare

I'm in my 50's

DM is very judgmental

Shows me a person who has enjoyed doing what they wanted with their life. They tell a story.

My skin is fucked anyway. I have scars all over my limbs and body. My tattoos are apart of me just like my scars. Be it saggy or firm.

@Newchapterbeckons in two or three decades a lot of me will look weathered and aged!

What difference does it make at that point if I have tattoos or not! If I didn't would I miraculously still look as if I'm in my 40s? Nope.

@Zwicky that's really interesting!