Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a tattoo at my age?

110 replies

BundyLancroft · 17/10/2018 17:40

I'm mid 40s. Never had a tattoo or piercing (except 2 in ears).

I'm thinking of something big but under clothing. Like a lion perhaps.

No idea what is involved.

Am I insane?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
sayanythingelse · 17/10/2018 20:22

Your side might hurt, just because it's flabby doesn't mean it won't hurt unfortunately. I'm pretty much covered and the worst places were lower back, neck and toes Sad. Don't let it put you off if that's what you want though!

I'd recommend getting something drawn up by a good local artist. If you're happy to say whereabouts you live, I might be able to recommend someone. Artists charge by the hour, so it's best just to contact them and talk through your ideas.

SeaEagleFeather · 17/10/2018 20:36

well - that's why I waited until I saw someone's work. Other than that I really think a tattoo convention! I don't really trust pics all that much ...

Angie169 · 17/10/2018 20:38

I have one but would love another I have been thinking about it for ages but can not settle on a design .
As pp have said they charge by the hour so it depends on how much detail you would like so a lion with his full mane would probably more expensive than a lioness if they were both the same size .
However do not get something done because it is cheaper, you will live with it for life you do not want to be thinking in 10 years time '\I wish I had spent that extra £50 on this .

The best way to find a good tattooist is ask people that have got tattoos where they got them done , most people that have more than three or four go back to the same artist time and time again because they are good .

Any tattooest worth there salt will be more than happy to spend time talking to you and explaining how it will look and if it is a good idea to be put where you want it . They will also let you look at the studio where you actually get the tattooing done .

I love the idea of a 3D tattoo but they tend to be big and are very intricate . so would cost a fortune !

howmanyusernames · 18/10/2018 00:51

My Mum had her first (and only) one on her 70th. She had 3 stars on her wrist, like I have. I love that we now have the same one!
If you do it make sure you’re sure. I’ve had one on my shoulder (done at 18) lasered off, and that pain is far worse than a tattoo!

KC225 · 18/10/2018 05:39

Absolutely do NOT get a tattoo. It's so naff and such a cliché. Even worse with older people. Why graffiti your body like a public toilet wall?

donajimena · 18/10/2018 05:48

I'm not a huge fan of tattoos. I wouldn't have one myself, however I am rather taken with the watercolour ones. I saw one for the first time last week and was blown away by how lovely it looked. Have a Google.

HeronLanyon · 18/10/2018 06:07

If you want one and have thought it all through carefully (and consulted mn of course!) then go for it. It’s your body. Personally I would not but that’s just because I don’t like tattoos. It is now a surprising tradition that our family all wear temporary tattoos for Christmas Day ! A sibling once wore a nylon ‘tattoo’ sleeve and convinced my aged ma that it was real for some time. Frostiness followed until all was revealed 😬 go for it.

Happypuppy · 18/10/2018 06:20

Tattoos on women are so rank. I can just about deal with the Celtic band thing my dh got before hemet me as it’s hardly ever on show. But I judge anyone with visible ones. Ugh.

Ollivander84 · 18/10/2018 07:11

Rank  good to know you judge. Never affected my career at all

TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth · 18/10/2018 07:24

But I judge anyone with visible ones. Ugh

Well don't you sound charming? Hmm
It's one thing to say you don't like them, quite another to say you judge people who have different tastes to you.

vandrew4 · 18/10/2018 07:39

no, don't do it. they're naff and scuttery. yeuch

beccii161016 · 18/10/2018 07:53

Generally any decent tattoo artists won't copy a picture you send to them. They'll use it as a reference image and create something very similar, taking into account what you want, but in their own style. Then you can back and forth about any changes you'd like and they will tailor it to you. Basically because tattoo artists designs are their own and any decent one won't "rip off" someone else. Tattoo plagiarism I suppose haha. I've always found it to be an issue of massive importance to all the decent artists/studios that I'm aware of.

SeaEagleFeather · 18/10/2018 08:04

It is now a surprising tradition that our family all wear temporary tattoos for Christmas Day

What a lovely tradition!

RabbityMcRabbit · 18/10/2018 08:05

I'm 48 and I have quite a few really well-done ones which were expensive but worth it. Be prepared as a good tattooist doesn't come cheap. I live in a big northern city and generally they charge around £60 per hour here. Go on personal recommendations. Ask to see examples of their work. A good tattoo place will have a decent website with loads of examples uploaded of their work. Do you have an idea about what you want? Do research, bring in some ideas. A good tattooist will then suggest some things and not just copy another design. When you've decided on something, he/she will then book you in. It's normal to pay a deposit and also if it's a bigger piece, to have to wait a few weeks for an appointment. Good luck!!x

RabbityMcRabbit · 18/10/2018 08:07

Happypuppy don't worry, people with visible tattooos probably judge your narrow-minded attitude Grin

yesyesyess · 18/10/2018 08:15

People who call others narrow minded I'm sure you judge other people too on their makeup, job, etc.

I think its naff, especially on older people. It used to be for 'cool' types but when you see them on overweight, middle aged bobs and Janes they lose the cool factor very fast. Just my opinion, go get it if you dont care being judged.

Original poster
BundyLancroft · 18/10/2018 09:35

I'm grateful for the counter arguments. I was quite anti tattoo for a long time myself, thinking it was too permanent, they look tacky, what about when I'm elderly, etc. But...

I realised that there are so many different sorts of designs and places to put them, and quite frankly by the time I'm 80 and in a nursing home, I won't care how bad it looks on my wrinkly skin. YOLO and all that.

I have a reason for wanting one now, and it's to celebrate my survival from a hideous relationship. I see it as representing my strength and courage. Hence wanting a lion or similar.

I want it to be an artwork, and meaningful to me.
It won't be on display to anyone. It's just for me to see and know about.

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 18/10/2018 09:37

SeaEagle - yes. Started by me and convincing my ma it would wash off. Weeks later she was still sporting it proudly (a dinosaur) and refused to wash that bit of her arm. Although she HATES tattoos she now wears the most outrageous temp one every Christmas. Her remote wild side coming back out !

Original poster
BundyLancroft · 18/10/2018 09:37

sayanythingelse thanks, I will PM you.

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 18/10/2018 09:38

Op. That sounds really empowering for you. Great reason.

surferjet · 18/10/2018 09:43

Op: tattoos peaked about 5 years ago and are now seen as serious naff. ( I always thought they were anyway tbh )
And at your age it will just scream ‘middle age crises’
Honestly, if you want a moment of madness get a piercing, at least you can take that out when you realise it looks ridiculous.

Peridot1 · 18/10/2018 09:45

I have to say I’m another who is not keen on them BUT I think part of my reasoning is that so many people get them when they are young and I think lots will regret them later. Particularly visible ones.

I quite like the idea of older people getting them.

A friend’s dd has loads and I’m not keen on them but she does have one that I liked it’s just under her boobs - quite big and from what I remember it’s shaped in a way that comes up in a point under her cleavage. Hard to describe but it was nice.

surferjet · 18/10/2018 09:46

Op; just read your last post.
You don’t need a tattoo to prove you’re a strong resilient woman, just look in the mirror and smile. Flowers

BumDisease · 18/10/2018 10:50

"Op; just read your last post.
You don’t need a tattoo to prove you’re a strong resilient woman, just look in the mirror and smile"

Alternatively OP you can get however many tattoos you want without needing approval from randoms on the Internet.

MarthaArthur · 18/10/2018 11:02

Op just go for it. One day you will be dead so what does it all matter? My ma got hers in her 50s and gets nothing but complimented all summer long. I have a few. As long as its not on the face neck or hands it can be covered.

Also dont believe the mumsnet myth that a good artist will be booked months in advance. They get cancellations all the time. Sometimes you live in a small place where theres less clientelle so get in sooner. Go look around at the best rated ones in your area. Look at their fb page. Meet them in person and look at their portfolio. Also you will need to think of what you want to reprisent your situation. Tattooists can do bespoke work and they can copy things (i have a load of band related symbol tattoos. Easy copyable.)