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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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

surferjet · 18/10/2018 11:07

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

Absolutely - but I suggest if people don’t want approval from randoms on the internet they don’t come on the internet asking randoms for approval.

HTH.

SpreadALittleKarma · 18/10/2018 11:33

My friend just had one done. That's hers on the left next to her daughter. She's a typical 50 yo. I don't like tattoos but she loves it. It's unlikely to affect her career!

yesyesyess · 18/10/2018 13:02

OP, I wouldn't want to hang a huge picture of a lion in my living room and stares at it every day, especially if it fades or surrounded by spotty pores. Are you sure there is no other meaningful way to celebrate your strength? I'd use the money to buy a diamond jewelry that I'd wear proudly everyday and I can pass it down. Prettier, good investment and I can take it of if I'm bored.

mamalovebird · 18/10/2018 13:18

If you're unsure, get your design ready, leave it 6 months and if you still want it, do it. That's what I always say to people who are thinking about it.

I've had 4 done. Had my foot one touched up a few years ago to freshen it up. I also had one removed so don't listen to all the 'oh-you're-stuck-with-it-for-life' stuff - I got it done at 17, changed my mind and had it lasered off at 28.

As for how it looks when we get old - well, I don't really give a flyer what people think of my tattoos now so I'd imagine by the time I hit 80, I'm fairly sure I'll give even less shits.

SeaEagleFeather · 18/10/2018 15:03

gosh karma those are nice! particularly the one on the right, the way it fades down and has a kind of perspective

OP: if you get a tattoo, do you think you would look back in 15 years' time and regret it?

GoingNuckingFuts · 18/10/2018 15:56

if you want a tattoo go for it, i dont think age should stop someone getting a tattoo, apart from the obvious one of being 18 or older.

i started getting tattoos at 18, im 30 so i now have quite a few and a full back piece in working progress,
a few months ago after my latest one, my gran said
"oh you wont want to show them off when your my age they will look terrible"
, i replied "gran if im flashing my body off when im in my 70's i hope my lad/DH or sister will put me in a home because i wont flash my body off now so if i start then im obviously suffering some neurological diesease and need some sort of care"

she promptly smacks me around the head and said i was a cheeky cow, as i said im 30 now.

lovesugarfreejelly63 · 18/10/2018 16:16

At my advanced age I would love a tattoo, but knowing there would be a divorce pending if I did, so no tattoo.

Rudgie47 · 18/10/2018 16:36

OP, I've got a bird on my torso,under my bust and to the side a bit.
You need to be prepared for it hurting, the first 5 minutes were really, really painful and then after that your endorphins kick in and you get used to it.

You need to really research who you are going to and see their work though. The best ones charge a lot. Mine was £250 and took over 2 hours and its really good.

haverhill · 18/10/2018 17:20

i got a very small tattoo of something really meaningful to me at 45.
At the end of the day, it's your body, and empires do not fall or rise because of tattoos. Go for it.

DragonBone · 18/10/2018 17:26

Do it ! I had a half sleeve done age 40 - I love it 😊

ElspethFlashman · 18/10/2018 17:40

OP, the best place for inspiration is Pinterest. I opened a folder marked Tattoo and did searches relevant e.g "Lion Tattoo" and saved loads and loads and loads.

Eventually I had about 100 images in the folder! And gradually you whittle down what you like.

Then when I had picked about 4 images I really loved, I copied and pasted onto a Word document and printed it out and had a chat with a tattoo artist. He designed a composite that touched on all 4 and was just what I wanted.

DownstairsMixUp · 18/10/2018 18:11

It's sad that it's only ever women that seem to worry about tattoos on their aging skin, quick reminder, we aren't objects for men to paw at and decide if we are good enough. Get the tattoo, you only live once! I have lots, my oldest is ten years old and has had plenty of exposure to sunlight and still looks fab, there's only a couple of bits that could do with retouching but overall, the tattooing technique is very different to how it was and the colours are great and take quite a while to fade.

DownstairsMixUp · 18/10/2018 18:14

And just a big fat ew at surfetjet's comments, I bet you are fun at parties.

surferjet · 18/10/2018 19:31

Lol - you think having tattoos makes you edgy & fun?

Ok.

Tomatoesrock · 18/10/2018 19:33

Sure why not its an experience. Do your homework to make your happy with your 🦁 Even start small.

Craftycorvid · 18/10/2018 19:43

I’m plotting a couple of meaningful tattoos all in good time (much to the dismay of DH). I’m 51. This year saw me get a piercing (nose ring) which I love and DH politely ignores I think something of your choosing to mark a battle won or an important transition is a powerful thing to do. I have seen one lady who has facial tattoos and looks both beautiful and fierce. Not for everyone, sure, but whether or not it looks good depends on how you feel about it. For what it’s worth, I think nothing looks more beautiful than someone at home with their style and ‘owning it’. Post pictures when you take the plunge, OP

VQ1970 · 18/10/2018 19:49

If you’re on Facebook, search for tattoo artists in your area and have a look at their pages.

My tattooist has just moved into a new shop and has tried to make it as welcoming to everyone, they don’t want people to feel intimidated when they walk in and want everyone to feel comfortable. I’m sure this is similar for a lot of tattoo parlours because the clientele has changed so much.

I’ve got a few small tattoos and a big one on my back, going from the middle of my lower back up the right hand side and over my shoulder. I’m fat, 48 and I don’t care, I love my work of art - even if it doesn’t get seen often, I know it’s there and that’s what matters to me.

Woeme · 18/10/2018 20:53

I was 40. It was the Manchester Bee and I'm adding text at some point in memory of someone we know affected.

Go for it.

thisneverendingsummer · 18/10/2018 20:59

No, no, a thousand times NO.

Why anyone gets tattoos at ALL just baffles me.

Why anyone would want to get them over the age of 40 completely eludes me!

I would be embarrassed to be seen with someone over 40 who has visible tattoos. I agree with a few previous posters... It does look naff. Lots of people think it, they just don't say it to your face. And if that makes me 'judgemental,' and narrow-minded then so be it.

Better that than following the herd, and getting a tattoo in your middle age! And there is nothing 'empowering' about getting tattoos. What a strange thing to say.

Agree with a pp that if people don’t want opinions and 'approval' from randoms on the internet - then they shouldn't come on the internet asking randoms for opinions and approval.

If you were SO sure having a tattoo is a great idea, you wouldn't need to ask people on the internet if it's a good idea!

CrazyDogLady87 · 18/10/2018 21:48

@thisneverendingsummer

Hahaha I have loads of tattoos but you just cracked me up!

onemorecupofcoffeefortheroad · 18/10/2018 22:15

Just saw a woman on TV who got her first tattoo at 83. It was the Manchester bee on her wrist.
I don’t like them personally but thought that was quite cool.

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 18/10/2018 22:20

What's wrong with getting a tattoo over 40? People who get them done younger have them permanently..

cakedup · 18/10/2018 22:28

LOVE your tattoos VQ1970 what a beautiful work of art

I have one covering my whole forearm. Had it done when I in my late 30s - about 10 years ago. It took 4 hours - it was painful I'm not gonna lie! But I love it.

I had an idea of what I wanted and took a few pictures to a recommended tattoo artist and he merged them all together and came up with the final design which i loved. The artist you choose will depend very much on what type of thing you want. Some specialise and certain types of tattoos. I would spend a long time browsing until you're really sure. I spent about a year constantly looking at tattoo pics until I decided.

ThirdAttempt · 18/10/2018 22:37

I got my first two last year, at the age of 49. Both quite small, a dove and a tree, on my upper arms, so they could be hidden by T-shirts etc.

This year a got a much bigger and brighter one - a Venetian carnival mask with feathers - the length of my outer calf. I searched online for a design that vaguely resembled what I wanted, then the tattoo artist tweaked the design until it was perfect for me.

Before I had this third one done, I had so little confidence in my body, e.g. always had my legs covered in summer, wouldn't go swimming. But my newest tattoo has drawn so many positive comments and given me loads more confidence, I've loved baring my legs all summer, and I wish I'd got it done years ago.

I do agree with PP's comments in that you should wait a few months, and IF you still want one then, then go for it!

iklboo · 18/10/2018 22:41

I've just seen a tv programme where an 81 year old lady had one done for her birthday.

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