to get a tattoo at my age?

[BundyLancroft]

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, come and hang out in the Tattoo section in Body and Soul. MNHQ gave us our own section as so many saddo judgypants kept being all Hyacinth over any tattoo thread.

You'll see the photos being shown off and get advice from those who have tattoos. Oh, my least wrinkly part is my shoulders and I love the ones on my shoulders - one on my shoulder blade was even in a tattoo magazine. You can pick up magazines in a decent sized newsagent and that will give you ideas of styles you like.

I don't see any link between getting a tattoo and age.

I don't want to get a design that ends up like a Dali painting in 10 years time!

You could get a Dali tattoo! Just not The Persistence of Memory, I'm sure loads of people have that already.

VQ1970 thank you for sharing. They and you look beautiful.

TooManyPaws there is a MN tattoo section? I'll take a look, thanks!

And for those saying I shouldn't post if I didn't want opinions from internet randomers, I do want opinions! This is why I asked you lovely lot!

I've had pros and cons knocking around in my mind for years. And I never had a strong enough reason to want one before. Yes, I agree some jewellery could be bought instead, but somehow the permanence, and perhaps the pain, seems pertinent in my particular position (forgive the alliteration, I couldn't help it).

As for midlife crisis...perhaps you are right! I do feel like I've just entered a whole new chapter in my life, and want to make it in some way, as well as celebrate my survival of the old chapter. Not sure a piercing would suffice. I can't see the appeal really.

Mark* it, not make it.

A Dali tattoo, now that's an idea! lol

I had also thought of a Phoenix (but it seems a cliche) and a Sphinx type animal, but I'm undecided (notice a theme here?). The Lion, or rather a Lioness just keeps resurfacing in my head.

I'm with @Rebecca, to be honest, although I wouldn't have expressed it the same way! I think tattoos look terrible, to be honest.

I always fancied a Dali tattoo, The Persistence of Memory
I’m saddened by pp’s that say tats are horrible, they judge people who have the etc
I am filled with joy by the women, of all ages and sizes who embrace their bodies and decorate them
Op, you go ahead as long as you check out the artist properly of course
Dame Judi got hers at 81yo and she certainly ain’t no ‘chav’!!

I got my first tattoo 2 weeks ago and I was 50 in July!

Err, I misread Dali tattoo as Deli tattoo, and had visions of tattoos of cooked meats and posh cheese...

You have your mind made up. Age is irrelevant.
I don't know why you are asking.

Do it! I’m 37 and getting at least one a year at the moment, it’s all I ever request for Christmas and birthdays! I got one on my stomach in my early twenties (proudly showed off above the low waistband of my baggy Limp Bizkit like trousers ) and a few people said things along the lines of “that’ll really go out of shape if you have kids”: two children later it really hasn’t, just a bit less sharp looking than two decades ago. (I used to reply “well I’ll have bigger things to worry about” in response and I was right!)

A lot of tattooists work on word of mouth to build a reputation, but if you google the ones in your area, you will see reviews. Don’t go on appearances either. Sometimes a shabby looking place will have a true artist working there. Also, some places have several tattooists working who all have their own styles. They also have portfolios on show which you can look through. Find an artist you like, and they will work out a design with you. One of mine went from this:

To this

It took about 7 hours, over 3 sessions, one session about 3 hours to do the outline, then another couple of hours to do the main colours, then another to do the pale flowers.

She did my wife’s one too.

Sadly she has moved a long way away, which is very sad. We both want them added to. The point is, shop around, discuss with the artist, find out their background- the one who did ours studied fine art- tell them what you want and ask them to work out a design with you.

The thing is... if I wanted one, I know without doubt I would not need to start a thread about it and listen to people I don't know say why or why not I should get one.

Personally you don't sound convinced enough to me.

I would honestly wait a year or two and see if you feel the same.

Go for it! I had my first tat at 42! I now have four, one on my left wrist (owl and stars), one on my right hip (dream catcher), Gargamel chasing Papa Smurf and Smurfette on my left shoulder and Azrael and a Smurf on my right.
They make me smile everyday.

Why would you want to be reminded of a bad relationship ?

If five years from now you're sick of the tattoo and find that you can't really move on what will you do?

You may be adding one mistake on top of a previous one.

If five years from now you're sick of the tattoo and find that you can't really move on what will you do?

Have it removed, have it altered, have it covered.

There are lots of options!

Go for it OP, just make sure you’re sure in what you want and where. It’s a good idea to take time developing ideas and thinking about it, especially with your first .

Thank you everyone who has posted their tattoos - lovely work!

What's the difference between people with tattoos and people without them? People with them don't mind if you haven't got one. :) Another quote from those of us with ink: If you have to ask why I have tattoos, you'll never understand.

Shop around, some studios are rubbish and you'll get the vibe quickly, like one that told me to just look on the internet for pictures of a plant I got done. I never went back, found a different place where the woman who did my amazing work (I mean really stunning, it ended up costing over £500 cos she charges top dollar for top work, £75 per hour at the time, over 10 years ago, London) said no, pictures won't work, go and buy examples of that plant and bring them to me, otherwise it will just be a generic plant. So I did, she was great, but left the country later on. Good artists know how to get the ink to just the right level, not so deep it goes into the fat layer, but not so shallow it grows out. That's why tatts fade, too deep/shallow due to a not-great artist. And yeah, it hurts, I found timing my breathing to fit with when the needle goes down helped a lot. Exhale for the actual pain bit.

Have to admit I waited many years before getting one too, partly because I was waiting for the right person and partly so that I was sure, that the itch to get one wasn't just a passing one. Even so I've had doubts sometimes and it's still taking time to get used to it but overall Im glad I got it. It would have stayed an annoying itch and faint regret otherwise.

Thanks all, I absolutely love my back work which is why I'll show it off to anyone at any opportunity!

And I love seeing other people's artwork. Binkytheslug you're arm looks great.

Good tattooists are definitely worth the money.

Go for it! You are never too old! My mum got her tattoos done in her late 40s.

My mum's had three done. Her first being at 55!

Go for it. Those getting it done in their 20s are still going to have them in their 40s so age makes no odds!

My brambles (see above) were £30/hour. The guy who did my others charges £60/hour. He did them freehand, looking at photos and sketches while he worked. He drew the basic design with a sharpie! We get on well now- he retouched some of the colours for nothing. We’re in the North West, if you are too, PM me and I’ll give you his name. The lady who did our flowers and leaves, is now in the South West, but we are considering a motorbike tour next year, purely to get work done.