Too old and fat for new tattoos?

[Tattoothoughts]

I’ve always loved art and tattoos and wanted several, but stopped when younger out of respect for my parents who absolutely hated them and were quite vocal about it. Then, in my 20s, I got two small tattoos in discrete locations and my parents were ok about it, but not exactly fans, and I got the standard “well, if you like them…” passive aggressive comments. But now, my much younger sister, who has a very “I don’t give a fuck” attitude, is covered in them, including one on her neck!! My parents haven’t batted an eyelid. So, I feel like I also want to say “fuck it” and get the art I’ve always desired. But, I’m 37, plus-sized (18-20), with two kids and a very average lifestyle (I could be considered boring, but I’m happy). So WIBU and weird to get some more tats? I’d love a half sleeve or maybe something on a thigh. I dress on the slightly alternative, gothy side, so my tattoos would be in a similar vein. Is this an early midlife crisis?!

@WonderfulUsername this a work by the guy I'm going back to this week, it's very far from a dark blur!

@IDontFeelItAnymore fair enough, I've never seen a really colourful sleeve like that.

Is it a new thing? Or do they just go darker/blurry over a few years?

Just a different style from all the black work I think. A colour tattoo won't magically turn black!

That's stunning 👏👏

I wanted tattoos for as long as I can remember, but got with exdp at age 16 so obviously too young to get one. He strongly dislikes them so I didn't get one until after we split just over 2 years ago.

I currently only have one but I absolutely love it, getting my next one in August and can't wait!

I was 32 when I got my first and I don't think I'll stop now until I either run out of space or ill health stops me

I will say though do your research and you really do get what you pay for

Not mine! Not really my style. I'm going for something much more boring!

I agree that it’s your body and you should do whatever you want.

However, I also think they’re grotesque. Sorry.

Nearly 50 here and just finished a gorgeous huge rose on my lower back ( I am corporate so I put them to places not many people can see)

So gorgeously artistic it made me start loving my body all over again.. I lost 5kgs since May when I started it (huge tattoo needed two sessions )

Start designing it and go for it!!!

I got one done at 17 in a fairly discrete place and whilst I thought it was cool and rebellious at the time, by the time I'd turned 20 I hated it. Luckily it is covered most of the time unless I'm in a bikini.

I'd always wanted a couple of small ones elsewhere but felt I couldn't get them after my younger mistake.

I turned 45 recently and decided to fuck it and got 2 small ones I'd wanted for years.

I've now planned about another 4, all fairly small and not in massively obvious places and all with a meaning behind them.

Am very much of the your body your choice mindset.

Plus you can always get them removed if you really really hate them, just know that the removal laser hurts a million times more than the tattoo itself!!!

I say go for it!

The only thing I'd recommend is planning (from my own personal experience of my tattoos)

E.G:
Placement: If you want to see it but put on or lose weight is that impacted so you can't see it.

Will you still love the design?: My second tattoo I dislike the design now not enough to get it removed but enough to consider a cover up. So plan accordingly.

These are just two things to think of as you've been wanting this a while so I'm suggesting these so you get a design and placement you love rather than rushing into it.

But never too old and there's no sizing issues x

Totally agree with this. It's summer so you can see the tattoos on all the exposed flesh, none of them look good, no one's body looks nicer with tattoos. People who have them thinking they're cool or unusual or somehow expressing themselves are deluding themselves, so many people have them it's more unusual not to. Last summer on UK beaches it was really refreshing to see the occasional untattooed body, especially men. I'm so glad my adult children never had one. I know it's sexist but in my opinion women look even worse with tattoos than men.
But of course if you want one you shouldn't be afraid to have one.

I'm old and fat and love my tattoos. I regularly get complimented on the one on my forearm and it's always women who say they admire it.

Go and get inked and enjoy!

You do your thing.

Other people will love or hate them, judge or not judge you, regardless of your age and weight. They may be wrong to judge, but that is a consequence you choose to bear.

Personally I am not a fan of anything that isn't discrete, but each to their own.

I'm a bit old and fat and if anything it's the perfect situation to get a tattoo. What's the worst that can happen? Not like I'm going to lose my modeling career or my TV contract, is it.