Do nice tattoos exist?

[ZombieSplodger]

I'd quite like to get a tattoo but am quite concerned that it could just look shit.

Are there any rules about getting a tattoo so it looks nice, maybe pretty, and minimises the risk of you regretting it?

Wow, what a lot of prejudice here.

I think you could get an ink, OP. Just get it somewhere that would be covered by a shortsleeved shirt.

Personally I love them, but I'm really too old :( The dcs have huge ambitions, and I've seen some beauties - lace sleeves, for instance...

sieglinde-Personally I love them, but I'm really too old

No such thing- if you want to do it, give it a go!

Worlds Most Tattooed Senior Woman

Some pics in link not for the faint hearted!

I think tattoos are an abomination. But then each to their own.

sieglande, a friend's dad got a whopping great pegasus for his 60th. Been wanting one all his life so just went for it and is very happy indeed.

inkgimptattoo.m.webs.com/site/mobile?dm_path=%2Fapps%2Fphotos%2F&fw_sig_session_key=ea8e177bd5e7253ba5599c64a565b3c8bb90977a81c4b7b3f78bafee310964c8-24425881&fw_sig_permissions=none&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_tier=-1&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_premium=1&fw_sig_time=1351872689890&fw_sig_site=24425881&fw_sig_url=www.freewebs.com/inkgimptattoo/&fw_sig=6b4900f1eddd97df9048d7435be18064&fw_sig_access_token=20132325a7568a44df4bdaf430b2a94c1a766e1c&fb_sig_network=fw#3023 here is mine. It's on the top of my back and I love it. Even my mil likes it :)

I love tattoos, think Kat Von D looks beautiful and have a few myself, one is on show all the time (wrist/hand) others are usually hidden, I prefer larger tattoos, smaller ones can sometimes look odd to me.....obv there are bad ones, I have friends that have band symbols/ex girlfriends/'your name' on their arse, but also have friends with beautiful sleeves, dont think I would get heavily tattooed (sleeves/backpiece) but LOVE them on men

Go for it!

Dont have black outlines on them, it makes them look softer and a bit more feminine. Avoid the face or neck.

I have 70 year old clients who are just having their first one done!

I love all 9 of mine. Only one visible when dressed.

I think mine is lovely. I have a charles rennie mackintosh rose on my forearm (near the crook of my elbow) just in black and i always get compliments and people saying how elegant it is.
I thought about it for 3 years before getting it, so i was totally sure, and i don't regret it one bit.
Having said that, i've seen some bloody awful ones (for example, a very pretty woman with a zombie eating a heart on her leg, yeeeuck) but each to their own i suppose.

If you're not sure about it, don't get one. You need to be 100% because getting them removed will look even worse than having a tattoo that you don't like, or regret.

My mum hates tattoos. With a passion.So does my DP. They can't stand them, but I think it's down to everyone's personal opinion. I have 3 (disappointing DM severely!) but in places that are only seen if I want to get my body out, basically. One on my ribs, one very low on my hip (basically only just seen over the top of underwear), and one on my foot. I wouldn't get one that I couldn't hide, because unfortunately, there are alot of people that don't like them, and it can lose you potential jobs, etc etc.

No

Agreeing with littlemisstan on her point about researching for a good tattooist. Don't just walk into a place off the street! :)

I used to fancy getting one and used stick on / transfers then I went and got one a humming bird hovering at a flower on my shoulder. I like it, its pretty DH loves it so don't care about anyone else. once a man (quite elderly) sidled up to me in a supermarket and said 'I do love your tattoo then sidled off again I was

Mine are nice, DP's are nice.

There are some ridiculously offensive posts on this thread that a number of MNers should apologise for.

Of course they do! It all depends on what it means to you and if it suits your style. I would agree that getting it somewhere that isn't always on display would be ideal but if you can pull it off then that doesn't matter so much. A friend of mine has them on each foot and up the front of her legs and they are amazing, really suit her and are actually beautiful illustrations.
On the other hand, my DH has his whole back covered and I really like it now (wasn't convinced before it was finished!) but also has 3 on his legs that I hate - tacky and just bleurgh. He agrees with my opinion now on one of them and is trying to get it covered so make sure you really think it through. I want one but have been told I'm 'not a tattoo person'!

Jammy I can't recommend any in Sheffield sorry! If you like I can pm you some good tattooists in Leeds, Birmingham and Derby?

It always makes me laugh when people say "oh dear, what will they look like when you're 80/90/100" They'll look wrinkly like most old peoples skin does?! So what? I'll be old and won't care!

Naice tattos

I love tattoos, I have 4 and don't regret any of them. I'm not bothered about what other people think, I like them and that's all that matters

Mine is nice

I have a big, black, slightly oriental dragon

I like it

No problem ILovePonyo, couple of people I think I can ask. And thanks everyone for the advice, very useful.

I don't have any because I am a huge woose, but at some point I'd like the word SISU inked somewhere. It means a lot to me and always has.

And perhaps something to do with my son, and I'd quite like an A on my ring finger for my husband's name. But again, am a huge baby and will probably never have any done.

I have a friend who has a ton of tattoos. I don't usually like them, or didn't, but I like hers. They're amazingly colorful and artistic and really suit her.

Good luck jammy! Agree with the advice you have been given, look up tattooists and see their portfolios before you go, and be picky!

tattoos

JammySplodger I have a pegasus on one shoulder. I think it looks great.

Before you get one done, learn to spot the bad tattoo artists from the good ones. Learn to recognise scratchy styles, cliches, poor spacing and badly chosen placement. Check out websites like critink which have useful guides as to what to look out for. Find an artist, not a scratcher. Good luck!