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Tattoos

Thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Find inspiration and advice on our Tattoo forum.

Original poster

16 year old wants a tattoo

39 replies

oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:35

i personally think it's her choice and don't have a problem, but i was wondering if anyone would have any thoughts? i don't want her to regret it.(i very much do regret my first tattoo, especially since i was thirteen at the time and had my best friend do it in secret!) my local tattoo artist has done multiple tattoos for me, i trust her and she allows anyone 16 and up with parental permission. dd is thinking of getting a very small saturn tattoo on her finger so nothing major.

OP posts:
CaptainCarrotsBigSword · 19/03/2024 20:38

On the finger? So not able to hide / cover it if she hates it in the future. That's a bloody stupid idea.

Lyracappul · 19/03/2024 20:39

What if she put her first one on a place not visible to others, like her stomach or thigh or something.. then she can decide thereafter.. she can hide it easily or show it off with whatever choice of clothing.

titchy · 19/03/2024 20:40

my local tattoo artist has done multiple tattoos for me, i trust her and she allows anyone 16 and up with parental permission

So she does illegal tattoos on children? Yeah I mean what could possibly be concerning about that Hmm

Original poster
oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:41

titchy · 19/03/2024 20:40

my local tattoo artist has done multiple tattoos for me, i trust her and she allows anyone 16 and up with parental permission

So she does illegal tattoos on children? Yeah I mean what could possibly be concerning about that Hmm

not illegal where i live.

OP posts:
Original poster
oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:42

Lyracappul · 19/03/2024 20:39

What if she put her first one on a place not visible to others, like her stomach or thigh or something.. then she can decide thereafter.. she can hide it easily or show it off with whatever choice of clothing.

i'll suggest that to her.

OP posts:
ZZGirl · 19/03/2024 20:43

The fingers is stupid, fades really quickly and nobody should be tattooing a 16 year old, not even with parental permission

BirthdayRainbow · 19/03/2024 20:44

It's all been said.

Yepidid · 19/03/2024 20:45

Well as I regret hair. makeup and clothes choices I made at 16 when I see photos I would advise strongly against a permanent tattoo! Especially on a hand.
(Or is it just me who made dubious choices as a teenager??)
I also thought they were going rather out of fashioned now? Tattoo remote seems rather in.

greentreetop · 19/03/2024 20:45

ZZGirl · 19/03/2024 20:43

The fingers is stupid, fades really quickly and nobody should be tattooing a 16 year old, not even with parental permission

This

Hellocatshome · 19/03/2024 20:45

Finger tattoos fade and look awful after a few years. She will have it for many years God willing if she gets it at 16. I suggest she thinks again and if she still wants it or a tattoo somewhere different in a few years then she can crack on.

fourelementary · 19/03/2024 20:48

“Very small Saturn”?

I guess it could be worse. Could be Uranus.

She is 16 and she can just wait another 2 years and I bet she won’t want a finger tat of a planet then… and if she does she can get it knowing she’s genuinely wanting that. For life.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/03/2024 20:51

a very small saturn tattoo on her finger

It will be a grey blob much longer than it will be Saturn. A decent tattooist wouldn't do anything on a 16 yo and would warn you that small finger tattoos are pretty shit.

Original poster
oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:51

i've decided that i'll order her some inkbox tattoos (they last about two weeks) and i told her i'd revisit the topic once she's finished secondary school.

OP posts:
PaperDoIIs · 19/03/2024 20:52

Finger tattoo aren't a good idea for reasons previously mentioned. So first talk to her about picking another body part. Then ask her to pick a definite design. If she has no henna allergies, I'd trial that out first or another form of temporary tattoo. See how it looks, how it feels, how she feels about it, how it is taking it out "into the world". Then at least a 6 months wait(I recommend a year) and revisit the design and see if she still loves it and wants it.

Got my first tattoo at 18 with my first official pay check. I still love it 20 years later.

Italianita · 19/03/2024 20:52

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PutOnYourRedShoesAndLetsDance · 19/03/2024 20:57

I took my daughter for her first one for her 16th birthday.. she's had many more since .. she's 40 and no regrets.. all beautiful or meaningful.

VestibuleVirgin · 14/05/2024 05:43

oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:41

not illegal where i live.

Show quote history

So not in uk then?
Even so, daft at that age. I say this as someone who self-tattood at 15, thinking I was the bees bollocks

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 28/05/2024 13:43

I agree with everyone RE the finger thing. I would suggest somewhere more easily hidden for a first one. I was 17 and went along to the local shite tattoo artist that other underagers went to and got the standard 90's design of black tribal, luckily it's on my hip so easily hidden!

MrsLeonFarrell · 28/05/2024 13:46

I once heard a celebrity with tattoos say that they made themselves live with the idea for a tattoo for a year before getting inked. That way they were more certain it was something they wanted long term. I know a year is an eternity at 16 but I think it's a good rule.

TeenTraumaTrials · 28/05/2024 13:54

DD was very certain she wanted tattoos from early teens. I always against it but said once she was 18 it was her choice. She booked for the week of her birthday and got 3 - all small, thin ink and all on body - only one can be seen when she is wearing a low back top, the others only in a bikini/underwear. I still don't like them but they could be a lot worse. Would have been much more vocal if she had wanted them somewhere visible.

Choccyoclocky · 28/05/2024 14:18

I was 15 when I had my first and I'm glad I live in high-waisted clothing because they are shit! But I have had loads more since (30+ now). If she is adamant and you're allowing it then I would suggest hidden or behind the ear for something small rather than her finger.

pinkyredrose · 04/06/2024 16:55

oneinamillieon · 19/03/2024 20:41

not illegal where i live.

Show quote history

If you're in the UK then ALL tattoos on under 18's are illegal no matter what the tattooist says. No exceptions.

ValleyPalley · 01/08/2024 16:38

16 is too young and not legal where I live.

That said, I think it's a terrible idea anyway.

But if you're a walk over and give in to her demands, at least ensure she pays for it with money SHE has earned and for the love of god make sure its bl**dy small and nowhere visible.

beigetea · 01/08/2024 17:04

Don't have one on the stomach either! If she has a baby in the future it could stretch! I am talking from experience.

That was also my first tattoo at 16 and regret it.

spuddy4 · 01/08/2024 17:16

I was 14 when I had my first tattoo, yes in the UK and I know it's illegal before anyone starts. It's faded so many times, I'm mid 40s now and I've had it recoloured a few times because it looks crap when faded. I'd imagine a finger tattoo would fade faster due to being exposed more.