Keep in mind: Of the people we talked to (the majority being teenagers to twentysomethings), a whopping 78 percent regret at least one of their tattoos. And 19 percent of participants with two tattoos regret both. Planning ahead is the best way you can make sure you don't suffer from tattoo regret.
Research from the UK, US, Australia, Canada and surveys by notable organizations report that 78% of tattooed people regret at least one of them. In the US alone, 23% felt regret. Half of these regrets were due to tattooing someone's name, as revealed by a British study. WebMD states that 11% have sought removal.
The survey also found that 1 in 3 people (30%) have considered getting a tattoo removed, while only 1 in 4 (25%) have already removed ink. 31% of men and 24% of women regretted daubing someone's name permanently on their body. For men, 13% regretted their tribal theme, and 13% regretted their Asian characters.
The most notable change in a tattoos appearance comes from wear and tear over a lifetime. As your skin ages, your tattoo ages with it. Although the ink will never completely disappear, over time your tattoo will begin to fade. How quickly and how much, depends on care.
If you have a brand new piece, still in the healing stage, you might be concerned that it's looking patchy. Fear not; during the healing process your tattoo will look weird. It may look cloudy, faded, patchy, or even blurred, and this can be concerning when you've just dropped a few hundred on it.
Trendy tattoos, like tiny tattoos or pieces done in minimalist tattoo styles, tend not to age well. With these designs, every detail is magnified and highlights design imperfections that naturally occur – even with following all of the best tattoo after-care instructions to a T.
Tattoos are becoming more popular and mainstream than ever in recent years, with over 50% of Americans under the age of 40 sporting tattoos. People's reasons for getting inked vary vastly — for some they serve as mementos and for others as masterpieces.
The more detailed the tattoo, the worse it'll age. That's a simple, unavoidable fact. Thin lines, shading, small words, and small tattoos all fade much more quickly.
Or maybe, you just felt like trying something new on a whim. Either way, if you're no longer in love with a tattoo, then you're not entirely out of luck. Well, you have two options: laser tattoo removal or a brand-new tattoo cover-up. There's hope for dealing with your unwanted tattoo!
Tattoos have become increasingly popular recently, with an estimated 30% of the U.S. population having at least one tattoo and women being more likely to get a tattoo than men (31% vs 27%).
Tattoo flu explained
So while you might be super chill mentally, your immune system might charge in like there's a four alarm fire. When the needle hits your skin, your pain receptors go into overdrive, giving you a nice jolt of adrenaline which then makes your ticker beat a bit faster.
A judgment that harsh might be a little unfair but how much you like or dislike tattoos is obviously a personal decision. As tattoos become more and more popular they also become more and more acceptable. All indicators suggest this trend will continue but remember that social attitudes can shift quickly.
Tattoos in American society
As can be seen above, compared to people without tattoos, 40 percent of people find those with tattoos to be characteristically rebellious while only 16 percent of respondents find people with tattoos characteristically attractive.
Tattoo placement trends in 2023 are proving to be quite creative and unique, with many people looking for ways to express themselves through body art. Colorful tattoos making a comeback is the next trend on the horizon as more individuals look for ways to make their tattoo stand out from the crowd.
Tattoos can be a form of self-care for young people
trend report that Gen Z and Millennials are putting their own spin on self-care. It's not just bubble baths and meditation, and 17% of young people say they get tattoos as a form of personal care.
While many people think that tattoos are only for millennials, that is not true at all. We've seen celebrities like Eva Longoria who have had their tattoos for years now, proving just how timeless these designs can be. So don't worry if you're thinking about getting a tattoo - it won't go out of style anytime soon!
Those attracted to women saw a three-way tie between the upper back, shoulder and hips (with a 3.3 rating). The back: a top-rated tattoo location for women and men. The hip: a top-rated tattoo location for women. The upper arm: a top-rated tattoo location for men.
You should expect your upper arm and abdomen to sag more as you age, which can affect how a tattoo in those areas would look. "Shoulders and ankles have tight skin, and the skin does not sag and become as loose over time, unlike the upper arm or abdomen," Edgar Fincher, a dermatologist, told Allure.
Lighter inks like yellows, reds, oranges, whites, and any pastel tones tend to fade a bit more quickly than darker inks. Some white inks and pastel inks have trouble lasting longer than five years. Watercolor tattoos also tend to fade faster as the ink is lightly colored and very fine.
In fact, 1 in 4 people who made a spontaneous decision to get a tattoo, regretted it within a few days. That said, there was still a small fraction of people (5 percent) who spent years thinking about getting a tattoo and regretted it within days.
According to a YouGov survey, half of people with tattoos in America and Britain got their first by the age of 21. A closer look at the US data shows that 39% got their first tattoo between 15 and 19, and one in four went under the needle after they turned 30.
Tiny tattoos are a popular first choice as well. Whether it's hearts, stars, or zodiac symbols, fine line techniques are ideal for a first tattoo because of their delicate design and barely-there size. Another memorable first tattoo choice is a word or mantra that defines who you are.