Having lots of tattoos might make you look tough on the outside, but it turns out it actually makes you tougher on the inside, too. A new study, published in the American Journal of Human Biology, has found that getting lots of tattoos might make your immune system stronger.
Both men and women agreed that a man with a tattoo looked more masculine, dominant, and aggressive. The researchers conclude that: tattoos may have a dual function: they influence female preference, but also are likely to be important in male-male competition.
Another study published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that men rated women with tattoos as being more sexually attractive and rebellious compared to women without tattoos. The study also found that women with tattoos were perceived as being more confident, independent, and assertive.
Tattoos can make you look younger or older depending on the placement and size of your design. For example, smaller tattoos are going to age you less than larger ones. A small tattoo located on a delicate part of your body like the wrist or neck will be much more youthful than a large one on the back or chest.
Previous research has also found that women tend to look more favourably on men with tattoos, associating them with “good health, masculinity, aggressiveness and dominance,” according to one study. Type's recent survey also found that only 39% of men were attracted to women with tattoos.
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.
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 Placements That Age Well:
Back (Top & Center) Behind The Neck. Upper Rib Cage. Inner Forearm.
Tattoos provide confidence & self-esteem
But it turns out that the confidence boosting effects aren't just for new ink. A study of 2,395 college students found a correlation between tattoos and self-esteem. And the more tattoos, the bigger the confidence boost.
Thin lines, shading, small words, and small tattoos all fade much more quickly. Some like the effects age has on their tattoo. However, that tattoo will likely blur together if it's got too much detail. Bolder lines, thicker lines, and larger designs will better stand the test of time.
The criteria for a tattoo to be deemed “classy” is highly subjective. However, there are styles that are more aesthetically pleasing to even the most highfalutin eye. You will want an artist that specializes in black and grey styles, and/or a tattooist with a penchant for clean minimalist lines.
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.
One of the most common psychological explanations for tattoos is that they are a form of risk-taking behavior. This theory suggests that people who get tattoos are more likely to be impulsive and thrill-seeking. They may also be more likely to take other risks, such as engaging in risky sexual behaviors or using drugs.
Galbarczyk and Ziomkiewicz's study also revealed that women find tattooed men to be more masculine, dominant, and aggressive, traits associated with both elevated levels of testosterone and overall good health.
– The Research. According to a Polish study published in the Personality and Individual Differences journal, women don't find tattooed men more (or less) attractive. They do think men with tattoos are healthier, more masculine, dominant, and aggressive, but that they make worse partners and parents.
Likewise, many other studies suggest women associate tattoos with male traits such as aggressiveness and dominance. Put simply, men with tats are immediately perceived as the “alpha male bad boy” types—and that's why they're so attractive from a no-strings-attached standpoint of dating.
Self-Expression And Identity
One of the most common motivations for getting a tattoo is self-expression. Tattoos can be a way for individuals to showcase their personalities, beliefs, and values. For example, a person may get a tattoo of their favourite quote or symbol that holds personal meaning.
Are tattoos OK for tradespeople but not professionals? That's something I wish we'd asked about. A 2010 study did show that consumers perceived visible tattoos to be inappropriate in white-collar professions but not in blue-collar ones.
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.
The short answer to this question is no. You're never too old to get a tattoo! As people age and become more independent, they also become more confident and want to express themselves more than they were allowed to in their younger days.
Try to place your tattoos in an area where you are least likely to gain the most weight or deal with skin sagging, such as the neck, upper back, hands, forearms, ankles, and feet. Most facial tattoos are long-lasting since we tend to take better care of the skin on our faces than any other body part.
Given the rich history, perhaps it's not surprising that tattoos have become more and more popular once again. In part, this is because they are being worn by public figures such as celebrities, athletes, and people within the fashion industry.
It shows that tattoos are a popular form of body art, with the average person having four tattoos.