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 legal age to get a tattoo would be 18. There are some areas that allow this to be done at a younger age with parental consent. However, we don't recommend anyone getting a tattoo younger than 18. As long as you're over the minimum required age, there's no right or wrong age to get a tattoo.
Millennials (1981-1996) are currently the most tattooed generation. In 2021, 12% of millennials reported having one tattoo, and 29% said they have multiple. This generation opts for more visible pieces, as tattoos have gained more acceptance among their parents and employers.
Our latest study shows one in four Australians has a tattoo (25%) – a record high. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016. The proportion of women with a tattoo now exceeds that of men by more than ten per cent (31% women compared to 19% men).
People between the ages of 18 to 29 years are most likely to have tattoos (38%). This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Tattoo Statistics as it highlights the age group that is most likely to have tattoos.
Bolder, deeper and darker linework looks better with age. Tattoos done in black or grey ink tend to hold up over time and are the least likely to fade when regularly protected and treated with care.
The TV network behind new show “Best Ink” and Lightspeed Research asked just over 1000 people across the United States about their perceptions of body art, and it turned out 59 percent of women have tattoos compared to 41 percent of men.
Australia has no national laws that make it illegal for employers to ban visible body ink in the workplace or to reject applicants because of their tattoos.
Words almost as popular as symbols
While for the majority (72%) of tattooed Australians their most recent tattoo was a picture or symbol, for 1 in 5 (19%) it was a phrase or a word. The biggest growth in tattoo design is in the phrase or word category which has seen a massive increase over the last few years.
36% of the US Armed Forces, including military veterans, have tattoos. Tattoos seem to be more popular with people who attained higher levels of education (32%) compared to those with lower education levels (26%). With 38% of adults aged 30-39 being tatted, older millennials are the most likely to get a tattoo.
Tattoos are not going out of style. As stigma wanes and quality standards improve, tattoos are steadily gaining popularity and social acceptance. Tattoos are also known to be part of various cultures going back over 6,000 years, so it is safe to assume that they will never fully go out of style.
The popularity of tattoos has grown significantly over the past decade, with an estimated 225 million people worldwide having at least one tattoo. In the United States alone, 30% of adults have a tattoo and 40% of those aged 18-29 have at least one.
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. Tattoos are a great way to do this and can also be empowering for those going through a change in life.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
Choose a design that will work with you — and your skin: Fragile skin also means that the kind of intricate designs younger people get are far more difficult to do on seniors. With this in mind, it's better to choose a design that's bold and simple, and a design that won't take a dozen separate sessions to complete.
Not without regrets
One third (34%) of Australians with tattoos say that they regret, to some extent, getting a tattoo. One in 7 (14%) have commenced or looked into tattoo removal. “It is my ex-boyfriends initials… now means little but serves as a reminder to think and then think again before I get another tattoo.”
Tattooists' salary (average) $29,000* per year (source: ato.gov.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience. Future career growth: Strong (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au). You will be doing most of your work indoors in a specialist tattoo parlour or studio.
Upper arm tattoos evoke both adventurous and practical qualities. With this balance, it makes sense that all genders universally consider this placement to be the sexiest tattoo location.
Research has shown that tattoos on more visible areas of the body, such as the arms, neck, and back, are more likely to be viewed as attractive. On the other hand, tattoos on less visible areas, such as the feet and legs, are less likely to be seen as attractive.
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.
Generally, black ink takes the cake for lasting the longest. Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink.
Not only will proper aftercare protect your tattoo from infection, but the right long-term care will ensure it stays looking its best. The thing is, while tattoos theoretically last forever, they can fade over time.
Red, orange, yellow, and purple: These tattoo colors fade faster on light skin and are more crucial to working with sensitive and freckled skin.