To want a tattoo

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this beholder thinks they look seriously awful even on very young smooth skin, but if you really think you are ‘missing out’ - then go for it. Life is difficult enough without regrets although I know quite a few youngsters who regret having had the tattoos.

Your body your choice. If that's what you want, do it.

Reading about tattoos just keeps reminding me of someone I nursed who had had an ankle tattoo .She was older she should have never done it in the first place .She should have had her circulation checked first.After having it done her legs were swollen beyond recognition and the resulting nasty big weeping foul smelling painful ulcers took months of dressing and support bandages .Gross .I know conditions and regulations are better now but all I can see is that sad blue butterfly still there on her ankle when her treatment was eventually completed reminding her of her big mistake after months of pain and misery .
So please please if you have a tattoo never never on an ankle when we have nt exactly a 20 year old circulation .There are health checks nowadays but I m not even going in to find out !
I may be over reacting but that’s my perspective on it.

Is the son going to go through the pain of inking, himself? Is he your keeper? Have you asked him to pay for it? Are you healthy enough to get the tat? Are you going to apply for a job where you can't have visible tattoos? That's all, really.

I hate tattoos and don’t understand why people want them. But it’s your choice . Go for it if you want one.

Personally I don’t like them , but if you want one then go for it! ?

Your body, do what suits you.

Go for it, but make it one that means something to you. I gather you don't live near any seagulls. If you did, you would be getting a tattoo of you aiming a shotgun at one.

I'm with Sherman on this. I think tattoos are absolutely horrible. Don't forget - there's no going back with tattoos (except really painful, expensive laser treatment).

The naysayers should never say never. I was never going to get a tattoo ever, never ever ever. I do have a small and tasteful one that is very beautiful and full of meaning. It took a monumental event to bring that about but it means so much. I'm still a fan of the discreet, though not necessarily hidden, tattoo but it's not something I'd ever have thought I'd get done, including those who know me. I think I surprised everyone but in a good way.

My son in law wanted a tattoo, even though my daughter and I hate them. He asked the tattoo artist for something that would be different. The tattoo artist said, “if you want to be different, then don’t get a tattoo”. Nuff said... he is tattoo free.

Why not?! Why shouldn't you have a tattoo if you would like one. I'm 67 and have two of them, both frogs and would love to have a sunflower and a white rose in memory of my Mum.
It's your body, your money, your choice. What would you like as your tattoo?

If you want to do something different, don't get a tattoo as they are now mainstream: 30% of UK population now have one. Also a whopping 78% regret at least one of them.
With sepsis on the rise, there's no way I'd put myself at more risk. Oh and the pain- ouch!

Go for it I’d always wanted a small one and eventually whilst at Bondi beach with my dd we saw a world renowned tattoo artist so I bit the bullet and have a palm tree on my ankle. I was 60 when I had mine done. Life’s to short to waste time pondering.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I had my first tattoo done for my 60th birthday, I'm now 63 and have 8! They're like Pringles, once you start you can't stop

As far as getting sick of tattoos, I think it depends on the tattoos. The only ones I really can appreciate are the ones that have a very specific and special reason and meaning behind them. I don't think you get sick of those ones and they are probably not ones you will ever regret.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

If you have a firm skin then go for it Nothing looks worse than having to lift up the wrinkles to see the results of your tattoo.

coastie, I'm curious that you think tattoos help spot people with codependent and controlling mindsets. In what way? Specific kinds of tattoos? Genuinely curious.

On a separate issue, I figure if someone judges me for a small and discreet tattoo when they don't know the story behinnd it, they aren't really worth my time anyway.

The question I'd have about getting a tattoo done when older is, doesn't the skin get more fragile as you get older? That might be something to be careful of. Apologies if I am wrong about that.

Do you have a daughter named Matilda?

If your asking others what you should do, perhaps somethings telling you it’s not really for you!! My son has a few and though I have a personal dislike of all tattoos, it’s not my body so no ones choice but your alone.

Go for it. Do whatever you want that harms no one else. I'm too squeamish for both the procedure and the result. They always look grubby to me. Don't shout. I know they're not. To my regret, one of my sons has a couple but that's his choice. Happily they're mostly hidden. Again, his choice....

If you want a tattoo go for it, it’s nobody’s business but yours, I’ve always liked them, mine neither look tatty or slutty, I actually think that’s a silly thing to say, my son has sleeves and lots of tattoos he looks good with them, my husband has them, my other daughter has 2 , I personally wouldn’t have any more, I don’t regret mine, I love them but don’t feel the need to get anymore done