Tattoos

I just don't like them, like being branded, also facial and body piercing. They are so popular and I know lots of people with them, but I just think why the need, even going past a Tattoo parlour makes my skin creep. It must be some sort of phobia, some people can't stand flying or spiders, one boyfriend had my name tattooed on his arm many years ago, I was only with him another week, I wish he had mentioned it first.

My sil's grandad had one in his eighties...a little saxophone...gave him immens pleasure and was full of meaning for him.lovely man!

Talking of health and safety and tattooists, a one local to us died of septicaemia last year

Ooh, a thorny subject!
I'm in my 60's now, but had my first ink about 20 years ago, with the encouragement of my daughter, who has a couple herself. It's a small Taoist symbol on my thigh.

I recently had 2 more tat's, but this time on my hands. They are (I think) quite tasteful - tiny pawprints and ? for my belived dogs, and a very small Christian cross. I love them and they both have great significance and meaning to my life.

However, same daughter (who even took me for my original one), has been most disapproving! "Mother!!!! Are you having a midlife crisis or something????" Really surprised me a bit - but also made me hoot with laughter and threaten to get a whole sleeve done!

She can gripe about them all she likes - I'm really happy I have them!

If you want ideas there are thousands on Pinterest, and you can search for specific styles.

Beware of addiction though, I can see how that happens!

I would hope tattooists have to have the right equipment, and have to pass health and hygiene, the person who done mine had everything sterilized, and had certificates on the wall, they have to inspections, it's quite strict these days, hopefully,

I'm the only one in the family who doesn't have one. I've nothing against them at all - in fact, I love looking at other people's tattoos - some are genuine works of art. If I were to get one, it would have to be something very personal which meant something special to me - but I've never been able to decide quite what.

That's made my mind up grannypauline ! Not worth the risk.

I'm inclined to view this as a health issue rather than an aesthetic one. Apart from the question already raised of the toxicity of the inks, there is the of the sterility of the needles used.

The skin is a vital organ, one of the first in the line of defence against infection. I wouldn't challenge this by sticking needles in where it isn't necessary.

You are not allowed to give blood until 4 months after tattooing because there is evidence of contamination in some cases of hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and, in rare cases, HIV. Why would you want to risk this?

It's your choice of course!

My eyesight will be that bad by that time mine my tattoo will still look great

No - just no!

I reckon that if at the end of a long and full life, the only thing that is regretted is that their tattoos look wrinkly, it will be a life well lived. Their bodies; their choices. Live and let live.

No never!

What hasn't been mentioned is that in a few years time there will be millions of old people with tats and no-one will be taking any notice of the wrinkles.

Go for it Keffie, it's your body do what you like, and if people regret getting them when they are old well they will just have to live with it,it's no one else's worry, as for wrinkles when you are old , who gives? I still wear make up and eye make on my wrinkled face,

NanaNancy, thanks for that information - something that I hadn't even thought about. Add to that the pain and the permanency, I don't think I'll get one!
However, each to their own, and I think it's lovely that people have their own special reasons for having a tattoo, discreet or not!

I don't like them, I guess it's a generational thing. One of my sons has a couple, the first one was done aged 18 when his half brother died, he has a cross with "gone but not forgotten", I know it was an outward gesture of saying how he felt, but my husband who lost his son, a greater loss than his, was appalled. I don't know why anyone has to put the names of those they hold dear in an etching on their body. I think Beckham looks awful now, I hate his tats, he looks like some grizzled old biker, and those were the people who were known for their tattoos when I was growing up. A tattoo on a woman in particular, was considered beyond the pale. They look particularly hideous when the woman is wearing an evening dress/wedding dress and arms and shoulders are covered it markings imo. Now of course every man and his dog has one, which is good enough a reason not to have any. I can't understand why someone such as David Dimbleby gets to age 70 plus or whatever he is and then has to go and get one done on his back what's the point, he won't even see it

A show I went to recently one of the dancers had an elasticated flesh coloured arm sleeve to cover the sleeve tattoo she had and so she looked like the other 5 dancers. Also a show I saw the second lead had to wear shorts and one leg was covered in tattoos which looked very out of place in the 1930s set. Do they think of the consequences of the future. I just wonder what they will look like when they are old and wrinkly.

I cannot stand the things, a tiny one maybe, but big tattoos just make the skin look dirty. Horrible denim blue colours.

Yes, mutilation is what comes to my mind.

Sheilasue I read your post and understand how precious that must be to you. A reminder that you take with you everywhere xx

grannyinmypocket I happen to agree with you.

How much does it hurt? I have a low pain threshold when it comes to skin pain. Hate injections and blood taking.

I also join the group of just "say no". But at least recently I have started to feel I can justify my "not for me!" As you can read below;
Among the concerns are the long-term effects tattoo inks can have on the immune system, pathology specimen interpretation and other unforeseen health complications.

Certain tattoo inks can be toxic, with some containing carcinogenic compounds, a 2012 Danish Environmental Protection Agency found. In fact, one in five tattoo inks contained carcinogenic chemicals, and a vast majority of the inks tested did not comply with international health safety standards for ink composition, an Australian government-sponsored study found. Even more concerning, carcinogens were identified in 83 percent of black inks – by far the most popular color for tattoos.

The European Society of Tattoo and Pigment Research was established in 2013 with a mission of educating the public about the “fundamental facts about tattooing” which many in the younger generations ignore. That group found barium, copper, mercury and other unsafe components in tattoo inks. Their research also found a disheartening mismatch between the listed ink container contents and its actual chemical composition found on testing.

More recently, the Food and Drug Administration has become more involved with tattoo inks, stating “Many pigments used in tattoo inks are industrial-grade colors suitable for printers’ ink or automobile paint.” Like the studies started overseas, the agency is now examining the chemical composition of inks and pigments and how they break down in the body, as well their short- and long-term safety.

Its an age thing isn't it? Growing up in the sixties, tattoos were considered common. Now in the noughties, they aren't.(0nly by some goldie oldies) The mini skirts were considered disgusting by the older generation in the sixties 'your not going out in that are you?' Live and let live.

A few weeks ago, I took my little GD to the cinema and afterwards to McDonald's. There were 2 young men sat at our table, both of them covered in tattoos on their arms, neck and head. My GD was transfixed with them; she'd never seen one before. Both young men took their biker jackets off so that she could inspect their tattoos more closely and they explained to her, and me, what each one was and what they signified. They let her touch them so that she could see that they wouldn't rub off and they explained how long each one took to make. Their tattoos were truly works of art, very intricate, with one leading into another. I, personally, would not want one but those 2 young men opened my mind as to why others would and how significant and important they are to that person.

Oh dear! I dread to think what some of you would think of me. Just done a quick count up and I have 21. Still ok and want a couple more. I have had 1 a year for a good many years.

I wear my art! Others hang it. Personal choice. I am neither sad trashy or needy.

My tattoos aren't coarse dark and horrible either.

Left lower leg = 3 autumn leaves, a trailing rose and a butterfly. Right lower leg fruits of the vine, the christian cross and a scripture passage John: 35: 2-17 and a daisy chain around my ankle.

Lower left arm, a bracelet in memory of my mom. Upper left arm a ribbon with my 4 youngsters names in and a bird above that with my grandchildren initials attached to the wings.

Lower right arm Japanese flower on wrist, the Welsh Dragon surrounded by dafodills with my husband, soul mate and best friend surrounding it,(my husband recently passed away hence this tattoo) upper right arm, the Greek flag with Greek writing for a country we love and return to every year and a dolphin above that.

Back of left ear 2 small circles and a star.

Back: left shoulder blade: AVFC world with club logo (football) other shoulder blade = Christian fish with Jesus, son and saviour in Greek on it. Middle back: an angel praying over a a baby asleep in a crib. Then above it I have wording personally to my late mom.

Hmm think I have covered them all: they are all delicate, not big and they are pretty ( large tattoo is in my husband memory is the only large one) I am not into big ugly tattoos either. They suit me yes. My persona is suited to them.

I know some of you will be in meltdown with this however it's my body and my business. I am 56 and I love tattoos. Even my friend who doesn't like tattoos likes mine.

My best friend has PRINCESS tattooed across her lower spine (had it done in a fit of post marriage break up). She’s 55 now and realises how ridiculous it is. I always say that when she is old and wrinkly it will collapse and say PISS, ?