Essential Tattoo Tips for Seniors
From Choosing the Perfect Design to Caring for Older Skin
Tattooing isn’t just for twenty-somethings—more seniors than ever are choosing to get inked, whether it’s to express personal stories, honor loved ones, or simply celebrate life. However, tattooing older skin comes with unique considerations.
Why the older tattoo trend? As tattoos have become more common, “tattoos have become normalized, going from being deviant and stigmatized to a huge trend in a short time,” explains the Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, changing long-held beliefs and shifting generational perceptions of tattoos.
Tattoos today are definitely more common in the United States. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 32% of American adults have a tattoo, including 22% who have more than one. This ubiquity breeds acceptance. As the survey points out 80 percent of US adults say that “Americans overall — including those with and without tattoos — believe society has become more accepting of people with tattoos over the past 20 years or so.”
Are you or a senior in your care considering following the tattoo trend? At Mass Care Link, we want to provide valuable insights to help seniors make informed decisions about getting tattoos.
Understanding Changes in Older Skin
As we age, our skin undergoes several changes that can impact the tattooing process. Older skin tends to be thinner, less elastic, and may have wrinkles or age spots. These factors can affect how well the tattoo ink settles and how the design looks over time.
Key considerations:
1. Skin Elasticity: Thinner skin can make the tattooing process more challenging. It’s essential to choose an experienced tattoo artist who understands how to work with older skin to ensure a smooth and precise application.
2. Healing Time: Older adults may experience slower healing times. Proper aftercare is crucial to prevent infections and ensure the tattoo heals correctly. Follow your tattoo artist’s care instructions meticulously.
3. Ink Vibrancy: The colors used in tattoos may appear differently on older skin. Darker shades tend to work better, as they can maintain their vibrancy longer. Discuss color choices with your tattoo artist to achieve the best results.
Choosing the Right Design
Selecting the right tattoo design is an exciting but important step. Consider how the design will age with you and how it complements your skin’s natural changes.
Design tips:
1. Simple and Bold: Simple, bold designs often age better and can be more easily touched up if needed. Avoid intricate details that might blur over time.
2. Careful Placement: Areas of the body with less sagging or wrinkling skin, such as the forearms, upper back, and calves, are ideal for tattoos. Avoid areas where the skin is more prone to stretching.
3. Meaningful Choices: Many seniors choose tattoos that hold personal significance, such as symbols of family, faith, or life achievements. These meaningful designs are timeless and can be a beautiful way to express yourself.
Finding the Right Tattoo Artist
When it comes to tattooing older skin, the artist’s experience is key. Look for a tattoo artist who has experience working with seniors and understands the nuances of tattooing older skin.
Tips for choosing an artist:
1. Do Your Research: Look at the artist’s portfolio to see examples of their work on older clients. Reading reviews or getting recommendations from others can also help you find a reputable artist that’s a good fit, says beauty site Byrdie.
2. Don’t Skip a Consultation: Schedule a consultation to discuss your design ideas, ask about their experience, and ensure you feel comfortable with the process. “Come prepared with a clear idea or concept for your tattoo,” advise the experts at Omni Tattoo. “Gather reference images, sketches, or anything else to help convey your vision to the artist during the tattoo consultation. The more specific you can be, the better they can understand what you want and provide relevant advice and suggestions.”
3. Keep it Clean: Ensure the tattoo studio follows strict hygiene practices to minimize the risk of infection. According to WebMD, In the US, “state and local governments are responsible for regulating tattoo shops. The rules can vary from state to state, and even town to town. Some communities might not have any restrictions at all.” So check for yourself to make sure they meet your standards.
Tattoo Safety
While tattoos are generally safe, like all cosmetic procedures they do come with certain risks. The Mayo Clinic offers the following overview of potential complications and advice for staying safe while getting inked.
Potential Risks to Keep in Mind
- Allergic reactions: In some people, tattoo ink can cause an itchy rash, even years after getting a tattoo. Red ink tends to be more prone to causing this reaction.
- Skin infections: An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn’t sterilized correctly, another reason to choose the right artist.
- Other skin problems: Sometimes an area of inflammation called a granuloma can form around tattoo ink. Tattooing also can lead to keloids, raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
- Diseases spread through blood: If equipment used to create a tattoo has infected blood on it, the process can pass on diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. To lower your risk, get vaccinated for hepatitis B before getting a tattoo.
- Skin reactions to an MRI. Rarely, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam may trigger burning pain in the tattooed area. Sometimes, tattoos can lower the quality of an MRI image.
Stay Safe with Proper Maintenance
Most tattoos take about two weeks to heal. To prevent infection and encourage healing:
- Keep tattooed skin clean. Wash the area gently twice a day with soap and water. If showering, avoid direct streams of water on the newly tattooed skin. Pat dry, don’t rub.
- Moisturize: Apply a mild moisturizer to the tattooed skin several times a day.
- Avoid the sun. Keep the tattooed area out of the sun until it heals.
- Don’t go swimming: Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing.
- Choose clothing carefully. Wear loose garments, avoiding anything that may stick to the tattoo.
Taking the Plunge
Getting a tattoo as a senior is a wonderful way to celebrate your life and express your individuality. “Tattoos have transcended their historical associations with counterculture and rebellion. Today, they are embraced as a form of art, self-expression, and personal storytelling,” explains tattoo industry publication, Platinum Ink.
By understanding the unique needs of older skin and working with an experienced artist, you can ensure your tattoo is something you’ll cherish for years to come. If you’re considering a tattoo, take your time, make informed choices, and enjoy the experience!
Adult foster care provider Mass Care Link offers resources for seniors exploring a full, multidimensional life. We understand that just because you need special care, doesn’t mean you’re no longer your own person.