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These Badass Seniors Prove That Your Tattoos Will Probably Look Awesome At Any Age (40 Pics)
A recent poll has found that more Americans have tattoos today than ever before. In fact, there’s been a 21% increase in people having at least one tattoo since 2012. And contrary to what skeptics believe, they are far from regretting it. In fact, 92%, which is a hopping majority, say they are totally happy with their ink art.
But when it comes to the older generation getting themselves a work of art embedded in the skin, skeptics get even more fierce. Luckily, the stigma is slowly going away thanks to some incredibly badass elders who rock their ink so well I watch them in awe.
So in order to celebrate seniors with fabulous tattoos, Bored Panda rounded up some of the most beautiful and creative examples in a list below. Scroll down, upvote your favorite pics and be sure to share your thoughts on tattooed elders in the comment section!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A Grandpa Got A Cochlea Implant Tattoo To Become Like His Grandson
RELATED:
#2
This Is Tanya. She Is An ER Nurse. Last Year She Came To Me To Get Her First Tattoo Ever... On Her Head
She told me that she had developed alopecia, lost all her hair and that she was finally ready and happy to reclaim a bit of her identity back and own her Alopecia. Last week she came back for session 2 and we did this flower on the other side of her head
#3
Grandma Gets A Tattoo
On her 90th birthday grandma Heather Brooks got her first tattoo. She chose a Cancer Research pink ribbon to signify her victory after a five year battle with cancer.
To find out more about tattoos for seniors and whether they're more willing to go under the ink needle, Bored Panda spoke with Adam, the Studio Manager at Vagabond Tattoo. The studio was established in 2012 on East London’s popular Hackney Road and became known for their clean and original tattoos, spanning a range of styles. Vagabond Tattoo has made their name as one of the best contemporary tattoo studios in London.
When asked whether tattoos are getting more popular among older people, Adam said that he wouldn’t necessarily say so. Having said that, he explained the recent surge in people getting tattoos amid the pandemic: “I think we have seen an increase of older people who are already tattooed come in for more work then they usually would have. I think the fact that people haven't been able to travel as much has meant they have a bit more spare income to spend on themselves. Possibly there's more of a feeling of why put it off, let's just get more tattoos whilst we can!”
#4
Whang Od
#5
The Amazing Lilo Is Back. 92-Year-Old And Adding On To Her Sleeve
This woman survived a concentration camp. The holocaust. Cancer. The 70's. And now she's working on her sleeve. Amazing woman
ThEboRedEsTpANdA 3 years ago (edited)
"This woman survived [...] the 70s" made me laugh too much
#6
One Of My Favorite Clients Of All Time, Ann. She's 69 And She's Amazing
As for the particular tattoos he’d recommend for seniors, Adam believes there’s no rules. “Whatever tattoo they'd like to get!” However, some ink art designs may be harder on aged skin, so it’s good to keep that in mind. “I would say fine line tattoos are more difficult to tattoo on older skin, and they won't look the same as a 20-year-old's tattoos, but if it's something they want to get, then we try and accommodate them.” Adam added that “if we don't think it's a good idea, we'll tell them to do a similar design but in a bolder style,” so there’s always a solution that a good tattoo artist has at hand.
#7
100% Agree With You Gramps! You're Livin Life The Right Way. Tell Em How It Is. Wear That Shirt With Pride, And Be The Tattooed Gentleman You Are
#8
Coolest Gentleman Ever Wanted His First Tattoo On His Receding Hairline. Him And His Wife Were In Their 60's But Couldn't Have Been More Young At Heart
#9
This Is Incredible
#10
My Old Pappaw Has Waited So Long To Get This Tattoo
He was in the Navy Reserve as a young man and one night everyone was drinking and decided to get tattoos. He called home to ask my Granny if he could and she told him no. It's a good thing she did because the next morning they all woke up with swollen, infected tattoos. Finally, 58 years later, he can cross this off his bucket list.
#11
My 87 Year Old Step Grandmother Decided It Was Time To Get A Tattoo
#12
She's Amazing
Summer Mason 3 years ago
This reminds me of a patient i once had. In the heart clinic for a check up. Had a double mastectomy due to cancer. Had a Billy bad ass tattoo of an eagle holding rose's on her chest. Amazing. She said I lost my breast but no one can take my pride. 💗
#14
Cool Tattooed Grandpa
#15
Proof That Age Doesn't Matter. My Grandmother Inked All My Tattoo Ideas. Amazing Woman
#16
This Beautiful Maori Kween Is Terewai Kingi, She Had Her Traditional TaMoko Tapped 21 Years Ago
#17
My Friend Knows Me Well. “Assuming I’m Just An Old Lady, Is Your First Mistake”
#18
When People Ask What Are You Going To Look Like When Your Older With All The Tattoos? You'll Look Cool
#19
Met This Guy At Target Today, He Is 75
#20
She Is One Of The Last Tattooed Tharu Tribe Women. They Used To Do Tattoos In Order To Be Avoided To Be Selected As Slaves By The Royal Nepalese Family
#21
This Is How Our Generation Will Look Like In The Future. Cool
#22
So Yeah I'm A Grandpa
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
Cool from head to toe. Even the shirt tuck in front. His tattoos are just a part of it. And a grandbaby!
#23
"I’m Sure My Tattoos Look Very Old Fashioned To My Children, Who Have A Different Approach"
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 3 years ago
I personally think it looks very elegant--I love the muted colour palette.
#24
Still Collecting Ink After All This Time
#25
The Man With The Endless Vibe
#26
Age Doesn't Matter. My Clients Are The Best
#27
"Real Men Ain't No Pussies"
DC 3 years ago
That, I also considered, like collecting the cats I lived with. Four who lived between 12 and 20 years now, always started as a couple (the first were there before me), now I'm down to one, who needed to be adopted from incompetent humans (I had planned to look for old cats who aren't that likely to get adopted, but she intervened and screwed my plan ... love her, of course ...).
#28
Throwback To Tattooing My 88-Year-Old Nana. Such An Amazing Experience. So Much Love For This Beautiful & Tough Lady
#29
Jane Is Totally Enchanting And The Biggest David Bowie Fan We've Ever Met
#30
Nothing Beats Grandpa Granddaughter Love
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago (edited)
Granddad had a bad accident? Still handsome and cool but ow.
#31
69-Year-Old Charlotte Guttenberg Has Officially Become The World's Most Tattooed Person Ever With 98.75% Of Her Body Covered In Ink
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
How can she be the most tattooed person ever, when we have Lucky Diamond Rich, who has tattoos covering his entire body, including the insides of his eyelids, mouth, ears and foreskin? He has held the certified record since 2006, being 100 percent tattooed.
#32
Grandpa Has A Way With Babies
#33
This Is Grandma Eva. I'm Looking Forward To Be Like Her
#34
I Thought He Was The Best Daddy, Turns Out He's The Best Papa Too
#35
Like Father, Like Son
#36
Proud Grandmother Has Drawings Of Her Granddaughter Tattooed On Her Body
#37
Thom DeVita Showing Some Ink
#38
Jack Paid Us A Visit Today
#39
Merv. 1980s
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Lisa T 3 years ago
I am 50, and although I did get a couple of tattoos when younger, they were on my back and easily hidden. In the last five years I’ve got a few arm ones (my latest being a portrait of my beloved Bowie). I also have facial piercings and usually have bright coloured hair (pink, blue etc). I find it’s the people of my own age who don’t like it, that I’m “too old”. Younger people think I’m cool! I’m also a gamer, something else older people are apparently not supposed to do. I love tattoos as an expression of me…my likes, things that are important to me etc. Plus when you get older, you stop caring so much what others think and you get to be the TRUE YOU and it’s absolutely wonderful
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
I'm turning 57 on Friday. So far, I have five tattoos, with plans for several more. I've also had multiple facial piercings (although I have none at present) and am a gamer. Also, I love, love love your beautiful turquoise hair!
Load More Replies...
Teresa Taylor 3 years ago
I'm 56. I got my first tattoo during the first year of the pandemic. I now have four: wrist, both hands and chest. I'm getting one in my neck next. Then we'll work on my sleeve. And my feet. I never thought I would ever get a tattoo. Now I can't wait for the next session!! I also dye my hair bright colors and have been doing so for years. I never did anything like this when I was younger. I was always too worried about "appearances" and "what other people would think." You know what? "Other people" don't pay my bills so why should I care? I like the way I look and that's all that matters.
Meme Mee 3 years ago
Good for you. I'm 64, 6'2" 185 pounds. I don't like tattoos on me, and most other people. There are rare exceptions. But you do what makes you feel good, and feel good about yourself. I support you 1000%. Peace.
InfectedVoice 3 years ago (edited)
I'm sure Lisa really appreciates your unsolicited opinion about your dislike of tattoos and your body measurements, you may have well have just not said that, and then you won't sound like such a boomer.
DKS 001 3 years ago
young people today who think this is "gross" are going to be them in about 30+ years. I'm sure it won't be "gross" anymore
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
There is always the tattoo removal studio though. I recently read an article about how they all make brisk business and most of the people who go there don't even have wrinkled skin yet. But in 30 years, maybe we'll have wrinkle removal studios too...
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
These were so interesting. I, too, wish there were stories with them. Some beautiful artwork as well. So much better than the ones with botched and misspelled ink.
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
I don't like most of these, but I am happy that the owners do. Everyone should get any tattoo they like, at any age! It doesn't matter what someone else thinks about it.
Sasha 3 years ago
All these people getting them later in life is proof that people can change with the times always. The people who are terrified of BLM, and LGBQT and the change to being conscious consumers are cowards being left behind by the times, living in denial. The times we live in now have many problems, but so many of them are caused by the previous generation being so obstinate to change. While this is proof that theres those who have always resisted the norm and those who have spent their entire life conforming but can see the good thats come from being more accepting. You can either move forward or be left behind to die, and in this point in our history its not a metaphor anymore. Were at a tipping point, and while this tattoo thing might not seem like a big deal its a vital sign of a shift in attitude we sorely need right now
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
Some of those prove that bad tattoo taste is not unique to young people, haha.
Bex 3 years ago
My Mom got her 1st tattoo for her 60th Birthday, and her 2nd for her 65th. On her 70th she dyed a hot pink streak in her all natural silver hair. Can't wait to see what she does for 75! (Oh, and her and my Dad have been married over 50 years, and Dad HATES tattoos. My sister and I both have a bunch, and both times Mom got inked we went w her and got inked, too.)
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
With my first tattoo my BFF said they're like Laye's potatoes chips. You won't be able to get just one. She was right. Saw a beautiful rose tattoo on here and wanted to get one like that. Then I remembered I can't get ones with color because they become very inflammed☹. Really deep sigh.
Elaine Everett-Klimas 3 years ago
My mum is a 'Game old Bird' and had her first tattoo at 80. At 84 she now has 6... I have some catching up to do!
Barbara Baldwin 3 years ago
I call it skin art..and it's beautiful. I just remembered!!!! I've got a tat, too, little blue dot between my breasts. To guide the radiation tech to my cancer
Gelato Cat 3 years ago
I wanna get a tatt with my bestie I've known my whole life he would luv it
InfectedVoice 3 years ago
Too late for me, about 70% covered and won't ever be sitting through no damn laser removal nonsense.
Lisa T 3 years ago
I am 50, and although I did get a couple of tattoos when younger, they were on my back and easily hidden. In the last five years I’ve got a few arm ones (my latest being a portrait of my beloved Bowie). I also have facial piercings and usually have bright coloured hair (pink, blue etc). I find it’s the people of my own age who don’t like it, that I’m “too old”. Younger people think I’m cool! I’m also a gamer, something else older people are apparently not supposed to do. I love tattoos as an expression of me…my likes, things that are important to me etc. Plus when you get older, you stop caring so much what others think and you get to be the TRUE YOU and it’s absolutely wonderful
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
I'm turning 57 on Friday. So far, I have five tattoos, with plans for several more. I've also had multiple facial piercings (although I have none at present) and am a gamer. Also, I love, love love your beautiful turquoise hair!
Load More Replies... Teresa Taylor 3 years ago
I'm 56. I got my first tattoo during the first year of the pandemic. I now have four: wrist, both hands and chest. I'm getting one in my neck next. Then we'll work on my sleeve. And my feet. I never thought I would ever get a tattoo. Now I can't wait for the next session!! I also dye my hair bright colors and have been doing so for years. I never did anything like this when I was younger. I was always too worried about "appearances" and "what other people would think." You know what? "Other people" don't pay my bills so why should I care? I like the way I look and that's all that matters.
Meme Mee 3 years ago
Good for you. I'm 64, 6'2" 185 pounds. I don't like tattoos on me, and most other people. There are rare exceptions. But you do what makes you feel good, and feel good about yourself. I support you 1000%. Peace.
InfectedVoice 3 years ago (edited)
I'm sure Lisa really appreciates your unsolicited opinion about your dislike of tattoos and your body measurements, you may have well have just not said that, and then you won't sound like such a boomer.
DKS 001 3 years ago
young people today who think this is "gross" are going to be them in about 30+ years. I'm sure it won't be "gross" anymore
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
There is always the tattoo removal studio though. I recently read an article about how they all make brisk business and most of the people who go there don't even have wrinkled skin yet. But in 30 years, maybe we'll have wrinkle removal studios too...
Dorothy Parker 3 years ago
These were so interesting. I, too, wish there were stories with them. Some beautiful artwork as well. So much better than the ones with botched and misspelled ink.
Demi Zwaan 3 years ago
I don't like most of these, but I am happy that the owners do. Everyone should get any tattoo they like, at any age! It doesn't matter what someone else thinks about it.
Sasha 3 years ago
All these people getting them later in life is proof that people can change with the times always. The people who are terrified of BLM, and LGBQT and the change to being conscious consumers are cowards being left behind by the times, living in denial. The times we live in now have many problems, but so many of them are caused by the previous generation being so obstinate to change. While this is proof that theres those who have always resisted the norm and those who have spent their entire life conforming but can see the good thats come from being more accepting. You can either move forward or be left behind to die, and in this point in our history its not a metaphor anymore. Were at a tipping point, and while this tattoo thing might not seem like a big deal its a vital sign of a shift in attitude we sorely need right now
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
Some of those prove that bad tattoo taste is not unique to young people, haha.
Bex 3 years ago
My Mom got her 1st tattoo for her 60th Birthday, and her 2nd for her 65th. On her 70th she dyed a hot pink streak in her all natural silver hair. Can't wait to see what she does for 75! (Oh, and her and my Dad have been married over 50 years, and Dad HATES tattoos. My sister and I both have a bunch, and both times Mom got inked we went w her and got inked, too.)
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
With my first tattoo my BFF said they're like Laye's potatoes chips. You won't be able to get just one. She was right. Saw a beautiful rose tattoo on here and wanted to get one like that. Then I remembered I can't get ones with color because they become very inflammed☹. Really deep sigh.
Elaine Everett-Klimas 3 years ago
My mum is a 'Game old Bird' and had her first tattoo at 80. At 84 she now has 6... I have some catching up to do!
Barbara Baldwin 3 years ago
I call it skin art..and it's beautiful. I just remembered!!!! I've got a tat, too, little blue dot between my breasts. To guide the radiation tech to my cancer
Gelato Cat 3 years ago
I wanna get a tatt with my bestie I've known my whole life he would luv it
InfectedVoice 3 years ago
Too late for me, about 70% covered and won't ever be sitting through no damn laser removal nonsense.
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