103 Photos Of Aged Tattoos That Show How The Ink Changes Over The Years

When you’re looking at tattoos on old people, and they are all faded and oddly shaped (the tattoos, not the people), you tend to instantly think about your own ink and - oh lordy! - whether they will look just as bad as the images you see in front of you. Well, we come bearing good news! Usually, the old people with tattoos you meet had theirs done decades ago, in times of poorer tattooing hygiene, not as good inks, and usually by a not-so-professional artist. So, chances are, your own healed tattoos won’t look anything like that if you choose to get them done by a professional and stick to an aftercare routine. But, you know, words are words, and it is completely understandable that you might need visual proof of these old tattoos that kept plenty well. That’s why we’ve made this nifty little list of tattoos after years of being done and still looking just as good as they did right after inking.

Sure, aged tattoos do change a bit as they settle into your skin or get affected by outside forces (nope, I won’t make a Star Wars joke here). However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll be left with a badly faded tattoo where the dolphin that you got inked in the Bahamas over the 2012 spring break will look more like a grayish banana than the majestical sea mammal. Not at all! This article is definitely living proof that a professionally done tattoo that has been taken care of is just as pretty after decades as when it was done.

But seeing is believing, right? So why don’t you scroll down below and check out the awesomely aged tattoos that we’ve rounded up in this list? You might be pleasantly surprised by just how good they look! As usual, don’t be shy to upvote the tattoos that you liked the most and share this article with anyone who wants to get some ink done but is afraid they won’t keep looking awesome after years.

This post may include affiliate links.

Ten Years Aged. Fresh From April 2012 To May 2022

Aged tattoos comparison showing color and detail changes in a decorative hat design over time.

28points

103 Photos Of Aged Tattoos That Show How The Ink Changes Over The Years

Ten Years Aged. Fresh From April 2012 To May 2022

My Palm Tattoo, Aged Two Weeks

February 2020 And February 2022

My Granddads 65 Years Old Tattoo Done When He Was 15 For 50 Pence. Heart With Mum And Dad

Fresh Vs. Aged 8 Years

Exactly One Year Today For My Jiji

Fresh In Studio Vs. Over 2 Years Healed

Waited A Long Time For This

February 2017 Vs. February 2021

Beaver Tattoo: Fresh vs. A Little Over 1 Year

Over 4 Years Healed

Top Fresh 2016 - Bottom 2020

My Favorite Little Pug, About Ten Years Aged. I Think It Help Up Pretty Well!

Calcifer Tattoo, Aged 2 Years

Jiji From Kiki's Delivery Service, Nearly Two Years Old! Done By Donna Marshall At Rude Studios, Leeds

30 Years Old And Re-Work This Month

2013 Vs. 2022

Cello Tattoo Incorporating A 30 Year Old Scar. Done By Melody Grace At Anchored Ink In Eugene Oregon

Tattoo Done In 1995 While I Was Working At Philadelphia Eddie's. Can't Seem To Find The Fresh Pics But Either Way This Is 27 Years Old In This New Photo

White Ink Tattoo Fresh And 4 Years Later

Fine Line Pet Portrait Tattoos 1.5 Years Healed

Fresh Vs. 5 Years Old

Queen Bee Tattoo, Aged 12.5 Years

Miminalist Solar System Tattoo. Fresh And 2 Years Later

The Flash Family And Batman Done By Crispy Lennox - Fresh In 2010 Vs. 2022 (Proof That Colours Hold Up When Cared For)

Fine Line Tattoo Fresh Vs. Healed 1.5 Years

5 Years Healed Palm Tattoo By Walkerx

My Father Passed Away. Today Is His Birthday And He Always Wanted Us To Have Matching Tattoos. Done By Chip At Olde Tyme In GA

Complete Overhaul Of My 8 Year Old Flowers. Saga Maria At Valkyrie Tattoo In Dallas

Neotrad Floral Stag Thigh, 9 Years And Fresh

Fresh (2019) And Now (2022)

Aged 9 Years

5 And A Bit Years Later And Still Handsome As Ever

Fresh Vs. 10 Months Later. My First And Only Tattoo For Now

3 Years Difference - Fresh In 2019 Vs. Now In 2022

10 Year Aged Vs. Fresh Touch Up And Improvement (Different Artists, Fresh By Ali @ Serpents Ink, Gold Coast Australia)

3 Years Healed Over Scars

3.5 Years. Handpoked Tattoo, No Machine Used

Fresh Vs. Just Over A Year Healed

10 Years Apart

Fresh 2017 Vs. 2022. One Of My Favorite Tattoos

Fresh Vs. 1 Year

Bold Will Hold About 2 Years

Fresh Vs. 6 Years Old

6 Year Old Blackberries, Fresh In Shop 2017 Vs. 2022, It's Seen Some Sun For Sure

First Tattoo At 18. Fresh (September 2018) And Now (January 2022), Aged 3 Years 4 Months

1 Year Old

December 2020 Vs. January 2023

Toasted Marshmallow Tattoo, Just Over A Year Old Now

10 Years Old, 2012 To 2022. This Is A Really Cool Sub, I Love Seeing How All The Different Artwork Ages!

Fine Line Mircorealism Chest Piece, 1 Year

Healed 6 Years! Fresh 2016, Now 2022

Fresh Vs. 8 Years Later

Left Fresh, Right After 5 And A Half Years

12 Year Brian Froud Tattoo Rework Before And After

Fresh And 10 Year, Old Traditional Tattoo

My Mom Has Had This Rose For 46 Years

Fresh Vs. 2 Years Aged

Bamboo Tattoo Done In Thailand. I Still Love It But This Is What Happens To Fine Line Tattoos!

2 Years Ago Vs. Now. What Do You Think, Do I Need A Touchup?

10 Years

2016 And 2020

My Father's Tattoo, Aged 9 Years. And His First And Only Tattoo

Fresh/Healed Photos 7 Years Apart (August 2015 And October 2022)

Some Album Art I Got As A First Tattoo After A Little Over 5 Years!

June 2020 To August 2022: 2 Years And 170 Pounds Of Weight Loss

Fine Line 3 Years Healed

Fresh Vs. 2 Years Later (With 3 More Added Fresh Underneath)

4 Years Old - 2018 Vs. 2022

My Dad Has Had This Snake On His Arm Since I Was Born. I’m Now 32, And I Have A Snake Of My Own. It Lives On!

My Dotwork Tattoo After 4.5 Years

Patch Tattoo Aged 3 Years

My Wolf Tattoo, Left Is 2017, Right Is 2020

10 Year Old Anchor Tattoo

5 Years Healed!

Got Sent Some Photos Of A Rose Piece I Did In San Diego In 2018

First Tattoo- 4 Years Ago Today And Now

Compass, 2016 Vs. 2023

Tattoo After 3 Years, Here's To Hoping It Ages Well! (Excuse My Hairy Arm)