Bored Panda
These Badass Seniors Prove That Your Tattoos Will Probably Look Awesome At Any Age (40 Pics)

These Badass Seniors Prove That Your Tattoos Will Probably Look Awesome At Any Age (40 Pics)

195
37
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!

#1 A Grandpa Got A Cochlea Implant Tattoo To Become Like His Grandson

A Grandpa Got A Cochlea Implant Tattoo To Become Like His Grandson
278points

#2 This Is Tanya. She Is An ER Nurse. Last Year She Came To Me To Get Her First Tattoo Ever... On Her Head

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
276points

#3 Grandma Gets A Tattoo

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.
Report
271points

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

Whang Od
Report
220points

#5 The Amazing Lilo Is Back. 92-Year-Old And Adding On To Her Sleeve

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
Report
193points

#6 One Of My Favorite Clients Of All Time, Ann. She's 69 And She's Amazing

One Of My Favorite Clients Of All Time, Ann. She's 69 And She's Amazing
191points

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

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
189points

#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

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
189points

#9 This Is Incredible

This Is Incredible
166points

#10 My Old Pappaw Has Waited So Long To Get This Tattoo

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.
Report
155points

#11 My 87 Year Old Step Grandmother Decided It Was Time To Get A Tattoo

My 87 Year Old Step Grandmother Decided It Was Time To Get A Tattoo
154points

#12 She's Amazing

She's Amazing
153points

#13 Isn't He Cute?

Isn't He Cute?
153points

#14 Cool Tattooed Grandpa

Cool Tattooed Grandpa
Report
152points

#15 Proof That Age Doesn't Matter. My Grandmother Inked All My Tattoo Ideas. Amazing Woman

Proof That Age Doesn't Matter. My Grandmother Inked All My Tattoo Ideas. Amazing Woman
151points

#16 This Beautiful Maori Kween Is Terewai Kingi, She Had Her Traditional TaMoko Tapped 21 Years Ago

This Beautiful Maori Kween Is Terewai Kingi, She Had Her Traditional TaMoko Tapped 21 Years Ago
Report
143points

#17 My Friend Knows Me Well. “Assuming I’m Just An Old Lady, Is Your First Mistake”

My Friend Knows Me Well. “Assuming I’m Just An Old Lady, Is Your First Mistake”
140points

#18 When People Ask What Are You Going To Look Like When Your Older With All The Tattoos? You'll Look Cool

When People Ask What Are You Going To Look Like When Your Older With All The Tattoos? You'll Look Cool
135points

#19 Met This Guy At Target Today, He Is 75

Met This Guy At Target Today, He Is 75
Report
135points

#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

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
Report
134points
195
37