Should I, a 46 year old woman, get a blue tattoo?

March 31, 2016 5:08 PM

I never loved tattoos until I looked at some done with all blue ink. I think they are beautiful and I've always liked blue against my skin tone (pale and cool pinkish.) I have some slight scarring on my right forearm that bothers me and I think a band of tattoo around that part might look nice. I'm 46 years old and have a head of longish mostly grey hair. What should I consider before I take this impulse any further than a sketch and some googling?

I don't have an office or professional job now and I don't know what the future will bring. I can't imagine a future where a tattoo on my arm would make any difference in my ability to earn money. I have always loved paisley patterns and favor tattoos that flow with the natural features of human anatomy, so that's the direction I'd like to go with a design. I'm imagining a slanted band around my right forearm. I am medium build and have somewhat defined arm muscles, so picture what that might look like.

posted by cellura p to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (29 answers total)

It sounds like you've thought this through.

Is it going to make you happy? Are you prepared to live with it for the rest of your life, or deal with the annoyances of having it removed if you decide otherwise? If your answer is 'yes' to all of the above, it sounds like you should find a reputable tattoo artist in your area and go for it.
posted by BrandonW at 5:12 PM on March 31, 2016

I'm a 55 year old woman with a fair amount of tattoo work who has always worked In a professional setting telling you yes, do it.
posted by janey47 at 5:21 PM on March 31, 2016 [12 favorites]

I think at 46 years old, you know what you want and you should go for it!

I'm seeing more and more piercings, tattoos, and unusual hair colors in public-facing jobs. (And I love it!) Even if you should have to take a job where you can't have a visible tattoo, you can cover it with long sleeves or a band or whatever. It's not like it's a neck tattoo.
posted by Aquifer at 5:32 PM on March 31, 2016 [4 favorites]

I'll be 50 soon and have an appointment to get my 7th tattoo in May. I got my first when I was 30.

Go for it.
posted by rtha at 5:37 PM on March 31, 2016 [7 favorites]

Oh, and almost all of mine are on my arms and visible when I'm in short sleeves. I live in San Francisco and no one bats an eye, except to ask if I got them done locally and by whom.
posted by rtha at 5:39 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]

I worked with a 40+ woman in a corporate setting who had a fairly large tattoo on the inside of her forearm. It looked great on her.

If you have a design you're committed to, go for it.
posted by maudlin at 5:45 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]

Yes! You should!

Then again, it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks. If you think it's a good idea, then do it! If you think it's a bad idea but you want to do it anyway, then do it!
posted by xingcat at 5:48 PM on March 31, 2016 [3 favorites]

The blue ink will look really nice with your coloring and it is a cool idea. Definitely do it.
posted by ariadne's threadspinner at 5:50 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]

Here's another vote from a random internet person to go for it, follow your heart, etc.

Possibly one thing you might want to investigate after you get your tattoo is your various coverup options. Depending on your skin (oily, dry, hairy, sensitive, pigment, sweaty) different kinds of makeup will work best to cover tattoos completely without rubbing off on other surfaces throughout your day. Everyone seems to have an opinion but whatever works for you.

For example, I have a friend with a neck tattoo who works as a mortician and he covers his ink when meeting with his more conservative grieving clients. After much back and forth, he ended up on simple maybelline brand semisolid foundation, even though he has access to tons of high grade skin covering things through his job.

It's just nice to have the option to cover up your tattoo, and not have to worry about it if you have a last minute reason occur.
posted by Mizu at 5:56 PM on March 31, 2016

Dude, you have a really good idea, good reasons for doing it, and the design you've described sounds aesthetically pleasing. I usually come into these threads expecting someone with a really complicated concept and only the most nebulous idea of how it might look, but I am enthusiastically endorsing you just finding an artist whose portfolio reminds you of what you're imagining and describing what you just told us.
posted by Juliet Banana at 6:00 PM on March 31, 2016 [3 favorites]

That sounds beautiful and you should totally go for it and post a pic when it's done.

Really, we only get one body that's not going to make it to the grave in perfect condition; why not make it prettier between now and then? And , honestly, like everything else, getting inked generally is done with better judgement as one gets older. Don't let your age be a deterrent.
posted by Fig at 6:01 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]

one thing to consider is who will do it, and how they work. you should check out different tattoo artists' work online or at their studios, and talk with them about what you want. you want a good vibe with a good artist, since you're wearing their work. they should be very willing to discuss your idea and their process with you.

when i had some of my work done, (mostly line work) the artist drew it on my body freehand, erasing and changing things so that it moved very well with my body. i moved around, lifting my arms up, reaching forward and back, etc, to make sure it fit with the way my body (shoulder and back) moved. i would suggest something similar. perhaps the artist would make a sketch of a drawing ahead of time, but when they put it on your body it shouldn't just be a stick-it-down-and-needle-over-it kind of event. you want to flex your forearm, move your arms around, twist your wrists, etc, and make sure it looks like it moves with your arm, not that it is a sticker on your forearm, if that makes sense.

enjoy! it can be addictive...
posted by andreapandrea at 6:05 PM on March 31, 2016 [5 favorites]

I am seeing more and more tattoos in professional environments. Speaking as someone somewhat near your age and who isn't at all tattoo-inclined, I say if it's something you like and would enjoy, you should go for it.
posted by mochapickle at 6:18 PM on March 31, 2016

One thing to consider with blue ink is that it can feather (spread, not remain sharp on the edge) more than black ink over time. Darker colors do better but overall there's a magic in black for linework. Would your design allow you to even have a thin back outline and fill it in blue? For longevity sake, having a black outline helps keep the colors in their place. Now if you're totally fine with the fact that it may feather more than something outlined or black alone, then totally go for it. If you're someone that wants things to be as sharp as possible than an outline will help that.

If you do want to go without an outline then search for someone who has this type of work in their portfolio. Then go in and talk with them. (Do this regardless for the style you go for, but especially so for someone who routinely works without outlines.)

(Source: Tattooed lady. I have a greenish tattoo with blue inner linework and the blue linework inside is very feathered out but the black outline is great. I wish it was done all the linework in black and will likely get it re-lined later. My skin takes ink very well and the tattoo is maybe 7 years old.)
posted by Crystalinne at 6:30 PM on March 31, 2016 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Amazing encouragement! Thanks! I'm still incubating this idea, but I'm so glad to have so much positive response to my idea. If it happens, I will post pictures for sure. Maybe a birthday gift to myself in August. 4-5 months seems like enough time to mull it over and decide!
posted by cellura p at 7:01 PM on March 31, 2016 [9 favorites]

For sure, do it. Find an artist who you really like, and work together on the design.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:28 PM on March 31, 2016

The best tattoo artists have long waiting lists. Choose one now and book the consultation. I doubt you will cancel, but, if you do, they will be able to fill that spot.
posted by saucysault at 7:32 PM on March 31, 2016 [3 favorites]

Do it! I'm a 49 year old woman in the process of getting a full arm sleeve. I love the look of monochromatic blue tattoos and what you're describing sounds beautiful. Come back and post a photo when you're done!
posted by gingerbeer at 8:43 PM on March 31, 2016

Yes.

- 50-year old lady software professional with 4 and plans for more.
posted by matildaben at 8:50 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]

My mother got her first tattoo for her 60th, dont let your age be an nfluencing factor.
posted by wwax at 9:57 PM on March 31, 2016 [3 favorites]

I have a big tat on the inside of my left forearm of sunflowers on a blue background. I go it after My Mom Died when I was 58. It would have killed her if I did it sooner so I waited.
No regrets .. The young are always suprized by it and seem to treat me like I might be a little cooler than I really am..I don't want another one.. Too much money and too much pain. I say go for it.
posted by cairnoflore at 10:48 PM on March 31, 2016

Your whole aesthetic sounds great and I think you should totally do this, you're going to look fab!
posted by Iteki at 11:26 PM on March 31, 2016

You can also get a "practice" tattoo in the design you like that lasts for a few weeks. That way you can get used to it & see how you feel.
posted by thebrokenmuse at 11:55 PM on March 31, 2016 [1 favorite]

I think what you will also need is a matching streak of blue in your hair to tie the look together.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:49 AM on April 1, 2016 [4 favorites]

VERY IMPORTANT

If you get a blue tattoo, make sure to get it outlined in black. I have a gorgeous blue tattoo, but blue bleeds. If you memail me an email address, I'll send you a pic of how. It makes the whole tattoo less sharp and is hard to fix.
posted by corb at 6:37 AM on April 1, 2016

I'm 41 and am getting my first next weekend - so add me to the "go for it!" crowd. As you continue to mull it over, one thing that held me up for longer than necessary was worrying that I had to have the EXACT PERFECT image I wanted before I could approach an artist. In case you're in the same boat, just know that isn't the case at all (which is lucky, because for me it would actually have been impossible) - finding someone whose work you like and with whom you're comfortable working seems to be a lot more important.

My experience with the "consultation" was that it was very low-key and straightforward; I was admittedly a little nervous about that part - worried I was wasting the artist's time, that she wouldn't be willing/able to do what I wanted, etc. - but it really was an easy and friendly process. Good luck!
posted by DingoMutt at 8:18 AM on April 1, 2016

I've had a pale blue tattoo on my similarly-colored arm for many years and I get tons of compliments on it. It's not outlined in black, and has not bled.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 10:23 AM on April 1, 2016

I'm 42 and planning on getting more ink this summer. Your idea sounds beautiful and you should go for it!

Also, this is Really Important: The best tattoo artists have long waiting lists. Choose one now and book the consultation.
posted by Specklet at 12:05 PM on April 1, 2016

Professional 44 yo woman with multiple visible tattoos. I had one job that forbid them showing. That was in 1994. Worry not at all about that.

N'thing the advise above that it takes way longer than you'd expect to get a good tattoo by a genius artist. The woman I want to work on me next has an 8 month waiting list for a consultation. Then you wait g-d knows how long for the work to start. It sounds like your work could definitely be done in one session, so that's good.
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 11:52 AM on April 2, 2016