To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo in My Sixties?

I never imagined I’d be thinking about getting a tattoo in my 60s. Honestly, I used to look at heavily tattooed women my age and wonder, “Do they regret those now? How old were they when they started? Did it hurt? How long did each one take? Does color cost more? How many appointments did they have for all those tattoos?”

And now, somehow, I’m the one with a tattoo appointment this weekend. People who know me can’t believe it!

It’s got to hurt – and at this age, I complain when my heating pad is too hot!

It’s just going to be a small one on my wrist. Unless I chicken out.

People keep warning me that tattoos are addictive. Honestly, I can barely commit to a lipstick color, so this seems unlikely.

I know it’s kind of silly to spend so much time wondering about tattoos. My husband says this is exactly why I can’t sleep at night – because my brain treats every random thought like a graduate research project.

My appointment for my little tattoo is coming up. Shall I tattoo or not? Am I too old? It’s not like a tattoo has been on my ultimate bucket list!

I’m Not the Only One Wondering

I asked Google if I’m too old, in my 60s, to get my first tattoo. I was surprised to see how many people have asked the same question. There are lots of articles about this topic.

Of course, this led me down the rabbit hole!

Apparently, there is no age limit for getting a tattoo. As long as you are legally an adult, you can get inked at any stage of life.

But there are a few special considerations.

Special Considerations for Older Skin

Before getting tattooed later in life, there are a few extra things worth considering.

Mature skin is thinner and more delicate, so it’s important to choose an experienced tattoo artist who understands how aging skin heals. Placement matters too – areas with thicker skin often heal better than ankles or lower legs.

And if you take blood thinners, have diabetes, or other health conditions, it’s smart to check with your doctor first.

Also, if you’re anything like me, you may want to ask about numbing cream ahead of time because… pain.

Reasons to Get a Tattoo

I only had a desire to get a tattoo once before in my life. One of my special anniversaries was coming up, and I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo to commemorate the date. I was going to get two bunny rabbits with a heart and ribbon that said “Honey Bunnies.” Silly, I know.

But after some discussions with a tattoo artist, I decided it would hurt too much. Have I mentioned that I am a big ole sissy when it comes to pain?

That was about 20 years ago! I didn’t go through with it! And never gave it anymore thought.

And Here I Am in My 60s Thinking About Getting a Tattoo

Do you think I’ve lost my mind? Is this part of mindful aging practices?

The reason I started thinking about a tattoo again is because my sister died recently.

I saw a small tattoo design with a heart connected to an infinity symbol, and something about it touched me immediately. I imagined it on my wrist as a quiet remembrance of her.

But then the questions started again.

Do I really need a tattoo to remember my sister? We shared 63 years of memories together. Isn’t that enough?

Or maybe this isn’t really about remembering. Maybe it’s about honoring love.

People do get tattoos to commemorate special times, dates, and people. I’m not the first person to consider this.

My son has tattoos all over his arms and legs that represent his family – his wife, daughter, and son. I love this sentimental idea, and it makes me proud.

But Will He Have Regrets When He Is in His 60s?

Both of my granddaughters have tattoos that represent the love they had for my parents (their great-grandparents). They are beautiful tattoos with sentimental value. Again, it makes me proud that they wanted to do this.

But Both Girls Are Young Adults, Will They Be Sorry When They Are in Their 60s?

My husband and I have no tattoos. Our parents cringed at the idea of our children and grandchildren getting tattoos over the years. It was both a family and a generational thing.

What if the tattoo artist messes up? Oh dear – another question.

Are Tattoos Taboo in Society Today

Tattoos aren’t nearly as taboo as they once were. More than a third of American adults now have at least one tattoo, and they’ve become a common form of self-expression.

Still, perspectives vary depending on family background, culture, religion, and generation. In my family, tattoos were definitely not encouraged. My parents would have been horrified.

Ultimately, tattoos are largely a matter of personal preference. While the societal stigma has faded significantly, it is always good practice to give it serious thought over a period of time before you sit in that chair.

Final Thoughts

After all my research, overthinking, and late-night Googling, I still haven’t decided whether I’ll go through with my tattoo appointment.

But I do know this – getting older doesn’t mean we stop being curious, sentimental, emotional, impulsive, or even brave.

Maybe that’s the real story here.

So, tell me honestly – would you get your first tattoo in your 60s?

Let’s Have a Discussion:

Do you have tattoos? How old were you when you got them? Have you had regrets as you got older? Drop me a note in the comment section below about your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you about this topic!