What Is the Best Age to Get a Tattoo? - AuthorityTattoo (2024)

Does Age Matter?

Age is a huge factor in getting a tattoo. There are restrictions in place in every state to protect those who are too young to take the decision.

Tattoos can be a beautiful work of art, however, they can also be a disaster if you go to the wrong tattoo artist. If you are not mature enough to understand this, you shouldn’t be getting a tattoo.

Even at the legal age of 18 we would recommend that you give a great deal of thought to it before getting a tattoo. What are the reasons that you want a tattoo and what kind of tattoo will you get?

What Is the Best Age To Get a Tattoo?

The legal age to get a tattoo would be 18. There are some areas that allow this to be done at a younger age with parental consent. However, we don’t recommend anyone getting a tattoo younger than 18.

As long as you’re over the minimum required age, there’s no right or wrong age to get a tattoo.

What you should always bear in mind is that a tattoo is permanent so whatever tattoo you get, you will be stuck with forever. This is why we would ask you to think about the tattoo design, size and placement in detail before getting it done.

Parental Consent

Some areas of the country will allow you to get a tattoo younger than 18. For this to be allowed you must first get written consent from your parent or legal guardian.

In some states it’s illegal for a minor to have a tattoo and the tattoo artist would be held responsible if they complete a tattoo.This makes them more vigilant than ever to not tattoo anyone who is underage.

Things To Consider Before Having a Tattoo

There are lots of things to consider before getting a tattoo, especially if you are younger.

You should definitely think about what profession you are looking to get into or are working towards. Many employers are more accepting of tattoos nowadays, however, not all are, especially if you have a tattoo that’s visible.

You should also understand that new, fresh tattoos look amazing, with clean lines and vibrant colors. Once the tattoo and you get older, your skin will stretch, changing the shape of the tattoo. The lines of the tattoo will blur and the colors will fade, giving you a completely different tattoo that when you first had it done.

It’s a costly experience to get a tattoo removed if you don’t like it and it can be painful as well. This is another reason why we ask everyone to be sensible when getting a tattoo and not just rush out on their 18th birthday to get the first thing they see.

Am I Too Old?

You’re never too old to have a tattoo!

Although you may need to bear in mind that as you get older your skin gets thinner and more fragile. This may mean that the tattoo can’t be completed as well as when your skin was younger.

We would recommend that the older generation have a smaller, more simple tattoo that can be completed in one sitting. You would also need to concentrate on the aftercare more as you get older. You should make sure that the tattooed area is looked after and is able to heal properly.

Conclusion

The minimum age for a tattoo is generally governed by the law, and for good reasons. You should be mature enough to deal with the pain and aftercare that comes with a tattoo. You should also be able to make the right decision when it comes to choosing the tattoo and not just pick something on a whim.

We would ideally recommend that you wait until your early twenties before getting a tattoo. This will give you time to decide what it is that you want, without any regrets.

We hope that we have answered your questions and that the information has helped you make a decision about your tattoo.