Look at me!

[Whealie]

After 8 years or so they all fade to a smudgy, blue/black anyway.

That was the bit of info I needed. Having always fancied a tatoo but only finally deciding on the design ten years ago I have never had it done as it would mean not beaing able to give blood for a while and I'm on the baby-blood call-up list so have to donate ahead of holidays etc.
Once I get too old to give blood anymore I'll get myself that tatoo. And if I don't like it by then, I'll only have a few years to put up with it.

[Lumiya]

After 8 years or so they all fade to a smudgy, blue/black anyway.

Hmmm, the opinion of someone who makes money from the removal of tattoos. It's really weird that mine and other people who I know personally have had tatotos for a lot more than 8 years and they still look good, colorful and show no sign of major fading/smudginess.

Yes some tattoos can go that way, but the major causes are poor quality inks and bad workmanship. Also I would in no way condone anyone getting a tattoo unless they have really thought long and hard about it and realise that it could be for life (and not just for xmas ). If you do decide to get a tattoo then ask around about who in the area is good. Even ask the tattoo artist as they'll be able to point out people who he's worked on from many years ago and you'll be able to see the quality and duarability of thier work.

Kymmy

[McVicar]

I have one tattoo on my forearm and it's been there for 30 years and is not smudgy or blue/black. How can they smudge anyway?

[Shep]

Kymmy

I agree with you completely. However nearly every tattoo that i have seen after 8 years looks faded and certainly not the bright thing it was when new.

I have also seen real Psychological stress caused by unwanted tattoos. Which is why i agree with your advice to think very, very carefully.

Cheap to put on, very expensive to remove.

[Shep]

Mcvicar

What i meant to say, is they all lose definition and colourisation after a period of time. When they are applied they are normally bright and defined, with age you lose this.

[Lumiya]

I have one tattoo on my forearm and it's been there for 30 years and is not smudgy or blue/black. How can they smudge anyway?

Shep is correct in some aspects. Poor ink is one of the worse problems, also incorrect depth setting when the tattoo is applied.

Poor ink: Fades with time, the same way as some inkjet photo prints fade add others do not

Incorrect depth: Tattoo's to shallow fade greatly with time as the skin layers renew, those too deep absorb into fatty tissue and look smudged.

Kymmy

[boboneleg]

I only have one tattoo, It's the name of my lovely wife.......................



PS. I'm not allowed to have any more

[Lumiya]

Sweet tat, though not my style.

Going along with the Tattoo for life theme I've alway believed that the subject of tattoo should never have anything in that might not last forever.

Most that do though never have the oppurtunity to regret that choice but a few do.

In the end though nice tattoo and what's more it's a nice symbol of your own feelings.

Kymmy

[Xander]

Description is useless, we want piccies!!!!!

Especially full nude body shots!!

Woops?? Did I think that or type that????

Kymmy

Trust me you really dont want that.... I make chads balls scratching shot look like a modeling shot!!!!

Also I wont post my Tat pics on the net.. My 2nd tat got posted (the artist designed it so i could not say no) and now it is everywhere and it is now flash art. and I have even seen a chinese rest here in brum that has used it..#1 and #3 are my designs and i do not want em taken... search pumkin on this site so see the reject for number #4 ( http://www.xrv.org.uk/gallery/main.p...g2_itemId=9488 )
So #4 is going to be a cover up/ addition of that one to make it mine again...
Also I have sent a few designs to LV ... so open offer... if you want help working on one .. let me know.. i like doing it...

[matthelliwell]

Hmmm, the opinion of someone who makes money from the removal of tattoos. It's really weird that mine and other people who I know personally have had tatotos for a lot more than 8 years and they still look good, colorful and show no sign of major fading/smudginess.

Well if Shep wasn't depressing me enough with tales of woe about marriages, it now turns out he removes tattoos as well!

Keeping the sunlight off them also seems to be a part in how well they last. Fortunately being a bit of a tart, I use factor 24 moisturiser on my face, so I can just put some on my arm as well.

Though I do agree with him that you have to think carefully about having one. I drew some designs on my arm in black marker to see how I felt about walking around with one. But in the end I'm 42 and if I don't know my own mind now, I never will.