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I reckon the instant gratification mindset of the younger generation probably plays a part. They see something, they want something, they get something. After that, they probably realise it wasn't how they envisioned it to turn out. And, lo and behold, it ain't like the latest fashion statement or fad where you can just purchase the latest model, use it once and relegate it to the back of your storeroom until the next spring cleaning either lands it in the rubbish dump, the salvation army donation box, or a garage sale. Imo, that mindset does not go with tattoos unless we are referring to the the temporary kind. Plus, let's not forget all the "role models" who make it cool to have tattoos on their face, neck, hands, knuckles just for the sake of being a cool kid. Wasn't that the argument given for all the young guns taking up smoking (decades ago)? Then again, there are also those for whom the above does not apply wherein it is more about adaptation than anything else.

Tomo time this weekend. Damage report to follow. Keep my crack in your prayers, its time for what I assume will be the most uncomfortable part of this back.

I’m calm and with more than 200 hours in the chair a hell of a lot more educated than you. Also done with you. Onto my ignore list you go.

@SStu, @Hogrider, @Gingerninja I thought you'd all enjoy this. 😂

As you might remember my story about almost 2 years ago and I want to thank you guys again for how much you've been uplifting me with your honesty and your words. This post tattoo anxiety seems a very common thing. It hit me as well even though I was planning on getting a big one for many years. Many people have contacted me and having those feelings seems to be a very common thing, there seems to be the same pattern that people are going through. It looks to me that nowadays people want to have a solution for everything immediately if they don't feel comfortable with something. People don't know how to be patient anymore and get rid of something if they don't like it. People compare themselves way too much with others as it's what social media does with many people's minds. There are quite a few reasons that I could write about regarding post tattoo anxiety and I was thinking about posting my experience here as so many people have been reaching out to me and I can see there seems to be a common psychological process (I just don't really have the time to write things down in detail) Anyway: I can assure to everyone with this anxiety: YOU WILL GET OVER IT and live will go on. It might take some time but you will get there. Don't be hard on yourself and even if right now you're having panic attacks (which is a horrible feeling), it'll get less and you'll come to love your tattoo. It's a change you've done to your body and now your mind needs some time to adjust. Don't forget that you love tattoos and why you love them because this is hopefully the reason why you decided to get them.

They spend too much time thinking about how cool they’ll be and too little time thinking about this artist, the design, the aftercare, the stigma, and the fact that unlike on TV, having one removed isn’t a painless 10 minute process that leaves the skin looking like new. in short, they don’t think the whole thing through.

I reckon it goes a bit like this.... Being tattooed has become more socially acceptable (at least in the UK). This has removed one barrier to being tattooed (at least in the view of some who care about that sort of thing). Tattooing is more accessible. There are more tattoo studios - and it's easier to get an understanding of the process and book an appointment. This has removed another barrier (at least in some who wouldn't have made the effort). Tattooing is now seen as desirable in some social milieu. This has encouraged some who are influenced by that kind of thing to have a tattoo - when maybe that shouldn't be a primary reason. The "being tattooed progression" also appears to have changed with the above. Shoulder to upper arm to (maybe) lower arm to hands (unusual) to face (very unusual) has migrated to lower arm, hands etc as potentially a first tattoo. But then again - "I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was, and now what I'm with isn't "it""..... 😕

As someone middle-aged but new to the tattoo scene (just started the work on my first a couple weeks ago, going in for the second session tomorrow) I'm theorizing maybe it's the "social media + Instagram" popularity/bandwagon thing? People see all these awesome tattoos online, usually a zoomed in, well lit/cropped image that looks amazing. The hype starts, they rush out to get in on the awesomeness, then suddenly reality hits "wait, this isn't a nice cropped imagine online, this is on me forever and it does have some affect/impact on my daily life". Probably mostly an overblown impression that fades over time, but that first realization hits hard. Dunno, that's my worthless $0.02 on it. That feeling isn't something I share: I'm pretty sure my first one I'm getting is perceived as "dumb" by the general public (my wife gave me the 'hmmmm' response so far lol), but I'm cool with that, it makes me happy to get anyways.

I have no idea. I feel like maybe people who never would have gotten tattoos are getting them now because they are more mainstream, but then they appear to suddenly realize it is permanent? I don't know, but it feels like 90% of newbies come here to talk about their anxiety over a new tattoo. Sigh.

Dope new bat head I got the other day