Hey you, do not feel the pressure of being judged if you are above 50 years and planning to get a tattoo! One of my friends recently got inked, and he isn’t apologetic about anything. To some, the 50+ tattoo hook might seem like a pathway to the midlife crisis. Yet, to some, getting a tattoo after 50 is all about finding the person within.

Yes, my friend was ridiculed. Some blared out the word ‘Manopause’ repeatedly. But that didn’t push him back. Instead, he got himself a ‘Human Skull’ tattoo right underneath the neck— which in a way amplifies his masculinity beyond the confines of judgment.

But this isn’t his story. This discussion is about every man in his 50s who is holding back from getting a tattoo right away. Also, the question is— from where does this fixation originate? Let us delve deeper.

Why not 20s but 50s?

Men often restrict themselves from following their dreams. Yes, they do start early when dream fulfillment is concerned. Yet, they spare only a modest amount of time when it comes to pursuing something they truly love— say, a tattoo. In their 50s, mostly when they hang their heavy lifting boots, they realize or dream about where things could have gone if they hadn’t stopped and thought about everything trivial.

My friend had a similar realization. Something that turned into a dream where he could see a colored skull dripping down his neck, right between his clavicles. But then again, it isn’t about him. Most men planning to get a tattoo in their 50s would understand that it isn’t easy to break through the confines of preconceived ideologies.

Many naysayers associate the middle-age with a midlife crisis. Some even consider a tattoo hook in the 50s a bad influence. However, if you plan on getting one, you must realize that a tattoo— at any age— is a good choice for you and only for you. And in the end, it is you who matters.

However, it is easy for me to say that social conventions do not matter. For some, they do, and therefore, it is necessary to be smart about the tattoo instead of just following the impulse. Here is how you can go about things in a less pronounced yet more effective way.

Things you need to Follow before getting Inked at or after 50

DYOR

Don’t get stoked by this new term! Quintessential DYOR is all about doing your own research. And this strategy isn’t only limited to technical areas but also to tattooing. If you are in your 50s and tired of people judging your aspirations with the ink, it is important to nail the design first.

Yes, my friend made an audacious choice of getting a human skull inked on him. However, you can always choose something subtle, depending on your personality. Personally, I would recommend a quote any day, considering it is spelled right and placed strategically. To some, a quote won’t even look like a tattoo but an eye-pleasing design.

Make Provisions for the Pain

You are in your 50s, period. And your body might not be as resilient to pain as it was when you were in your 20s. Therefore, you need to pick options (tattoo designs) and areas where the pain is comparatively less. Or, if you are more into the tattooing terms and planning to connect with an experienced artist, check for the tattoo options and areas that you can explore using the best pen-type tattoo machine.

Unlike a hardcore coil tattoo machine or a rotary machine that leaves quite a scar in itself, a pen-type tattoo machine gets the job done quickly yet effectively. Yes, your tattoo choices reduce a bit as full-size portraits become harder to execute. But the pain and discomfort are on the lower side. And on top of that, the scars are less painful with a pen-type machine at the artist’s disposal.

Quirky is Good; Simple is better.

It is your body! You can randomly opt for a funky and eccentric tattoo, or you can get something simple like a spiderweb done on your arm— making your ideas come to life instead of your audacity. For starters, getting judged isn’t in your control. And you shouldn’t even worry about it. Yet, if you feel that a tattoo isn’t worth the slack, going simple— like a rose, a quote, or even a symbol is the right way to go.

The Aftercare Matters even More.

If you have been following the tattoo blogs and online reviews, you would know the value of a good aftercare regime. However, the routine you follow becomes all the more important if you are in your 50s. Your skin starts losing some of its suppleness and elasticity over time, and at 50+, it isn’t getting any younger.

Therefore, the aftercare regime you follow at a certain age— primarily by relying on natural products like grapeseed oil, coconut extracts, tea tree oil, and more.

Wrap-Up

Despite covering most tattoo handling and management strategies, getting one in your 50s shouldn’t be about an escape route to quirkiness. Instead, the most important idea to make your tattoo become more acceptable is to exhibit confidence. You must understand that in the end, it is your body, and there is nothing anyone else can say and do to stop you from getting something done or designed on it if you are willing and sure about it.

It is you where the buck stops.