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A recent poll has found that more Americans have tattoos today than ever before. In fact, there’s been a 21% increase in people having at least one tattoo since 2012. And contrary to what skeptics believe, they are far from regretting it. In fact, 92%, which is a hopping majority, say they are totally happy with their ink art.

But when it comes to the older generation getting themselves a work of art embedded in the skin, skeptics get even more fierce. Luckily, the stigma is slowly going away thanks to some incredibly badass elders who rock their ink so well I watch them in awe.

So in order to celebrate seniors with fabulous tattoos, Bored Panda rounded up some of the most beautiful and creative examples in a list below. Scroll down, upvote your favorite pics and be sure to share your thoughts on tattooed elders in the comment section!

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#1

A Grandpa Got A Cochlea Implant Tattoo To Become Like His Grandson

A Grandpa Got A Cochlea Implant Tattoo To Become Like His Grandson

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    #2

    This Is Tanya. She Is An ER Nurse. Last Year She Came To Me To Get Her First Tattoo Ever... On Her Head

    This Is Tanya. She Is An ER Nurse. Last Year She Came To Me To Get Her First Tattoo Ever... On Her Head

    She told me that she had developed alopecia, lost all her hair and that she was finally ready and happy to reclaim a bit of her identity back and own her Alopecia. Last week she came back for session 2 and we did this flower on the other side of her head

    laurajadetattoos Report

    #3

    Grandma Gets A Tattoo

    Grandma Gets A Tattoo

    On her 90th birthday grandma Heather Brooks got her first tattoo. She chose a Cancer Research pink ribbon to signify her victory after a five year battle with cancer.

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    To find out more about tattoos for seniors and whether they're more willing to go under the ink needle, Bored Panda spoke with Adam, the Studio Manager at Vagabond Tattoo. The studio was established in 2012 on East London’s popular Hackney Road and became known for their clean and original tattoos, spanning a range of styles. Vagabond Tattoo has made their name as one of the best contemporary tattoo studios in London.

    When asked whether tattoos are getting more popular among older people, Adam said that he wouldn’t necessarily say so. Having said that, he explained the recent surge in people getting tattoos amid the pandemic: “I think we have seen an increase of older people who are already tattooed come in for more work then they usually would have. I think the fact that people haven't been able to travel as much has meant they have a bit more spare income to spend on themselves. Possibly there's more of a feeling of why put it off, let's just get more tattoos whilst we can!”

    #4

    Whang Od

    Whang Od

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    #5

    The Amazing Lilo Is Back. 92-Year-Old And Adding On To Her Sleeve

    The Amazing Lilo Is Back. 92-Year-Old And Adding On To Her Sleeve

    This woman survived a concentration camp. The holocaust. Cancer. The 70's. And now she's working on her sleeve. Amazing woman

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    #6

    100% Agree With You Gramps! You're Livin Life The Right Way. Tell Em How It Is. Wear That Shirt With Pride, And Be The Tattooed Gentleman You Are

    100% Agree With You Gramps! You're Livin Life The Right Way. Tell Em How It Is. Wear That Shirt With Pride, And Be The Tattooed Gentleman You Are

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    As for the particular tattoos he’d recommend for seniors, Adam believes there’s no rules. “Whatever tattoo they'd like to get!” However, some ink art designs may be harder on aged skin, so it’s good to keep that in mind. “I would say fine line tattoos are more difficult to tattoo on older skin, and they won't look the same as a 20-year-old's tattoos, but if it's something they want to get, then we try and accommodate them.” Adam added that “if we don't think it's a good idea, we'll tell them to do a similar design but in a bolder style,” so there’s always a solution that a good tattoo artist has at hand.

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    #7

    Coolest Gentleman Ever Wanted His First Tattoo On His Receding Hairline. Him And His Wife Were In Their 60's But Couldn't Have Been More Young At Heart

    Coolest Gentleman Ever Wanted His First Tattoo On His Receding Hairline. Him And His Wife Were In Their 60's But Couldn't Have Been More Young At Heart

    theruemorguetattoogallery Report

    #8

    This Is Incredible

    This Is Incredible

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    #9

    My Old Pappaw Has Waited So Long To Get This Tattoo

    My Old Pappaw Has Waited So Long To Get This Tattoo

    He was in the Navy Reserve as a young man and one night everyone was drinking and decided to get tattoos. He called home to ask my Granny if he could and she told him no. It's a good thing she did because the next morning they all woke up with swollen, infected tattoos. Finally, 58 years later, he can cross this off his bucket list.

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    #10

    My 87 Year Old Step Grandmother Decided It Was Time To Get A Tattoo

    My 87 Year Old Step Grandmother Decided It Was Time To Get A Tattoo

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    #11

    Cool Tattooed Grandpa

    Cool Tattooed Grandpa

    camo_li Report

    #12

    Proof That Age Doesn't Matter. My Grandmother Inked All My Tattoo Ideas. Amazing Woman

    Proof That Age Doesn't Matter. My Grandmother Inked All My Tattoo Ideas. Amazing Woman

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    #13

    This Beautiful Maori Kween Is Terewai Kingi, She Had Her Traditional TaMoko Tapped 21 Years Ago

    This Beautiful Maori Kween Is Terewai Kingi, She Had Her Traditional TaMoko Tapped 21 Years Ago

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    #14

    My Friend Knows Me Well. “Assuming I’m Just An Old Lady, Is Your First Mistake”

    My Friend Knows Me Well. “Assuming I’m Just An Old Lady, Is Your First Mistake”

    the_journeys_calling Report

    #15

    Met This Guy At Target Today, He Is 75

    Met This Guy At Target Today, He Is 75

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    #16

    She Is One Of The Last Tattooed Tharu Tribe Women. They Used To Do Tattoos In Order To Be Avoided To Be Selected As Slaves By The Royal Nepalese Family

    She Is One Of The Last Tattooed Tharu Tribe Women. They Used To Do Tattoos In Order To Be Avoided To Be Selected As Slaves By The Royal Nepalese Family

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    #17

    So Yeah I'm A Grandpa

    So Yeah I'm A Grandpa

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    #18

    "I’m Sure My Tattoos Look Very Old Fashioned To My Children, Who Have A Different Approach"

    "I’m Sure My Tattoos Look Very Old Fashioned To My Children, Who Have A Different Approach"

    womenwithtattoosproject Report

    #19

    Still Collecting Ink After All This Time

    Still Collecting Ink After All This Time

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    #20

    Age Doesn't Matter. My Clients Are The Best

    Age Doesn't Matter. My Clients Are The Best

    alisa_tesla_art Report

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    #21

    Jane Is Totally Enchanting And The Biggest David Bowie Fan We've Ever Met

    Jane Is Totally Enchanting And The Biggest David Bowie Fan We've Ever Met

    womenwithtattoosproject , womenwithtattoosproject Report

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    #22

    Nothing Beats Grandpa Granddaughter Love

    Nothing Beats Grandpa Granddaughter Love

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    #23

    Grandpa Has A Way With Babies

    Grandpa Has A Way With Babies

    terresa7277 Report

    #24

    This Is Grandma Eva. I'm Looking Forward To Be Like Her

    This Is Grandma Eva. I'm Looking Forward To Be Like Her

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    #25

    I Thought He Was The Best Daddy, Turns Out He's The Best Papa Too

    I Thought He Was The Best Daddy, Turns Out He's The Best Papa Too

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    #26

    Proud Grandmother Has Drawings Of Her Granddaughter Tattooed On Her Body

    Proud Grandmother Has Drawings Of Her Granddaughter Tattooed On Her Body

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    #27

    Thom DeVita Showing Some Ink

    Thom DeVita Showing Some Ink

    photodianne Report

    #28

    Jack Paid Us A Visit Today

    Jack Paid Us A Visit Today

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