Tattoo Trends You Can’t Get Away From

Fortunately, this isn’t a really popular fad, but it’s a notion that’s gaining traction: getting meme tattoos. We’re really sorry to have to be the ones to break this to you, but some people love their memes so much that they want to remember them forever on their bodies. The main issue here is self-evident.

There are many memes on the internet that have outlived their usefulness — they are fads in and of themselves! This means that something you saw online and liked a year ago, or even a few weeks ago, might rapidly become tiresome, but unlike a meme online, tattoo ink is permanent, so you can’t just click away.

White ink might look wonderful on your skin at moments, but it can fade quickly, particularly if you have a lighter skin tone that it won’t stand out from as much as it heals.

Not only is this a risky expenditure for the individual getting the tattoo, but it’s also something that some tattoo artists are unhappy about. After all, they want their work to appear good for years to come, rather than reflect negatively on them when it becomes warped with time.

No, we don’t mean the kind handed out by the Corrections Systems in your state. Ankle bracelets, sometimes known as anklets, were a popular accessory in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were mostly observed on beaches and throughout the summer.

However, as fashionable as they were, nothing seems quite as dubious as tattooing a fashion craze on one’s body for the rest of one’s life – even if it is making a comeback. Furthermore, tattoos frequently integrate other tattoo fads, such as feathers.

Tribal tattoos are still popular, and they were even more so in the 1990s when they were almost everywhere. Nonetheless, their waning popularity is understandable as more people of color have their voices amplified by social media. They can let people know how offensive it is to appropriate their culture.

Because of their clear lines and uniform coloring, these tattoos are frequently artistically beautiful. The issue is that tribal tattoos have a rich history and frequently a cultural significance behind them that not everyone is aware of, is a part of, or researches before having a tribal tattoo.

Stick and poke tattoos may be a lovely and one-of-a-kind addition to anyone’s body art. The issue arises when these tattoos are employed as a do-it-yourself project by untrained artists. Even worse when teenagers or inebriated people decide to try their hands at them.

An inexperienced artist might not only make things that are less than aesthetically beautiful but there is also a medical danger if you are not careful. Tattoo artists that are talented spend a lot of time ensuring sure their stations and instruments are sterile since it’s simple to create an issue like infection if they don’t.

Every tattoo does not have to have a deeper significance. People will sometimes get tattoos of art they appreciate or simply a design that they believe fits them. Every inked artwork does not include a terrible story.

On the other side, some tattoo trends arose simply because they were a novelty and made people giggle. One of the more frivolous trends in the previous several decades was getting a mustache tattoo on your finger. However, passing jokes aren’t the greatest way to make long-term changes.

In general, if you’re browsing for tattoo ideas and come across something you like, don’t try to replicate it exactly.  That’s true in other places as well, but unless you find the original tattoo artist, you’ll never be able to make it match your idea precisely.

For one thing, it may distract from the originality of the tattoo, and it’s really demeaning to urge an artist to imitate another artist rather than produce something unique. There are lots of tattoo artists that would refuse someone who requested a replica of another tattoo.

Although it may appear strange, there are a few trends in which people get a brand logo tattooed on their bodies. For example, consider the brief craze of Monster Energy tattoos.

While these tattoos aren’t necessarily insulting in principle, they were repetitious and made us question what it was about Monster Energy that made individuals want to remember the brand for the rest of their lives. Not to mention that, like many of the trends on this list, its uniqueness was diminished by its overuse.

Nothing prevents you from obtaining a tattoo that no one else will see. Sometimes a tattoo holds special importance for you, and that’s all that matters. Art is something that can hold special meanings for people, especially something that will be on your body forever.

If there was one region where concealed tattoos became popular, it was the inner lip, especially in the 2010s. This is not just a disappearing trend, but it also has a lot of hazards, especially if you’re not diligent with your tattoo aftercare. They’re also a region that fades swiftly.

An intriguing tendency emerged in the early 2000s. That tendency was distinct in terms of the size of the tattoo required. We think it was a little strange and it wasn’t entirely popular among everyone, just a specific niche of people.

People began to acquire tattoos of bows on the backside of their calves or thighs with a line continuing straight down, comparable to how a set of stockings would seem when worn, inspired by the appearance of pin-up art and models. It was a great notion at first, but it quickly wore out due to repetition.

There are many tattooed quotes that look great even after a while. However, there are certain tattoos of phrases and quotations that do not produce the greatest effects. And that’s especially true when people need to squint or lean into your personal space just to see what your tattoos say.

Small scripts, in particular, rarely work out in the long run. They become difficult to read with time, and if the ink leaks or your skin changes as you age, they become much more difficult to comprehend and read. In the long term, it is typically preferable to choose a bigger font.

Quotes, in general, aren’t a terrible tattoo idea. Words may be powerful, whether they come from a book, a movie, or even a song. Certain quotes that greatly impact you as a person are often chosen for tattooing purposes. With extended quotations, the issue becomes more pronounced.

For one thing, as previously said, the more material there is, the more people tend toward smaller text. Furthermore, longer quotations are sometimes more difficult to read, which might be an issue if you want other people to be able to read your tattoo rather than keeping it to yourself.

Tramp Stamps

If you’re not familiar with the term “tramp stamp,” it refers to a certain sort of lower back tattoo. These are often located just above the waist and radiate forth horizontally from a central location on the spine.

Obviously, these tattoos aren’t strictly all bad, but they are a recurring pattern and an example of a trend that has seen the bulk of its popularity dwindle. Furthermore, it was a craze among younger folks, yet tattoos last longer than youth.

Coordinates

Having coordinates tattooed on your body might have profound meaning. Commemorating a location that means a lot to you, for example, may be incredibly poignant. There are plenty of reasons why a place would hold a special meaning in your heart.

Unfortunately for many people who get latitude and longitude coordinate tattoos, the notion is becoming more widespread and, as a result, less distinctive and customized. The good news is that there are practically an infinite amount of coordinate choices to keep things a bit more unique than a duplicated work of art.

With so many languages spoken throughout the world, it’s natural to get a tattoo that reflects your experience in another nation or a tattoo that depicts your culture. When it is your language and culture, it’s understandable to want to reflect that and your experience as a member.

The issue arises when people acquire tattoos in languages they do not understand. This is often done with languages that also employ a character alphabet. Another issue with this is that if you don’t already know what you’re receiving, you don’t necessarily know what you’re getting.

One of the more common tattoo patterns in the previous couple of decades is a repeating art piece rather than a subject. Many individuals have tried out this concept in the past, but today there are many people with similar or even identical tattoos: a pocketwatch surrounded by flowers.

Again, this is not a tattoo that is ugly in terms of composition, but it has suffered as a result of its extreme popularity since the first time it was done. Roses have always been popular subjects for tattoos, so we’d recommend replacing them with different flowers.

Names

There are instances when getting your name tattooed on your body is a good idea. Getting your child’s name tattooed on you, for example, is a poignant sign. One tattoo that artists despise is the moniker of someone’s current spouse, particularly if the happy pair have only been together for a short time.

This isn’t so much about the individual possibilities of success in a relationship as it is about the idea that a tattoo lasts a lifetime and you never know what will happen.

Barcodes

There are instances when a somewhat inconspicuous tattoo is intriguing. After all, you don’t always need someone to tell you what each tattoo signifies on the spot. It’s what we talked about before with tattoos being meaningful to the individual.

One method around this was developed with the notion of getting a barcode tattooed on your body. As the popularity of this fad spread, tattoo artists grew tired of the monotony, especially when customers began receiving odd barcodes that they had no idea what they meant.

There are a few distinct patterns that have fallen out of favor over the years for no apparent reason. They were merely fads that came and went. Tattoos with barbed wire bands are one example of this.

These can have a deeper meaning, such as a symbol of the biblical Crown of Thorns, but they were all over the place in the 1990s. This earned them a reputation for being too repetitious, and it rapidly became a fad that was mocked.

Finger Tattoos

Certain tattoo fads aren’t necessarily horrible, but they have a negative connotation because of the blunders that surround them. Tattoos on the fingers are frequently featured on this list. Finger tattoos are often bestowed without the person having any knowledge of how to properly take care of them.

There are several well-executed finger tattoos that look stunning. However, in order to maintain their beauty, they must be properly cared for. Touch-ups are included, which many people avoid because finger tattoos are more unpleasant. They also need maintenance that many people overlook, such as the diligent application of sufficient sun protection to avoid fading.

Tattoos on your foot, like finger tattoos, are beautiful at first but tend to fade with time. A part on your foot is more prone to wear out over time. So, some of this is about where on your foot you get the tattoo.

The amount of risk factors for a tattoo on your feet is an added challenge when compared to tattoos on your hands. It’s a place of your body that experiences a lot of friction, as well as a lot of perspiration and wetness. This might cause them to fade quickly, especially if they are not properly cared for.

In a little newer trend, you can easily find hundreds of instances of acquiring a notion like a feather that melts into a flock of birds online. Like other options on our list, the issue is mainly how popular the concept is and how unoriginal it feels, even if you get a really interesting design.

This lack of creativity causes some tattoo artists to feel bored when asked to execute another one. While there are several approaches to this topic, the core premise remains consistent. In the end, it does not allow the artist to shine and does not result in a one-of-a-kind tattoo.

Butterflies

As a standalone notion, a butterfly tattoo isn’t the worst thing in the world. Another theme that suffers from the frequency with which it is demanded in tattoo parlors. Like the feather into birds, we’ve seen some pretty interesting designs, but have to ask: another butterfly?

This style was most prominent in the early 2000s, accompanying fads such as lower back tattoos. These tattoos ranged in style and precise design, which is excellent considering the difficulty connected with reproducing another tattoo to the letter, but their popularity did detract from how well they were appreciated after the novelty wore off.

Overexposure, as we’ve seen time and again, is the single most effective way to destroy a tattoo fad. When everyone has the tattoo, it loses its uniqueness and allure. However, we also have yet to see an interesting arrow tattoo design, so that contributes.

This often means that the simplest tattoos may go from being a lovely addition to anyone’s tattoo collection to becoming a source of dread for tattoo artists and those who view them. Tattoos of basic arrows, which artists have been requested to recreate over and over, are one victim of this overexposure.

It wasn’t a bad idea when the fad of acquiring infinite symbols started. In reality, it was only a sign that meant “boundless,” and it was frequently used to refer to the seemingly limitless possibilities.

What destroyed this tattoo craze was the fact that it became a craze in the first place. It would be a brilliant little tattoo if just a few people thought of it, but it’s become something normal. Furthermore, the tattoo design frequently combines additional clichés, such as the aforementioned melting into birds.

Anchors

Anchor tattoos have been around for a long time. They are particularly associated with the American Traditional tattoo style and the famous and innovative tattoo artist Sailor Jerry.

However, in today’s society, the notion of anchor tattoos has become one that many tattoo artists openly despise. That’s because they shifted from everyone paying respect to and falling in love with a master tattoo artist to a plethora of individuals having variations on the anchor design without understanding their meaning.

Surprisingly, one tattoo fad that artists become tired of is one that isn’t well known. That is, you should avoid requesting a non-permanent tattoo from your artist.

The concept behind this is tattoo ink that fades over time rather than becoming permanent. For one thing, it’s unlikely to leave your skin appearing brand new after a period of time. Furthermore, asking for a temporary tattoo is considered offensive to an artist.

This is a contentious point of view in the tattoo community because we see the style on a lot of musicians on a daily basis. However, if you aren’t a celebrity and need to function in normal society, we can’t recommend keeping your face clear of tattoos enough.

However, tattoo artists have reported seeing young individuals attempting to get a facial tattoo when they don’t have many others. Because this is often reserved for more deeply inked persons who understand the significance of visible tattoos, some tattoo artists are beginning to turn away young people and those new to tattoos who want this trend.

This is another example of a tattoo fad that isn’t a specific tattoo but rather a general notion that people try to overdo. One of the most extreme examples of this is the concept of having an overly intricate tattoo.

Because there is only so much room on your body and a too elaborate tattoo takes up space, it is preferable to keep to a unified design. Furthermore, it is difficult to convey a wide range of ideas in a single image.

The notion of a massive neck tattoo, like that of facial tattoos, has a limit. Specifically, it should not be your only tattoo. When paired with a sleeve or shirt of tattoos, it’s not so bad to continue up your neck, but when it’s the only one it can look a bit strange.

Furthermore, young clientele who don’t have a lot of other tattoos may overlook the possible ramifications of a neck tattoo. There are many individuals that would judge someone, even if they shouldn’t, which is vital to recognize before proceeding. Furthermore, neck tattoos frequently continue complete coverage, yet a huge neck tattoo on its alone may appear out of place.

If there is one thing that generated incredible popularity when it was first released and then again when it was transformed into a film series, it is Harry Potter. That’s why it’s so unfortunate that J.K. Rowling is such a transphobe and has stated repeatedly that anyone who endorses her work also hates transgender people.

This series, unsurprisingly, spawned a slew of admirers eager to express their enthusiasm for the books and films in any way they could. This includes a very identifiable emblem from the novels, which a slew of admirers quickly tattooed, sparking a craze.

The Misfits are a punk band that every punk fan adores — and with good reason! They were forward-thinking and rapidly became legendary.

Their emblem, though, a black and white stylized skull, has become an all-too-common tattoo. While it was initially a fun and unique way to honor one of your favorite bands, it has now evolved into more of a fashion statement in general, making it a risk for when it goes out of style.

Similar to the Misfits emblem, they aren’t the only band that has witnessed an increase in how they’re remembered on people’s flesh. Again, there’s no shame in commemorating your favorite musicians, but tattoos aren’t necessarily the best way to do it.

Black Flag is an immensely legendary punk band that still performs today, but not with the original lineup. People got the band’s insignia – four black bars – tattooed on them, but it now appears to be a fleeting craze rather than an enduring trend.

Swallows

Swallows are another pattern that has a long history. After all, Sailor Jerry popularized this look as well. Like the anchor, a big issue with this tattoo is the sheer number of other people with the exact same tattoo somewhere on their bodies.

The issue was that they were frequently utilized as a starting tattoo. So, even though they aren’t precisely in the manner that they were popularized in, swallows are becoming their own trend, with many individuals picking them off a flash sheet without realizing their importance.

We all want to be able to have our pets with us at all times, whether they are at home or we no longer have them. This can be an adorable way to remember a pet, especially if you get a small paw print in a location you don’t mind covering up for work.

Many individuals have found an answer to this by getting a tattoo of them etched on their flesh to keep them near. Tattooing paw prints is one of the most prevalent methods to achieve this, however, this is becoming more of a fad than an original thought or a fresh idea.

It’s worth emphasizing once more that quotations may frequently be highly meaningful tattoos. They do, however, become a regular occurrence every now and again. This time, the trend is for quotations that are so brief that they can be expressed in a single word.

Again, this isn’t a horrible concept in and of itself, but choices like a tattoo that reads “believe” have become a hugely popular fad. Because of its popularity, this tattoo has begun to fall into the category of a passing trend.

Dreamcatchers

The notion of dream catchers, like tribal tattoos, is surrounded by a culture and set of beliefs. They have their origins in Native American history. And, just like with tribal tattoos, native peoples are constantly expressing how offensive it is for other people to appropriate their cultures and beliefs.

The issue is that not everyone who gets a dreamcatcher tattoo is a member of this culture or is aware of its history. However, since they are so popular, they suffer from being a trend rather than an artwork treasured for their profound significance.

Sugar skull tattoos are on the list of pieces of art that should not be utilized for their beauty alone yet are frequently used for that purpose. Sugar skulls are associated with the Day of the Dead holiday.

They are typically used in tattoo art to represent departed spirits, but they are also employed for their aesthetic beauty. While certain sugar skull tattoos are important and connected to their past, fad-based designs for the sake of aesthetics are discouraged.

Portraits

Portraits, in general, aren’t horrible tattoos. The issue arises when the portraits are badly executed. This is especially true for hyper-realistic tattoos, which are difficult to achieve.

Pictures are simple to make mistakes on, and there are plenty of examples of badly done or dubious portraits that resemble more like horror characters than the people they’re intended to look like. If you want to have a portrait tattoo, do your homework!

There’s something to be said for wearing a piece of art honoring your favorite destination. There are a plethora of other applications for it as well. You could get a landmark tattooed on you or a stylized representation of your favorite photo there, among a plethora of other alternatives.

One of the most popular methods to accomplish this for cities, particularly New York, is to get the city’s skyline tattooed in a single line like a heartbeat. Of course, popular means that many other people are doing it too.

For some reason, individuals are so proud of the region of the nation from where they are from that they feel compelled to remind everyone via the power of body art. They honestly feel that tattooing the three definite digits that represent where they live is a wise move.

People have the right to be proud of their origins, but surely you could have come up with a more meaningful tattoo to let us know where you reside. We’d rather see the coordinates tattoo than just an area code.

It goes without saying that koi fish are very important in Chinese and Japanese culture. They may be seen throughout a variety of ancient art and literature, and the Koi is a prominent emblem in different regions of the world to this day.

While it is frequently used as a sign of good fortune and prosperity, many foreigners have converted the Koi fish into an overdone tattoo. We understand that you got the tattoo to represent the barrier you conquered through tenacity. But come on, people!

Parts of the Bible have a lot of importance for many individuals. So much so that they may have chapters from the Bible inscribed on their bodies. This may not have been what God was intending with His bible though.

We are not condemning Christians, the Bible, or anything else. We recognize your right to free expression and to follow whichever religion you want. But at the very least, give us some chapter lines! Why do we have to Google the title or question you about it?

Favorite Foods

This one is entirely dependent on the person wearing it. We’ll give chefs and cooks a break because cooking is like an art form for them. We’ll give someone in the kitchen a pass if they have a garlic clove on their arm.

However, if you want to get a cheeseburger tattoo on your back anytime soon, consider us your enemies from now on. “I enjoy cheeseburgers, but I wouldn’t…tattoo a cheeseburger on myself,” stated one tattoo artist.

We recognize that this pretty much counts as another brand tattoo, which obviously makes it tacky. But it appears that a large number of people have Hello Kitty tattoos, and we’re not sure what the big deal is.

Perhaps it has something to do with how innocent the kitten appears and how simple it is to look at. But to that, we respond “no way.” You’d be better off getting a full-fledged tiger tattooed over your back. If you’re going to be a feline, you may as well go with the king of the jungle rather than this.

Look, there’s a reason why superheroes exist. They are there to inspire us and demonstrate that we are capable of doing great things even when the odds are stacked against us. But how many men must get a Superman emblem tattooed on their breast before they realize they’ve made a major error?

It is, without a doubt, iconic. But no one will see it till you are topless, and by then, those folks will only grimace at you. And likely ask you to kindly put your shirt back on so they don’t have to look at you anymore.

Mandala

Here’s another instance of something intrinsically wonderful that has been driven into the ground by far too many people. The Mandala is a symmetrical shape composed of numerous smaller symbols. It may take numerous forms and is associated with Eastern faiths such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

Nonetheless, many individuals get a mandala tattoo just because they think it looks great. This does not apply to everyone who does this, but it is still a criminal offense to steal from other cultures you don’t belong to. Consider other people’s feelings once in awhile!

We’re not sure how it started, but someone decided to construct a fox out of triangles, and the practice quickly grew far too popular for its own good. It’s not only foxes anymore. This technique appears to have been performed on all species.

“Geometric creatures. They irritate me because they are the tribal tattoo of our time,” a tattoo artist commented on Reddit. “Wow, another fox constructed of triangles… How creative.” It’s true they aren’t unique anymore, but they are certainly far less offensive than tribal tattoos.

Again, we are not condemning Christianity or any other faith for that matter. All we’re saying is that if you’re going to get a religious symbol tattooed, be sure the design is flawless. After all, it is going to be there forever.

“Unattractive, downright awful crosses. It bothers me when people have horrible taste in crosses,” a tattoo artist commented on Reddit. “It’s such a basic thing that should be relevant, but some folks can’t seem to get past the second page of Google photos.”

This is the only kind of body art not performed on the skin on this list. That’s correct, individuals are now getting their eyeballs tattooed! This, sometimes known as scleral tattooing, is getting increasingly popular with each passing year, and it frequently appears frightening!

The dye is not delivered into the eye tissue, but rather spreads across two layers of the eyeball. If you want to do so, you should first obtain medical advice. Procedures have resulted in eyesight loss and excruciating agony.

Tattoos are an excellent method to identify yourself, flaunt your individuality, and even portray tales on your skin. However, as tattooing becomes more prominent, trends come and go, just as they do in fashion and other sectors. These tattoo fads aren’t as popular as they once were, whether due to over-exposure, a lack of care, or just the passage of time, but the key thing is that the wearer likes and is satisfied with their art.