What are the tattoo trends for 2024?

What are the tattoo trends for 2024?

And as with any trend, there are always new styles and designs that become popular among tattoo enthusiasts. Here are some of the hottest tattoo trends for 2024:

1. Blackwork tattoos.

Blackwork tattoos are a bold and dramatic tattoo trend that is gaining popularity among tattoo enthusiasts. These tattoos use solid black lines and shading to create intricate and eye-catching designs, often with a strong geometric or tribal influence. NAAMA's levelled-up LightSense™ laser system removes black ink from all Fitzpatrick skin types.

2. Dotwork tattoos.

Dotwork tattoos are a unique and artistic tattoo trend that is becoming increasingly popular. These tattoos use a series of small, precise dots to create detailed and intricate designs, often with a highly stylised or abstract aesthetic.

3. Sketch style tattoos.

Sketch style tattoos are a more whimsical and playful tattoo trend that is gaining popularity among tattoo enthusiasts. These tattoos are designed to look like pencil or charcoal sketches, often with a loose, free-flowing style that creates a sense of movement and energy.

4. Nature-inspired tattoos.

Nature-inspired tattoos are a beautiful and meaningful tattoo trend that is becoming increasingly popular. These tattoos are inspired by the natural world, and often feature animals, plants, and other elements of nature. Some popular nature-inspired tattoo designs include birds, flowers, trees, and animals like wolves and foxes.

5. Colourful geometric tattoos.

Geometric tattoos are a classic tattoo trend that is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with many tattoo enthusiasts choosing to incorporate geometric designs into their tattoos. One of the hottest trends in geometric tattoos is the use of vibrant and colourful designs, which can add a fresh and modern twist to this timeless tattoo style.

6. Tiny tattoos.

Tiny tattoos, also known as micro tattoos or minimal tattoos, are a type of tattoo that uses small, delicate designs to create intricate and stylish body art. Tiny tattoos are less painful to get than traditional tattoos, as the needles used are smaller and cause less trauma to the skin.

7. Fine line tattoos.

Fine line tattoos, also known as thin line tattoos, are a type of tattoo that uses delicate, fine lines to create intricate designs. These tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger people, due to their delicate and elegant appearance.

One of the reasons why fine line tattoos are trending is because they are a more subtle and discreet option compared to traditional tattoos. Fine line tattoos can be easily hidden under clothing, making them a good choice for people who want a tattoo but don't want it to be visible all the time. They are also among the easiest tattoos to remove with the LightSense™ laser.

8. Subtle matching tattoos.

Subtle matching tattoos are a type of tattoo that uses simple and understated designs to create a matching set of tattoos for two or more people. These tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among couples and close friends, due to their symbolic nature and their ability to create a strong bond between the individuals who have them.

They're perfect for people looking to express their love and connection with someone else without having to display a large and noticeable tattoo.

9. Red tattoos.

One of the reasons why red tattoos are still popular going into 2024 is because they are a bold and attention-grabbing option compared to more traditional tattoo colours or plain black.

Red is a vibrant and energetic colour that stands out against the skin, making red tattoos a great choice for people who want to make a statement with their body art. Some of the most common associations with the colour red include love, passion and power.

10. Space tattoos.

Space tattoos are a type of tattoo that uses images and designs inspired by outer space, including stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. Many people are drawn to space tattoos because they are fascinated by the mysteries of the universe, and see their tattoo as a way to express their curiosity and wonder.

Overall, there are plenty of exciting tattoo trends to choose from in 2024, whether you prefer bold and dramatic designs or something more subtle and understated. Whatever your style, there's sure to be a tattoo trend that's perfect for you. So why not consider getting a new tattoo in the new year, and show off your unique and individual style?

Another big trend - tattoo removal is on the rise

Another big trend - tattoo removal is on the rise

According to Google Trends, tattoo removal saw a steady uptake in searches as the year went on, with a surge in the summer specifically around July. It makes sense—in the summer months people are showing more skin and rethinking their ink. Why?

We share the top reasons for removal we see from our clients at NAAMA:

- Some people may choose to remove a tattoo because they no longer like the design, because the tattoo has faded or become distorted over time, or because they want to make room for a new tattoo.

Of over 2000 people surveyed, NAAMA found that 18% of people said their tattoo didn’t turn out the way they expected it to, and 43% said they plan on adding more tattoos to their body to mark more experiences in their lifetime.

- In some cases, people may choose to remove a tattoo because it is no longer relevant or meaningful to them. For example, a person may choose to remove a tattoo of a former partner's name, or a tattoo that was done when they were younger and no longer reflects their current interests or beliefs.

21% of people said that their tattoo no longer represents who they are now compared to who they were when they got it, and 33% said that their identity has evolved and wants their tattoos to reflect this journey.

- In other instances, people may choose to remove a tattoo because it has become a hindrance or a source of embarrassment. For example, a person may choose to remove a tattoo that is visible in a job interview or in a professional setting, or a tattoo that is offensive or inappropriate.

24% of people surveyed said they would get their tattoo replaced with something that better represents them, and 11% said that their spirituality and belief system has changed multiple times in their adult life and no longer want this to be reflected through their tattoos.

If you've been thinking about tattoo or permanent makeup removal, consider going for LightSense™. It the most cutting-edge laser available that delivers fast, precise and accurate results. It effectively clears ink using 34x less energy than the average Pico laser without compromising the skin.

How to pick your tattoo ideas for 2024

How to pick your tattoo ideas for 2024

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, but you're not sure how to pick the right design—don’t worry, you're not alone. Choosing a tattoo design can be a difficult and overwhelming process, especially with all the options out there. But with a little bit of thought and research, you can find a tattoo design that you'll love. Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect tattoo design.

First, think about the meaning behind the tattoo. Ask yourself:

- What do you want it to represent?

- Do you want it to symbolise something important in your life, like a loved one or a special moment?

- Or do you simply want a tattoo that looks cool and unique? Because that’s okay too.

Either way, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want your tattoo to represent before you start looking for designs.

Next, consider the placement of the tattoo.

- Where do you want it to be on your body?

- Different parts of the body have different characteristics, so the design you choose should complement the area where it will be placed.

- For example, a small and delicate design might look out of place on a large and muscular arm, but it could work well on the wrist or ankle.

- Think about size. Ask yourself, do you want this tattoo to be big and bold? Or is something smaller and more discreet preferable? Do you want to see the tattoo every day on your skin? Or would you rather it be a bit more out of sight, like on your back? All these factors will help you decide the location too.

Once you have an idea of the meaning and placement of your tattoo, it's time to start looking at designs.

- You can find inspiration from a variety of sources, such as tattoo galleries and artist portfolios.

- You can also use online tools like Pinterest and Instagram to search for tattoo designs and see what other people have done. Just remember to be open-minded and keep an eye out for designs that catch your eye.

- You can also leave it up to your tattoo artist to help finesse an idea, or come up with one entirely based on their style, expertise and design ideas. Oftentimes many artists have books they keep with hundreds of designs ready to go.

Lastly, think about colour.

- Decide if you want to go with black ink or colour. Picking the one will help influence the design, cost and length of time you’ll spend in the chair.

- Coloured tattoos tend to take longer because the artist spends time mixing up shades and adjusting the pigments to suit your design. The results are often worth the wait.

When you find a design you like, it's important to do your research and make sure you're choosing a reputable tattoo artist to do the work. You can do this by checking out the artist's portfolio and reading reviews from other clients. A good tattoo artist will be able to help you refine the design and make sure it looks just the way you want it to. Inspiration for your 2023 tattoo:

Be bold, be very bold

Blackout tattoos are an ever-popular and striking way to stand out from the crowd.

When tattoo artist Kat Von D took to Instagram to share her latest work with Philadelphia-based blackout artist Hoode Philly, she did so prepared for an online backlash.

She asked her audience to, “read my caption before commenting please.” But as more and more people opt for blackout coverage to conceal old tattoos that they feel they have outgrown, why does this form of tattoo art provoke such a strong reaction?

A blackout tattoo is a way of shrouding an old tattoo with large sections of darker ink. Kat Von D chose this method to cover up tattoos from a period of her life she no longer wants to be reminded of.

“Feels so good to finally cover up so many of the tattoos I got back when I used to drink,” she wrote on Instagram. “Those tattoos meant nothing to me but landmarks in dark times.”

Context aside, perhaps it is the bold look of blackout coverage that causes all the fuss. For striking cover-up inspiration consult our guide here.

No regrets: tattoos in the workplace

If you need a little solid evidence as to why you should feel confident getting a new tattoo, look no further.

In the study,“’No ragrets’: Public perceptions of tattooed mental health professionals,” psychologists looked at how tattoos influence the relationship between professionals and clients. Would people perceive a professional with tattoos as less competent, or even less likeable?

What they found was positive and advances the argument for tattoos in the workplace. “Tattoos do not seem to impact perceptions of clinician competence among the general public and may even aid the formation of professional bonds with clientele.”

As we’ve discovered at NAAMA Studios, a shared love of tattoos will often spark a conversation between our consultants and clients. People feel more comfortable when they are reassured that they are in the hands of tattoo lovers.

But the debate over tattoos in the workplace is far from straightforward. Read our interview with Professor Viren Swami, an expert on body image and tattoos, to find out how attitudes are changing, especially after the pandemic.