Do your tattoos change when you lose weight?

It really does depend on where the tattoo is. I have a tattoo on the back of my neck and I got it before I started my weight loss journey. I've lost 152 lbs and it hasn't changed one single bit.

I have a small tattoo of a star on a fat-rich area. It expanded when I gained weight and has shrunk as I've lost. However, it has remained proportional. My worry would be that a large tattoo that spread over two or more areas of the body that lost weight at different rates would end up looking wonky.

I think it depends most on where it is and how much weight you've gained and lost. I have several over various parts of my body, all of which I got during different weights. Obviously the one on my lower abdomen that I got when I was a skinny 18 year old has expanded and shrunk several times, so it's a bit faded and less defined. When I look back at getting that tattoo I laugh- the artist said before starting it, 'if you gain any weight or get pregnant this tattoo will be ruined," I laughed as the confident, naïve child I was and said, "no way, that will never happen!" Ha. The large piece on my back is pretty much the same, and the one on my *kitten* is pretty much the same as well. I'd definitely wait until I was at my goal weight to get any on places that will shrink significantly.

Thread highjack!

What did you wear to get the *kitten* tattoo? I really don't know what to wear to my appointment.


Edit: I asked my tattoo artist friend about this once. Basically, a good tattoo should maintain it's integrity through weight gain/loss barring extreme circumstance. Such as really, really extreme weightless. Like enough to require skin removal.

I think it all depends on where you get it. I see al these people saying it depends how big too but I disagree. For me I don't have an issue it's right above my wrist and that area didn't gain any weight but I know peopel who have gotten it on other areas of their body, such as tramp stamp and things, where they do lose weight and now that seh's losing weight it's looking pretty ragged and not so much like what it used to...and that's with her heading back to the weight she was when she got it. Also on 'World's Worst Tattoos' or whatever it's called this woman went in after a ton of weight lose and just having a small butter fly on her breast and it shrunk and looked ridiculous. I would suggest talking to the professional who is going to do your tattoo and seeing what they advice. If they think it's going to shrink and screw up how it looks then I would wait and get the tattoo as a reward. My second tattoo is going on my feet, I'm trying to stick to area's that wont' get messed up by any weight gain

Mine haven't changed in any significant way. I have a quarter back piece (in my profile) and a smaller one on my thigh. After 84 lbs, both still look the same.

I think it depends most on where it is and how much weight you've gained and lost. I have several over various parts of my body, all of which I got during different weights. Obviously the one on my lower abdomen that I got when I was a skinny 18 year old has expanded and shrunk several times, so it's a bit faded and less defined. When I look back at getting that tattoo I laugh- the artist said before starting it, 'if you gain any weight or get pregnant this tattoo will be ruined," I laughed as the confident, naïve child I was and said, "no way, that will never happen!" Ha. The large piece on my back is pretty much the same, and the one on my *kitten* is pretty much the same as well. I'd definitely wait until I was at my goal weight to get any on places that will shrink significantly.

Thread highjack!

What did you wear to get the *kitten* tattoo? I really don't know what to wear to my appointment.


Edit: I asked my tattoo artist friend about this once. Basically, a good tattoo should maintain it's integrity through weight gain/loss barring extreme circumstance. Such as really, really extreme weightless. Like enough to require skin removal.

I just wore jeans and pulled them down to expose the cheek. I'm not a very modest person, so I didn't really care who saw what. I wasn't planning on getting it, it was a spur of the moment kind of thing, and it's not very big.

Guess we'll find out. I got a back piece done at 340 pounds+ and am heading towards 250 so... I'll let you know!

I have a strawberry on my belly which went massive when I was pregnant (I gained 3 stones). It's getting back to it's normal size now that I'm down to 9st but is a bit of a mess so I'm going for a cover up as soon as I'm at my goal of 8st. The tattoos on my shoulder, ankle and lower back have never changed.

When you are 22 yrs old and get a cute butterfly tattooed on your breast, it's real cute. When you are 55, it can look more like a caterpillar! And the little "smiley" face on your flat little belly begins to look like a melting frown by then too.

Face it, your body will not stay the same as when you are in your 20's no matter what you do. Everything changes, shifts, moves, enlarges, or goes away. And at 22, you never think it will happen to YOU!!

Moral of this story.... THINK LONG-TERM before you get a novelty tattoo!!!

When you are 22 yrs old and get a cute butterfly tattooed on your breast, it's real cute. When you are 55, it can look more like a caterpillar! And the little "smiley" face on your flat little belly begins to look like a melting frown by then too.

Face it, your body will not stay the same as when you are in your 20's no matter what you do. Everything changes, shifts, moves, enlarges, or goes away. And at 22, you never think it will happen to YOU!!

Moral of this story.... THINK LONG-TERM before you get a novelty tattoo!!!

Thanks mom!! Someone always feels the need to chime in with their personal feelings on questions they weren't asked there opinion on. Beat it.


OP, I have most of my left arm sleeve done except a piece from my elbow to my mid arm. In the last 2 months I've had at least 10 people ask me if I've added to it or what because it looks newer or different. I joke around and say I lost 70 lbs so it just looks bigger. Who knows but mine looks different to other people.

Oh excuse me!! I thought this was a public forum. I thought it was for advice. I must be senile.
And dont call me Mom. If I were your Mom, I'd slap the cr@p out of you for being such an arrogant, smart mouthed, little twerp.

But since I'm not, I'll just accept the fact that often such a shallow thinker is bound to pollute the board with disgruntled remarks about someone's opinion when they assume it's different than their own.

actually the OP asked for advice on tattoos & weight loss

(from people who have had both)

not opinions on aging and its affects on "novelty" tattoos

BTW, Andiroot, you have done an incredible job loosing weight considering your thyroid disease. You are to be commended.

Thread highjack!

What did you wear to get the *kitten* tattoo? I really don't know what to wear to my appointment.

I wore jeans and dropped my drawers! LOL! I know my artist well but not the 4 other dudes who work in his shop who stood there for 2 hours and watched! :blushing:

I would like an answer to this as well. I'm not done getting tattooed, but wonder if I should wait before starting on my sleeves? I have about 80-ish pounds yet to lose. The first part I'd get is on my inner forearm. Then I'll build the design from there. Thoughts?

In about 10-15 years your skin texture will change. So will the shape of your arms. If you look closely at the skin of an older person, you will see it starts to look more like crepe paper and not as smooth as in your 20s & 30s. Also, women tend to get that flappy underarm stuff, no matter how we exercise. Age just does something to our upper arms.

Soooo, before you do it, think about what kind of tattoos will look good when they are crinkled and crusty and flapping in the breeze every time you wave to someone. And dont say you wont care by then, because YES YOU WILL TOO!! Just as much as you do now!

I do agree, however the bare skin is going to be gross enough and this is exactly why I'm getting sleeves on both arms (started on one already)...at least it will be colored flappy crusty skin! LMAO!

You got me there.! ha! Kinda like 'tan' fat is prettier than white fat.

Maybe the tattoo shops should start advertising to people over 45ish. You know, cover those unsightly veins on your legs. ha!