Tattoo experts reveal the most popular body art styles among Gen Z – and the designs young people consider outdated and uncool… so, is YOUR ink aging you?
Certain generations are into specific tattoos – whether it’s Gen X men opting for tribal bracelets or millennials getting infinity symbols on their rib cage.
If you’ve been wondering what ink to buy — and which tattoos are officially trendy with Gen Z (ages 12 to 27) — people on TikTok are constantly weighing in with their opinions.
FEMAIL spoke to some of the most high-profile tattoo artists to find out what their Gen Z customers are asking for – and the millennial ink they consider outdated.
From cybersigilism to angel numbers, here’s the list of inks Gen Z adores — including the return of certain placements, like the tramp stamp.
Millennials are getting dream catchers and watercolor tattoos, while Gen Z is opting for small, Pinterest-inspired tattoos
Gen Z celebrities like Hailey Bieber, 27, love small, delicate designs on their hands, as seen above
Millennial actress Ashley Tisdale, 38, showed off her infinity sign tattoo on the red carpet
When it comes to tattoos, they show your age – and your generation.
Millennials are known for their dream catchers and bold watercolor tattoos, while Gen Z opts for small, Pinterest-inspired tattoos, with Hailey Bieber’s delicate ink being an ideal example.
Harry Potter, Disney tattoos and infinity signs also fall into the millennial camp.
On TikTokone user said that Gen Z tattoos were seen as flowers with fine lines, and the patchwork leg tattoos are a source of humor as people wonder how they will age over time.
Val, owner Uplifting tattoo in New York City, has 18 years of experience and told DailyMail.com, “There’s nothing more fascinating than the tattoo culture of Generation Z these days,” because it “shows how necessary self-expression” is, especially since the ink is often meaningful and personal.
The tattoo artist has seen an increase in single-needle tattoos with fine lines, “which are characterized by their finesse and precision,” as well as minimal “small and dainty tattoos.”
According to Val, more and more Gen Z members are asking for numbers, which are repeated numbers that have meaning to people, as well as quotes in a loved one’s handwriting.
It’s not always about unique designs. Val said Gen Z often opted for flash tattoos, which were pre-drawn small designs that they could quickly create without making any changes.
Tribal bracelets and large pieces are over, although Gen Z is finding ways to try their own, more delicate versions
Atelier Eva artist Ash Aurich agreed that ‘Gen Z wouldn’t get anything particularly bold like tribal or American traditional tattoos’ because ‘it’s all about minimalism’
Having been in the industry for almost two decades, Val has seen many tat trends come and go, such as infinity signs, Disney characters, Celtic crosses and flying black birds.
However, Val did predict, “They always come back,” citing thin tribal stamps.
Studio Eva artist Ash Aurich, based in Brooklynagreed that “Generation Z wouldn’t get anything particularly bold, like tribal or traditional American tattoos,” because “for them, it’s all about minimalism.”
Ash said “neo-traditional, realistic and geometric” designs were all millennial trends as millennials opted for “larger and more intricate pieces.”
And while Ash doesn’t think Gen Z tattoo trends are over yet, she does believe millennial trends, like lower back tattoos, are making a comeback.
While Ash doesn’t think Gen Z tattoo trends are over yet, she does believe millennial trends, like lower back tattoos, are making a comeback.
Millennials opt for splashy, bold, colorful designs, and especially animals, to make a statement
Millennials opt for larger pieces with more obvious placement, while Gen Z hides ink behind their ears and on their inner fingers
Tattoo shop Bang Bang in New York City is known for its designs, as seen on celebrities like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Rita Ora and many, many more.
Bang Bang tattoo artist Dr. Franklin told DailyMail.com: ‘The biggest trend is probably sticker tattoos or anything with a single needle.
“I feel like appearance doesn’t matter as long as it’s done with a single needle, they’re happy.”
While he doesn’t think Gen Z would ever get neo-traditional or tribal tattoos, he agreed that “everything comes full circle.”
Some millennials opt for larger black and white pieces, but Dr. Franklin thinks these are timeless – even if some trends are a bit dated.
“You don’t see mandalas or geometric tattoos as often as you did ten years ago, when a lot of people were more interested in that style,” the artist revealed.
Masha S. of Isol Tattoo in New York City specializes in the fine line designs loved by Gen Z
Masha said that Gen Z’s preferences align with their desire for individuality, and they favor tattoos with fine lines, fluid designs and minimalist concepts.
Masha S. bee Isol tattoo in New York City specializes in the fine line designs favored by Gen Z, saying that their “preferences align with their desire for individuality,” and that they “prefer tattoos with fine lines, fluid designs, and minimalist concepts.”
According to Masha, Gen Z has “eschewed traditional ‘old school’ tattoos, which they consider ‘outdated.’
Instead, they want tattoos that are “aesthetically pleasing, but also have a deeper meaning or symbolize personal beliefs,” while being “simple, clean, and somewhat abstract.”
This is in contrast to millennials, who, according to Masha, ‘are attracted’ towards big and bold tattoo designs, with a preference for neo-traditional and new school styles, which “typically feature bold shapes, vibrant colors and intricate details such as tribal bracelets, realistic animals and geometric patterns with bold lines.”
Gen Z even places the ink differently, opting for ‘wrists, behind the ear, fingers or inner parts of the fingers’ for more subtle body art.
However, according to Masha, these placements are not always good for tattoos depending on a particular person’s lifestyle or skin type, especially when it comes to preserving the ink over time.