Hey Everyone,

I could really use some advice on this topic and I'm sure some other people have maybe gone through this same issue.

Lately I've considered getting a tattoo. It most likely would go on my shoulder or upper arm. I'm not somebody who would get it and regret that I got it done or anything. The thing is I would like to really start on a intense regiment and start really bulking up. I'm afraid that if I get it and then start really lifting weights it might get stretched and distorted. Have other people had a problem with this? Is it hard to really get that bulked? What do people do when they want to get one? I never have really seen serious bodybuilders with tattoos, which makes sense for a lot of reasons. Since this tattoo would be a memorial tattoo I really don't want it to get distorted. It would mean a lot to me to get this done, but it would upset me to see it ruined.

I know there is a company called Freedom2 that has easily erasable inks. I was considering maybe using those inks. They claim it can last just like the regular inks, but it's hard to tell since it's new. What have people heard about these inks? Did anybody get a tattoo with these inks? I like the idea of being able to get it redone or taken off. The problem is if I get it with those inks I won't feel very honorable or that it's a lasting memory that really means what it should. At the same time what should I do about the bulking up? What do people think about this? What have other people done?


Advice would be greatly appreciated!
Adam

I have never seen a tatoo become distorted when someone grows from lifting. How big do you want to get anyway? I have been around the gym alot for a alot fo years, and the only guys who grow that much are using unatural substances (steriods etc) to get that way.

I don't agree with using those for health reasons. Nor do I agree with getting tatoos for health reasons. People do it all the time, and I don't judge them for it.... but I think the less stuff we introduce to our bodies (on the skin or in the mouth) the better.

I would be interested to know if people have seen this sort of distortion happen...

My guess is it would have to be a pretty intricate tatoo to notice the change (i.e. a portrait, or something with small perfect circles, etc). Keep in mind it will be "stretching" in all directions...not just one. Probably more of a "stretch" in one than another...but still probably enough in every direction to keep the proportions pretty similar in most tatoos.

Pure speculation though...but it would help explain why I too cannot recall ever seeing a tatoo that looked distorted on someone who was ripped...although I HAVE seen rings on a woman's thigh turn into slightly more of ovals. But they were quite small (and thus easily distorted)...and her fat gain was relatively high between when she got the tatoo and when she pointed out the change to me. Even then...had she not pointed it out...I doubt I'd have noticed.

Just my thoughts...

I would be more concerned with it "fading" over time.

A new tattoo looks crisp. But you can tell an old tattoo from across a room.

A lot of women have tattoos that look nice now because they're young.

( I mean women with a lot of tattoos on them). Can't help wondering when I see them, what they'll look like by 40.

I've got a small tattoo on my right arm that's about 2 years old. 40 pounds less fat and who knows how much more muscle later, it still looks the same. I've got a fresh one in progress on my right arm.

I was going to do a half sleeve, but opted to only do the outside of my arm for now, as I intend to put another 2.5-3" on my arms. From what I've seen, the smaller the tattoo, the less it distorts. In fact, it's barely noticeable unless it's something like a huge portrait on your six-pack that becomes something like a picasso if you let it become a beer gut.

I've got a friend who has tons of tatts, and has also put on a good deal of fat, and all his tatts look the same.

I love ink :D

The tattoo would be a fairly complicated portrait. I don't intend to get superjacked really quickly, but I was thinking of a few years down the line. What would happen? A lot of WWE guys have tats on them, but they probably got them after they were all ripped. If you guys think it's okay I guess that's good. I've just heard of tattoos getting distorted. I'll probably go talk to some artists to see what they think.

I do agree that sometimes people get bad tattoos and they also get them for the wrong reasons. I also don't like the fading aspect either New crisp tattoos do look much better. That's why I was thinking those new inks would be good. I see a lot of people getting them and regretting it. My brother and I recently designed a fix for a bad job one of his friends got. She was girl!

However this isn't something I would regret. It wouldn't be some Spring Break accident! The fading for me would just be a reminder that I still have all those memories with me, but time has passed. I would also design it myself. It would have a lot of purpose and meaning. In my opinion its one of the really good reasons to get inked.


Thanks
Adam

It won't look perfect forever, but nothing does. It will look great for years and carry the same meaning for life. If it gets blotchy a few decades down the road, get it touched up. No biggy.

You would have to grow so much to distort a tattoo that I really don't think you should worry about that.

Tattoos do fade, and if you are looking to get ripped and then spend all your days in the sun, I'd consider that. I avoid the sun as much as possible, and so my chest and back tattoos will probably always be fairly stark - my forearms will more likely fade a bit.

Only you can decide to make that change to your body. Obviously, from my avatar, I made a big choice. It won't likely distort from bodybuilding, just the sun. The only thing I would really consider is how it flows with your musculature and how that might change (I would be careful getting something on my upper arms because my triceps tend to stand out a lot), but you can work on that with a competent tattoo artist. Take their advice, and do what you think feels right.

I had a small tattoo done on my shoulder when I was much younger. I'm about 2 stone heavier now and it looks the same.

A girl i knew got a tatoo, and someone asked her "Dont you worry what it might look like by the time your 70".

To which she replied "I dont think any man would look at a naked 70 year woman and think 'if it wasnt for that tatoo....' "

Good point i thought.

Go with what feels right.

I know nothing can look perfect forever. When something has more meaning then it just being a stupid "accident" I feel it's more important for it to look right. I won't let anybody do this tattoo if I don't feel they understand it or have the skill. Do a lot of people get them touched up and reworked? I'm sure people would.

Man your chest tattoo must have been a real pain! I'll keep your advice in mind. I guess with bodybuilding the growth must be to slow to really notice. By the way how much is a stone? A stone is about 2 pounds. Right?

That's a good point. Not a lot of guys are looking at women that age. I do hope though when I'm that old I can be like Tony Bennett. Still doing what I love after so many years.

A stone is about 2 pounds. Right?

:nope: 1 stone = 14 pounds.