These Photos Show How Much Tattoos Fade And Age Over Time

You want a tattoo. You've prepared yourself for the pain as much as you can. You've got Advil waiting in the car. You've even convinced yourself that your strict mother will never need to look at your lower back ever again. You want a tattoo, and you're ready. An appointment has even been arranged at the least shady tattoo parlor in the shadier part of town. Your money's in hand, too, but have you considered the upkeep for your new ink? Do you know that you need to slather on at least a SPF 30 to protect your decorated skin?

Most people don't consider the horrible side effects that can accompany new tattoos. Yes, adorable little finger tattoos can be fun additions to your bodily canvas, but have you thought about how quickly finger tats fade? To be clear, any faded tattoo, even a super cool Disney tattoo, will never look as great as a fresh one. 

It's incredibly commonplace to regret a tattoo that you planned out months in advance. You may still love the design, but it's highly unlikely that you'll relish the weathered nature of an ill-kept or old bit of ink. If you think this wouldn't bother you and you're still planning on getting one, feast your eyes on these less-than-stellar, not-so-permanent tattoos and then make your decision.