Many people, before going to a tattoo parlor, wonder what will happen to the tattoo if they want to lose weight or, conversely, gain excess weight. A change in body weight is a common age-related change that is characteristic of every second person. Experts say that you should not be afraid of this. In order for tattoos to remain a spectacular wearable decoration after losing weight, you should follow some recommendations and rules.

What will happen

What will happen to the tattoo? It is believed that the pattern can be severely deformed, provided that a person quickly gained 15–20% of their own weight. If kilograms were added gradually, then the visible changes will be minimal: plus a few millimeters will not play a special role and will not spoil the appearance. Why is this happening? A sudden change in body weight is a stress for the body. If you quickly lose weight, then stretch marks will certainly appear in the most vulnerable places, which cause deformation of the tattoo. With a gradual weight gain, the fat is distributed evenly, so the skin does not suffer.

The same thing happens with a sharp weight loss. The pattern does not change for the better and, following the skin, it shrinks in size. Creases and sagging are also possible, which distort the symmetry and proportions. Experienced tattooists say that compositions made in the style of realism or 3D technique suffer the most. The slightest deviation from the original sketch leads to the fact that the tattoo on a thinner body looks unattractive and ridiculous. You should be especially careful with portraits. This is where the changes are seen first. Clear geometric shapes are another risk area. You will lose weight, and the correct lines will eventually become zigzags, and this will spoil the whole character of the composition.

Choosing a place for drawing

So, tattoos change in cases where there is a sharp change in body weight (see photo). But there are areas that are practically not subject to stretch marks and deformation (even if you have lost weight or recovered very much). When choosing a place for a tattoo, give preference to the following areas:

• scapula;
• wrist;
• collarbone;
• ankle;
• forearm;
• shoulder.

Girls are strongly discouraged from getting tattoos in the abdomen, chest and buttocks, because after childbirth the skin is stretched in any case. Guys who want to build biceps and triceps don't have to worry. The increase in volume occurs due to an increase in muscles, while the skin does not suffer. Accordingly, the tattoo will remain safe and sound. With very intense training, only small stretches in the armpit area are possible.

Girls and guys who actively visit the gym should take into account that after applying a tattoo, the skin must be given time to recover. The drawing will heal more slowly and worse if in the first 10-15 days the body is exhausted with exhausting workouts. Firstly, sweat is one of the main enemies of a new tattoo. Secondly, the final result of the work depends on how you take care of the damaged area at first. The tattoo stays with you for life, so you should pay special attention to it at the healing stage. In case of deformation of the tattoo, you can always make a correction or redo the sketch over time.

To definitely protect yourself from unpleasant changes with tattoos, choose sketches of small sizes. A complex composition is easier to spoil with one wrong move. Also try not to draw on open areas of the body. Give preference to areas that can be hidden under clothing both in winter and in summer. If you decide to lose weight, no one will notice what happened to your tattoo.

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Many, before getting a tattoo, ask questions: How will my tattoo change if I suddenly lose weight, or suddenly get better? What will happen to my tattoo over time, so in 10-20 years?

So, do tattoos change with body weight.

Here the answer is not unambiguous, it all depends on where you got the tattoo. And also on how much in what time frame you lost or gained weight.

Naturally, with a sharp weight loss or weight gain, your pattern may change. For example, in women, the buttocks, abdomen and breasts are considered a risk zone, as a rule, during pregnancy and lactation, it is these places that add in volume. So, with a sharp weight gain, the skin does not have time to naturally stretch, and the pattern can be skewed, and with a sharp weight loss, the skin simply does not have time, it will naturally shrink, because it takes time.

If weight gain or weight loss occurs slowly, then you will not notice significant changes. You can lose weight well and gradually with the help of a procedure such as sleeve gastroplasty. This operation has established itself as an effective method of surgical treatment for excess weight.

Much also depends on the type of tattoo, as a rule, when changing body weight, tattoos made in the style of realism most often suffer. Most of all, as practice shows, portraits of people are distorted, so before you pin a portrait of a loved one, for example, on your chest, think carefully.

Lines in geometric patterns may also change, with changes in body mass or age, straight lines may become curved. If the tattoo is small, there may not be any changes, or they will not be visible to the eye. Also, tattoos stuck on such places as the wrist, behind the ear, on the head, on the feet will not change, these places do not suffer when the body weight changes.

But do not be afraid, even if your tattoo has changed a little, you can always correct it.

Tattoo changes with age

Factors such as skin type, pattern size, exposure to sunlight, and ink quality may affect pattern changes. As a rule, thin and small lines are subject to age-related changes; over time, they disappear completely.

After 15-20 years, subtle and small details of your tattoo may disappear completely, since a number of substances that make up the ink dissolve in the body over time, being absorbed by the cells, or removed from it.

Deformation of a tattoo is a change in the pattern under the influence of any factors. And most often, time and physiological changes in the body act as these same factors. But be that as it may, in the end, you may be faced with the fact that the tattoo is no longer an ornament on your body, but, on the contrary, becomes a "thorn". In this case, fixing the tattoo, covering it up or, in extreme cases, removing it will help. But don't be afraid. Not everything is so scary. Such a problem may not affect someone, but for someone the changes will be so insignificant that it will not be necessary to pay attention to such trifles.

How will the tattoo change with a change in body weight

If your weight changes dramatically up or down, then the probability of tattoo deformation is 90%, especially if it is applied to the so-called risk zone.

What parts of the body belong to such zones? In women, these are the hips, abdomen and chest. And here, there is a big risk that after giving birth, the tattoo will no longer be the same as before. Most likely, it will stretch or warp.

If the weight will go away or vice versa, gain gradually, and the skin will have time to get into shape, then there is no significant risk for the tattoo.

It is worth noting that certain tattoos are more susceptible to deformation. These are drawings made in the style of realism, which include portraits and a large number of curved lines.

Specialized craftsmen consider the most “safe” places: the wrist, head, ear and feet. Tattoos in these areas do not tolerate modifications even with a sharp change in body weight.

How does a tattoo change over time?

Whether your tattoo will change after 5 or 10 years depends on several factors: the quality of the paint, the abundance of ultraviolet radiation and, of course, the individual characteristics of the skin. As a rule, over time, the pattern becomes many times paler, and thin stripes or lines may disappear altogether. This is due to the removal of paint from a thin layer of skin. In such a case, the deformation of the tattoo is quite simply eliminated. You can restore the tattoo in any salon where you will update the drawing.

For many of us, tattoos and strength training go hand in hand. They immediately bring to mind the image of a classic strong man, a kind of "badass" - a warrior. Both of these concepts are brutal and demanding; but they have one common goal - to make your body the way you want it to be!

However, such a transformation of the body goes beyond physical aesthetics. When you play sports and get tattoos, it is always associated with something that is not visible to the eye. A powerful, muscular body can show health, strength, and attractiveness to others; but many of us see what is hidden: perseverance, struggle and dedication. The tattooed body exhibits the same qualities, as well as a few additional ones. Whether it's a tattoo or a body like Vin Diesel, you show off your results with pride. You have earned them!

Oh, by the way, there is another big similarity between these two concepts: there is a lot of dubious information around on the topic of tattoos and training. And given that I'm closely connected to both fields, it's no surprise that I'm often asked questions that connect them. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to me.

They immediately bring to mind the image of a classic strong man, a kind of "badass" - a warrior.

I WANT A TATTOO ON MY ARM BUT MY ARMS GROW IN SIZE! WILL THE TATTOO STRETCH?

The short answer is no. You see, when the skin is stretched, it only happens in certain areas. Biceps and triceps are not stretched. When your arms get bigger, it's at the expense of the skin around your armpits. To verify this, look at where the stretch marks are located in people who have changed weight in a very short time. They are almost always located around the armpits (And you are not me, you are unlikely to want a tattoo in that place!).

Even if the muscle gain is significant, your tattoo is unlikely to stretch to the same extent. A difference of a few centimeters in circumference will astronomically change the look of your hand, but will be almost invisible in the overall appearance of the tattoo. Heck, even if you don't exercise, your skin still changes over time. That is life. Therefore, if you want a tattoo on your biceps, then get it!

I HEARD TATTOOS NEED TIME TO HEAL. DO I HAVE TO STOP EXERCISING IF I TATTOO MYSELF?

Not necessarily - but you still have to give it time to heal. Remember your last intense, heavy leg workout? Do you remember how you felt the next day? This is how your muscles need recovery, and so does your skin.

What really matters is how you take care of your tattoo for the first 10-15 days, not the next 10-15 years. Just as there is no guarantee of your physical fitness after going to the gym, you also do not know what will happen to your tattoo when you leave the tattoo parlor. Keep it clean and hydrated, and keep it out of the sun.

Even if the muscle gain is significant, your tattoo is unlikely to stretch to the same extent.

I recommend not training the newly tattooed area for at least 2-3 days. This does not mean that you should completely stop training, just approach the matter wisely. If you stuffed your sleeve, train your legs for now. If the tattoo is on your thigh, do abs or pull-ups.

But, whether you have new tattoos or not, if you feel exhausted, exhausted or tired, then I strongly recommend that you listen to your body. You better know how long it will take your body to recover, despite everything you read somewhere (including what you read here!). Without a doubt, I advise you to push yourself if you want to achieve something more, but, nevertheless: listen to your intuition - this will help you achieve greater results.

I HAD GOOD RESULTS IN THE GYM. IF I GET A TATTOO WILL IT HARM MY FITNESS?

It is clear that those of us who work hard in the gym do not want the tattoo to be the first thing that catches the eye, and not the results of our training. But, fortunately, tattoos and workouts complement each other perfectly! Look at real life examples: Dave Bautista, Christmas Abbott or Jim Stoppani. Bold, strong tattoos look great on a bold, strong body, just like those proverbial gloves.

If your tattoos fit your muscles in shape and size, it will improve the look and results of your work - in most cases. I do not advise you to make a tiny drawing on a large part of the body.

If you have more questions about tattoos and workouts, or need advice, write it in the comments below. In the meantime, make Russia beautiful! Train and get tattoos!