Good advice in The Guardian, here’s a summary of the article:How to Choose and Care for a Tattoo You'll Love for LifeTattoo artists share their advice on picking the perfect design, finding the right artist, and avoiding common mistakes.
Finding the Right Artist

• Research tattoo styles and artists on social media.
  
• Check for licences, insurance, and hygiene standards.
  
• Consider travel if the right artist isn’t local.
  
• Decide between machine or hand-poke tattooing for different effects.
  

Designing Your Tattoo

• Provide reference images but trust your artist's creative input.
  
• Consider timeless designs over trends.
  
• Placement and size matter—small tattoos can look awkward in large spaces.
  
• Hand tattoos fade faster due to frequent use.
  

Avoiding Regret

• Sit with a design for a while before committing.
  
• Partner’s names are risky—stick to meaningful, permanent memories.
  
• Listen to your tattooist if they advise against a design.
  

The Tattooing Process

• Prepare by moisturizing skin, avoiding caffeine, and eating well.
  
• Bring snacks, a charger, and warm clothing for longer sessions.
  
• Inform the artist of allergies and medical conditions.
  
• Never get tattooed while drunk or sick.
  

Aftercare and Maintenance

• Follow aftercare instructions carefully—keep it clean and moisturized.
  
• Avoid sun exposure and submerging in water during healing.
  
• Long-term, use sunscreen to prevent fading.
  

Covering or Removing Tattoos

• Laser removal is an option, but time-consuming.
  
• Cover-ups work best with darker designs like panthers.
  
• Some embrace tattoo regrets as part of their personal journey.
  

Ultimately, tattoos are a lifelong commitment, so careful planning, a trusted artist, and proper care are key to keeping them looking great.

Poor you, I agree, they look horrible. Maybe try the approach that whilst they might look fine now,however carefully they are done, they are certainly not going to look like that in his 70s and 80s. I know of a number of dermatologists/plastic surgeons funding their children’s education removing them.

I totally get where you're coming from—tattoos can feel like a big decision, especially when you're not really on board with the idea. It’s great that you’re trying to approach it from a place of understanding, though, and maybe you can find some common ground with your husband on this.

Here’s my take on the options:

1. Tiger from your honeymoon – I get the sentimental value, but I agree it could come off a bit “glam rock” depending on how it’s done. Maybe there’s a way to make it more subtle or incorporate it into something more personal to both of you? A tiger could symbolize strength or adventure, so you could play with that idea.

2. Birthdays of kids – Yeah, I can see why you’re not thrilled about this one, especially with the Wayne Rooney vibe! If he insists, maybe it could be done in a more artistic way? Like, instead of just the numbers, it could be represented by something personal about each child (a symbol or something related to their personality) rather than just dates.

3. Location in LatLon of his childhood home – This one seems a bit random unless the house really means something to both of you. You could suggest he get something more symbolic about his childhood, like a meaningful landmark or an object that represents that home, rather than the exact coordinates.

4. Blood group – I definitely understand your discomfort with this one! Unless he’s in a profession where it’s super practical, it feels a bit... off. Maybe suggest something related to health or life but in a way that doesn’t feel as clinical.

5. Wedding day – I think this one could work, especially if it’s something that’s important to him. A small, subtle reminder could be sweet. You could suggest a more creative approach, though, like a symbol or something abstract that represents your relationship rather than just the date itself.

6. Motto in Latin – I kind of like this idea, especially if it’s a phrase that resonates with both of you. But since neither of you speaks Latin, it might be worth making sure it’s not just some random quote. Maybe pick something that really means something to you both.

Overall, I think the best battle to fight is helping him choose something that has meaning for both of you and that you can both live with long-term. Maybe you can agree to something more subtle or personal, or find a way to compromise on the design. And if he’s really set on it, you could even try suggesting a temporary tattoo first to test it out!

Good luck, and I hope you find a solution that works for both of you!

Maybe just count yourself lucky that this is a very harmless way to have a midlife crisis?

And it all sounds a bit controlling — it’s his body, and other than looking like a tw*t it really does no harm to anybody.

What’s wrong with photographs? They won’t fade.

Give him a slap round the head and tell him to grow up.

I’m a middle-aged, middle-class Mum who got a tattoo aged 17 and aged 27. I would have got another one aged 37 and 47 too but my husband wasn’t keen. He doesn’t like them but I have never ever regretted them. I got symbols that are hugely personal to me, travel related (always been my passion) and in places that aren’t always on show so they really are for me, no-one else. Just thought I’d share for some more understanding. Good luck! X

This is so Wayne Rooney I can't even......

Also, the tiger reminds me of a Frostie tiger....

I'm so on your side.  I even hate the scar on my husband's ear where he used to have an earing in his youth!

 

And the Frostie Tiger is a lot of different colours!

Thanks again everyone.

I do think you should encourage him to explore his motivation for this some more. If it is indeed because he thinks tattoos are cool and fashionable, then perhaps first get him to read an article in yesterday's Sunday Times (Katie Gatens: 'Rethinking that regrettable inking? Call the tattoo zappers'). According to that article, the trend is now for some celebrities to get their tattoos removed and there a been a big and lucrative rise in the removals industry following on from that (a clinic in London and Manchester reported a 30% rise in inquiries). Apparently there was a YouGov poll last year which found that 28% of Brits have at least one tattoo and one in seven of them have regrets. They are expensive to remove, although apparently black ink is easier and quicker than colours (blue and green need multiple sessions). So if your husband thinks he's following a trend, that may be over already!

I personally do not like tattoos either .
However my friend got a tattoo done by jonathan mckenzie tattoo , you can find him on instagram.

His work is amazing, beautiful fine work. He is a very talented artist .

I will have a look what tiger work he has done previously.

Thank you all and great advice.

I dislike least the idea of a meaningful tattoo, but it’s so hard to associate tattoo images and deep feelings with someone for whom supermarket flowers are the height of romance.

That’s not to say he doesn’t love me, I know he does, it’s just that he’s not an “Eat Pray Love” kinda person and so it’s hard to attach emotion to his inking.

I just start to laugh.

I’d almost rather he said “I want one because I think it looks cool” as opposed to retro-fitting some cod tree hugging emotion.

Thanks again.

I keep telling him the tiger reminds me of Frosties 🐯which is making him go off the idea a bit.

I personally hate tattoos but a good friend of mine loves them and explain something to me which i want to share. It didnt change my mind but ai really look at them differently now, but only thenones that clearly are art.

She says that a tattoo needs to tell a story; it neess to be one of a kind, meaningful to the bearer. Something that is deeply personal. It s not necessarily for the onlooker to understand.

So with that in mind, look at his list and discuss the meaning of each one. But i the end of the day it has to mean something to him, not necessarily to you.
You perhaps can have a say in its location, but you really dont on what it is going to be. Although, inam with you on a tiger .

A feelw summers ago i saw a woman with a full sleeve with flowers but the backgroung was she had inked the whole sleeve in black. We got to chatting and she said she still had to put sun cream on to protect the vibrancy of the colours but that it was like wearing a long sleeve during the hot summer so she was very hot. I didnt say anything but ai still have the why in my head…

I m really trying to like them and to learn I promise, but it can be very hard not to be a tinsy bit judgmental

This is both hysterical and depressing. Brideshead comment very funny.

Tigers are good for Triads, otherwise a bit G. Glitter. All those self-affirming ideas - compass points, children's birthdays, blood groups, map references - all quite needy. Can't he just get a picture of these from NotOnTheHighStreet?

How about:
- Luggage label with 'If found please return to' and your home address? on his shoulder with a corner peeping over his collar.
- GCSE results on his arm? including the C in Art.
- His CV over his back? Leave a bit of space at the bottom.
- DNR under his chin?

Final suggestion, slightly kinder:
- a 'rubber stamp' of the date of your wedding, or saying VALID or LOVED or something affirming. Maybe in Latin! And maybe somewhere completely invisible.

Location and tattoo artist are probably important too