- Insider spoke to four US-based tattoo artists about the biggest trends right now.
- They said the two major trends — small tattoos and temporary ink — could be risky.
- Celebrities including Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande have gotten small ink in recent years.
When it comes to tattoos, there are an overwhelming amount of styles, designs, and placements to choose from.
And while looking up the latest trends can provide inspiration, tattoo artists say you should be cautious of two trends in particular.
Insider spoke to four US-based artists who predict that detailed, tiny tattoos and temporary tattoos could cause regret in a few years. While tiny tattoos could run the risk of appearing too overcrowded, they said that temporary, made-to-fade tattoos could fade in a way that appears unflattering on the skin.
Avoid small tattoos that are overly detailed or overcrowded
Diana, known as @dianadivina_ on Instagram, is a tattoo artist at High Hopes Tattoo in New York City specializing in fine lines and black work. She has been in the industry since 2019, she told Insider.
Diana said she believes that some people may regret getting multiple tiny tattoos if the designs are too detailed or overcrowded.
"Very detailed, but very tiny tattoos are a trend that people are realizing may not look as great healed as they do fresh," Diana said.
"Overcrowding a small space with too much detail can result in a tattoo that doesn't heal legibly. Tattoos will spread slightly as they settle and as the skin ages, so keeping the design simple is best for longevity," she added.
Madeleine Rastelli, a traveling tattoo artist in the US, agrees that tiny tattoos can be risky. Rastelli has been tattooing for over five years and specializes in concept tattoos, which she showcases on her Instagram, @more.madeleine.
Rastelli said micro tattoos, which can be defined as tattoos that are between a half inch and one inch in size, are difficult for some artists to complete if they have a lot of color or detail. They can also be more difficult to heal, she said.
Instead, Rastelli recommends making tattoos with color or great detail slightly larger for a "huge positive difference in the end result."
Celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Cara Delevingne, Paris Jackson, and Ariana Grande have all experimented with smaller ink throughout the years.
Temporary tattoos may fade in a non-flattering way
Temporary, made-to-fade tattoos are a recent trend that has blown up on TikTok over the past year.
As Insider previously reported, these types of tattoos are often made with ink particles that are designed to fade over a period of between nine and 15 months after the tattoo is complete.
This trend can be ideal for indecisive individuals who are worried about getting a design that they could end up hating in a couple of years. But on the other hand, the way in which these tattoos fade could cause potential issues for the skin, according to tattoo artists.
Jaz Paulino co-owns the tattoo studio Coming Up Roses NYC with her mentor, Craig Spencer. Paulino, who goes by @GentleJaz on Instagram, says she has witnessed "residual tattoo or scarring left behind" on some people who have gotten these types of tattoos. She added that the faded look often resembles "an unfinished or non-properly done tattoo."
Sam Jane is an artist at High Hopes Tattoo and has been in the industry for around three years. She specializes in nature themes, such as floral designs, which she shows on her Instagram, @samanthajanetattoos.
Sam agrees with Paulino's stance, telling Insider: "I understand the hesitancy with being committed to a tattoo your whole life, but if you go with a 'temporary' option you could run the risk of having a half-completed tattoo for years."
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