For many college students, turning 18 comes with newfound freedoms: voting, moving out, and for an increasing number, getting their first tattoo. Just as turning 21 is associated with a first drink at a bar, getting inked at 18 has become a rite of passage for students entering adulthood.
Night Silverman, a tattoo apprentice at Story Tattoo in Bellingham, has seen this trend firsthand.
"I tattoo college students pretty often. Most of the people that come in are connected to WWU in some way," Silverman said.
Silverman has noticed an increase in students coming in for tattoos right after their 18th birthday.
"I think it's just because it's another thing that becomes legal when you turn 18. It's like going to your first bar at 21. I think the thought process behind the two are very similar," Silverman said.
Many students view their first tattoo as a way to commemorate a milestone. Rosie Walker, a freshman at Western Washington University, was one of the many students who got a tattoo when they turned 18.
"It was something I planned for a long time, mostly because I had to design it first and make it unique,” Walker said. “Everyone in my family gets a ‘family’ tattoo at 18, which we design ourselves, and that represents our whole family."
Although Walker was nervous, they didn’t regret getting their tattoo and plan to get more tattoos once they create another design that feels right.
"Tattoos are a type of art that is forever, and you don’t want to get something that isn’t going to be special to you in the future," Walker said.
Popular tattoo styles among college students have evolved. Styles of cyber sigilism, a modern type of tribal designs, patchwork and fine line work are some of the most frequent designs among students that Silverman oversees.
Silverman believes that social media has played a significant role in influencing these trends.
“With trends cycling around, I see people getting tattoos inspired by images they have seen. Also, seeing tattoos on people being more accessible, I think, contributes to deluding connotations previously held," Silverman said.
This shift in perception is not just about aesthetics — it reflects a broader change in how tattoos are viewed by younger generations.
"I think younger people don't see them as much of a serious change. I see a lot of people just getting things that they think look cool or fall in line with trends going around," Silverman said. "Not as much of a hardcore punk association with tattoos and more so just personalizing bodies with art."
Pete Falcone, a tattoo artist at Colby Avenue Tattoo in Everett, agrees.
"College-age and the generations of kids coming into college understand more of the internet age than older clients I have. So social media plays a huge role in what people consider their research for deciding their tattoo designs," Falcone said.
Workplace stigma has also lessened over time.
“It is not really much of a stigma anymore. There may be some here and there, but it isn’t as heavily pressed as it was back in the day,” Falcone said.
If you’re thinking about getting your first tattoo, stick to spots that are safe for work — like your arms, legs, torso, or back. Just avoid the neck, face and hands, Falcone advised.
Taking the time to research, communicate with an artist and understand the significance of a tattoo can help prevent regret later. While some see tattoos as deeply personal and symbolic, others get them simply because they enjoy the art. Falcone believes both approaches are valid, but the most important thing is that the person getting tattooed feels confident in their choice.
“Everybody’s path for the things they choose to permanently leave on their body is for them to reflect on. But the time sitting with me is a shared experience on the mark we both worked on leaving. I want everyone to walk out not just feeling but knowing that the choices made were 100% solid decisions," said Falcone.
Mishele Ross (she/her) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year journalism news/ed major. When she is not hunting down a source or hiding out in the library writing a story, you can find her listening to music, bowling, or playing a round of golf. You can reach her at misheleross.thefront@gmail.com.
