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Tattoos today are a commonly seen form of expression. Body art has become far more prevalent over the years and definitely more accepted. Some people are surprised that blue-suited executives and nice girls in pearls are inked beneath the conservative exterior.
How do people feel when they discover the hidden artwork? It depends on where you have one and what it is. We can probably agree a small butterfly on your wrist will be viewed differently than a painted snake wrapped around your neck. One interesting exploration in tattoo research is to what extent do they make others more desirable? And if they do, why?
Body Artwork Appreciation
Andrzej Galbarczyk and Anna Ziomkiewic (2017) examined whether tattoos made men more attractive.1 In their research, they took photos of non-tattooed men and digitally modified them to add a black arm tattoo of an abstract, neutral design.
They then presented the photos to 2584 men and women and had viewers rate the photos with and without the tattoo in several categories.
Women rated tattooed versions of the men as healthier but not more or less attractive than the men without tattoos. On the other hand, men rated tattooed versions of the men as more attractive but not more or less healthy compared with photos of the men without the tattoos.
Because the study only used heterosexual subjects, Galbarczyk and Ziomkiewic interpreted these findings as showing that men viewed other men with tattoos as same-sex rivals, given their perception that tattooed men are attractive to women. This might have something to do with perceived self-confidence, as the authors note that men gain significantly more self-esteem and body appreciation after getting inked for the first time.
Both men and women rated pictures of the tattooed men as more dominant, aggressive, and masculine. Galbarczyk and Ziomkiewic point out these testosterone-related characteristics are frequently associated with good health, which could explain the female viewers’ perception that tattooed men were healthier.
Tattooed Relationship Potential
Does viewing a tattooed man as healthy create a desire to begin a relationship? It depends on what type of relationship the viewer has in mind. Galbarczyk and Ziomkiewic found that women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos. Male viewers did not hold these views.
On this topic, they note that it might seem surprising at first that the women perceived tattooed men to be healthier but not more attractive, but pointed out that their study only assessed general attractiveness, and suggested women might find men with tattoos more attractive when considering short-term relationships, given the link with masculinity. In support of this proposition, they cite a study where women found men who had posttraumatic facial scarring to be more attractive for short-term pairings but not for a long-term relationship.
In the mix, tattoos are only one facet of what is no doubt a constellation of traits possessed by the wearer of the body art. And regarding the impact on relationship potential, many tattoos are, at the very least, conversation starters.
Facebook image: Mangostar/Shutterstock
References
[1] Galbarczyk, Andrzej, and Anna Ziomkiewicz. 2017. “Tattooed Men: Healthy Bad Boys and Good-Looking Competitors.” Personality and Individual Differences 106 (February): 122–25. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.10.051.
FAQs
Body Artwork Appreciation
Do tattoos make men more attractive? ›
Will women find me more attractive? A: There's a lot of individual differences of course, but there's evidence that, overall, women will not find you more attractive with a tattoo. Additionally, women find men with tattoos to be healthier, more masculine, dominant, and aggressive, but as worse partners and parents.
Why am I attracted to guys with tattoos? ›
Tattooed men were seen as dominant and masculine.
It turns out that while women may be attracted on a personality level to “good boys,” on an exterior level, they at least want their good boys to look... a little bad. Just how can the good guys get this image?
Do girls like guys with tattoos? ›
Girls are complex, unique, and individual creatures, so answering the question, “Do women like men with tattoos?” can be pretty tricky. Tattoos have a unique appeal to them for some women, signifying strength, rebellion, or even just an artistic nature. Other girls will avoid a guy with a tattoo like the plague.
Where is the most attractive place for a tattoo on a guy? ›
For those interested in men, prime real estate for a tattoo was the upper arm at a 3.8. The upper back and shoulder were not far behind, receiving 3.5 and 3.4 ratings, respectively. Those attracted to women saw a three-way tie between the upper back, shoulder and hips (with a 3.3 rating).
What makes a tattoo manly? ›
According to tattoo artist Chang of West 4 Tattoo, the three main components that make a tattoo feel “masculine” are sizing (as “larger tends to be more 'masculine'”), line thickness, and the actual image you're getting inked.
Why do guys get tattoos? ›
Some do it to honor a loved one, others do it just because they love the way it looks, and some see tattoos as an integral part of their personality and lifestyle.
Do girls prefer guys with or without tattoos? ›
Results summarized. Women, on average, find men with tattoos equally attractive and smart as men without tattoos. However, they perceive men with tattoos as slightly less trustworthy.
Are men more sensitive to tattoos? ›
Men and women may be physically different, however, there really is no difference between male and females with how they experience pain intensity during tattooing. The areas of the body tend to generate the same degree of pain in general.
How do you tell a guy you like his tattoos? ›
Let Them Know You're Genuinely Interested in Their Tattoo/s
For instance, if you're thinking about getting new ink yourself (more on this below) ask him/her which studio/artist they received the tattoo/s from. They are proud of their body art and will be happy to respond and recommend the studio/artist that they go to.
The Bible warns against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 (Amplified) which says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” However, just because society approves of something does not make it right in the eyes of God.
Do tattoos make you look older? ›
Tattoos can make you look younger or older depending on the placement and size of your design. For example, smaller tattoos are going to age you less than larger ones. A small tattoo located on a delicate part of your body like the wrist or neck will be much more youthful than a large one on the back or chest.
Do girls like guys with muscles? ›
His study found physical characteristics mattered more. Women were more physically attracted to brawny men, especially for a fling. But when it comes to finding a long-term partner, they tend to pick a regular man over a mate with huge biceps. "On the one hand, it makes them more sexy to women.
Does a tattoo make a guy more attractive? ›
Key points. In a study, women rated tattooed men as healthier but not more attractive than men without tattoos. Men viewed tattooed men as more attractive but not healthier than men without tattoos. Women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos.
Do girls like guys without tattoos? ›
Results summarized. Women, on average, find men with tattoos equally attractive and smart as men without tattoos. However, they perceive men with tattoos as slightly less trustworthy.
Do tattoos make you look more muscular? ›
In general, tattoos on men tend to enhance the appearance of muscle definition, while tattoos on women can sometimes create a softer, more feminine look. However, this is not always the case and ultimately depends on the individual's body type and the design of the tattoo.
