Gen Z Will Be the Last Tattooed Generation: Millennial Ashley Bez’s Viral TikTok Theory Sparks Debate on Ink’s Decline

A TikTok video has gone viral after Ashley Bez, a 41-year-old stylist from Brooklyn, made a surprising claim: Generation Z might be the last tattoo-loving generation.

In her short but bold clip, Bez shared that tattoos, once considered rebellious and edgy, are now so common that the younger generation may start to see them as “something old people have.”

“Tattoos are in the zeitgeist right now. You can even walk into a job interview with a neck tattoo,” Bez said. “But Gen Alpha is watching, and they’ll grow up thinking tattoos are for older people.”

She used her 5-year-old niece as an example, explaining how the child already covers herself in fake tattoos for fun. “By the time she’s older, she might already be over it,” Bez added.

Though her theory is just a prediction, she admitted: “I don’t know what I’m talking about. I just said it on TikTok. But I’m glad it sparked a conversation.”

Bez isn’t against tattoos — in fact, she’s a fan of body art and has seven herself. Her take is more about shifting trends and the way younger generations view things that were once considered rebellious.

She also pointed to money as a major reason for a possible decline in tattoo popularity. “Tattoos are expensive, and late-stage capitalism is pushing people into poverty,” she told Newsweek.

Tattoos: From Taboo to Trendy

Growing up, Bez said tattoos were seen as a fast track to joblessness and social judgment. Today, they’re widely accepted. In fact, a 2023 Pew Research study found that 32% of Americans have at least one tattoo. Among millennials aged 30–49, 46% reported having ink.

Still, some tattoo artists are reporting a slowdown in bookings. There are even whispers of a “tattoo recession” after the post-pandemic surge.

TikTok Reactions

Bez’s theory sparked heated debate in the comments:

• “Tattoos are a fad. People with no tattoos over 30 are more impressive now.”

• “Gen Z and younger are becoming more conservative — that’s probably why.”

• “It’s the cost. Tattoos are too expensive these days.”

Bez, meanwhile, hopes her viral moment brings more than just views. “I hope it helps me pay for my next tattoo,” she joked. “It’ll be my eighth and it’s gonna be epic.”