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You have to admit it: tattooed men have a certain allure. Tattoos can add edge and sex appeal to men who might otherwise struggle to get female attention, like lanky guys, short guys, or men in cardigans (a cardigan alone is very middle school teacher but with a tattoo is…well…middle school teacher you’d like to play naughty school girl with). I can almost guarantee you that no women out there are friend zoning their tattooed male buddies or labeling them “nice guys.” Even if they are friend material and even if they are nice guys—tattooed men just get their own unique category. What is it about skin ink that just draws the female gaze? It’s not just the colors and the swirls; there’s a psychology to it. Here are the psychological reasons you’re attracted to guys with tattoos.

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Tattooed men can commit

When a man has a lot of tattoos, he made several commitments. He committed to the several multi-hour appointments it took to get those. He committed to the pain involved in getting them. He committed to paying (tattoos are really expensive!). And, of course, he committed to having those tattoos for life. Tattooed men appear to be the kings of commitment.

 

 

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Tattooed men can endure pain

There’s something so attractive about men who can endure physical pain—it’s part of the reason gladiators had so many groupies back in the day and professional boxers still do. And while tattooed men don’t quite put their lives at risk (well, maybe if the needles aren’t clean) they do have this risk-taking air about them.

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Tattooed men appear emotional

We usually assume that those tattoos were born out of some deeply emotional experience. Perhaps the death of a loved one, being in the army, or going through a breakup. We like that these men don’t hide their emotions but rather literally wear them on their sleeves.

 

 

 

 

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You want to save them

We just love a chance to save somebody. We like to put our nurturing powers to the test on someone who appears to be hurting. We like to see if our love alone can bring down the walls we believe tattooed men have put up.

 

 

 

 

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Tattooed men stand for what they love

Tattooed men represent what they love. If they’re passionate about their religion, art, certain volunteer work, their moms, a place they’ve visited, their pet…they have it inked on their bodies for life. They literally wear the things they’re proud of, on their skin, and that’s attractive.

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Tattooed men reject traditional standards

Tattooed men give off a rebel vibe. They clearly do not care that they may not be allowed in certain country clubs (many have a strict no visible tattoos policy) or that their ink disqualifies them from a lot of jobs. They believe in what they believe and they aren’t going to let society’s expectations stop them from showing it on their skin.

 

 

 

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Other women love tattooed men

We don’t want to admit it, but when other women want a man, it creates intrigue. It’s just human nature to love a little competition. So since you know that other women like tattooed men, that instantly increases their market value.

 

 

 

 

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They stand out

On a simple visual note, tattooed men stand out. When you’re at a bar, you look down and see a sea of arms that all look about the same except for the ones with the cool artwork. Having tattoos is a way of peacocking.

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s like a secret side

We like the idea that, most of the time, this man walks around in the world with his tattoos covered up, and people aren’t even aware of them. His tattoos are like a part of his secret identity that only we get to see…when we’re snuggled in bed with him.

 

 

 

 

 

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They appear tough without acting tough

Tattoos make a man look tough. Deep down, a lot of women want a man who appears intimidating to other men but we don’t want a man who actually starts bar fights and asserts his toughness in stupid ways. Having tattoos lets a man appear tough, without having to do anything.

 

 

 

 

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Maybe you’ll be a tattoo one day

We can’t help but dream of what an honor it would be if the guy was so smitten with us that he turned us into a tattoo on his arm one day. Those tattoos are like the wall of fame—or arm of fame—of people and things the guy has cared about the most. It would be pretty cool to get on there!

 

 

 

 

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They appreciate art

Sometimes the artwork is just so incredibly stunning. If you’re an art lover, then you appreciate another art lover. And if the tattooed guy has some seriously good artwork then he must be an art lover. And he is a piece of art you can stare at all day.

 

 

 

 

 

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You love stories

There are stories behind those tattoos. Each one represents a time in this man’s life, or an experience that shaped him. Women are suckers for good stories! We love the idea of tracing the tattoos on his skin while he tells us about the devastating experience he had that inspired them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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You feel they’ll accept your flaws

Tattooed men are clearly comfortable with flaws. Rather than trying to have the perfect body and skin, they didn’t mind marking their bodies. We can feel like, if tattooed men are so comfortable with their own flaws, they’ll be comfortable with ours, too.

 

 

 

 

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They did something you’re afraid to do

People who are brave enough to do the things we’re afraid to do are always attractive. That’s why you often find demure homebodies with skydiving daredevils. Sometimes we’re just into tattooed men because we want tattoos but are too afraid for a number of reasons (the pain, the societal judgment) to get them.